Get the figures here.

Folks, Kokomo needs some new leadership.

While these numbers have spiraled out of control, all the mayor can do is fight about how he is going to add to the unemployment problem by cutting firemen. His plan for economic development is to start taxing his neighbors.

There needs to be real change in the mayor's office and on the Council. Does anyone there understand the needs for REAL economic development? ...The kind that creates jobs.


LookOutKokomo!

Here's a graphic I put together from data released just today that encompasses Indiana cities only...

Yes cuuting a few firemen put kokomo over the top. Do you not understand kokomo is a dying town, and has been before greg took office. So you think if we had a new mayor kokomo would make a turn around?

I think Kokomo needs a mayor that is working on Economic Development, not holding a personal pissing match with Firefighters.

And furthermore....

Dying towns don't annex. Growing towns do. This mayor is completely wrong on everything he touches.

I think Kokomo needed a mayor 15 years ago that was working on "economic development". Jesus Christ himself couldn't have prevented this if he was mayor right now.

So LookOutKokomo, how do you propose we get new jobs and industry here?

Dying towns do if they need more money! I lived in a neighborhood that was considered county, but the kids went to city schools, city water, sewage. the only thing I didn't have was trash pickup, and streets plowed. Every other neighborhood around was in the city. Tell me how much sense that makes. Maybe we should put in more round abouts.


Dunn

Sounds like the firemen are the ones doing all the pissing!!!

Honestly as much as I have a general disdain for them right now, I'd say a good place to start is GM. They are in a restructuring phase right now. It is time to present Kokomo as a viable option for them for things other even beyond the Delphi brand.

As General Motors remakes themselves, the City of Kokomo should develop a close partnership with the UAW 292, Howard County, IU Kokomo and Ivy Tech, and the citizens of Kokomo where each brings key items to the table:

City of Kokomo, Howard County: Lay it all on the line. Spend any EDIT money available in the form of tax breaks or other incentives to attract an expanded GM presence here. We have a strong workforce and lots of quality people looking for work at no fault of thier own.

UAW: Step forward and show how you are ready to work with GM to bring more jobs to Kokomo. Come to the table with the kind of consessions GM would like to see, but that you can live with also.

Local Higher-Ed: Come to the table ready to hear what GM needs in the form of Human Resources and develop degree programs to support its operations here. Make the adjustments quickly to market needs. Align yourselves with the program.

Citizens of Kokomo: Understand that in order to keep from shifting the tax burden onto yourselves, you will have to deal with a reduction in non-essential services. Do it in good faith that you or your neighbor or a family member may get a job out of it.

There... there's a start. Now, mayor... you figure the rest out. Good luck developing some people skills to lead a partnership like that.

That's really not a bad idea, Lookout.

GM is certainly in a 'transition' state, they have a pretty fond memory of Kokomo, and they're definitely a player because of the move to take back Delphi-Kokomo operations.

Instead of running off to Italy, the Mayor should be in Detroit talking to their next Purchasing guru.

I think your scenario is workable, indeed.

NIK