Proposed budget gains

"Trustee Pete Ladesic said he is concerned about allocating money for the Economic Development Corp."Every year, we point out the failures of the organization, but every year we continue to fund them,” Ladesic said. Ladesic explained the primary goal of the organization is to retain and attract new business."

Thanks Pete for having the courage to say what many of us have, one of the reasons many of us voted for you.

Popular topic lately.

Georgia Rae is closing. Maison Suzanne is closing her GE location.

Either the EDC board needs to be replaced for its inability to give direction to its Executive Director, or the Executive Director needs to be replaced because she cannot follow directives. Or both. Maybe they are both bad. Either way...something is rotten in Denmark and we deserve a group of people dedicated to bettering the Village of GE.

Anyone can answer a phone and extol the virtues of GE. What we need is a modern, savvy go-getter who can work her contacts to sell the **** out of this place.

Status quo, in the eyes of most involved, seems to be A-OK. Enough is definitely enough.

Enjoy this year's sidewalk sale where...the only thing for sale will be the sidewalk itself.

quote:

Originally posted by shrugged:
Thanks Pete for having the courage to say what many of us have, one of the reasons many of us voted for you.

Not following you, Shrugged, I swear. Not even disagreeing with you, just a question. Isn't 30 out of $38,000 specifically earmarked for grants to help new businesses with buildouts?

Doesn't seem like the Village is supplying an overly large handout to the EDC.

quote:

Originally posted by J.R.B.:
Georgia Rae is closing. Maison Suzanne is closing her GE location.

Two of the nicest owners in town and two of the most original and cool shops in town as well. Sorry to hear the news.

Love that wonderful lady at Maison Suzanne.

Great eye, and she tells it like it is.

GE's loss is Oak Park's gain.

Rob, the question is not the amount of money allocated but how effective its allocation has been. I’m just linking the article, didn’t want to post the entire thing and feel the wrath of Ted.

“Ladesic recommended an in-house group be put in place, ‘at least for the time being, to provide for greater control and transparency as far as the direction of how those funds are spent.’"

Example? Not sure of the final amount, but last year the EDC wanted to hand Gratto the maximum assistance of $30,000 correct? $30,000 of OUR TAX DOLLARS for one small business in a community with so many vacancies?

quote:

Originally posted by J.R.B.:
Love that wonderful lady at Maison Suzanne.

+1. She is a wonderful person and I hope MS kills in OP. Her shop there is fantastic. This is what all of you should do. Go to Marion Street Cheese Market and get some tasty treats then walk down to Maison Suzanne and hook yourself up with a one of a kind piece of furniture that will beautify your house 10 fold. While you are purchasing something, tell her that the photographer she uses is fantastic as well.

Shrugged
Thank you for your kind words.

Rob
FYI. Over $350,000.00 is earmarked for economic development activities next year. Of that, $226,000.00 is earmarked to go to the EDC.

The $38,000.00 set aside for facade grants is a good example of a directive as to how a portion of the $226,000.00 is to be spent.