Batavia is complacent

On a recent flight I came across the following article in the American Way magazine: www.americanwaymag.com/frederick-main-street-center-lauren-adkins-baltimore.

This article highlights several downtown districts across America that were once depressed and stagnated from growth but with the right leadership (both government and private, like our Batavia Rec Center proposal) turned themselves around into a prosperous destination for locals and outsiders.

One of the towns, Libertyville, is basically in our backyard. The other, Frederick, is 15 miles from where I grew up. I can tell you from personal experience that Frederick was in serious bad shape when I lived there. Although I haven't lived there in more than 15 years, I'm so proud of the city and what it's accomplished.

With the recent election loss I can't help but be outraged at the town of Batavia and my fellow neighbors. There lacks a sense of pride in this town and determination of the majority to better ourselves and improve the heart of our town. But beyond the fault of those who continue to vote down progress, I believe some of the blame remains on our city leadership. The city must stand up for the betterment of the town despite the complacency of the majority.

Even during the economic boom from early 1990 through the first half of this decade Batavia failed to take advantage and improve. Why is that? A lot of my neighbors ask themselves the same thing. Why does Batavia continue to remain caught in a cycle of complacency?

I want to continue this fight and hope the results from Preferred Development will at least provide a small spark when they redevelop the parcel on the corner of Island and Wilson. I fear, however, that alone will not be enough. What's next?

Chris Hermann

Batavia