I didn't vote, as I am no longer a resident here, but we really need to address illegal immigration and crime. It is time for the city to step up to the plate and make some waves. We do not need to use the EXCUSE that illegal immigration is a FEDERAL issue. There are many other cities that make a mockery of the federal government, and just do what they wish.
I say, if an illegal alien (or "undocumented worker") is pulled over for a traffic violation or arrested for any crime, they should be detained. We should then charter a bus when there is an adequate number, and take a trip to Mexico, or purchase an airline ticket and transport them back to whatever country they are from.
Doing the above with make a little dent in the crime rates, but then the crime has to be addressed more. We need more LEO's. It is my hope that by bringing a casino in, we would bolster our current forces, substantially. We need to get the new jail running, and we need to have occupants, i.e., no more plea dealing.
The city commishioners needs to start watching how they spend money. There should not be a bottomless pit of money for some, and none for others. Our property tax money should be spent on improving the streets in front of our homes, first. Boothill should be sold or turned over to a private company, and should be allowed no more money. Better managers need to be put in place at city operated facilities. Like what they are doing at DCPR, but maybe it is time to put a hold on more facilities there. All for Fun should be opened 12-14 hours per day. Can't make money if they are not open during prime and sub-prime hours. That place could run with only 5 employees during any given time. Time to cut out the fat with city employees. Time to hold everyone to a budget. This should help in spending and should eventually be reason to lower sales tax.
We need to get more businesses in. We have given enough to Excel and Nat'l Beef. No more tax abatements, no more free sewer/water, or whatever we are giving them. Let's do this for new businesses and entice more into town. The coming of the casino will help, too, but we need to market and target businesses and bring them in. Hopefully, we could start lowering property tax.
Maybe I will be a
DC resident again. Hence, my two cents.