Public Voice - Thursday, Feb. 2
Comments (...)Dear Editor,
Back in the “old days” when I was a little girl, going downtown Oregon was a thrill.
After church on Sunday, my family would go to the Sinnissippi Hotel on the corner of Rt. 2 and Rt. 64 for the best prime rib dinner.
There were mashed potatoes, gravy, and succulent cole slaw to accompany the delectable meat.
If we cleaned our plate, a chocolate sundae was sure to follow.
Because there were seven of us we could never sit in the wooden booths, but oh how I longed to do that one day.
Then the next thing I knew, down came the building and in went a gas station...it is just progress.
If we didn’t go to dinner, we would stop at Shouer’s for a Sunday newspaper and my 5 cent Bun candy bar.
I loved the aromas found in that store...tobacco, sweets, papers...it was never a quick stop, just too many interesting sights and smells to behold.
Then this store was gone... it is just progress.
Where to next, too many stores to choose from, but on a Saturday we certainly had to stop at Royal Blue and then down to the corner grocery store; both gone when the larger grocery stores came to town. It is just progress.
Crossing the street we made a quick stop at Decker’s but always had to make sure we stopped at Leech’s Drug store if nothing more than to greet the owner, a good friend of my uncle.
Now both of these entities are gone, making way for bigger stores, but remember it is just progress.
Walking over to Bill’s Shoe Store was a must. Surely, we found a reason to peruse the clothing and domestic goods found in Bradbury’s department store.
I loved going into the Boston store if for no other reason than to hear my heels click on the fabulous wooden floors.
Then on really sunny days, the owners would pull down their shades casting a golden glow on the sidewalks.
How sad when the shoe store and both dry goods store could no longer compete with the malls and went out of business. It is just progress.
As I entered my teens and adulthood, it seemed more of our local stores could no longer compete with the larger chain stores in the surrounding area.
Sadly, these local stores closed their doors or a few moved to other locations in Oregon. Other businesses came and went.
Downtown Oregon as I remember it as a little girl has changed...it is just progress.
Recently, there has been renewed interest in revitalizing our downtown to bring sales tax revenue to the city, renovate edifices which are in need of enhancement and repairs, and create an increasing property tax base (equalized assessed valuation) which will help the city, park district, and school district.
Instead of embracing the idea, it seems some want to keep downtown Oregon as it is and are thwarting plans to move forward...is that progress?
Susan E. Davis
Oregon
(Editor’s note: Susan E. Davis is the wife of Gary Davis, publicity chairman of the Oregon Economic Development Committee.)
Dear Editor,
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride recently announced a pilot project for electronic filing of documents with the Illinois Supreme Court.
Interestingly the project is being developed in DuPage County, the largest of the “collar counties” and our Ogle County which has become recognized as one of Illinois’ most advanced counties in court related technology.
Ron McDermott, Ogle County Clerk of the Circuit Court, has worked with the Illinois Supreme Court in coordination with his staff in the Ogle County Judicial Center and the staff of the DuPage County Clerk of the Circuit Court in the development, testing, and implementation of this project.
Ogle County can be proud to be recognized in such a significant way by the Supreme Court.
With so many units of government across our nation struggling to provide necessary services in older, less efficient ways, it is good to see Circuit Clerk Ron McDermott and his skilled staff take part in making technology work for better service at lower cost for our citizens.
In the world of court services the honors don’t come much higher than this degree of recognition from the Supreme Court.
Sincerely,
Ron Colson
Mt. Morris
Dear Editor,
Over the last eight months the Oregon Economic Development Committee, under the direction of the Mayor and the Oregon City Council, has been working on a study to determine the feasibility of moving forward on a redevelopment project for downtown Oregon.
The Mayor and City Council, on two different occasions, has approved moving forward on this study, and to date Phase I and Phase II are nearing completion.
When Phase III is completed, the City will have a potential plan for redevelopment along with specific funding mechanisms for this and other projects should it move forward.
The cost of Phases I and II of the study was provided through a grant received from the State of Illinois and an investment from Walter Wayne Corporation who is developing the study utilizing public input from over 100 citizens and business owners for the city.
Phase III will be paid primarily from the Oregon Economic Development Fund which receives its funding from cable franchise fees.
There is no direct cost to the City or the taxpayers to complete this study.
There has been an effort by a group of individuals to oppose this study by attempting to discredit members of the Economic Development Council, focusing the attention on to historic buildings and relocating a grocery store from the edge of town to the downtown retail district and by attacking and discrediting the developer and the 100 community volunteers involved with this process.
However, what this study is really about is increasing the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of our community, increasing sales tax revenues, creating new jobs, preserving and enhancing the historic value of our buildings and bringing vibrant retail businesses back to downtown Oregon.
The City benefits from increased sales tax receipts.
Currently, the majority of these funds come from automobile sales.
Lose an automobile dealer and the city loses the majority of its sales tax income.
The city, school district, park district, library district and all other taxing districts benefit from an increased EAV.
This past year we saw a reduction in our EAV.
The Oregon School District and the Oregon Park District are faced with renegotiating an agreement with Exelon this coming year, all other local property values continue to decline, our population is declining decreasing property tax revenues and sales taxes.
A majority of school children are now on subsidized lunch programs (39 percent of the total district enrollment receive either free or reduced lunch, 48 percent at the elementary building, 40 percent at DLR and 33 percent at OHS), while Ogle County ranks fifth overall among counties in Illinois with the highest unemployment rate.
The effect on our community and school district will be to either increase taxes to meet needs, or eliminate or reduce services provided to the citizens.
No one wants to see his/her property tax bill increase or valuable services cut or reduced, but it may be the only alternative if the City of Oregon ignores the obvious and maintains the status quo.
We all benefit by bringing new retail business to town.
Not only does this increase sales tax revenue and help by increasing property values in our community, but it gives us, the residents of Oregon, vibrant places to shop locally as well as the opportunity for choice in our selection of merchandise and it creates much needed employment opportunities.
If you think that there is not a reason to complete the study, consider this.
Right now there are six empty storefronts in downtown Oregon.
In last week’s Republican Reporter, Wood’s Sporting Goods announced that they were closing their store, so add another empty storefront to that total.
The trend is not going in a positive direction.
In addition, over 50 percent of the two blocks being taken into consideration for redevelopment produce virtually no sales tax revenue and no property tax revenue since it is owned by local units of government, yet they are located in the heart of downtown Oregon.
How can we correct that to make those areas more productive economically to our community?
This is one of the goals we are trying to achieve through this study.
In spite of what you may be hearing, the Coliseum is not going to be torn down and in fact the EDC recommended and the City Commission passed a Resolution to keep the Coliseum intact.
No one is going to be forced to unwillingly sell his/her property and every effort will be made to retain the historic integrity of our community by rehabbing buildings that have historical significance.
When Phase III of the study is completed, there will be a plan that can be presented to the public outlining these possibilities and opportunities that “seize the future”, that makes Oregon, Illinois a Great Place To Live, Work and Play.
We ask for your patience and your support as we move forward to complete this study.
If you have any specific questions, please contact EDC Chairperson Don Griffin at 815-732-3101.
Gary Davis
Publicity Chairman
Oregon Economic Development Committee
Watt questions contract for economic plan
Dear Editor,
I am happy that members of the current Economic Development Commission read my letter to Public Voice.
Not so happy that not one of them appeared to look into what the contract between Dave Diamond, aka Walter Wayne Development, and the City of Oregon actually says.
Page two of this contract (available at City Hall) states: “Walter Wayne Development has been requested to provide an approach to the completion of an Economic Development Plan (EDP) for a proposed Planned Development (PD) located within a two to three block area in Oregon, Illinois.”
“The PD would be located more or less on three to five acres positioned downtown.”
When asked at the last EDC meeting on Jan. 17, Dave Diamond confirmed that his clients are Scott Sullivan, Sullivan’s grocery store, and a medical group from Rockford.
When asked if his clients would consider any other location other than a two to three block area of Oregon’s Historic Business District he said no.
“A secondary objective of the Economic Development Plan is to provide the newly formed Economic Development Council with strategic information to help guide a long term strategic economic plan for their community.”
Please note the Primary objective and the Secondary Objective.
The Secondary Objective is irrelevant because Walter Wayne Development is not qualified to do Economic Development.
Visit his website and judge for yourself.
If you want to build a gas station or a strip mall, he may be your guy, but Economic Development? No.
Don Griffin, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, stated in this newspaper, “We have made this clear that this is not Dave Diamond’s project—this is Oregon’s project.”
The EDC was formed on Jan. 11, 2011.
At the second meeting, Feb. 14, 2011 guess who was there?
“Dave Diamond, of Walter Wayne Development, gave a presentation on a Preliminary Project Assessment Outline for the City of Oregon. The plan could be18 months to two years and cost from $150,000 to $200,000.”
Third meeting of the EDC, March 3, 2011— “David Diamond, of Walter Wayne Development was present. He stressed that the City needs a strategic plan that is solid. Walter Wayne would facilitate the project if hired by the city. He handed out an outline of what would need to be done and the time frame to get things completed.”
EDC meeting, June 21, 2011—the EDC agreed to recommend Walter Wayne Development to the City council. “Don Griffin announced that the Park District was willing to have a command center for Walter Wayne at the Park District.”
EDC meeting, July 19, 2011—At this meeting, Dave Diamond is hired and after that in the EDC minutes it is clear that he is instructing our EDC on what to do, what to read, etc.
The current Economic Development Committee hired Dave Diamond to create a plan placing his clients in a two-three block area of Super Valu, paying him with funds from the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and HUD.
That grant requires that Preservation is in the plan.
Ken Williams, city council member and also of the EDC, confirmed that although an agent from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency was supposed to be involved in the planning process they had not.
In this paper, Ken Williams stated that “the city is meeting the criteria set by the grant, someone from the IHPA is involved in the project. Anne Hacker has been designated to assess the impact of any projects on the historic properties.”
Ken Williams contacted IHPA after it was brought to his attention that the city may not be in compliance with the requirements of the grant.
HUD and IHPA will decide if the city is in compliance.
I am a fourth generation Oregonian.
My great grandparents, my grandparents, my father and myself have chosen to call Oregon home.
I attended public school here, my children attended public school here, and I have lived in the same home since my husband and I married in the fall of1982, in Oregon.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to spend time in other places, but Oregon is, always has been, and always will be home.
Don Griffin,chairman of the EDC, stated in this newspaper, “ Some people are really trying to make this personal…”
Gary Davis and the“Friends of the Economic Development Commission” actually paid for a full page ad to attack an Oregon citizens letter to the Editor?
Wow. What are they so afraid of?
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Watt
Oregon
Friends of Paul Holland Pool group meets
Dear Editor,
The Friends of Paul Holland Pool, NFP held their annual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Board members Randy Holland, secretary and acting president, Patricia Holm, treasurer, and Harlan Holm, trustee, were present. After the usual business, the board reviewed the events of the past year.
In February, 2011, FOPHP received confirmation of its status as a 501 C (3) corporation, meaning that all donations from businesses and individuals to help us in our efforts to construct an outdoor family aquatic center in the Oregon area are tax deductible.
The Corporation did not perform any special fundraising activities during 2011, but received many donations at our exhibit at the Ogle County Fair, where many fairgoers enjoyed a cool dip in our pool.
We also had our float in the Autumn on Parade Festival for the third year. We thank all who have shown their support for our project.
Early last year, FOPHP accepted the resignations of founding members, president Chris Corcoran and vice president Randy Becker. Both of these individuals worked tirelessly to advance our cause and the Board made a formal declaration of thanks to them for their efforts. Randy Holland was appointed acting president after their departure.
The Board also made a formal declaration of thanks to Brad Holm, who revamped our website, oregonpool.info. It now has a new look, and there are pages for upcoming events, news, a listing of individuals and organizations that have supported us, and a place where we can be contacted.
A new feature that is just a few days away from completion is a PayPal page, where tax deductible donations can be made with a click.
In a regular meeting after the annual meeting, the Board discussed our needs and future plans. With the departure of our former board members, we need a few strong individuals to join us to help keep this project moving forward and bring new ideas into the process.
Our future plans include an idea for a fundraiser that we have been working on for several months. At the meeting, the Board decided that it is time to move ahead with this idea.
This fundraiser is going to take place the first week of April. To prepare for it, we need the help of 15 to 20 interested people who can attend a couple of meetings and donate a few hours of time during the last two weeks of March.
Because of the nature of this fundraiser, we need volunteers of all ages. So if you are a grandparent or a teen, or anywhere in-between and you would like Oregon to continue its swimming tradition with an outdoor family aquatic center, please contact us at oregonpool.info or Randy Holland at 815-732-2600.
Our regular monthly meeting will be held on Feb. 15. A discussion of our fundraising idea will be foremost on the agenda.
If you want more information or want to help, please plan on attending.
Randy Holland
Secretary, Friends of Paul Holland Pool, NFP
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