I’m now a City of Excellence Everywhere resident!
July 22nd, 2008 at 01:24am Chuck Sweeny
It’s official. I’m now a city of Rockford resident for the first time since 1992, when I moved to a subdivision just north of the city. I didn’t move there specifically to escape Rockford, I just liked the place.
There’s been a lot of development up my way, and city annexations gradually surrounded our 30 acre sub. Monday night, they got me. The City Council voted 10-3 to annex my neighborhood.
Although I knew this would eventually happen, I didn’t think it would be for about 5 years. Oh well, that’s progress, and isn’t it grand!
We’re not getting city streets out of this, we’re not really getting anything anybody wants. And we’re getting something we don’t want — a bigger tax bill — a lot bigger tax bill.
Oh, except I am eligible for a library card. The way I reckon it, the card costs $1,500 a year, which is roughly how much my taxes are going up. That’s more than I’ve ever spent at Barnes & Noble and Borders combined. Those are the places I go to browse the book stacks, do some work on my laptop, and have cofee — not the main library, which is cold, antiseptic and totally uninviting, perhaps on purpose.
Oh, we’re also being required to pay city taxes for all of 2008, even though we were not in the city for more than half the year.
This, of course, is taxation without representation, but hey, isn’t everything? The way I look at it, this is a small price to pay for living in the City of Excellence Everywhere. I’m just thrilled.
As I said in an earlier post, I think it’s just ducky that the city can force me into the city, but it can’t force police and firefighters to live here. Want proof? Just drive around the area countryside and look for the 276-6 signs!
What a country!
Entry Filed under: forced annexation
6 Comments Add your own
1. Milton Waddams | July 22nd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
You do get representation…the best money can buy!
2. Rick Ram | July 22nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Chuckles, why do you complain so much? Have pride in your city.
3. equalityrkfd= | July 23rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I live in Loves Park, should I be concerned?
4. a-non-o-mouse | July 27th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
chuck nobody is forcing you to live in the city now… run, run from the city like you did before… i agree force the city employees to live in the city, but then increase the pay so they can send their children to the best PRIVATE schools in the city !!!
5. Swede | July 30th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
This city has a lot of potential……we just don’t put the polish on it that it needs.
I agree with the schools comment. I send my kids to private school….tuition in addition to my city taxes. Hi-Ya!!!!! But, at 5:30-6:00 pm when I still see these Rockford school kids getting bussed home from the opposite side of town, I have to ask. When do they get their homework done? Get home from school at 6:00, eat, do homework…where’s the time for the extracurricular?
If they play a sport, then their up even later, and not getting a proper night sleep.
This city is anything but a picture of excellence. Don’t even get me started on the police. They’ve definitely focused on everything else but policing. They need to resolve their quarrels, and get to training to become the most effective police force that they can. I’m prior military, and was involved with some units who trained for serious stuff. That’s how our police should have the opportunity to train.
Get past the 276-6 dispute, put discipline into the ranks, and make RFPD the best police force in the country. Why can’t we?
Rockford is certainly less that ideal. I’ve been looking at moving to Machesney Park, but also, at a city our size in Missouri: Springfield, MO. They are our size, but, light years ahead, and their business, manufacturing, and economy is on “fast forward”. A very progressive city.
Our officials should go and check it out……and, take some notes.
We can be a lot more than we are, Rockford. We just have to demand it. And then……..get ignored and frustrated because nobody cared to listen to our demands!!!!!
6. Chuck Sweeny | August 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Dear Equality Rockford: Actually, Loves Park only exists as a city because Rockford rejected residents’ request to be annxed in 1948. If Rockford aldermen had decided differently, you would be a Rockford resident today.
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