By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – The two candidates vying to become the next Ward 2 alderman on the Bloomington City Council have different ideas about economic development, and the use of taxpayer dollars to attract businesses.
Donna Boelen said taxpayer dollars should not be used to speculate on high-risk redevelopment. She said businesses receiving tax money should guarantee they’ll produce high paying jobs and produce spin-off businesses also generating high-paying positions. Boelen said public money should not be used to redevelop downtown Bloomington.
“I do not believe tax dollars should be spent on the downtown,” said Boelen.
“The long-term success would be dependent on the people that live there, the people that work there, and the business owners and property owners,” Boelen added.
Opponent Georgene Chissell is more likely to back economic incentives.
“It’s appropriate for local government to use incentives to achieve economic development when it’s selectively targeting individual businesses that would otherwise not occur but for the incentive,” Chissell explained.
Chissell and Boelen stated their positions during a forum Tuesday night hosted by the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors.
They are seeking the council seat representing Bloomington’s southwest side. Incumbent Alderman David Sage is not seeking re-election.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
