Soon it will be time for local elections in Bartlett and we need some changes. Some people have served too long, consider the community as their very own and the money plentiful, and do not guard it. The money is the taxpayers and each taxpayer works very hard for it. Some of the ideas put forth by our leaders are misguided and not for the good of all. Certainly not for the good of Village of Bartlett, a place I call home and a place I like very much.
We have seen a downtown Metra disaster and a traffic pattern that keeps many residents from even venturing downtown or at least driving around it. I have made the mistake of forgetting to bypass the downtown to get somewhere else and have suffered at the long lights and confused motorists as they try to negotiate the mess. There is never a focus on the good businesses that stay in town, it is always the new people and the blessed New Town center that cannot seem to hold tenants or sell condominiums. What about the dedicated businesses like Bartlett Fresh Market, help was provided by building other liquor stores as close as possible, and what about the businesses on Bartlett Ave. , is that part of downtown? Associated Bank is a viable business but lost in the shuffle.
We have abandoned our efforts after hundreds of thousands of dollars to separate fromU46 and now our tax dollars support Elgin’s inability to support schools that are not able provide an excellent education. After threats of no service the citizens have been taxed to the max and more for a fire station built on the wrong side of the tracks and are still incapable of providing the service the Fire Department threatened to cut off. Now they want more money for from the taxpayers. Can we say Railroad Track?
Perhaps if we were not so focused on millions for a cultural center and were happy with our small affairs as a community we could see the advantages we need to provide for our own community. Bartlett has a great 4th of July festival for family enjoyment, a wonderful Festival f the Arts, and other things that belong in our community which needs to be protected and enjoyed.
