“Men occasionally stumble on the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”
Winston Churchill
The City of Saint Charles desperately needs retail business. We are the most populous municipality in the county, however, we are constantly passed over by retailers who have drawn their market rings on the map and we either fall on the eastern edge or western edge of that demographic circle.
Certainly, I am not alone in resisting fighting the Mid-Rivers Mall traffic to arrive at the retailers out west. Or, surely many of you too have a sense of dread at the prospect of heading down highway 94 for most any reason or crossing the river between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:00pm.
At the retailers convention I argued with several representatives of businesses that their tactic of drawing a circle around highway K in O’Fallon and expecting our town’s residents to make that journey is unrealistic and that business is lost in this way.
Perhaps I’m mistaken and it’s not a big deal to drive 30 minutes in traffic to get to a retailer out west, but I don’t know anyone from town here who shops out there with any regularity. The lack of specialty retail is frustrating; however, many of the shops we lack are not very exotic at all.
To be sure, our neighbors to the west had lots of open space to develop while our city is facing redevelopment that incurs more expense and political costs. It is important, though, for our property value and quality of life that we redevelop commercial areas in our town to generate sales tax and to reduce travel time for goods and services.
Some of the development we have gotten has been in the form of small strip centers and, I agree with Councilman Kneemiller who pointed out that the new strip mall on Zumbehl Road just north of the Walgreens was quickly filled with businesses that most townspeople will not use on any regular basis such as, TLC (Traffic Law Center).
Furthermore, those of us from St. Charles, or long-time city residents know that we have a nice town with lots of history and interesting places, but anyone entering our town from Fifth Street or First Capitol Drive wouldn’t know that by the first impression they get. The streetscape isn’t very appealing at all, and on both streets one of the first things one sees is predatory lending institutions that will cash your pay check and charge you fees that should violate state usury laws. I must believe that, sadly, most of the people who use this service are those who can least afford it.
If fuel costs continue to rise, the day of the 20 minute car ride to the giant retail may be coming to an end and maybe then the small shopkeeper will be able to compete with the behemoths of retail. In the meantime, write your favorite retailer and tell them that our city wants them here!
I wanted to write a little something on a separate topic. To mark the change, another quote, this one from W.C. Fields: “A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money.”
I have heard some press frame the recall of Dottie Greer as a way to break up the “fab-five” (their name). This act is futile because the original seven votes that the newly elected council had that sought reform ended after a short run. Once the council was split 5:5 on the big issues, any further reform ended. The council refused to use its subpoena power to bring in people in order to simply ask questions about Express Scripts. The council does not have the political will to enforce William’s contract as it was agreed to. The “Other Fab-five” might have the 6th vote it needs to push through its will if Dottie were to lose and a replacement were installed, however, throughout this period there would still be a fight to get six votes on a lot of issues. The “Other Fab-five” can already often count on Mr. Riddler’s vote without the recall. Contrary to what Lee Enterprise would have you believe, the council usually votes unanimously on most issues and we still try to defer to the councilperson from the affected ward when it is of such nature. I would like to note here that a compromise was reached and “Rudi’s Ribs” can now be enjoyed at the outdoor theater of New Town. You may have to call ahead because they have been selling out down there!
I believe that the public will reject the recall and if the public pays attention to the voting record of the “Other Fab-five” they will be angered to hear that, in spite of the strong recommendation of our city attorney, the “Other Fab-five” voted not to appeal a lawsuit leveled against the city for $3 million dollars thereby weakening our defense and jeopardizing public funds. Reportedly, that wasn’t enough and letters were sent to the judge supporting the lawsuit and thereby incriminating our town.
Surely the influence of the mighty dollar has done much damage to our political system from the top down and reform is difficult and rare - but still I hope for it.
