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Economic Development or Infrastructure: Is It The Chicken Or The

Egg For Highland Park's Next Mayor?

Do you recall the dueling banjos scene in the 1972 film, “Deliverance”? It was called to mind as I read recently blast emails from

Highland Park’s two mayoral candidates, Terri Olian and Nancy Rotering. Rotering’s missive (Feb. 3, 2011-“It’s About Your Money”,

www.friendsofnancy.com), tells us there should be more emphasis, and consequently, more taxpayer money, placed on the provision of

city servicesinfrastructurelike, fire police, streets, sewers and the like. Olian released her views on the topic (Feb. 8, 2011-“The

State of the City, the Need for Economic Development, and an “Answer” re Lawn Signs!!” (www.olianformayor.com)). Each duels the

other, though one focuses more on infrastructure and the other on economic development as well as it being the engine that fuels

necessary core city services. Neither disputes the importance of infrastructure nor spending on it when required. But with the 201 0

census reporting a population dip in the city from a decade ago, foreclosures going from 77 in 2004 to 268 in 2009, unemployment in

2009 and 2010 at 6.4% (up from an average of 3.1% over the previous 28 years), and housing values plummeting in the area by 32%

from 2006/2008 to 2010 (“D113 Long Term Capital Plan Fact Sheet”-www.educationfirstin11 3.org)with more dire predictions

perhaps on the way (Christie, “Home Prices: The Double Dip isnear”-http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/03/real_estate/housing_buy_or_not/index.htm) (3-3-11))an emphasis on what will bring in

revenues to HP seems a top priority for the next mayor.

Noticeably absent from Rotering’s piece is the identity of but for more money for infrastructure, a particular city service failed or has

been denied residents that is needed now. Specifics are always necessary. (She says the same thing in the League of Women Voters

guide for voters (“Fixing aging infrastructure. . . cannot be delayed”.-“Improving Infrastructure”,

http://www.lwvhp.org/calendar.html)). What has so aged to be beyond use or repair? Regarding these core services, Olian explains the

city follows best practices. Her analogies to spending tax dollars on infrastructure make a point: do we replace a kitchen appliance that i

operating well but which has outlived its life expectancy according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, or ripping out a driveway solely 

because it has reached its average lifespan, but is otherwise still in good shape?

Rotering (Feb. 3 email/message again) is critical of the “money losing” Highland Park Movie Theatre. As Olian explained on this subject

in a previous message and one posted on 2-15 (both found on Olian’s website), the city invested in that piece of real estate not only to

keep anchored the east part of the downtown business district during a period where the city is actively engaged in looking for anotherbuyer to develop the property with city goals in mind, but the theatre through last year is breaking even, if not making a very few bucks

but it is not “losing money”. Also, theatergoers generate rev enues within the community after seeing a movie there (62,500 patrons i

2010 with an economic impact of over $1.22M by keeping the theatre open, costing taxpayers $0.39 of an average tax bill in 2010-

comment to an article by M. Kapnick, TribLocal, 2-22- 11 ). Again, the focus is on steps to maintain and to continue dev eloping a tax base

through economic development that will continue to support city services. Rotering now counters with a message, “The Art of Money”

(2-21-11 per her website), again saying tax dollars supporting the theatre should go to infrastructure. “Leapfrog” anyone?

Rotering in addition tells us (2-3 email again) that HP is owed considerable money from the state ($4.0M) and that state transfers are

“more uncertain than ever” . Olian counters (2-8 email once more) that there is no such shortfall, the city budget “factors in the timing o

state payments without relying on reserves”, and that State Representative Karen May (a Rotering backer) has stated in her recent

newsletter, “as a result of the income tax increase, the ‘backlog of payments to our schools…and municipalities will start to flow again’ “.

Dueling banjos, I guess, but if I read that my city is owed any revenue from the state, wouldn’t I also have been told how that impacts

my pocketbook? If the “sky is falling”payments from the state are more uncertain than evershouldn’t we know at the same timehow delays in payments have affected city budgets in the past, how they will impact budgets going forward, and what influence the new

income tax levels will have on Highland Park coffers? Rotering’s tact (2-21 message) on the movie house is similarit needs “millions of

dollars of renovations”, “The City needs to focus its limited resources on its core mission . . . ” and “(the movie theatre) does not bring in

property tax revenue and consumes City staff time”. She quotes others who say the city should not own the theatre, but never identifies

them by name. Again, how can the movie theatre be a wasted asset if it supports part of the business district, draws thousands into its

doors who then spend money elsewhere in the city, and at least breaks even?

It was John Adams who once said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our

passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence”. Rotering references this quote in a 2-10-11 email to supporters (“I like this

quote because it speaks to how I work on behalf of our community.”). Both candidates need to keep Adams’ wisdom in mind as early 

voting (March 14) and election day (April 5) draw near; voters are owed all the facts on any given issue, but particularly what should

also come first, the chicken or the egg.

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 By Miles Zaremski Today at 8:01 a.m.

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____________________

While a resident in Highland Park of long standing, Mr. Zaremski has no business interests in the city nor is he aligned with any business

or special interest groups seeking influence within the community. He has not contributed any monies to the campaigns of either

candidate, has not received any compensation or other item of value in any way from either campaign nor does he serv e on any 

campaign committee. Neither candidate is responsible for the contents of this article.

 

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