The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor:
I have a genuine concern about the future of Henderson County's economy, taxes, and quality of life.
The Henderson County Board Members are working to bring us out of an economic slump. It is a difficult job to balance a budget that is in a deficit and keep all aspects of the county supervised.
How do we bring a budget out of deficit? The Henderson County Board members reestablished an Economic Development position that Tom Doran has eagerly accepted.
Tom has developed the Economic Development Corporation with a vision and commitment to improving Henderson County.
Tom has sincerely pursued the corporation with only a minimal budget for 2003 and was cut from the 2004 budget.
I had a significant increase in my property taxes this last year and have been told to expect another tax hit next year on my property. I am led to believe that this tax hike was used to support our schools, which is complementary.
Our children deserve the best education that we can possibly endow them.
They are the future and we need them to be educated to continue to improve our communities.
How do we decrease our tax assessment and still continue to improve our schools?
I own a small Chiropractic office in Stronghurst and through my patients, I understand that the quality of life here in Henderson County is going through a tough time with economic hardships of the U.S.
Times are tight for everyone, especially the young new couples trying to make a new start and on the elderly couple trying to make it on Social Security and Medicare.
I believe this is to be a troublesome time, it's showing, by patients not taking care of their health because they can't economically manage it. How do we change these frugal times and improve our quality of life?
The Henderson County Economic Development Corporation is working to improve your quality of life by educating the world outside of Henderson County of our opportunities for economic growth.
A new business means more jobs, means less unemployment, means decreased taxes, means increased health quality and it means a family's quality of life improves.
The Economic Development Corporation has started the development of a website to reach out into the country and show possible land acquisition and development for new business.
It will show a Calendar of Events of Henderson County for 2004 and it will advertise and make known the rich heritage of Henderson County.
It will generate revenue into Henderson County and should not be looked upon lightly.
I don't understand how the Henderson County Board members could possibly overlook economic development in their 2004 budget, especially after delegating a new director to economic development.
I am concerned that my taxes will continue to increase, my patients won't seek the health care they need, my office depreciates, and my families' quality of life will decay.
This makes families move on to greener communities. I believe that everyone should voice their opinion to the Henderson County Board members that we need to change the old paradigm of "if the wheel ain't broke-don't change it".
We need to pull off the wagon wheel and put on a fresh radial for a better ride to an improved Henderson County.
If you would like to come to an economic development meeting or have questions, please call Henderson County Economic Development at 309/924-1800 or mail to P.O. Box 239, Stronghurst, IL 61480
Thank you and please talk to the Henderson County Board members and let them know you are concerned about your future.
s/Todd R. Lange, D.C.
Todd R. Lange, D.C.
Stronghurst