Show 'Em Who's Boss!

Dear Brendon Gallagher, Alderman in DeKalb, IL,

Way to go!  I recently read an AP story about cities and counties rolling back corporate tax breaks for companies who donn't keep up their end of the bargain, and I wholeheartedly agree with your quote, "We will roll out the red carpet as much as we can (but) they are going to honor the contract."

If I was one of your constituents, I'd be so happy with the way you're standing up to Target, sending them a tax bill for $600,000 because they didn't keep up with their end of the bargain, saying they'd hire 500 workers for a distribution center in your city, if you'd give them a bunch of tax breaks.  Good for you finding out that they were 66 jobs short and enforcing the contract!

I realize it's a tough little dance, trying to attract corporations to your city so that your citizens can get decent jobs, but companies have to play nice too.  This democracy is by the people for the people, not by the corporations for the corporations.  Sure, a company might threaten to pull out, but if they have a bad reputation for not honoring their end of the deal in terms of job creation, what town will be willing to let them set up shop?  Keep strong, and don't let them bully you!

Your pal,
Jill