As a City of Altoona taxpayer, one word comes to mind as I consider the ongoing discussions surrounding the River Prairie Development: Risk.
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What looked like $11.9 million in April has dropped to $3.1 million today. Said another way, every man, woman, and child in Altoona should expect a $1,282 smaller benefit from River Prairie.
- Dave Elvig, Altoona
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Two questions for the people who govern and maintain the city of Altoona.
Water. All new houses in Altoona must have two water meters, one for the water used inside that goes to the sewers, and one for the water used outside that simply goes into the soil.
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The city of Altoona is proclaiming May as Bike Month, and citizens are encouraged to get outdoors and bike.
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I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to each of you who in one way or another, supported me in my campaign for mayor of Altoona. Your support made this a close election. Thank you to everyone who passed out fliers, put up a yard sign, made phone calls, and shared my name with other voters. Thank you especially to those of you who got out and voted.
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I am writing in regards to the results of the recent city of Altoona elections. Unfortunately, I am a Town of Washington resident and cannot vote in the city of Altoona elections; however, I live across the street from the Altoona city limits and am greatly affected by many of the decisions made by the Altoona city government. The River Prairie development is the focal point of my concerns and many of these plans will become a reality in the next two-year term.
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I’ve read many stories and opinions about the proposed city of Eau Claire smoking ban and there are two words frequently misused that must be addressed.
First is the use of the word “public” in reference to private businesses. Simply because a business allows the public to purchase goods or services does not make the premises of that business a “public” place. Any business can refuse sale or service to any member of the public for any reason other than those covered by law (race, gender, creed, etc.). We’ve all seen the “we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone” signs. So stop calling bars “public” places, for they are not.
Second is the use of the word “right” in reference to the ability to breathe “fresh air” inside a private (see above) establishment. Citizens have no “right” under any founding document or legislative act to patronize any particular establishment. So stop using the word “right” in this case. To do so erodes the greatness of those actual rights granted to us by our creator and outlined in our Constitution. What gall to equate “listening to a band in a smoke-free environment” to the freedom of speech!
I am not now, nor have I ever been a smoker. As I am also not a drinker, I do not frequent establishments where smoking is allowed. I go out of my way to eat at places without a smoke-filled bar on the premises. My brother smokes and it is likely to kill him. I loathe smoke and smoking at all levels. But I love freedom more.
The right to private property is as foundational to the American way of life as free speech, religion, assembly and arms. Without private property all other freedoms are at the mercy of the whim of government. We must realize that freedom needs to be either wholly accepted or it will be incrementally lost. You cannot simply choose those freedoms you find acceptable from day to day; to do so is to accept something less than freedom. In America, we must take the bad with the good, the racist with the crusader, the pornographer with the saint, and ultimately we will count on the goodness of our people that those freedoms, which benefit our society, will continue to far out weigh those that don’t.
-Brian Westrate, Town of Washington
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To the citizens of Altoona,
As a busy wife and mother of three children, with a string of volunteer projects and list of activities, why do I think it is important to run for mayor of Altoona at this time?
We have great schools, a safe community, and wonderful places to play in the outdoors. People who live here are proud of our small-town atmosphere and the natural resources found in our city. Of the many people that I have heard from during my three years on council, almost every one of them is here because they think it is a beautiful community.
I know we need to develop River Prairie. I voted for the agreement with CottageRidge and fully support what they originally proposed. It follows the planning completed by earlier councils and provides the dollars needed to pay the TIF district bills and build up reserves.
I see absolutely no reason to sell the northwest quadrant at this time.
I think the original agreement with CottageRidge Group satisfies our short-term needs. The new proposal being discussed in closed session may very well be decided by the time you read this. I highly doubt that selling it as quickly as possible will make your taxes go down.
Both developers we are working with are new partnerships. I think they have good ideas and strong ethics. It is the city council and mayor’s job to make sure that it meets all of our goals. The current proposal for the northwest quadrant is not mixed use and does not inspire me to spend time there with my family. It is a shopping mall.
It is very likely that a new proposal will be accepted before the next mayor takes office. I will work to make sure that we bring in higher-paying jobs and something to draw people to the area. I do not want hurried development that results in empty buildings, no inviting places for the community to gather, and a lack of emphasis on the river corridor. We only have one opportunity to do this right.
-Colleen Weber, city of Altoona mayoral candidate
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The Altoona City Council has recently been busy working on a development plan for the city’s River Prairie property. Discussion in the media regarding the proposed development has centered on how the development will ultimately look and what amenities will be available to Altoona residents and visitors. This is important because one of the primary goals of the development is to provide a recreational and commercial center for the city, well-connected and accessible to all Altoona residents. However, another goal of the River Prairie development, which has not received as much attention lately, is how the development is supposed to provide long-term tax stabilization for all Altoona residents, pay for itself, and not result in short-term tax increases to fund the project.
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As the first contest of the 2008 Presidential nomination process winds down, the differences between Democrats and Republicans have become abundantly clear. Read the rest of this entry »
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