This conversation bothers me. This is a stretch, but are people really prepared to drive 50 miles to save sixty cents? That is a round-trip to Sioux Falls of 100 miles. If the average SUV (because nobody drives practical cars anymore) gets 15 miles per gallon, that translates to 6.67 gallons, or $21.60. While in Sioux Falls you have to stop at Applebee's, because we don't have one and there is another $32.40. Then it is a quick trip through the end of America's Wal-Something and no matter if you go in there for Q-tips, you are going to drop $45.00 on a bunch of "essentials" [Russell Olson, "From the Board: $100 Head of Lettuce," Madison Chamber of Commerce Newsletter, April 2008, p. 2].
Man, all those numbers -- you'd think Russell was a Madville Times writer!
Russell is right on about local economy and commuter culture. Add in the cost to the local economy when our sales tax numbers go down and paint a worse picture for business recruitment, and that Sioux Falls lettuce costs even more.
But Russell catches me by surprise on SUV-bashing. The 2006 Olson campaign received $1250 in donations from Jerry, Pat, and Nick Prostrollo and their employees out at Prostrollo's All-American Auto-Mall (and plenty more from Prostrollo's friends), plus $250 from Brian Kern at Cars for Les. Can Olson really afford to bite the Republican SUV hand that feeds him?
Sounds like a signal to the party elites that Russell is ready to see the light and switch parties! Come on over, Russell! We Dems will be glad to have you!
Now get to work with the Chamber on recruiting a second grocery store... or starting a food co-op, like in Brookings!
We're starting to resemble Howard. One grocery store, declining retail choices, population exodus and limited new business development growth.
ReplyDeleteIf Madison is going to move forward, we need a second grocery store to give more people competitive choices and encourage them to shop in town. We need to attract outside industry, call centers, small credit card operation and firms that provide a second income for our families to replace Arctic Cat, May & Scofield, PSI and others who have left town. We need to invest in our current industries and encourage their continued expansion.
That will encourage growth of affordable housing and more retail growth. It has to be a combined effort between LAIC, City, County and our young business leaders.
Even thought Forward Madison raised over $2 Million, what is the plan for the money? It's great to raise the money, but are there goals to be met and if so, is Forward Madison tracking their accomplishments against their list of goals?
Madison needs to grow with real people, not just full-time RV'ers who have swelled our local numbers by over 650 in the past two years. Take away those 650 who never step foot in Madison during the year and ask yourself, "Are we really growing?" We need to work together, every entity, and make Madison grow, even if it temporarily hurts our own pocketbook by bringing competition into our community.
FYI, Russ Olson will be successful this fall in his bid for the State Senate because he has the personality, hard work ethic and crosses political lines with honesty and integrity. In other words, people like Russ, they respect him and know he has their best interest at heart. It will be a great race, but remember that many Democrats will support Russ, few Republicans will support Scott. That's how you win elections.
ReplyDeleteHow about the city promoting Prairie Village to attract tourists to our fair city? It's a diamond in the rough that apparently the city fathers don't have much time for. It could be a gold mine attraction for more than just a couple of events during the summer. Why not start there?
ReplyDeleteNonnie
To anonymous 9:28.
ReplyDeleteI would not be so sure that Russ will get elected again. I have spoken with several die hard republicans (myself changing parties a few years ago) that are sick of the party and its inability to get anything done in Pierre. And what has Russ done while in the legislature?
We need a leader, not just a pretty boy with a personality. We need someone that will go to Pierre and do what is right for EVERYONE, not just the local "elite."
I have lived in this great community my whole life and have seen great leaders come from our area, Jerome Lammers and Gerry Lang just to name two. I'm not saying I agree with everything they have done, but they are leaders, like them or hate them. You know where they stand on issues. When I look at Russ, I don't see that.
Russ may get a lot of money from his supporters, but you must remember that people want results, not the status quo.
I would say this is not a good year to be an incumbent. The winds of change are blowing, and I think people are going to be surprised.
WP Finley
No new face in Pierre is going to get anything much done their first couple of years. This statement came from one of our retiring Dem legislators BTW. I know Lange was there a long time, and I assume Lammers was too (before my time around here), so both had plenty of time to get their names and views known.
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