Thursday, January 17, 2013

On Services

Budget time is coming in Racine and other locals, so naturally our "representatives" will stress the importance of the services they generously extend to us with our money.

Lately I have noticed that our "representatives" seem to think that government is the only entity that offers services to people. Of course every business in Racine provides services to its customers. I suppose that since they charge money while seeking profits makes them less important, expendable, perhaps even a bit evil.

It would be nice if, during budget negotiations, just one representative would note the existence of Racine's other service providers, and perhaps wonder aloud the effect that city services and their costs have on our private service providers.

The way I see it, every vacant storefront is evidence that the city hasn't given much thought to the health of our private service providers.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is always "services" that will be cut, not:

The economic development and ruse department, complete with corridor development babe

A grant facilitator whatever that is

The multi-million dollar failed business stipend

The fantasy real estate league

The full-time manager to help out the full-time mayor

Etc.

Denis Navratil said...

Right on anon. Is the million dollar plus gift to the Porters folks one of those essential services? What would we do without an affirmative action department? Does the economic development department develop economic activity or retard it? There is plenty of waste in local government that makes it that much harder for service providers and their customers in the private sector.

TSE said...

The way I see it, every vacant storefront is evidence that the city hasn't given much thought to the health of our private service providers.

You have the wrong perception and are in the wrong group. Others are thriving, their businesses are growing, and new projects are on the horizon. Why should they feel your pain?

Do you expect them to be altruistic? Why should they be?

This doesn't end badly for everyone - just MOST everyone. That's the tragedy - but it happens.

Anonymous said...

TSE - go buy one of those empty buildings, which are zoned for retail, and try to open a retail store. I hope you enjoy spending time with city inspectors and the design committee who will question your choice of color for interior walls or will talk about using only sustainable oxygen sources for people to breathe in your store.

Denis Navratil said...

TSE, I am not sure if I am supposed to take your comment seriously or if it is sarcasm, but I will assume the former. I am sure there are some thriving businesses but I don't see to many new projects on the horizon. Given the interference by the city on would-be entrepreneurs, I understand why.

Do I expect successful businesses to be altruistic? No, nor have I ever.

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