Information Everyone Should Know
Aaron,
You are 100% correct. The top 5 items in the Harrisburg Retail Survey
(this was not a Big Box Survey) require something of significant size
and customer draw to support their existence. Drive anywhere to an
Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday's, or other similar establishments
and what do you find? A Target, Walmart, Lowes, etc... something that
draws a customer base. Restaurants need customers to fill their
dining room tables. We continue to hear from local business owners
that the demographic numbers around Harrisburg (on paper) appear to
support and justify their desire to start their businesses, but the
reality is people are still driving to Charlotte or Concord for major
shopping and thus taking business outside of Harrisburg. So people want retail in Harrisburg, but it
is not clear they are willing to make the effort to bring it here.
Beware of special interests groups (like Harrisburg First). There is
a reason why they are called 'special interests groups'. They only
have one agenda item and it is their personal preference, not what is
in the best interest of everyone as a whole. They learned a hard
lesson last year. Yes, they were successful in promoting two new
council members in the November 2005 election. Those council members
in turn were suppose to support their platform (no retail development,
no residential development, actually... stop all development).
Harrisburg First quickly found out who they really promoted... both
new council members at the first opportunity to make a change to the
development laws in Harrisburg, turned away from their supporters and
voted in harmony with the remaining council members. They have done
NOTHING. There have been no changes to development laws, subdivisions
are still getting approved and moving forward, new retail continues to
come to Harrisburg, life in
Harrisburg is just as it was prior to the election of 2005. The only
result is that an individual in the community who truly cares about
Harrisburg and the future was removed from office. An individual who
made a difference in 4 years on council. He worked hard to make
Harrisburg a safer place to live. He doubled the number of deputies
assigned to Harrisburg, without doubling the size of the police
budget. He supported and influenced
council to approve the sidewalk in RRC and contribute dollars to help
with the cost. He also initiated the insight to a more organized Parks & Recreation system in Harrisburg. He supported SMART Growth (which places an emphasizes on development in appropriate zoning). He also worked for three years on the agreement with the County to merge the volunteer fire department with the Town of Harrisburg. The agreement was ready to sign, but the County Commissioners continued to delay until they had the 'right' people on board to support it. Of course, that happened in the Spring of 2006 after the November 2005
election. And, as it is with politics, someone else took full credit in the paper for the merger with the fire department.
So again, beware of special interests groups. Not many people know...
but Harrisburg First sent an email to Town Hall soon after 'their'
council members turned away from the Harrisburg First platform. The
email showed that the Harrisburg First leadership was very upset by
the actions of 'their own' council members for not supporting changes
to the development laws in Harrisburg. The new council members have quickly learned that it
takes an entire board of people to make a difference.
So next year when it is election time again, think about the impact of
special interests groups and think about what really is best for
Harrisburg's future.
Mark Martin
Planning & Zoning Commission
Former Town Council Member
''Working hard for Harrisburg and the wonderful people who live here.''