QUESTION: So far the NIZ has given away over $500 million in future tax dollars. You have said "the NIZ is a done deal" and that you want to make it work for the people of Allentown. you are right, it is a done deal, but it is done, or at least the money already given out is done, it's all been given out for specific projects, none of them will help the city of Allentown. the only way to even try and make the NIZ work for the people is to give away even more future tax money for new projects. while I'm not against developing for the people we are already $500 million in debt for the NIZ from just last year. How do you think that throwing good money after bad will help?
ANSWER: My take on it is that we can complain about the way the money was spent and how it should have been used, etc, etc, etc or we can take a hold of the reins and become involved. We need to INSPIRE the residents to "get involved and be empowered' in the process and realize they do have rights and a voice. But instead of complaining about the negativity of the people and neighborhoods, let's SHOW them how they also can get a piece of this " renaissance" indirectly by creating their own projects / entities that will become a part of the business fabric of A-town. We show them how to become self sufficient with business or how to apply and be prepared for the new jobs that will become available once the structures are built, because you may not like or agree with me on anything else, but we both know these projects are happening whether you wanted them or not and I believe it is my job to get people prepared to make the best and most of it. We have 2 years to get our residents ready for the future. www.votealfonsotodd.com
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