Sometimes, you hear the strangest things . . .
When we have a City Committee that is supposed to be:
Responsible for preparation and periodic updating of the city’s economic development plan and strategy for recommendation to the mayor and Common Council; evaluating economic conditions in the community; identifies economic problem areas; recommends specific policies, programs and projects; recommends items for inclusion in capital and operating budgets in support of the development strategy.
Why do you hear certain members saying things like:
– A purchasing preference for local businesses could prevent local businesses from competing in the global economy.
– That the lead alder isn’t sure if he will vote for the $50,000 for an economic development plan for the city, even after the EDC subcommittee has come up with a proposal for what should be in it.
– Members of the commission arguing against spending $100,000 of room tax money for downtown safety shouldn’t be allowed, even when the Innkeepers who are requesting an increase in the room tax agree that should be an allowable expense, so they can sell a safe downtown to their customers.
– When asked to help develop a proposal to help shape it, they prefer to wait for the Common Council (which many members believe don’t know anything about business) to come up with a proposal and then they will react to it instead of help develop it.
I’m beginning to think that the problem with Economic Development in Madison starts with this committee and its leadership – I don’t think they want things to improve and they certainly don’t seem motivated to be a part of the solution.
