letter to editor stock image
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Report to the People No. 50 by Philip W. Chapman, County Board District 3 representative.
The purpose of this is to provide information and aid in transparency.
Election: On March 20, I visited polling places in District 3 to include Hamel, Highland, New Douglas, Prairietown, and Worden. The county provided adequate machines, well-trained judges, and sufficient ballots. Early voting — After proposed budget cuts, I supported funding early voting! Many thanks to judges and poll watchers protecting our freedom. Please send any feedback to pchapman0113@gmail.com.
Resolution to support steel industry and Granite City Works — I support tariffs to protect American jobs and put Granite City steelworkers back to work: 500 back to work already!
Resolution for public referendum abolishing office of recorder — I support a public referendum to abolish the Office of Recorder, which could save over $1.3 million each decade with no loss in services. Let the people decide!
Resolution to award contract for asbestos abatement: Planning and Development — I moved the resolution for asbestos abatement services to low bidder Midwest Service Group to remove asbestos from the Wood River Facility. Let’s protect our most valuable resource — our workers.
Park and recreation grants — I voted for the following grants for my district: Hamel, $15,000; Highland, $48,895; New Douglas Township, $15,000; village of New Douglas, $15,000; and Worden, $15,000. Thanks to (committee) Chairman Jamie Goggin.
New Douglas — Thanks to Mark Gvillo, highway director, and (County Board) Chairman (Kurt) Prenzler for responding to my request to clean out drainage ditches, preventing flooding.
Respectfully submitted,
Philip W. Chapman
County Board District 3
Creating a rising tide, together
What is occurring in Alton as a result of the Small Business Revolution-Main Street frenzy is nothing short of phenomenal. Our three organizations, Alton Main Street, Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, and RiverBend Growth Association, all took the bull by the horns to bring home a winner for our region. We firmly believe that, indeed, a rising tide lifts all boats. And what a lift it has been thus far.
During the voting process we experienced an entire region coming together with the goal to help Alton win its moment in the national spotlight to enhance our small business community. These enhancements can already be seen, even before the series begins. We are already enjoying a significant increase in foot traffic as a result of that spotlight shining on Alton.
After decades of incremental steps, the collective investment from all of Alton’s business and property owners are the reason why our town was identified in the first place. The spark began with employees of Old Bakery Beer Company coming together to enter Alton in the competition. From there, it came to the Alton Regional CVB to take it to the next phase of the contest, with Alton Main Street and RiverBend Growth Association ready to rally the troops for a win. The Deluxe Corporation team witnessed something special about our city that qualified us to be a top 5 finalist. It was our sense of pride of ownership, camaraderie, and small business community shining through.
The silos came down throughout the St. Louis region and everyone was working toward a common goal. And, now as the finalists for the show are announced this week, we must remember how much more this offers our region. It is so much more than just about being selected as one of the six businesses that will receive help from Deluxe. That’s just the icing on the cake. The true impact of the effort is realized in our reignited passion for Alton’s business growth and economic vitality.
Rest assured, that passion will burn on a long time within our three organizations. We look forward to the coming months as we continue to collaborate as organizations and a community. The series filming will come and go. But our joint efforts will keep the fires burning.
Through workshops, marketing, and creative storytelling, the tide will continue to rise. That same feeling we all experienced during the voting process must be kept alive. We have to remember the power of working together and the power of positivity. The light that shines the farthest shines brightest at home.
And of course, the revolution will come. It’s already here: let’s all keep it growing! We sure will.
Brett Stawar, Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sara McGibany, Alton Main Street
John Keller, River Bend Growth Association