Mayor's Corner

September 23, 2009

The Lyons Main Street project is moving from dream to reality, as crews dig up and replace the old pipes with new ones. Over the next 3 months Main Street will be repaved and our sidewalks transformed into a space that will improve safety, invite strolling and hopefully increase business. This project has been over 5 years in the making and it is a miracle we have gotten this far, putting together money from here and there to come up with the $1.5 million, mostly from Federal and State grants.

Town staff is working hard to implement this project. Karen Cumbo, the new interim administrator, has hit the ground running (or rather sprinting), bringing her experience with complex projects to the overall supervision of the efforts. Karen and her team are meeting regularly with the contractors, business owners and citizens to meet the tight work deadlines and address your concerns. The public works director, Larry Badker, and his crew are out there every day monitoring the contractor’s progress and troubleshooting. Jacque Watson, Economic Development & Community Relations Manager, is coordinating with the business community and sending out Email updates (contact jacquew@townof lyons.com if you want to be added to the list). Finance Director Janice Saeger is busy tracking funding and making financial reports to the many agencies involved. The rest of the staff is pitching in to shoulder the added workloads.

As exciting as it is, reality is setting in. Ripped up streets mean inconvenience, noise, dust and loss of business. Our sales tax revenues are down 22% for the year, which means our businesses face the Fall already stretched thin.  While construction was timed to avoid the busy summer season, it is impossible to do the work without major disruptions.  With Town coffers low, businesses worried and households still recovering from the down economy, it’s crunch time for Lyons. 

Everyone has a role to play.  The Lyons Area Chamber of Commerce and the downtown business owners are providing their advice on communications, signage and other ways to help the business community. But, it’s time for all of us to stand up and help our businesses.  Here’s a Top Ten list of things you can do:

1.       Commit to trying at least one restaurant you have not yet visited, you may be surprised by the range that Lyons has to offer.

2.       Start your Christmas shopping early.  For years, my husband and I have put together Lyons gift baskets of coffee and mugs, T-shirts, honey, flies for fishing, locally-made soaps and creams, and so on that we send to friends and family. Beats the heck out of cheese balls and fruit boxes.

3.       Read a good book – you’d be amazed at the jewels you can find, new and used, on Main Street.

4.       Restock your office supplies – why have to panic over an empty ink cartridge?

5.        Try out a new hobby, whether it’s quilting or pinball.

6.       Consider having your next book club or organization meeting over coffee or a meal at one of our local establishments.

7.       Invite friends and family up for a Saturday in Lyons – to hike, bike, or just have an ice cream cone and stroll. The Lyons Outdoor Market is open for three more weeks with music, great food and wine and lots of interesting booths.

8.       Do some ‘Fall cleaning’. Whether it’s your medicine cabinet or the tool shed, you can restock here in Lyons.

9.       Make a point of picking up more of your groceries in Town – the supermarket is getting a face lift, there are two outlets for farmers’ market produce, and Wednesday is fresh baked bread day at the natural food store.

10.   If walking through construction is not your cup of tea, order take-out. Whether it’s pizza, sushi, or a home-cooked meal and a movie, you can get it to go.

Yes, it’s a hassle, but it’s our town. Shrug off the desire to gripe about the traffic (note to self on that one) and say an encouraging word to your fellow citizens – or share your favorite alternate route for getting across Town. This too shall pass and Main Street is going to look great when this is over!

Sincerely,

Mayor Julie Van Domelen