corndog Wrote:The City of Waukegan is not as broke as they say. All the mayor is doing is penny pinching, there is money, any why is it that other city's are hireing police officers? Keeping a city operating cost money, there is no way around that. Just like our personal budgets, we have to pay rent we have to pay for gas for our cars and if you own a house you have bills to pay for water, sewer, electiricity, gas, and we have to pay for food. It all costs money. There was time maybe 3-4 years ago that downtown Waukegan was starting to look good, buisnesses were coming becasue of the Genesee Theater. To me, since the Genesee Theater opened is has declined in the amout of shows. Why is that? There is no reason that the Genesee Theater should not have some sort of shows almost everyday of the week. If the city can't work it anymore, how about trying to sell it. Would we get what we have spent on it, probably not, but sometimes you might have to take a loss, and try somethign else. But right now, downtown Waukegan looks just like it did 7-8 years ago, not much happening there. Fountain Square just stopped dead in its track. Who do we blame for that?

All of these things are supposed to bring in money, but when it does'nt, who do you have to look to for money? The citizens, do we want them to raise taxes...heck no! But what other options are left. Grant money? You just can't stop and cut services to the citizens, we have to have police, fire and code compliance. Otherwise the citizens will be out gunned out numbered as they already are, streatching services to max just to get by is not the answer. And who cares that the Mayor is out there acting like a crossing guard, instead of wasting time with that maybe he should be in his office trying to find some money so this city does not get out of control. All I can say is that if things to start to get better, then I'll have to sell my house, and another life long resident leaves the city for greener pastures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!