Posted by Former resident, a resident of another community, on Mar 5, 2009 at 2:29 am

Unless it's Costco, businesses will find it tough to prosper in Danville.

Posted by todd, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Mar 5, 2009 at 8:05 am

There are too many retail shops in Danville already. Some will fold no matter what you do. People are not going to spend in Danville as they did in the past. They will be going to big box retailers and will see that the same items cost 25% less. I believe in supporting local bussiness, but not at my expense. If they are hurting today, they will not be around in 10 to 14 months till this turns around.

Posted by Katy, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Mar 6, 2009 at 10:22 am

I don't get it. If I have an extra $400,000 lying around, I'd use it to pay down my debt, improve my property or save it.

So the Town of Danville has accumulated an extra $400,000 and wants to give it away to local retailers. Naturally, every retailer is for it, especially the consultants (like architects)!

If the Town of Danville has charged its local residents too much in taxes, why not refund it to us?

As far as local retailers, they have a tough time now ... but so does everyone else. We shop in Danville but we also shop for quality AND value ... if that means Costco, Target or Amazon.com, so be it.

It seems like the Alamo "No on Prop A" voters were pretty smart ...

In six months, The Danville Weekly needs to prepare a summary and analysis of the disposition of these funds (who got what) and what measureable impact resulted.

Socialism comes to Danville!

Posted by Geoff Gillette, Danville Weekly reporter, on Mar 6, 2009 at 11:39 am
Geoff Gillette is a member (registered user) of Danville Express

Folks,

I feel my story may have not been clear enough in explaining where these funds are coming from and for that I apologize.

The monies being used for the stimulus package come from the Town's Community Development Agency. That is a separate entity that was formed to create a separate fund to be used for projects to improve the redevelopment area by improving locations.

The way the fund increases is when property tax valuations go up within the redevelopment district, that incremental increase goes into the CDA funds.

Those funds have to be used for redevelopment in the town. Facade improvements and design plans do fall under that purview.

No General or Capital Fund monies are being used in the plan.

I will be amending our online version to try to make this clearer.

Thank you.

Geoff Gillette

Posted by Katy, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Mar 6, 2009 at 2:40 pm

Oh, now we understand.

The money comes from Accounting "Smoke & Mirrors."

The funds still come from the taxpayers no matter what FUND it may come from.

Welcome to Danville's version of "The Shell Game" played with taxpayer's money.

If a business wants to "... improve its facade ..." let them do it. Why do taxpayer's have to contribute to their profit and viability?

Those in Alamo that voted NO this week, I am beginning to admire them more and more. This is the LOCAL CONTROL of our taxes they were concerned about.

WAKE UP!

Posted by Don, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Mar 8, 2009 at 10:28 am

This is exciting news. I've been trying to some time to open my sports-oriented service business in the downtown area. I'm a bit more hopeful that a new state of flexibility in government may provide some hope of me obtaining permits and variances...

Stay tuned...