January 19, 2005
Herald-Palladium Op/Ed Speaks out on DDA
"In Our Opinion 1-19-2005
South Haven DDA
Council is on target in asking for more details about project
The South Haven Downtown Development Autority essentially has been told to "go back to the drawing board" in the words of one South Haven City Council member, regarding a proposal to greatly increase the DDA's mission.
We think that's a wise decision.
The DDA's plan to spend nearly $1.5 million in improvement projects and marketing has caught the attention of a fair number of city residents. Two have written detailed letters to the editor of this newspaper. Some of the questions they have raised deserve an answer from the DDA.
On Monday night the City Council turned down the DDA's request to hold a public hearing on the proposal. In a 4-3 vote-surprisingly close given the stakes-the council majority directed DDA members to submit more specific plans about the proposal.
This is entirely approproate. Councilman Tim Stegeman reported during Monday's meeting that he had attended the previous DDA meeting, where the proposal was outlined, and that "I'm not sure of their thinking". Stegeman, and indeed the entire city population, deserve to be fully informed about what the DDA's plans are.
Unlike a school board, for example, which must take it's case directly to the voters in the form of a millage election to raise funds for new or improved facilities, the DDA only has to convince a very small number of city council members that its plans for spending city taxpayer money are appropriate.
In the end the DDA may still get its way, and maybe deservedly so. But before it does, more people need to be on the same page about where the DDA is coming from, because once such a decision is made there will be no going back."
Well, we're lovin THIS. Let's also not forget that school board members are also elected, while DDA board members are appointed by the City Manager. School board members are also required to LIVE in the city, DDA members are not. The beat goes on.
Much thanks to Andrew Lersten for seeing it our way at the regional press....while our local paper takes the city's side in their editorial and buries it on nearly the last page. The Tribune thought a story of a lost and abused dog was much more important on the front page. Thanks, Andrew.
Posted by Elaine at January 19, 2005 07:44 PM