O"Connor Conducts "Historic" Listening Survey Of Most 7th Ward Businesses

For the benefit of whoever is elected the next alderman of the 7th Ward and the commercial businesses of the 7th Ward, I have conducted a 5 day listening tour of 7th Ward businesses. I visited about 75 businesses, however some owners and managers were not there, so I will have to add their comments later. I also did not stop in at doctors, dentists or real estate offices due to time constraints. I am sure that there are issues within some of those businesses and it may be easiest to get e-mail addresses and ask for comments.
Upon entering all businesses, I identified myself as 1 of 3 candidates running for alderman of the 7th ward. I also stated that I was not there looking for money ( I do not accept donations) or votes, but that I was there to listen to what the City of Evanston was doing that was good, what the City was doing that was bad or any comments in between. Just as I have in other areas of my campaign, I decided that this was a good, common sense way to hear the real issues confronting 7th ward businesses and given my background in sales and mangement with Bally Mfg., Marshall Field's and Carson Pirie Scott I am truly the only candidate that has the background, experience and long successful track record in dealing with the public from the retailer's point of view.
Before imparting the results of my listening tour, let me say that most owners and managers were stunned that anyone was coming out to ask them how they were doing, what was going well with the City and what was going poorly. The most shocking discovery was that only 4 businesses knew of Ald. Tisdahl as a customer or were happy with her as alderman. Other than those 4 businesses none of the other businesses had any visit from Ald. Tisdahl, City staff or the Evanston Chamber of Commerce! It's hard to believe that this is Ald. Tisdahl's record since 2003, but I challenge our current 7th ward alderman to respond to any of her business constituents comments.  However, she's in good company, as one business told me: "I've been here for 57 years and the City hasn't done s--t for me!" One other great quote from an owner was: "What's wrong with you? Why do you care now, when no one has ever come out?" I did tell all respondents that I would be out quarterly if elected, however whoever is elected this Tuesday, should know that there are now expectations from the shamefully ignored 7th ward tax paying businesses. I also told the businesses that the only time that a business usually hears from the City is, if the City has a complaint or the business has a complaint. My style is to be proactive and not reactive and also to have a dialog during a non-complaint charged time. All comments that were expressed are anonymous, so that the businesses would feel the abilty to be honest without retaliation from their government.
COMMENTS EXPRESSED BY 7TH WARD BUSINESSES--APRIL, 2009:
10% Sales Tax Is Killing Business
Police Don't Enforce Speed Or Crosswalk Violators
High Taxes, High Rents, High Water Rates, Sewer Tax Is 3X Higher Than Water Rates
6% Liquor Tax Is A Disincentive To Other Restaurants Opening In Evanston And Hurtful To Existing Evanston Restaurants
The CIty Of Evanston Will Only Have Gaps', Chilis' Or Corporate Chains In The Future, Small Businesses Are Being Priced Out
No Garbage Cans On Central Street On The South Side Between Great Harvest And Linz & Vail--- Businesses Have Picked Up Garbage From Mail Slots And Planters In The Morning----When Someone Called The City The Reply Was: "We Can't Afford To Spend Tax Payer Dollars On Emptying Any Cans On The South Side Of The Street!"
Forced To Use Groot As Only Garbage Service Provider--- As A Monopoly, They Respond Poorly To Requests For Service And Do Not Clean Up After The Garbage Falls Elsewhere Than The Truck
Poor Snow Removal, Plows Throw Snow Up On Curbs- Customers Can't Get Passenger Doors Open, Downtown Swept By Sidewalk Sweeper---Why Not Central Street?
Residents Notified About Break Ins, But Not Businesses Until After 5th Break In
Tree Dead In Front Of Retailer For Last 2 Years
At 9 A.M., When Meters Are Enforced All Employees Leave To Find Parking
Dumpster Left In Front Of One Business Blocking Parking And Visibility--While Work Was Performed 4 Doors Away
Parking Lot Should Be 3 Hours
Meters Are Okay At 2 Hours, Some Businesses Need 3 Hours, Some Businesses Need 20 Minute Meters Like Fast Food, Coffee And Video Store Similar To Downtown
State Of Illinois Refused "No U-Turn Signs From Hartrey To Hospital, Since Central Is A State Road, Can't That Be Changed?
Fence Sections Of Independence Park
Many Falls Due To Poor Snow And Ice Removal
If Wilmette Can Afford Sidewalk Sweepers, Why Can't Evanston?
E-Mail To Ald. Tisdahl Was Never Replied To Regarding A Parking Problem, Finally After 1 Year Was Solved
Internet Is Killing Certain Businesses
COE Took $150.00 From One Business Owner, However Business Owner Is Still Waiting To Receive Their Business License
Evanston Should Sponsor Quarterly Sales Tax Holidays
Some Businesses Are Thinking Of Leaving, No Incentive To Stay, No Tax Breaks For The Little Guys, No Communications Ever From The Alderman Or City
Potholes, Alley Is Filthy, Too Dark At Night, Overgrown Tree Stump On Prarie Ave. Is A Liabilty Issue Next To Alley
Good Police And Fire Response
Parking Meeting with The City 2 Years Ago--City Said The Soil Under The Central St. Parking Lot Could Not Support A Parking Structure
ATM Business Is Never Shoveled Since There Are No Workers There
Create Angle Parking Around The Park To Create New Parking Spaces
Parking On Prarie Is Only One Side Just Off Central, Why Not Both Sides
Type II Restaurant License Procured, Then Other Coffee Shops Expanded Into Food Under The Less Costly And Less Difficult Specialty License--How Is This Fair?
Pay 60k In Taxes And We Don't Use The Schools, Nobody Has Ever Come Out To Listen To Us Since We've Been Here (1991)
Will The City Let Us Plant Flowers Or Vegetables On The Vacant Evanston Theatre Site?
If Only The Whole City Was Run As Well As The Parking Enforcement Department
COE Should Charge For Development Extensions
Tisdahl Is Anti- N. U.
No Enforcement Of Peddlers Licenses--City Loses Sales Taxes and Fees
Build A Marina,Water Sports Park, City Should Have A Minor League Baseball Team
Less Strict Sign Ordinance
Take Away Parking Meters And Enforce 2 Hour Limit Like Wilmette and Winnetka 
   
There you have it, so far. I will add the other comments once they are received. There are plenty of issues and concerns that our 7th Ward taxpaying businesses would like to see addressed by their alderman and City staff. This is part of why taxes are paid, if elected I will provide the services and ongoing dialog that these constituents have been missing. I will trust that both of my opponents will do likewise, I've provided them and the City with a good start.
 
Kevin O'Connor
www.rebootev.com