October 4, 2009

Showdown on West Racine grocery store, gas station set for Wednesday's RDA meeting

UPDATE 2: The ongoing saga about a 1.5-acre plot of land in West Racine continued this week with some odd behind the scenes moves before Wednesday's Redevelopment Authority meeting.

Based on the agenda for the meeting, we reported Sunday that city staff was recommending the authority "receive and file" Tom Tousis's $5 million proposal, which is typically government speak for throwing it in the garbage.

But then we received an email from City Development Director Brian O'Connell that said, in part:
City staff has not yet taken any position on the Tousis proposal. City Staff has requested information from Mr. Tousis; we will not be making a recommendation on his proposal until we have received and reviewed that information and the information that Mr. Tousis may present at the public hearing on Wednesday.

The Racine Post chose to interpret the “receive and file” recommendation on the agenda for the Redevelopment Authority meeting as a recommendation for denial.
Interestingly, the JT quoted O'Connell on Monday saying Tousis had not submitted needed paperwork for the RDA to consider his request for a 12-month option on the land.

Zak Williams, a spokesman for Tousis, contested this claim Monday. He said the city requested additional information and said Tousis could bring it to Wednesday's meeting.

The JT later dropped O'Connell's quotes from its story about Wednesday's RDA meeting without explanation.

So where do things stand?

Apparently, Tousis has the needed paperwork into the city, and the RDA (the legal owner of the property) may vote up or down on giving him a 12-month option on the land. But even that's unclear because the agenda lists a public hearing, but not a straight-up agenda item, on the project.

O'Connell told the JT the RDA may make a recommendation Wednesday, but he doesn't anticipate them doing so.

We're hearing odds are increasingly likely there will be a vote on Wednesday, but it's unclear if the RDA will grant the option and it could come down to a 4-3 vote either way.

Pete Karas and Scott Terry are reportedly solidly behind Tousis, and State Rep. Cory Mason is likely to support the project because Tousis agreed to use union labor to build the grocery store, gas station, restaurant and bank. Alderman Jim Spangenberg firmly opposes the project, which leaves RDA Chairman John Crimmings, David Lange and Robert Ledvina as the deciding votes.


UPDATE: City Development Director Brian O'Connell called Monday to say the city staff is not recommending that Tom Touisis' West Racine proposal be denied. He said, rather, that Wednesday 's meeting focusing on it by the Redevelopment Authority is a public hearing on the project and there is no staff recommendation. That's contrary to the RDA agenda posted on the city's website, but make up your own mind.

Original post:

City staff is recommending the city's Redevelopment Authority "receive and file" a proposal to build a grocery store, restaurant, bank and gas station in West Racine.

The recommendation, listed on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting, amounts to dumping the proposal without taking further action. You can see the agenda here.

Tom Tousis wants to build the roughly 25,000-square-foot, $5 million development on the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and West Boulevard. The plan received strong support during a neighborhood meeting on Sept. 30, but there's high-level opposition to the proposal.

Alderman Jim Spangenberg, who sits on the RDA and lives in West Racine, is fighting the project, and a West Racine work group is asking the RDA to adopt restrictions on the vacant lot that would discourage, if not ban, a gas station on the site. Opponents of the Tousis project argue it would be better to wait for the right development than force something that isn't a good fit.

Tousis is fighting back with an organized effort to build support for the development. He's committed to using local union labor to build the project and to preserve the farmer's market on the site.

Wednesday's RDA meeting is an important step for Tousis. He needs the RDA's support to move ahead, because the authority technically owns the 1.5 acres of land he wants to build on. Without the RDA's backing, he won't be able to proceed.

75 comments:

  1. Hopefully, the City Council remembers that they, not staff, set policy. The staff recommendation seems to be short sighted.

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  2. Tired of Racine Politics10/04/2009 9:38 AM

    I just passed that site yesterday and thought "It's a bunch of gravel and weeds. It looks like crap."
    Why, why, why would the people of Racine want to halt development of this eye-sore? I have heard many reasons to support this project, and not a single, logical reason to stop the project. This would be the most convinient grocery store to where I live and I would probably even go to the West Racine shops more. Right now it often doesn't seem worth it to stop my car.

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  3. Let Spangenberg pay the interest on the property if he wants to keep it vacant! The taxpayers shouldn't be required to foot the bill.

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  4. As someone who lived in West Racine for over 40 years, need I remind people that at one time, there was a Mobile gas station on the NE corner directly across from the proposed site? I don't remember ever hearing people complain about THAT business being there.....

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  5. Thank God! We will be turning up the heat to kill this dead dead dead.
    Let him go some place else and build a gas station we do not need,another non grocery store "Grocery Store"
    and no one I talked to at the West Racine Farmers Market trusts this man to do anything other then end the Farmer's Market. IMHO The City Staff has done something right.

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  6. What development has "city staff" or Spangenberg brought to Racine. No wonder unemployment is almost 20%. I think they should have to pay the portion of my property taxes that support this property.

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  7. I wonder what Terry McCarthy feels about this proposal. He is the actual alderman for this site. He probably is a big puppet for Spangenberg and the city guys. He is only allowed to speak when "Big Jim" says so. So I would imagine that Jim will intimidate the other aldermen in the area till this thing is dead. FYI If the city goes around killing every proposal in Racine, we will have a dead city. Killing things = Dead City!

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  8. The owners of the Georgetown really tried to make it less of a gas station and more of a grocery for years. When Danny's left and the video poker games came in all was essentially lost. It's not much more than a lotto ticket, cigarettes and gas clientele. A repeat of this inevitable decline would be a shame for west Racine.

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  9. Put a big red sculpture there!

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  10. Georgetown was less than a quarter the size of what this grocery store would be.

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  11. Racine needs JOBS, here are 50 + jobs, Racine needs this, and most Racine residents want this. Only in Racine could people bitch about something like this. To anyone thinking that we will "Wait until the right development comes along" WAKE UP!

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  12. This is the right development. Nine years people, 9 years.

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  13. this is the wrong development for a gateway corner into west racine. do we really need more gasoline pumps? this would just be more of the gettoisation (is this a real word?) of the city.

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  14. I agree Racine needs jobs but not min. wage ones. If you want to make $6.00 and hour go to McDonalds.

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  15. Should Tom get this corner, what is next Dekoven Woods?

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  16. Unemployed2Long10/04/2009 6:46 PM

    To Anon 4:11

    Tell me what kind of jobs you expect to bring to Racine when the biggest employers in the city are only paying $7.90/hr and you know who they are. Find me a job that paid $17/hr like the one I lost 8 months ago and I will kiss your feet. I think we need to realize that the country is in dire economic times and come to terms with the only jobs available, being low paying ones. By the way I'll take an 8/hr job tomorrow and would jump for joy for a 10/hr one.

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  17. Be all kinds of good jobs around if we would lower taxes. Why would a company move to Wisconsin with the high taxes and higher to come.
    Racine is even worse when the City will jack up our taxes even more. If KRM goes ahead even higher, RUSD sucks and they want more $$ so they can fail more kids.
    If you have a chance get the hell out.
    The Uptown Art Project failure
    The West Racine Project "" ""
    and the City should have not allowed Mayor Becker to do start it. RCEDC is filled I think with fools.
    We had a chance to get new blood in the Mayor's office and what we got was a Becker Clone.
    God save Racine

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  18. 50+ jobs???? Are you smokin' the crack pipe again???

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  19. If West Racine doesn't want this, bring it to Caledonia! Anywhere between Hwy 38 and 4 Mile along Hwy 31 would be great. We have better demographics than West Racine and need your development here.

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  20. Hear 9:55 Tom go there!

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  21. Anon 9:34, the 50+ jobs are for the development and construction of the project. That is a practical figure, as was stated at the Sept. 30 meeting. There would then be 20 - 30 people employed by the various businesses with in the project.

    Anon 6:46, obviously you don't really need a job. Because if you did, you, like many others I know at the moment, would be grateful for a 7:90/hr. job. It beats nothing coming in. If this economy ever does recover, those low paying jobs will once again go to those who have traditionally held them in the past. But for now it could put bread on the table for someone.

    Jim "Spanky" Spangenberg, is a clueless idiot, like most liberals, who think only of their special interest friends, which Tom Tousis is not one. Jim thinks more about what's better for the earthworms living under the property than about the needs and desires of his own constituents.

    Well, after the next election Spanky can go do all the "green things" he wants, because his time won't be taken up filling an alderman's seat. So long Spanky!

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  22. In several previous articles it is 100 construction jobs and 50 permanent jobs in the grocery store and restaurant.

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  23. If Mcarthy is the alderman, why is Spankenburg getting the heat? Did they just change the boundaries or what?

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  24. Keith W. Deschler10/04/2009 11:12 PM

    All I have to say is ANY AND I MEAN ANY elected official responsible for the denial of this development, I will personally be sure to remind the voters come next election time. I'm not talking just reminding them of the refusal to bring quality development and jobs, but also the refusal to save us taxpayers in west Racine the increasing cost of the vacant land

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  25. Oh no, it's time to put the paper bag on our head and duck underneath our desks!

    It's the end of the world as we know it because some poor developer can't put up his giant "Store of Humongous Tinyness, Diner of Sexist Slogans, and Pumps of Gas Fumes" in West Racine.

    I bet if Mr. T put all his empty promises on writing, everyone would be fine.
    But he can't commit to anything past those words, so we fight until he fails.

    Someone should remember that in Wisconsin, a verbal agreement is as solid as a written one.
    Let him build his massive altar to corporate greed. The minute the gambling machines go in and the Farmer's Market is kicked out, the lawsuits can come flying in.

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  26. I'll agree with the 100 construction jobs, temporary ones by the way. If you think that this will create 50 + permanent jobs in this city, again, are you smokin' the crack pipe??

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  27. Idiots - a weed and gravel pit or a grocery store, restaraunt, meat market, gas station, a boost to existing merchants, increased revenue for the city AND the continuation of the farmers market. If you turn this down don't ever whine about not having one of these things in the future. Take it or probably lose this opprotunity forever. If you've noticed, there are not people standing in line to develop this property. Or unless one of you naysayers wants to come up with some cash.

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  28. 8:04

    There are many gas stations near this area, why do we need another?
    This grocery store is not I think even close to a real grocery store, more like say quick stop.
    You should also talk to the Farmers none that I talked to believe that Tom has any real intention to keep the Farmer's Market. Myself unless it is in writing as an enforceable contract I think we will see slot machines as well.
    The argument about the city needing the money is a poor one for if that is the case The Mayor needs to be firing City employees like the Grant Writer and selling property such as Dekoven Woods.

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  29. Does anyone know why this development is pushing the gas station do hard? Why does that have to be a part of the plan? Why not just a grocery and restaurant?

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  30. I suggest ALL of the people who have a problem with this, lets hear what you plan to put on the property with YOUR money. Or better yet, lets let everyone tell YOU ALL what to do on your property.This area is a business district with zoning laws and conditional use permits. Someone that wants to fill the lot with developement should be able to build what is buildable there considering the laws. Many forget or do not know about a guy who wanted to build a factory in Racine county and was turned away because of opposition to his plan. so he went and built it in the city of Racine instead...... Can you say Jerome Increase Case!!!

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  31. 8:36 - Where have you been? The grocery store would be over 10,000 sq. ft. with a butcher shop - that is not a qucki mart. If Tom says the Farmers Market will stay, who are anyone to deny that. And finally, I always love it when someone brings up a subject that is totally unrelated to the story -the Mayor and his staff whether employed or not would have no bearing on this development, so get with the program.

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  32. What happened to this country that we should be "grateful for a $7.90/hr job" (anon 10:16 pm)?! The gap between the rich and poor in this country is disgusting, and yet we (so-called middle class) should be "grateful" for any job we can get?

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  33. 9:55 - Yes, any job (s) is better than no job unless you are one of those individuals that think entitlements are better. This development would have a trickle down effect generating many different jobs. So let's move on with the project.

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  34. History shows that trickle down economics does not really work as a way to redistribute wealth, if that's what you are suggesting Anon 10:08. Someone will probably become more wealthy because of the project, but not those with the jobs that "trickle down."

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  35. Everyone, follow the link to the RDA agenda in the article, then within the agenda, click on the "TOUSIS" letter. Tom clearly spells out what the plan is--in writing. The plan is logical and the development would be reasonable. Local labor, local materials, a building with solar panels, rainwater runoff collection, food waste composter, etc. It seems pretty detailed to me. How can we REASONABLY be against this proposal?

    We can fight over numbers, but some jobs are better than no jobs. A fair wage is better than no wage.

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  36. Those with money should be allowed to build anything they want. Thank God we can get min wage jobs from ths too/ Can't wait to see the female staff dressed like whores.. I mean nice girls from the neighborhood.
    How dear anyone think this is a bad idea.

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  37. 10:53 - is that you Mr. Angry? Those that are more wealthy developing this project are the ones taking the risk, so why shouldn't they make more. The trickle down worker has no risk invested at all.

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  38. 11:04 "The trickle down worker has no risk invested at all"--and will have no health insurance. No risk at all, as long as they are healthy.

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  39. 11:32 - (Mr. Angry) Wrong again. There are currently government programs to provide health care - so try another excuse.

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  40. Thank god for those government run social programs!

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  41. Some government programs are acceptable, but now what is your response from my original comment -you can't come up with one can you Mr. A.

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  42. 11:43 - you are posting as Anonymous. What was your original comment?

    Mr. Smarty Pants

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  43. 12:03 - here is my original comment until someone wanted to turn it into a bogus insurance issue: Those that are more wealthy developing this project are the ones taking the risk, so why shouldn't they make more.

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  44. Will the farmers market be open in Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., March, April,May ?? Do they pay property tax ? The grocery store will be open year round and the hours will be ?? Farmers market hours ??

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  45. WOW..I have to laugh at all these haters. Another ghettostation?? Where does Mr. Tousis have a "ghetto" station? Broken promises? What has he promised you that he has backed out on? Oh hell lets just plant some green there and let it be a sight for sore eyes since the city can't afford to even maintain the grass in the medians.

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  46. Dressed like whores??? The staff probaly wears more clothes then your daughter. T-shirts and jeans make a woman look like a whore huh? Classy you are!

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  47. Anon. 1:29am....You are so not for this development but u want to make lawsuit comments on change. IF we could throw lawsuits on every buisness that made change..DAMN we would be rich.

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  48. Spangenberg - I hope you realize your days as alderman are diminishing.

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  49. Could it be, Mr. Angry is gone? Hopefully gone for good!

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  50. Hey Jimmy, its us again, can't wait to see you on Wdenesday!

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  51. 5:45, are you waiting to see him implode at his seat then explode on those sitting peacefully in their seats? Me too!

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  52. Mr. Tousis,

    If you receive to much grief I know a town called Somers that would be more than happy to have your project built. Hwy E and the I after the new on ramp/off ramp is completed.

    Let that slum called West Racine remain that and move out to the country!

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  53. Please Tom go to Sommers!

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  54. This story is getting so old - just let the damn thing go through.

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  55. This is far from over. I understand that a collection is being taken to hire an attorney to help fight this.
    Feel bad for the guy, maybe moving to Sommers is a good idea

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  56. How much money can 1 alderman, 2 businessmen and 4 west Racine residents come up with? By the looks of the buildings on Washington not much!

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  57. ACCOUNTABILITY IN RACINE10/06/2009 1:26 PM

    12:21 - Tell Spangenberg to use the City Attorney for his battles. He hasn't had a problem ringing up a FIVE MILLION DOLLAR TAB for us taxpayers on a gravel lot in West Racine. What's another $500,000 for attorney's fees for a losing battle. Keep pissing our money away, we will never run out of it.

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  58. Who is paying taxes on the old Piggly Wiggly spot; why not revitalize that big open eye sore? The current lot at West and hwy 20 would best benefit as open green space for the community; enhanced with a little landscaping. There is a closed gas station just up the street; why can't that be revived?

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  59. Lifelong Grover10/06/2009 2:57 PM

    Krys, Do you live in WR? Are you willing to flip the bill for the TIF? (approximatly 7 million) If you are me and my nieghbors are behind your idea to have "green space" if not lets move forward with the proposal in front of us.

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  60. Headin' for a Showdown
    There's gonna be a Showdown

    And it's rainin' all over the world
    It's raining all over the world
    Tonight, the longest night

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  61. Sounds like another good project that's getting grief. Why is Racine opposed to entrepreneurs making investments in the community, especially at the height of a recession?

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  62. The Piggly Wiggly is owned by a private person and he pays the taxes, not the taxpayers.

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  63. ACCOUNTABILITY IN RACINE said it was $5M. Lifelong Grover said it was $7M. Last Wed, Brian O'Connell from the city, who pays the bills said it was 2.something million. (he wasn't sure what the interest costs were, but it's no where near what those two said. Take the emotion out of it and let's have a meeting, passing the grocery store, diner, and bank. No pumps. They only detract from a good proposal otherwise.

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  64. According to city documents, the cost of buying the property and knocking down the buildings was $2.6 million. Since 2002, the TIF has grown to between $4-5 million, no one knows for sure, because the property taxes that would be paid on that site are rolled into the TIF.

    So the cost of the site is now almost $5 million.

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  65. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  66. I stopped by Johnson's Furniture to talk to Alderman Spangenburg shortly after 5PM and they were closed. What kind of furniture store closes before people get done with work. Only thing I can guess is, in a town with 23 percent unemployment I guess you don't have to worry about your customers getting out of work at 5PM, either that or there aren't any customers.

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  67. Keith W. Deschler10/07/2009 12:00 AM

    gee can't wait to see the look on Jim and Brians faces at the meeting tommorrow.

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  68. Closed - no one shops there anyway - the furniture is ugly and the store itself is depressing. He should be more concerned in improving his place before he stops another development. Jimbo I suggest you put some money in your store and product - and shut up.

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  69. Yes, you are right. He stays in business because no one shops there.

    Just because the furniture has style and class and doesn't look like the crap you buy at Target, that doesn't mean it is ugly.

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  70. 9:11 - sorry that furniture is as ugly as it comes - no not Target, Porter's, Room and Board, Crate and Barrel, Artistry Furniture Gallery - etc. Not the ugly crap at his store.

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  71. Anon 10:53, how stupid! Every time ANY new business opens and needs to purchase stock from suppliers there is "trickle down" benefits. It IS that way and always has been. Quit trying to politicize this issue. It is NOT a political issue, unless you wish to discuss the foolishness of Spanky and his minority of cronies that are against this, when 90% or more of the area residents are for it. Hopefully Tom Tousis will become more wealthy once the project is up and running, and so will the employees working for him and the suppliers that he purchases from, and the local shop owners who may benefit from more foot traffic in the area, and so on. Apparently you do not understand the principles behind a capitalistic society.

    Well, Spanky showed his true colors at last Wednesday's meeting. Ranting at the people who showed up about how persecuted he is and saying that he was against the project, but wouldn't explain why. What I would like to know is when this hair-brained RDA and anti-business (except for bars) city council is going to stop stunting the city's growth. Look at the music hall that a couple wanted to open on State St.: they wanted to bring in local and national big name bands that people from far outside Racine would come and see, and they were NOT going to sell alcoholic beverages. The RDA shot them down saying that they wanted the area preserved for offices. To this date there have been no proposals from anyone to open offices in those buildings, and there are no signs of any coming. Think of the jobs and tax income that would have been created by that project. But as long as the RDA has their collective heads up their butts nothing will develop in Racine.

    Actually, I'm kind of surprised that Wisneski and McCarthy (who seemed to be joined at the hip) aren't trying to offer the property to city workers or RUSD employees at half-price, or to some perverted left wing gay/lesbian organization to build a headquarters there. It is time the RDA and city council quit working in direct opposition to the will of the citizenry and started actually representing the will of their constituents. The next election may very well see a whole new city council (I hope) with common sense heads on their shoulders instead of stuck where the sun don't shine.

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  72. Tim the Shrubber10/07/2009 11:37 AM

    "Showdown on West Racine grocery store, gas station set for Wednesday's RDA meeting"

    Dustin, don't you think that headline is being a bit little melodramatic?

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  73. Yea - Showdown at OK corral!

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  74. Bravo Racine Resident. I wanted to write the same thing to Anon 10:53 regarding Trickle down. If those employees have a job they can spend their earnings someplace else. Thus trickling down. If your goal is to re-distribute wealth, (Communism/ Socialism, see Fidel Castro)..then it is a failure..because re-distribution of wealth is not what this country is about. It's about having the opportunity to succeed with minimal Govt. influence!

    For those that are mad that this project will only employ craftsmen for the time the project is being built. That's what builders do. they build a project, and then they go build another project!! I do plan to attend tonight's meeting, this plan should continue. Let T keep it rolling. for those of you opposed to the Gas pumps. don't shop there when he opens, and eventually the pumps will be removed, unless the rest of us choose to support his pumps.

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  75. And in the mean time to hell with those who may not be able to get to say Pick and Save and like being able to get local grown food in an area where can can interact with others. This is Racine WI where the buck runs everything and to save the mighty buck for our self's we will insure West Racine remands a food desert and the hell with anyone who just might think that West Racine should have character. Just make sure the girls shirts are nice and tight

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