Business plan needed at Metropolis

As a supporter of Mayor Hayes and the Metropolis, I respectfully suggest that it is time for a reality check.

Business colleges use case studies for problem solving, I have participated in several. I see the popular TV program "shark Tank" as an extension of this process.

Suppose the Metropolis committee decided to present their case to the sharks. It might go like this: Two members of the committee offer, "We want $450,000 for an unspecified return for our Metropolis theater for cultural and commercial benefits to our community."

Two sharks say, "I'm out" immediately. Shark Lori might cite "competition and lack of performance" to say, "I'm out". Mr. Wonderful, a self-confessed capitalist, might say, "I want to make money, not lose it!" Mark Cuban could say, "You have no business plan, your survey is a beauty pageant and not projectable - I'm out."

The analogy is not perfect. Residents don't want to make money. They don't want to lose their (not village) money. In my 40-plus years as a publisher and consultant, I have designed and analyzed hundreds of research studies. I declined others if they did not have a business plan.

I see this problem with the surveys. All I need is 20 minutes with the committee offering a business plan to enhance revenue, then opening the discussion to listen to actions not reported in the media which offered sketchy details, at best.

The goal - save the Metropolis.

R.P. Whalen

Arlington Heights