DIDA to Consider Removal of Member Thursday

IRONWOOD, MI - Wednesday, August 26, 2008 - The regular meeting of the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) will be held tomorrow at 8:00 AM at the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

According to the agenda for the meeting, the following issues and matters will be considered:

• Downtown Murals - Jerry Taplin, owner of the former City News Stand building, will be addressing the Authority regarding the placement of a mural on his building. Taplin wants to hire the women that did the Ashland murals to paint local scenes on the south side of his building. Taplin is expected to be asking the DIDA for assistance in coordinating the effort.
• DIDA Webpage & Other Communications - The DIDA will be considering the creation of a DIDA webpage and other methods to let the public know what is going on downtown.
• Watering the Flower Baskets - The DIDA will consider extending the watering contract due to the continued warm weather. The flowers are doing quite well, but the original contract is soon to expire.
• Removal of DIDA Member - DIDA Chairman George Goerig has decided to make the unexcused absences of a valuable, contributing member of the Authority an issue. This successful businesswoman has offered many new and innovative ideas to the Authority. Unfortunately, the new meeting time of 8:00 AM conflicts with the operation of her business. EDITORIAL COMMENT: It puzzles this reporter that Chairman Goerig would so quickly attempt to remove a member of the Authority who has, time and time again, offered quality advice and has suggested so many good ideas to improve the downtown business district. It further puzzles me that another member of the Authority who has repeatedly exercised unfair and illegal business practices in an attempt to destroy a competing downtown business to his own, remains seated on the board, without sanction or reprimand. A Downtown Development Authority's job is to promote business and to improve the downtown business district. Any member who would deliberately attempt to sabbotage a downtown business, and destroy its reputation, does not belong on the DIDA!
• Holiday Decorations - The DIDA will discuss the possible purchase of new Christmas holiday decorations for the Downtown.