A recent comment on this blog challenged me and other members of council to find a way to focus on economic development. The challenge has not escaped us.
Right now there is no entity that’s sole focus is on the marketing, promotion and economic development of Oil City.
All of us on council have commented on this in numerous conversations over the past eight months I’ve been on council. It is something Lee Mehlburger noted a week ago in his call for developing a marketing strategy.
True, city government has a role to play, but certainly that is not its sole function or purpose. Traditionally, marketing, promotion and related economic development have been undertaken by partners in the private sector (often nonprofits established for that purpose) and allied quasi public agencies, such as industrial development authorities.
Oil City’s Community Development Corporation merged into the Oil Region Alliance with the formation of that agency. The CDC served as the primary economic development agency working to bring businesses and jobs to the downtown, renovate buildings for new uses and attract developers.
I’ve been told by the former leadership of the CDC that there were several reasons they agreed to merge into the ORA. Foremost was the idea that the ORA would provide the strength of many and enable it to be more successful. (The original vision was that all the economic development groups in the county would join the ORA. That did not happen.)
Some former leaders of the CDC also frankly said there were concerns about the CDC’s long-term financial viability and whether it would have sufficient funding to do what would be necessary to continue its mission.
The Oil City Chamber of Commerce, whose focus, promotion and marketing was geared primarily to Oil City, became the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, with a wider view and interest. I believe that was the right move for the chamber and the region. The chamber continues to promote the city – continued management of the Oil Heritage Festival is just one example – and works diligently in hopes the community prospers. Chamber Executive Director Susan Williams and her staff deserve nothing but praise and thanks for all they do.
Still, the Venango Area Chamber cannot like its predecessor put nearly all its emphasis on Oil City alone, nor should it. Its role has changed.
As supportive as I am of the regional approach to economic development and promotion, I also firmly believe we need some entity that’s only concern is Oil City. An organization that can promote what we have in the city; our events, our arts program, our festivals, our businesses and downtown. An organization that’s sole purpose is to grow and attract businesses and residents to Oil City.
The Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority declined to merge into the ORA. The Franklin Chamber of Commerce declined to merge into the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. I believe Franklin has benefited by having organizations that’s purpose remains solely the one community. One example is the very nice tourism brochure for Franklin put out by its chamber.
Oil City has some very active and involved groups – Take Pride in Oil City, the neighborhood associations and the north side and south side business associations. Perhaps someday they can become the primary promoters of the city.
We need to do something. As it is, Oil City is lost in the whole. We have no identity.
I’m not sure where city government fits in this. I do know we don’t have the money to do much, or the staff.
So share your ideas of how we go about growing or creating entities that partner with city government to market and promote Oil City and take the lead in the non-government side of economic development.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
I'm mad...
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore.”
The line is from the 1976 movie Network and relates to the state of our society.
What is making me mad as hell and not want to take this anymore is our state – Pennsylvania.
Residents of Oil City and every other Third Class City and anyone concerned about fairness, equity and our core communities should be mad as hell as well. The reason is this: the state of Pennsylvania and our legislators currently and for several decades now have failed our cities.
State money has flowed to outlying townships in many ways, effectively providing operating subsidies to those municipalities. We have not seen the same subsidies.
Police services are a quick example. Residents of Third Class cities have to foot the bill for local police services, which are mandated. Outlying areas get state police services paid for by everyone in the state.
Oil City’s population represents about 19 percent of the Venango County’s total. For argument’s sake, let’s say Oil City residents provide 15 percent of the state taxes originating in Venango County. Do you think they get 15 percent of state police services? There is no state money flowing into the basic operations of the Oil City Police Department.
Volunteer fire companies get state loan and grant assistance not available to those communities like Oil City with paid departments and where the taxpayers have recognized their obligations to provide for fire service collectively. Legislation has been introduced that would provide a similar grant and loan program for municipalities with paid departments, but it has not passed.
There are many, many other examples.
Adding to the problem is the state has failed to provide options to its cities to spread the tax burden around and raise additional money.
Monday evening Oil City Councilman Neil McElwee raised the possibility of Oil City adopting a Home Rule Charter in the hopes it would allow new or additional revenue streams.
That’s an option Oil City should not have to use. The state should simply provide funding options to all its cities. It should also equitably fund its cities. You would not think that would be a hard thing for our legislators to do, but I guess that is not what excites voters.
In the Oil City Derrick and in numerous other papers across the state Monday morning there was a story about proposed legislation that would provide state funding for financial incentives for volunteer firefighters. I’m all for incentives to attract volunteers and reward the men and women who are willing to give their time and risk their lives, but shouldn’t local taxpayers in those communities pony up. We are expected to pay the full freight in Oil City. I’ve never heard mention of legislation to directly financially support our firefighters.
“I want you to get up right now. Get up. Go to your windows, open your windows, and stick your head out, and yell, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Things have got to change my friends. You've got to get mad. You've got to say, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Then we'll figure out what to do … But first get up out of your chairs, open your window, stick your head out and yell, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Let every state representative and state senator hear you.
The line is from the 1976 movie Network and relates to the state of our society.
What is making me mad as hell and not want to take this anymore is our state – Pennsylvania.
Residents of Oil City and every other Third Class City and anyone concerned about fairness, equity and our core communities should be mad as hell as well. The reason is this: the state of Pennsylvania and our legislators currently and for several decades now have failed our cities.
State money has flowed to outlying townships in many ways, effectively providing operating subsidies to those municipalities. We have not seen the same subsidies.
Police services are a quick example. Residents of Third Class cities have to foot the bill for local police services, which are mandated. Outlying areas get state police services paid for by everyone in the state.
Oil City’s population represents about 19 percent of the Venango County’s total. For argument’s sake, let’s say Oil City residents provide 15 percent of the state taxes originating in Venango County. Do you think they get 15 percent of state police services? There is no state money flowing into the basic operations of the Oil City Police Department.
Volunteer fire companies get state loan and grant assistance not available to those communities like Oil City with paid departments and where the taxpayers have recognized their obligations to provide for fire service collectively. Legislation has been introduced that would provide a similar grant and loan program for municipalities with paid departments, but it has not passed.
There are many, many other examples.
Adding to the problem is the state has failed to provide options to its cities to spread the tax burden around and raise additional money.
Monday evening Oil City Councilman Neil McElwee raised the possibility of Oil City adopting a Home Rule Charter in the hopes it would allow new or additional revenue streams.
That’s an option Oil City should not have to use. The state should simply provide funding options to all its cities. It should also equitably fund its cities. You would not think that would be a hard thing for our legislators to do, but I guess that is not what excites voters.
In the Oil City Derrick and in numerous other papers across the state Monday morning there was a story about proposed legislation that would provide state funding for financial incentives for volunteer firefighters. I’m all for incentives to attract volunteers and reward the men and women who are willing to give their time and risk their lives, but shouldn’t local taxpayers in those communities pony up. We are expected to pay the full freight in Oil City. I’ve never heard mention of legislation to directly financially support our firefighters.
“I want you to get up right now. Get up. Go to your windows, open your windows, and stick your head out, and yell, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Things have got to change my friends. You've got to get mad. You've got to say, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Then we'll figure out what to do … But first get up out of your chairs, open your window, stick your head out and yell, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Let every state representative and state senator hear you.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Perfect night
It was about as wonderful a night as could be had.
The John Burgh All Stars played in Justus Park Friday, courtesy of the Oil City Arts Council.
The view from Justus Park was beautiful. Before inflation it would have been a million dollar view. I would say today it has to be a billion dollar view.
Friend Lynn and her nephew were playing in the river in Lynn’s new kayak while enjoying the music in the background.
The John Burgh band was hotter than the early evening, and that’s hot, playing music that spanned generations and styles. Their arrangement of “Walking After Midnight” knocked me out.
As daylight slipped away to the west a cooling breeze wafted up the river. Fireflies put on a show. The band played on. The people responded.
I have to repeat myself: it was about as perfect a night, as wonderful a time as can be had. If anything was missing, it was more people. The crowd was small. It should have been large.
Our friend Carla noted the lack of young parents with children. It is a question worth pondering.
Folks, this community is pretty fantastic. Enjoy it, appreciate it.
The John Burgh All Stars played in Justus Park Friday, courtesy of the Oil City Arts Council.
The view from Justus Park was beautiful. Before inflation it would have been a million dollar view. I would say today it has to be a billion dollar view.
Friend Lynn and her nephew were playing in the river in Lynn’s new kayak while enjoying the music in the background.
The John Burgh band was hotter than the early evening, and that’s hot, playing music that spanned generations and styles. Their arrangement of “Walking After Midnight” knocked me out.
As daylight slipped away to the west a cooling breeze wafted up the river. Fireflies put on a show. The band played on. The people responded.
I have to repeat myself: it was about as perfect a night, as wonderful a time as can be had. If anything was missing, it was more people. The crowd was small. It should have been large.
Our friend Carla noted the lack of young parents with children. It is a question worth pondering.
Folks, this community is pretty fantastic. Enjoy it, appreciate it.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Where do we go?
Not yet half way through the current year, city council is already beginning to take a look at the 2009 budget.
The view is not pretty.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the city’s expenses are rising rapidly, largely a result of the historic run-up in fuel prices.
The administration has taken steps to reduce those costs, but there is only so much that can be done in the short term. More might be possible in the long-term, but unfortunately much of what could be done would require an investment of some type whether it is in new equipment or technologies or just improving the energy efficiency of our buildings and fleet. Investments are tough to make when you are strapped for cash.
Our first discussions about where we go in 2009 have focused on revenues. Basically, that means taxes.
So far it appears as if our revenues – again meaning largely taxes – are coming in as anticipated with the exception of the $52 a year local services tax. That’s probably going to fall below projections for 2008.
Like all municipalities, Oil City’s largest revenue source is real estate taxes. Our real estate tax base is stagnant.
Mayor Hawkins was correct when she said the best way to increase the city’s revenues and fiscal health is to grow its tax base. But again, that often takes investment.
So where do we go from here?
The view is not pretty.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the city’s expenses are rising rapidly, largely a result of the historic run-up in fuel prices.
The administration has taken steps to reduce those costs, but there is only so much that can be done in the short term. More might be possible in the long-term, but unfortunately much of what could be done would require an investment of some type whether it is in new equipment or technologies or just improving the energy efficiency of our buildings and fleet. Investments are tough to make when you are strapped for cash.
Our first discussions about where we go in 2009 have focused on revenues. Basically, that means taxes.
So far it appears as if our revenues – again meaning largely taxes – are coming in as anticipated with the exception of the $52 a year local services tax. That’s probably going to fall below projections for 2008.
Like all municipalities, Oil City’s largest revenue source is real estate taxes. Our real estate tax base is stagnant.
Mayor Hawkins was correct when she said the best way to increase the city’s revenues and fiscal health is to grow its tax base. But again, that often takes investment.
So where do we go from here?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Inside is outside
Inside Oil City has been spending time outside.
It’s summertime and the living is easy.
And there is so much to do right here in our hometown.
For starters, if you have not yet visited the new pool, do so. The hundreds who have visited it since its grand opening on Saturday love it. It is nothing short of fantastic. We are so fortunate to have it and owe a great deal of thanks to all those who donated to it and especially to chief fundraisers Paul Stamm and Mike Klapec.
The city is still sorting through operational issues, including trying to get a good handle on costs, As a result, the pool manager and administration are asking for some time before tinkering with operating hours and the like. That sounds reasonable to me.
On Wednesdays throughout the summer we have the noon Pipeline Alley concerts sponsored by the Oil City Arts Council. Pipeline Alley is located between the National Transit Building and its Annex. The concerts are free, but the Arts Council will gladly accept donations.
Later this summer the Arts Council sponsors a series of Arts in the Park concerts on a number of Friday’s in Justus Park. The schedule can be found at the Arts Council Web site www.ocartscouncil.com.
Of course, there are a number of big events coming up, including Jolly July 3 and Oil Heritage Week.
On Saturdays hit the streets of Oil City’s North Side business district for “Summer Saturdays on Seneca Street,” a fun-filled promotion sponsored by the North Side Business Association. And there are three more Friday night concerts at the Latonia (www.thelatonia.com).
Then of course right here in our backyard we have our bike trails and waterways to enjoy.
The living might be easy, but we sure can be busy.
It’s summertime and the living is easy.
And there is so much to do right here in our hometown.
For starters, if you have not yet visited the new pool, do so. The hundreds who have visited it since its grand opening on Saturday love it. It is nothing short of fantastic. We are so fortunate to have it and owe a great deal of thanks to all those who donated to it and especially to chief fundraisers Paul Stamm and Mike Klapec.
The city is still sorting through operational issues, including trying to get a good handle on costs, As a result, the pool manager and administration are asking for some time before tinkering with operating hours and the like. That sounds reasonable to me.
On Wednesdays throughout the summer we have the noon Pipeline Alley concerts sponsored by the Oil City Arts Council. Pipeline Alley is located between the National Transit Building and its Annex. The concerts are free, but the Arts Council will gladly accept donations.
Later this summer the Arts Council sponsors a series of Arts in the Park concerts on a number of Friday’s in Justus Park. The schedule can be found at the Arts Council Web site www.ocartscouncil.com.
Of course, there are a number of big events coming up, including Jolly July 3 and Oil Heritage Week.
On Saturdays hit the streets of Oil City’s North Side business district for “Summer Saturdays on Seneca Street,” a fun-filled promotion sponsored by the North Side Business Association. And there are three more Friday night concerts at the Latonia (www.thelatonia.com).
Then of course right here in our backyard we have our bike trails and waterways to enjoy.
The living might be easy, but we sure can be busy.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The Terrible T Word
At City Council’s last meeting I mentioned the T word – taxes.
It drew a quick response in the form of a couple of phone calls and a comment to another Inside Oil City post, where it really didn’t fit. I will put up the comment as a response to this post.
At the meeting council reiterated its support for the work of the Arts Council and the Arts Revitalization project. Council also heard about the Main Street and Elm Street programs that are funded largely by the state, but require local matches.
The Arts Revitalization is already proving successful in helping fill downtown spaces, bringing new people to the community and improving our economic and social vitality.
The Main Street and Elm Street programs hold out the promise of doing even more.
The city financially backs the arts effort with a municipal match for a state grant to the Arts Council as well as some direct funding for the Arts Revitalization.
Although not a technical requirement, the reality is that local municipalities need to come up with 30 percent of the necessary match for state Main Street and Elm Street programs if there is any real expectation of state approval for a local project.
There are other similar programs and efforts that the city occasionally invests in with the hope of creating a better tomorrow for our community.
My comment at the meeting was that as we look to do these things it might be necessary to look at a modest tax increase to fund them. We do not have the money to continue to fund them from our present operating budget and I don’t see anything left in city operations to cut, nor are there any more significant efficiencies to be wrung out of our city work force or operations.
In my mind we need to make these investments in our future. If not, our hope for a better tomorrow is nothing but so much wishful and wistful thinking.
Like all investments, some will prove better than others. There is some risk. But there is a huge risk in doing nothing.
Ideally, I would like to see the city develop a pool of money dedicated to funding such endeavors and available for use when opportunities arise.
Yet I know no one wants to see there taxes increased.
So what do we do?
It drew a quick response in the form of a couple of phone calls and a comment to another Inside Oil City post, where it really didn’t fit. I will put up the comment as a response to this post.
At the meeting council reiterated its support for the work of the Arts Council and the Arts Revitalization project. Council also heard about the Main Street and Elm Street programs that are funded largely by the state, but require local matches.
The Arts Revitalization is already proving successful in helping fill downtown spaces, bringing new people to the community and improving our economic and social vitality.
The Main Street and Elm Street programs hold out the promise of doing even more.
The city financially backs the arts effort with a municipal match for a state grant to the Arts Council as well as some direct funding for the Arts Revitalization.
Although not a technical requirement, the reality is that local municipalities need to come up with 30 percent of the necessary match for state Main Street and Elm Street programs if there is any real expectation of state approval for a local project.
There are other similar programs and efforts that the city occasionally invests in with the hope of creating a better tomorrow for our community.
My comment at the meeting was that as we look to do these things it might be necessary to look at a modest tax increase to fund them. We do not have the money to continue to fund them from our present operating budget and I don’t see anything left in city operations to cut, nor are there any more significant efficiencies to be wrung out of our city work force or operations.
In my mind we need to make these investments in our future. If not, our hope for a better tomorrow is nothing but so much wishful and wistful thinking.
Like all investments, some will prove better than others. There is some risk. But there is a huge risk in doing nothing.
Ideally, I would like to see the city develop a pool of money dedicated to funding such endeavors and available for use when opportunities arise.
Yet I know no one wants to see there taxes increased.
So what do we do?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Success Happens
Although I would like to first point out I have not been terribly successful in posting as regularly as first promised. I'll try to get back on track.
Along those lines, there is a comment to a recent post I have not put up. I will put it up in a post of its own and address it in the near future.
Now back to real successes. So many great things are happening in Oil City, it’s hard to get them all down in one blog.
Yet, many fail to see that. I’ve always puzzled a bit at the tendency of some to overlook the positives and accentuate the negatives in Oil City and Venango County as a whole.
Anyone who has doubts about community successes in Oil City should look to the arts revitalization program. It had a lot of doubters, and a lot of critics, and still does. But it has brought new residents to Oil City, it has filled downtown buildings and brought a new vitality to the community. All of this much faster than anyone expected.
That’s success
Think about creation of the Northside Business Association followed by the Southside Business association. These business people got together on their own to promote and improve the respective business districts. The groups have held a number of events, developed streetscape plans, and a whole lot more in just a few months.
That’s success.
A few years ago a handful of individuals decided to combat problems in their neighborhood and formed the North Side Association. We now also have a South Side and Siverly neighborhood associations. These associations are not just holding meetings and talking, they are doing things to improve their neighborhoods and the community as a whole, including putting on last weekends second annual anti-drug rally.
That’s success.
Take Pride in Oil City – another volunteer, community-based group – brought us a trolley bus and is doing so much to promote the community and create new opportunities.
That’s success.
There are many, many other examples. Let's not forget what the the new owners of the Latonia and their renovation of the building and their hosting of events, nor the efforts of all those that resulted in the Polish Heritage Park.
Good things are happening, so for heavens sake let’s recognize it.
That’s not to say we should live in a Pollyanna-ish world and bury our head in the sand ignoring the very difficult times our community faces – we shouldn’t and we can’t. But we also need to recognize and support those efforts that are making for a better community and a brighter future.
Along those lines, there is a comment to a recent post I have not put up. I will put it up in a post of its own and address it in the near future.
Now back to real successes. So many great things are happening in Oil City, it’s hard to get them all down in one blog.
Yet, many fail to see that. I’ve always puzzled a bit at the tendency of some to overlook the positives and accentuate the negatives in Oil City and Venango County as a whole.
Anyone who has doubts about community successes in Oil City should look to the arts revitalization program. It had a lot of doubters, and a lot of critics, and still does. But it has brought new residents to Oil City, it has filled downtown buildings and brought a new vitality to the community. All of this much faster than anyone expected.
That’s success
Think about creation of the Northside Business Association followed by the Southside Business association. These business people got together on their own to promote and improve the respective business districts. The groups have held a number of events, developed streetscape plans, and a whole lot more in just a few months.
That’s success.
A few years ago a handful of individuals decided to combat problems in their neighborhood and formed the North Side Association. We now also have a South Side and Siverly neighborhood associations. These associations are not just holding meetings and talking, they are doing things to improve their neighborhoods and the community as a whole, including putting on last weekends second annual anti-drug rally.
That’s success.
Take Pride in Oil City – another volunteer, community-based group – brought us a trolley bus and is doing so much to promote the community and create new opportunities.
That’s success.
There are many, many other examples. Let's not forget what the the new owners of the Latonia and their renovation of the building and their hosting of events, nor the efforts of all those that resulted in the Polish Heritage Park.
Good things are happening, so for heavens sake let’s recognize it.
That’s not to say we should live in a Pollyanna-ish world and bury our head in the sand ignoring the very difficult times our community faces – we shouldn’t and we can’t. But we also need to recognize and support those efforts that are making for a better community and a brighter future.
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