How Downtown Geneva Merchants Restored my Faith in the Process!

Well…at least some of them did. But heck! Its’ better than hiding in your crawl space after listening to what those recent State Sen. Jim Oberweis teleconference town hall voters really had to say.

Yikes!

Before you get too excited, it’s also important to note that the assembly in question consisted not of your average electoral gaggle, but a group of downtown Geneva merchants, the folks associated with them, and a small smattering of residents thrown in for good measure.

Now, I’m not necessarily sayin’ it makes these people “better” than your “regular” voters, but with that bar set so low, engaging those with some skin the game does make a difference. Previously provided with a fate of downtown Geneva survey, last Tuesday’s community forum was intended to cover the questionnaire results as well as solicit more downtown input.

But before we progress, it’s important to note that these Economic Development Commission of Geneva gatherings typically turn into, as attendee and Geneva Township Highway Commissioner Mike Abts aptly put it, “Asking your grandchildren for a Christmas list with no established limits.”

And, as is often the case with Geneva, whenever you put City administrators, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development Commission together they immediately embark upon the kind of acid trip that renders monetary limitations as boundless as the Universe.

We’re talking about the kind of wishful thinking that makes even the Tea Party seem reasonable.

When they come eventually come down from that high, their solution isn’t to install some mid-range retailers like Eddie Bauer, it’s always something like improving sight lines. Yep! That’ll stave off the Internet!

But a funny thing happened on the way to the conclusion of this forum. Realizing the underlying premise wasn’t flying, Economic Development Commission head and close Mayor Burns ally, Bob Mann, suddenly asked the merchants if they were willing to support the higher downtown sales tax necessary to fund these “improvements.”

And the resounding answer was “No!” Even sainted Shodeen President Dave Patzelt said, “This is just shopping for wishes before establishing a budget.”

With that answer firmly in hand, Mann called off the Evanston consultants’ presentation and generally adjourned the proceedings.