"Gillett Time" Dated January 30,2008
The article talks about the "Revitalize Gillett Mission Statement."
To those that want to know about the program. From its web site it reads;
Revitalize Gillett – A short history
In June of 2002, the
city of Gillett was accepted into the Wisconsin Main Street program in which
downtown revitalization is based on historic preservation. A non-profit
501(c)(3) corporation was formed called “Revitalize Gillett, Inc.” It is
governed by a fifteen-member board of directors with Wayne Strei as its
Program Manager.
Oh boy, it was one of those 501 (c) 3 groups, whatever that means. It was a good idea for the town of Gillett to do a main street make over to get more excitement , and in the end, increase more businesses for the city of Gillett. We even had Governor Barbara Lawton (oops, Diamond Jim hasn't been pulled from office yet), I seem to recall present us with thousands of dollars of grant money (our tax dollars) from the state. The town even planned and started ATV Adventure Weekend? It puts Gillett on the map with vast numbers of ATV's all over town.
Well as Kurt Darrow discusses in his article, they are questioning whether they should keep the Main Street Program going forward. Guess what, all that grant money is gone. The endles bag of cash is running low!Between a paid manager and running of the office, the money is drying up. Should they focus on fundrasising? Should they let the program die on the vine, what to do, what to do.
I commend the people involved with Gillett's Main Street Program. They meant well but it seems it just didn't pan out. Back around 02 they had a survey. One of the questions as I recall was to the graduates and some of the children from Gillett High School. What will you be doing after you graduate? The answer - Move out of Gillett! Wow, I was just blown away! Gillett needed to grow business to grow the population of this quant little town in Northeastern Wisconsin.
I discussed the wild idea that Gillett should work on increasing businesses and more people would move to the town. "Hey, what about a smaller Wal Mart". Wow, I could of been shot after that comment. Well at the time, maybe not a Wal Mart, how about a Menards, how about a UPS hub, how about, I don't know, anything. Build a large hotel like Suring was going to do. You want to bring people to town but there's no place for them to stay. How about a hotel Water Park. You think I'm crazy, maybe Revitalize should give it some more thought. Concentrate on bringing business to town and things can start to grow. Too many people have their minds set! They don't look beyond the tree's. If they would open their minds they may see the bigger picture.
Here's my problem ! Free Money!
Well, from the begining the thousands of dollars in grant money was in my opinion thrown around like slop at the pigs feed trough. I heard about limo rides , fancy dinners, etc, etc,. payrole just ate up a lot of funding. Whether its Washington D C , Madison or Gillett Wisconsin, it all the same. Hands are in the taxpayers pockets looking for free money! Grants, subsidies, welfare, earmarks by Steve Kagen, what's the diffrence. Everybody wants free money, and when they get it, it's like a kid in a candy store.
Gillett is a fine town. I am proud to call it my home. It will take someone who can take control and direct the people of Gillett to expand the life of this small town. Downtown lights, tree's or flower pots will not make people move to Gillett. If Gillett cannot grow the population than do what it does best. Expand the county fair, expand the ATV weekend. Open a atv trail south. Why will ATV drivers drive all the way to Gillett and you offer them no place to stay. Hey group, let think about it. No idea is stupid! A dumb question is a question that is not asked!
To the Gillett Main Street Program. The bottom line, if you get grant money or raise money from fundraising, spend it wisely.If your going to get federal or state funding , don't peeeee it away. You know it's our ( Tax payers) money! Good luck to the city of Gillett. A lot of people are depending on you to do the right thing. Remember what charactor means - doing something good when no one is watching.
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