On March 28th, the League of Women Voters of La Porte County hosted a candidate forum in Michigan City for the various contested races. We have cut to Robert’s responses to shorten what would be a rather lengthy video.
From Robert
When I look around Michigan City, I see a city missing its opportunities. While there has been some improvement, it pales in comparison to our surrounding communities, our state, and our nation as a whole. This can be seen in a number of economic indicators. And it can be felt by each one of us. This isn’t a matter of “keeping up with the joneses.” This is about building a strong foundation for our future. Every missed opportunity now has long-term consequences.
While the government isn’t directly responsible for creating jobs, we should be working with employers to grow and expand. Again, while some of this has occurred, it has been to a far lesser degree than we’ve seen in places like Chesterton and Valparaiso. What is it they are doing better, than us? Why do we settle for what has happened instead of expecting, instead of demanding better?
I’m Robert Lonie, your candidate for Mayor of Michigan City. I have over 30 years of work experience including customer service, transportation, manufacturing, construction, and currently operating my own business as a financial services representative for a multi-billion dollar investment company. I have over 15 years’ experience in leadership positions. My college education is in business and economics.
These are the qualities and experience I will bring to the city as our next Mayor. I believe in accessibility and accountability. We deserve a Mayor’s office that works with the whole city. Too many of us are feeling left out of the “grand design.” We deserve a city that embraces its citizens and really listens to our issues. And, then looks for ways to address them. I propose opening up time in the Mayor’s schedule to meet with anyone of us who wishes to make the time to speak about what is important to us.
We need to look at pedestrian safety, including more sidewalks and expanding our new street lights into the residential areas throughout our city. Public Transportation could be improved with posting of schedules at each stop, installing more bus shelters (we all know how unpredictable our weather can be), and adding some lighting for those shelters.
Providing dependable and safe transit to and from work is essential to growing our city. Further, we need to work with our existing businesses so that they feel a part of our community. We need businesses for the jobs they provide and the taxes they pay, but we also appreciate the goods and services we can get from them. Whether local small businesses or giant national chains, they are all important to our local economy. Companies want to invest and grow. It is up to us whether they invest here.
We have amenities and qualities that are hard to find anywhere else in the country. We not only have our beautiful lakefront, we have the Washington Park Zoo, the Lighthouse Outlet Mall, the casino, Friendship Gardens, and our Uptown Arts District. These other places around the state may have something similar to one or two of these, but not all. This alone should give us a leg up when a business is deciding where to invest. These should also be a driving force for young families to choose to make Michigan City their home.
Over the past several years we have not seen this. We have many of the same empty storefronts, vacant buildings, and vacant lots year after year. We have a 20-year plan that is based on projections, expectations, and best guesses. Is our message supposed to be: Move to Michigan City now and your grandchildren are really going to be happy?” We deserve some happiness and joy a little sooner.
Despite the level of skill in other communities, they are getting businesses to invest. Despite the lack in amenities, they are getting families to move there. I see houses for sale under $100,000 every week. They tend to require some care and maintenance. This investment of time and money is an obvious obstacle to getting these homes sold. If we can show our city is worth the investment for young families, these houses will disappear. Our home ownership is about 10% below the national average. How can that be? We have families struggling to pay rent that in most cases is twice what they would pay for a mortgage. Yes, home ownership has costs in addition to the bank payments, but we should be reaching out to turn home renters in homeowners.
It all comes back to communication. We must do better when it comes to showcasing our city, and why it should be a leading destination for businesses and families. Michigan City should be a great place to visit and a wonderful place to call home!
I humbly ask for your vote and your support for a brighter Michigan City!
Robert in the Community
Robert believes strongly in community events bringing the town together. These photos are some of the fun things Robert has been to and been part of over the last couple of weeks.
Robert’s Radio Commercials
as heard on WIMS and WEFM
Please Connect with and Follow the Robert Lonie Campaign on Social Media.
