On Owners might demolish building over proposed historic district

Posted on July 28 at 1:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Out on the farm folks have more autonomy. What they do has less impact on others. In a community this is not the case. Others do and should have a say in what goes on. Certainly all things in balance but where I see community break down most often is when private (and often temporary) self interest is allowed to trump the longer-term good of the community. We all see this. It's all over and easy to spot.
Here’s one. I’m your neighbor. I decide I want to do auto repair out of my home garage. I want to park the cars on my front lawn and dump the oil away from my house on the lot line. It’s my property I should be able to do what I want, yes? What’s best for the community should trump. But who makes these hard decisions? You! But only if you’re willing to get involved, contributing your time, get your hands dirty, make hard decisions. Carping from the sidelines? Easy and cheap. Seems we have here self interest wanting to trump what is good for the community. An opinion.

On Owners might demolish building over proposed historic district

Posted on July 28 at 9:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

My impression has always been that nicer, more desirable communities typically have tighter zoning and code enforcement then the dumpy communities where everyone's doing whatever they feel like.

News flash, you don't get to do anything you want with your own property. That’s because it impacts your neighbors and the community as a whole. There are many good reasons for zoning, standards and covenants. It establishes and maintains standards because others and the broader community ARE impacted and sometimes negatively by the behaviors of individuals, including property owners. This may be the case here. The downtown and community will take a hit for what these individuals choose to do with yes, their own property.

I suppose if the community wants a downtown that is mostly vacant street level parking lots devoid of its own history and character… so be it. But it may not be a downtown anyone will want to visit anyway.

On Beloit homicide investigation

Posted on September 29 at 8:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Shooting was not reported in this instance. BDN stated that it's being treated as a homicide and therefore the 4th homicide this year. It then went on to report three earlier shootings.

As for money going to riverfront/downtown. I think the benefits on these investments are self evident and positive for the entire community.

The investment (and property management) needed to address Park Street Apartments needs to come from the out of town and mostly anonymous, absent landlord. There has been very little done to maintain this property for years by those who've owned it and they've allowed it to degrade to the point where it is now a public safety issue. It is the property owner who needs to step up and take charge of their building IMO. There are families with children living there.

On Beloit's new library is almost complete

Posted on March 24 at 9:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

My family and I moved into the area from a major metro area a couple years ago because of a job offer. It's been shocking to me to see the level of animosity towards Beloit. I don't fully know the back story. Not sure I really care. But to take something positive as an opportunity to make ignorant comments is surprising to me. Those unable to do something positive can often been observed trying to tear something or someone else down.

I've read these boards from time to time and the expressions of ignorance really do a disservice to an outsider's perception of Janesville. It's to the point that I've come to expect it. Just the views of one newcomer.

Good for you Beloit.