[Winona Online Democracy] Ok Mr Sebo, let me see if I can explain my opinion a little further. When I am referring to the City of Winona giving money to private enterprises, profit or non-profit, I am referring to the actual City of Winona spending taxpayers money to support a business.
I have no problem with a business going out and raising needed money from banks, investors or other business, grants or whatever. I do not believe in the City Managers or Council, giving taxpayer money to businesses for advertising or whatever. I am not against Shakespeare, but I feel they need to do what everyone else in a business needs to do, raise their own money and not expect handouts from the City. How many businesses have gone out of business over the last year and the City of Winona has not come to their rescue. I know of several businesses that are seriously in trouble right now because of the big boxes we brought to town. Who better to "give" money to than businesses that have contributed heart and soul to this community for a long long time. But will the City of Winona bail them out. Not on your life. They would not spend taxpayers money's this way. Shakespeare is no different. One business dies while another is given handouts of taxpayer money...umm something is not quite right here. My point is not about whether Shakespeare is good or bad for Winona, it is about how money is being spent to grow the community. I know Bob that your are a big support of historical buildings, the ones downtown and the Senior High. You recently published an editorial suggesting Merchants fix the buildings up and rent them to artist at low rates. Why didn't you make that plea to the City Fathers? I have to believe at that time you had your head on straight and new that it was not the City of Winona's job to fix buildings for other businesses. You were thinking straight enough to ask help from the bank, and not the City Council. I have no problem with you or any other business doing this. It's not spending taxpayers money for private gain, profit or non-profit. It is not the business of the City of Quoting Bob Sebo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Janice...we're back to normal...I'm happy to tell you that once again I > think your nuts! :-) > > The farmers' market is a small business for the producers, I'll grant you > that, but it is more a street fair than a retail operation...and it does > draw people downtown. It is an attraction, and such deserves community > support. IMHO > > Shakespeare is a golden opportunity for Winona...it has a potential for real > economic impact. The banks wouldn't be investing they didn't think it was > good for their service area. > > We have never really believed in investing in ourselves in this > community...that's a generalization but natives will know what I mean. Our > bonded indebtedness (among significant cities) is perhaps the smallest in > the state on a per capita basis. > > We are just now building our first rail overpass...we have built no parking > structures...no meeting facilities...maybe this thrift doesn't serve us well > in the long term. > > I'm just a simple country boy...I haven't trotted that line out for a > while...lol...but maybe if we decide what we want to be as a community (now > we're back to planning) we can make selective investments that might shift > the odds in our favor. > > I think that goes for historic preservation downtown, too...regardless of > Paul's dismissal of downtown revival or Jim Galewski's (I think) short > sighted editorial in today's WDN. Those of you who were around when the > Opera House was torn down might remember that he wrote as WDN Opinion Editor > that it was a plus because it improved the view of the courthouse. Jim is a > fine guy but he doesn't get historic preservation and I fear he never will. > > Bob Sebo > Winona > > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
