Renovating and Restoring East St. Louis, Illinois

[TeriDavisNewman]

Originally Posted by jojojohnson76

Check out the Emerson Park Development Corporation - Home

It is sitting right off of 64 about 5 minutes to St. Louis. It is a ton of duplexes that are very nice. Hopefully they will continue doing things in ESL.

I've seen it and similar ideas and improvements in other cities. It CAN be done and I'm going to do it!

[STLMetro]

Originally Posted by TeriDavisNewman

I've been there campaigning and 95% of the people there want change--no one would choose to live like that--in fear all the time!! The casino is a double-edged sword--they get tax revenue but people gamble away their money hoping for a big win to GTHO of ESL. The people are good people and need a hand UP not a handout! AS far as being a Democrat, I'm a Republican and it doesn't define me. I was always taught that it's the person, not the party--and I've always tried to do the right thing. People in ESL that I have talked with see me for the person I am, not the R after my name on the ballot!! What have the Democrats done for them other than USE them for their votes? A big steaming cup of NOTHING is what they've gotten! How could I POSSIBLY make their lives worse? At least with me they will have HOPE and a chance which is more than PAC-tool Jerry gives them!

You want to give everyone in ESL internet access for free, which means tax dollars will pay for that. You want to boost the police force, more tax dollars for that. Anything else? Remember, you have an R on your name. Aren't you supposed to be against expanding government services? You have a solid budget of less than nothing to implement these changes. How do propose to pay for them? Additionally, maybe you haven't noticed which way everyone in ESL votes, maybe you should look at the polls again. I hope I am wrong, it sounds to me like I might be, but I doubt it. You also want to remove the crime element, which is impossible unless you forcibly remove them because they live there. The only option is to convert them. Other than more money, how? There is no great housing stock, no good school, no solid business foundation. I have a better idea. Pack everyone up and move them out and make the whole area a nature preserve. Split up the population and make them live in small country towns. It will give everyone something nice to look at across the river for a change.

P.S. - Kids only look at porn and facebook on the internet....

[STLMetro]

Don't worry, I got you. Here's the info on the last election, it was for US Senator....

Democrats

RICHARD J. DURBIN 28,454

Republicans

STEVE SAUERBERG 5,890
ANDY MARTIN 4,688
MIKE PSAK 1,220

[STLMetro]

Oh, there's more, last time Jerry came up for the big vote....

Jerry F. Costello, D 30,455
Timmy Richardson, Jr., R 11,214
Rodger W. jennings, G 38

Good luck....

[ccmusica]

Originally Posted by TeriDavisNewman

I've seen it and similar ideas and improvements in other cities. It CAN be done and I'm going to do it!

When I watch Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" I keep thinking about all the money the celebrities raise to support their charities. I would like to see them raise money for places like ESL to clean it up. Donald Trump could buy the whole damn place, call in the National Guard to enforce law and order until it is cleaned up and new people are moved in there. There need to be new zoning enforcements and new planning. There needs to be incentives for brave new people to help repopulate the town.

It breaks my heart that a WHOLE town is in such a shambles. We spend money on other countries around the world to help them get on their feet and come into the 21st century yet we have places like this in our own country. It breaks my heart that there are probably good and honest people who live there but are too poor to move out. Something needs to be done for them. No one should have to live in a war zone.

I'm sure that there are so many issues that need to be addressed, but it seems to me that the major ones are contain and arrest the druggies and criminals and sell the real estate to those who can revitalize the city. Small investment on their parts.

You nay sayers who are afraid of paying for anything, do you have any idea how much revenue could be created by investing up front to clean up this place and turn it into a vital productive city? You need to look toward the future and get out of your comfy overstuffed chairs. A country is "we the people" not "every man for himself and the rest be damned."

Sick Donald Trump on this, he's done it before and it would be an interesting twist for him and his contestants to save a city. I'm serious! Those are my suggestions.

[STLMetro]

[quote=ccmusica;11308217]You nay sayers who are afraid of paying for anything, do you have any idea how much revenue could be created by investing up front to clean up this place and turn it into a vital productive city? You need to look toward the future and get out of your comfy overstuffed chairs. A country is "we the people" not "every man for himself and the rest be damned."quote]

The problem is the rest of the county has been paying for this for too long. Everytime we give them something, they junk it up. I have an idea how much revenue could be made there, just about nothing. Why not go a mile up 64 to a real market with opportunity. There is just too much competition for a nice place to live around here. I could spend millions getting ESL back on track, or thousands 5 minutes down the road with infrastructure already in place. This is a free country, with everyone able to make their own choice. My father shared a room with his brother that was 5' x 6'. He put himself through college and is a CPA. He taught me to stand on my own two feet, take care of my things, and not take handouts. The people in ESL have done none of those things. They are more worried about getting a cell phone than a degree. Everyone has the opportunity to go to college in this nation. You have to work hard and get good grades, but you can. Too many are just looking for the easy way out.

[skidamarink]

Originally Posted by LindaGrace

It's mind-boggling to me that that prime real estate just sits there mouldering. It's a stone's throw from downtown St. Louis, with light rail already in place. What an easy commute to work each day, and what an easy way to hop over to the city to enjoy a ballgame, the nightlife, the zoo, the park, the art museums, etc., etc. You'd think developers would be all over ESL.

That's what I was thinking. ESL is a prime location. Perfect for urban center (St. Louis) meets quiet suburbia.

I do think ESL will rebound again some time. It has to. With gas prices these days, Illinois commuters would have a higher advantage in ESL than in O'Fallon or Belleville.

[TeriDavisNewman]

Originally Posted by STLMetro

You want to give everyone in ESL internet access for free, which means tax dollars will pay for that. You want to boost the police force, more tax dollars for that. Anything else? Remember, you have an R on your name. Aren't you supposed to be against expanding government services?
P.S. - Kids only look at porn and facebook on the internet....

No, not for free, but for much less than the cable companies charge. The next generation is going to tell the story--kids who have internet access and computers are going to be light years ahead of kids who didn't and the gap will never be closed. China manages to block all of the sites they don't want their people to see and I'm pretty sure a program can be installed on the educational computers or at the source to limit Facebook time and block porn. Ever hear of NetNanny? We have GOT to do something about ESL or it will continue to be the punchline of jokes. I'd like to use some federal grants to tear down the blighted buildings and to get some good cops to take back the streets. The criminal element at some point is relocated to prison where they belong instead of terrorizing the residents. Once the blighted buildings are gone and the streets are safe, the private sector will step up--look at the location and what's there. The mighty Mississippi, railroads, and interstate access in every direction which make it a natural location for shipping, refineries or other industries that need major transportation access points. It can be done without increasing government--all the people need is support and a leader who isn't out for personal gain--and that would be me.