Since Mayor Brown and Councilman Murphy have served on the council the longest, I'll direct my question to them. What has been done and what is being done to promote the downtown area of LP to developers?
Except for the new construction of Fort St. Brewery, not much has been done. I don't know much about DDA, EDC, or whatever other acronyms there are, but what exactly do they do?
Do they actively promote LP as a place to open a business.
Personally, I think a media blitz might be beneficial. Make it well-known that LP's downtown area has been deteriorating and that the residents are sick of it. Encourage, bribe, whatever new businesses to open up.
Lastly, stop allowing goofy businesses to open. I'm still trying to figure out what that business is on the west side of Fort corner Arlington. Church? Store? Fortune teller?
Psychotherapist?
For as long as Brown and Murphy have served on the council, why can't they have some viable businesses they can take credit for in downtown LP?
How can some cities somehow deter pawn shops and other goofy businesses when LP chooses to allow them.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Murphy - is it true that a city has to allow whatever business applies for a license to operate in the city? Isn't there a way that LP can discourage them?

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Robbie (09-07-05)

I agree it would be nice to manage what businesses go into the downtown area. But how can this legally be done?

I was told about the problems caused when the used tire company wanted to set up a warehouse of used tires in the old liquor commission building. I heard Mayor Sochocki tried to stop it, but he was whistling in the wind. No other councilman could grasp the problem.

It is a legal business, but how many of us would like a building full of used tires sitting across the street from us?

And what about the landlords in the downtown area? Their buildings have been vacant for years because the LP politicians lost their vision. I bet they want rent money. There is not a line of businessmen trying to rent their property. They are most likely at a point where they will rent their buildings to anyone with the funds.

How long did LP go without a Economic Development Director? The first gal was very good from what I was told, but the second guy just sat in his office. Once they got rid of him, they hired a contractor who in my opinion did next to nothing.

Finally they hired a City Manager who was supposed to take on the responsibility of EDD. Like him or not, Mr DuChane has been so busy with a multitude of problems, that trying to get business into the downtown area is way down on his list.

Mr Vaslo is Liaison to both the Community Improvement Department and the Community Improvement Commission. He should be playing an active roll in getting business downtown. has he done anything?

And what about the Community Improvement Commission? I know they are just volunteers, but they could be doing more than deciding where to plant flowers in the spring. I hear they can barely get a quorum going most months let alone set some goals and objectives.

I thank you.

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Congratulations Councilman Mario DiSanto. The Dean of the LP Council

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lpproud (09-06-05)

Well Magoo, I hope for our sake that Vaslo does not get in and we will get someone with a little tact instead of the self centered assurances that we are currently getting from Vaslo.

I definitely beleive that with a proactive commision that they can/will get an environment in L.P., be it the "downtown" or at Dix & Goddard that will attract some new business for the city rather than the usual mish mosh of stores that we currently have!! With the Sears plaza losing so many stores to other cities we will need all the help we can get!

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I think that Bill Hatley, director of community improvement should be out and about promoting our city and downtown business district.
That is his job. Does his office has packets or brochures that are sent out to developers enticing them to move to downtown LP. It seems like he spends a lot of energy with low income loans, which trees to buy, which conference to attend and which homes to give awards to and other things that do not attract business to downtown LP. LP can still use a full-time PR person.

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Rocky (09-07-05)

My company buys it's tires from this company. I don't have a problem with them. If it were a Belle Tire would you have a problem with it?

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Arctic Cat Thundercat Test Pilot

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TheGirlNextDoor (09-07-05)

Are you asking me this question? If so, what are you talking about?
I thought the topic was downtown LP development, not tires.

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I know we are getting a little off topic, but let me address this quickly.

The problem is a building full of tires sitting in a residential neighborhood. If you ever seen a tire burning you know the problem. It is almost impossible to extinguish. Imagine a building full of tires.

Most communities do not allow such businesses to be so close to a residential neighborhood. LP has no such ordinances.

If that building caught fire, it would takes days to extinguish. Toxic smoke would be throughout the neighborhood.

Does our Emergency Manager have a plan ready should this ever occur?

Dynamite is a legitmate business, but it does not mean I want a dynamite factory sitting across the street from me

.

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recordar la yocorazon

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You are correct Jujitsu and Don, I am getting and I apologize.

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