Can retirees save Peoria from oblivion?

PEORIA -- Civic activist Ken Carrigan has sent a letter to the Peoria City Council, and is encouraging his friends to also write.  His words make sense.  Here's what he wrote sent via email and lightly edited:  

"A Livable Community with Programs for Retirees = many, many Jobs for Peorians!!!!

 

"A Livable Community with Programs for Retirees = BIG SALES for Area Businesses!!

 

 "A Livable Community with Programs for Retirees = Huge Revenues for the Public Park System, the Public Schools, Peoria County, and the City of Peoria.

 

"Retiree Money is “New Money”, and all new money has a multiplying effect of 3 times. Therefore the latest verifiable yearly value of Retirees in the (Peoria) tri-county area of One Billion, Five Hundred Fifteen Million, Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars to our community times 3 equals well in excess of Four and possibly reaching Five Billion Dollars a year.  

 

"The City of Peoria has had many major changes of economy over the years, starting with the year 1812.  Now we are living the 5^th major historical change of economy here in Peoria. Currently we are rapidly going from domination by an industrial base to being dominated by a retiree based economy.

 

"As you will recall, at Tuesday’s council meeting on October 27, my 75^th birthday, I addressed the rconomic value of the 50,000 plus Peoria Area retirees and the critical need for “non health care activities” in our town, as it pertained to the closing of one block of Water Street for utilization by area restaurants.

"In addressing economic survival for a huge number of jobs and businesses. I am not addressing emotions. The Peoria “retiree economy” is huge today – and it is growing exponentially. The Municipal Band budget & the Arts (Partner) budget are a symptom of a much deeper problem. The City of Peoria administration just doesn’t “get it.”

 

"I have made a good living in this town and I want others to be able to do the same in the coming years. As the “up front person” that I am, I am including several attachments. They are a sample of those going to my fellow Peoria Area entrepreneurs telling today’s story.

 

"I am a band commissioner and I am proud of that. More than that, I am a lifetime civic active Peorian. I am including a list of my past, as well as my current civic activities so that you on the Council making decisions will have a better understanding of my statements."

Carrigan urges businesses and citizens to tell the city council to support the Municipal Band's budget, and the budget of Arts Partners.

He adds a Peoria Journal Star article in which banker Ed Scharlau told a Peoria audience at an economic seminar last month that the city should court retirees, as they have more disposable income than any other group. He estimated the city could attract 50,000 new residents by becomming an attractive center for mature adults.

Carrigan includes a second article about Brunswick, Maine, which is attracting retirees with a
"combination of small-town charm, beautiful nature and rich cultural offerings. In the compact, walkable downtown, strangers smile and say hello. The pace of life is relaxed."

It goes on to tell of Brunswick's music and art festivals, its winter skating rink, summer farmer's market, even free auditing for seniors of classes at nearby colleges.

Carrigan concludes with a long list of his civic activities. He's very active and busy, and knows what he's talking about. 

Peoria's leaders should promote and encourage the arts. Quality of life matters a great deal.

 -- Elaine Hopkins