Downright disgruntled
Boy, the city sure caused a ruckus this past week when they approved a grant for a new business but left an established, struggling business out in the cold.
The paper received many, many, many comments about this issue. And it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. If we print the comments, we suffer the wrath of the city decision-makers and are labeled "negative." If we don't comment on the issue, we're not doing our jobs.
So, damned if we do, damned if we don't.
Most of the comments weren't signed. Some were. A few letter-writers asked that their names not be used for fear of retaliation. It's a sad state of affairs when we can't voice an opinion because we fear the repercussions.
After reading all the comments, we just want to say a few things (I'm sure you're all surprised)
First of all, welcome TC's What Not Shop! It's great to have you in town! We've heard many positive comments about your store and all you have to offer. Your building is certainly bright and easy to find. That's gotta be a plus to get people in.
For those of you who are stunned at the lime green building, consider this: Isn't it better to have a viable business than an empty building — no matter what the color?
As for the city grant program, maybe all the fuss will die down now that it's out of money.
Should the program continue (and don't blame the newspaper for "negative" publicity), let's hope the committee revisits the grant criteria.
The criticism of the program came about because of inconsistencies in choosing grant recipients. That's not to say most weren't deserving, just that the criteria seemed to change with every applicant.
What has people up-in-arms and scratching their heads is last week's decision to "find" additional funds for another $5,000 grant for a new business, then turn around and deny help to an already-established business, Marion Fitness Center.
We heard the grant committee and council's reasoning: Marion Fitness Center did not meet the criteria of "economic development."
But, it's a bitter pill to swallow, especially for owners of the fitness center.
Maybe the criteria of "economic development" needs to be redefined to include quality of life, but that's a topic for another day.
City councilmen, wake up! How do you justify giving money you don't have to one business, but denying another? You can say it was a matter of not meeting the criteria. You can say the funds just weren't there. What you can't do is deny the fact that people — the people who elected you — are indignant, upset, and downright disgruntled with your decisions.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
