Council members Jeff Marsters and Max Weaver explained their “no” votes on the NIACC micro-enterprise program. Here is what they told NorthIowaToday.com:
Marsters: “Very simple why I voted NO !!!
It’s a great plan to look at in the future, but not in these tough economic times.
With all the current news on the state making changes to commercial property taxes and other cuts. Cities and taxpayers could easily see significant tax increases as a result.
These are the toughest times for many people since the Great Depression and we need to just plain STOP ALL spending on unnecessary items.
FDR’s quote during the Great Depression really says it all and applies today as much as ever!
“The test of our progress is NOT whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have little”
There are many who have little. Just look at the food stamp increase in Cerro Gordo county alone over the past 4 years – around 75%.”
Weaver: “I’m not necessarily opposed to the program. We had a presentation and it raised some flags for me. I have some legitimate questions I think. I have shared them with a JPEC board member today. He was very understanding and helpful. One question I have is in response to a comment made during the presentation “it’s a ‘greenfield idea’ because it is not being done anywhere else in the United States.” Well actually I think micro enterprise programs have been around for over 20 years and haven’t been all that successful in developed countries. We all bring something different to the Council table. I needed a little more time discussing this with my colleagues, something a little hard to do these days. I would also like to do a little “logrolling” with this issue too. I want to be very transparent and ethical. But at present time I do not have access to the city’s legal department. I guess we’ll have to see what shakes out.”|
