05-22-2009, 06:53 AM
Check the link later to see what kinds of comments are added to this article. I like what the mayor has to say -he's right. And we've got some great housing stock. Now how to make it happen...and revive our schools and perceived image.
Towns play economic strong cards
Mayors cite tactics to keep balance, move ahead
![[Image: mayors.jpeg_20090521_21_52_59_132-116-165.imageContent]](http://media1.suburbanchicagonews.com/multimedia/mayors.jpeg_20090521_21_52_59_132-116-165.imageContent)
May 22, 2009
By JUDY MASTERSON <!-- e --><a href="mailto:JMASTERSON@SCN1.COM">JMASTERSON@SCN1.COM</a><!-- e -->
GURNEE -- Energized by their recent victories in the April election, four mayors are painting an optimistic future despite the economic downturn.
Speaking at Thursday's Lake County Mayors Forum, sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at KeyLime Cove resort, leaders from Waukegan, North Chicago, Libertyville and Gurnee detailed their hopes for continued development and their efforts to contain costs.
In Gurnee, Mayor Kristina Kovarik cited items lopped from the budget: 13 positions (but no layoffs), Fourth of July fireworks, and the glossy village calendar. Those and other cuts have ensured a balanced budget, she said.
Though sales tax revenue is down an estimated 7 percent -- "Sounds like a horrible number, but compared to other communities it's not bad," Kovarik said -- and revenue from hotels and amusements are also down, food and beverages are still making the village a profit.
Kovarik said the new Gurnee Mills owner, Simon Group, is attracting high-quality, affordable stores. While the company is cautious, it has put $2 million into parking lot improvements.
Waukegan Mayor Robert Sabonjian said he is instituting a system for "strong fiscal management" by addressing debt, keeping costs down and calling in unions to review contracts.
The city will launch a new marketing campaign, "The New Urban Adventure," in an effort to attract young professionals who are being priced out of other communities, Sabonjian said. He is pushing a fast-track development process, plans to expand Fountain Square -- "Route 43 is a potential golden pathway for affluent communities," Sabonjian said -- a new business model for downtown, and dredging the harbor to make it navigable by more commercial vessels, perhaps even a ferry between Waukegan and major ports.
"Waukegan is very well positioned between Chicago and Milwaukee," Sabonjian said. "It's a symbiotic relationship, and we have to play on that."
In North Chicago, Mayor Leon Rockingham said the city hopes to entice developers for Sheridan Crossing, a huge parcel at Martin Luther King Drive and Sheridan Road that was once filled by industry and rundown retail ventures known as "The Strip."
"We want to bring in hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores, things continually needed in North Chicago," Rockingham said.
Rockingham, who said businesses often balk at competing with the Navy Exchange, plans to press federal lawmakers to let the public use the exchange.
"The Navy is privatizing housing and everything else," he said. "Let people use the exchange. They can tax us."
Libertyville has escaped the car dealership ax swung last week by GM and Chrysler, a testament to excellent customer service, said new Mayor Terry Weppler.
Weppler said that while the economy has forced Libertyville to cut back on some programs, volunteers have picked up the slack.
"Our volunteers are what really makes the community successful," said Weppler, who also emphasized the importance of partnering with other communities. He said local police and fire departments are shaving costs by sharing some equipment. He pointed to JAWA, the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, as an example of municipal partnership that communities should embrace.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1586234,5_1_WA22_MAYORS_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
Towns play economic strong cards
Mayors cite tactics to keep balance, move ahead
May 22, 2009
By JUDY MASTERSON <!-- e --><a href="mailto:JMASTERSON@SCN1.COM">JMASTERSON@SCN1.COM</a><!-- e -->
GURNEE -- Energized by their recent victories in the April election, four mayors are painting an optimistic future despite the economic downturn.
Speaking at Thursday's Lake County Mayors Forum, sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at KeyLime Cove resort, leaders from Waukegan, North Chicago, Libertyville and Gurnee detailed their hopes for continued development and their efforts to contain costs.
In Gurnee, Mayor Kristina Kovarik cited items lopped from the budget: 13 positions (but no layoffs), Fourth of July fireworks, and the glossy village calendar. Those and other cuts have ensured a balanced budget, she said.
Though sales tax revenue is down an estimated 7 percent -- "Sounds like a horrible number, but compared to other communities it's not bad," Kovarik said -- and revenue from hotels and amusements are also down, food and beverages are still making the village a profit.
Kovarik said the new Gurnee Mills owner, Simon Group, is attracting high-quality, affordable stores. While the company is cautious, it has put $2 million into parking lot improvements.
Waukegan Mayor Robert Sabonjian said he is instituting a system for "strong fiscal management" by addressing debt, keeping costs down and calling in unions to review contracts.
The city will launch a new marketing campaign, "The New Urban Adventure," in an effort to attract young professionals who are being priced out of other communities, Sabonjian said. He is pushing a fast-track development process, plans to expand Fountain Square -- "Route 43 is a potential golden pathway for affluent communities," Sabonjian said -- a new business model for downtown, and dredging the harbor to make it navigable by more commercial vessels, perhaps even a ferry between Waukegan and major ports.
"Waukegan is very well positioned between Chicago and Milwaukee," Sabonjian said. "It's a symbiotic relationship, and we have to play on that."
In North Chicago, Mayor Leon Rockingham said the city hopes to entice developers for Sheridan Crossing, a huge parcel at Martin Luther King Drive and Sheridan Road that was once filled by industry and rundown retail ventures known as "The Strip."
"We want to bring in hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores, things continually needed in North Chicago," Rockingham said.
Rockingham, who said businesses often balk at competing with the Navy Exchange, plans to press federal lawmakers to let the public use the exchange.
"The Navy is privatizing housing and everything else," he said. "Let people use the exchange. They can tax us."
Libertyville has escaped the car dealership ax swung last week by GM and Chrysler, a testament to excellent customer service, said new Mayor Terry Weppler.
Weppler said that while the economy has forced Libertyville to cut back on some programs, volunteers have picked up the slack.
"Our volunteers are what really makes the community successful," said Weppler, who also emphasized the importance of partnering with other communities. He said local police and fire departments are shaving costs by sharing some equipment. He pointed to JAWA, the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, as an example of municipal partnership that communities should embrace.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1586234,5_1_WA22_MAYORS_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->