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| Garza Urges City to Work with GREDA |
A candidate for Mayor of Galesburg is suggesting the community hold a series of public meetings designed to gain the public's input on economic development goals and structure.
Sal Garza, speaking to reporters Friday, said only by gaining the public input and support can the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association be remade into an effective development organization that reflects the values of Galesburg citizens. Garza says the funding controversy over GREDA has gone on too long and and risks permanently harming the city's reputation among potential business and developers.
Garza tells WGIL he doesn't want to keep the same debate going on throughout the next year. "My fear is that we will be back here a year from now, debating the same issues about GREDA," Garza said, "and engaging in another cliffhanger regarding continued funding of GREDA from the City and the County."
Garza said, if he is elected to be the next Mayor of Galesburg he would like to move forward with a series of informational meetings with the public in all seven wards, where GREDA leaders could provide information to citizens about the organization's goals and mission. By doing that, Garza says he could strengthen economic development efforts, provide legitimacy to GREDA, revise some of the community's goals, and move towards unifying the community.
Galesburg Aldermen this week voted to terminate their current contract with GREDA, and turned down a deal city officials re-worked with them.
(Sal Garza, candidate for Mayor, speaks to reporters assembled at the WGIL Studios Friday morning. Story by Dominic Fortini. WGIL News Photo by Samantha Kaye.) |
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| 12 19 08 by Newsroom |
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