In Collinsville elections on what do you base your vote?

Recently someone who is not from Collinsville got off the interstate, drove through downtown and stopped to eat on Main St.  He told us later that the downtown was very impressive, it looks great, has everything in one area and the food was good. 

Collinsville Crossing is huge change for the better from what it once was, Bleh, as is Lakeside Plaza with the new Kohl's,  and my goodness ! the Orchards!  what a change for the better.

What do you base your vote on? When it comes to incumbents do you take into account what has been accomplished?  I'd ask you to at least take into consideration how much better the city is than it was.    

Or do you base your vote on Collinsville's long history of council bickering, a behavior which has now been put pretty much to rest, thankfully.  Differences of opinion are good things, looking for the worst in people is not.

Tuesday is a big day in the St.L metro area, it's the time for local elections.  Voters will be deciding who runs their cities and school boards, punching a yes or no on tax questions, referendums etc.

Those who are elected Tuesday are likely to be your neighbor or a member of your church or someone you run into in the grocery store and who's decisions will affect you personally much more than who you vote for president of the United States.

 Give the ballot some thought.  Give the city some thought.  But most importantly.  Go out and vote.

 

Comments

[chickenlittle]

Good topic for discussion. In the case of the Collinsville mayorial race, although I feel Mr. Achenbach is an intelligent person, I don't see anything the current regime has done wrong to make me feel Miller should go.

I agree with all of your points. My, look how Collinsville has improved over the last decade! Say what you want about the supposed "highest sales tax rate in the region", which is in contradiction to the Nov/Dec "Collinsville Scoop":

http://www2.collinsvilleil.org/scoop/Nov-Dec2010.pdf

To be honest, I really don't care. I can shop Collinsville and know that my money is staying here. A perfect example of not having the services I want is the loss of both the Chrysler and Chevrolet dealerships here in town. If I want either of those brand vehicles, I now have to go somewhere else. So, kudos to the administration and economic development staff who brought Collinsville Crossing, Kohls, upgraded the Orchards, and helped establish a more vibrant downtown.

Then there's all the hubbub regarding city taxes being too high. Cut the utility tax? If you think dropping limb pick up was a big deal, be ready for some of your essential services such as law enforcement, fire, street, etc. being reduced. And speaking of taxes, has anyone really looked at their tax bill lately? The city's portion of my tax bill has gone down from 2006 in a greater percentage than that of the school district. By the way, most of our tax bills go to the school district. If there is any place where a mindful eye should be placed, it is there.

TIF abuse? Maybe, but without it we would probably be a lot worse off than we are now. And as far as making up the tax difference between what was there and is there now? Until recently due to this web site, I didn't know that the city agreed some time ago to help finance the school district to the tune of about $750k per year - which they don't have to do by the way.

Debt. We got it. Everyone does to some extent. It gets to be a problem when it's not manageable. Is current debt manageable? I honestly can't say, but if it wasn't I don't think we would have implemented the municipal bonds that created most of it. Didn't the school district pass a bond referendum years ago for about $60 million? How was it paid off (if it is)? Were taxes raised? Who's to say that the city can't do the same?

In my opinion, I just don't see where the current city leaders have led us down a path to ruin. I would hate to have the minuscule amount of taxes I pay into the city cut and risk a loss in services. I think the city is healthier and better off than ever.

Just my opinion.

[Diane]

Thanks for the input, Chicken

[Dacia]

Tuesday will be a big day for voting here in Wisconsin too. Biggest race is the one for Supreme Court justice.