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Sam wrote on Aug 9, 2008 1:03 PM:

" Regarding the selection of a "theme" for downtown: A hispanic theme- Ridiculous. An old west theme? Almost as silly. Victorian? Oh give me a break! Ontario sprang up at the turn of the century. It's a RAILROAD TOWN, something of an oasis. It is what it is, and the best revitalization plan would be one with a 1910, Mainstreet America feel. Hey, isn't that what we've got? Clean it up and green it up. Encourage local commerce instead national corporations. Give people a reason to come downtown, both during the day and after dark. Give them a reason to park their cars and do their business on foot. Now, that's a revitalization.

By the way, somebody, I assume it's the merchant's association, has been doing plantings and improvements. "The back side" looks far better than it did 5 years ago. Kudos. "

Sam wrote on Aug 9, 2008 12:44 PM:

" Actually, I see no reason to let big box stores in. And, if we do let them in, I see no reason why the City of Ontario can't have some standards that they are required to meet as far as location and appearance. For instance, has a WalMart ever been built that didn't LOOK like a WalMart? Why not? It's obvious who's calling the shots regarding growth and commercial development in towns throughout the west, and it's certainly not the people who live there. "

Life or Riley wrote on Aug 8, 2008 11:28 AM:

" To Jan L
I am not sure what you want here. Are you suggesting that the City not allow business growth east of the free way? Maybe force Wal Mart and Home Depot to build downtown where the central core would be safe? Even though I seriously doubt that they would build there in the first place, what sort of downtown would we have then? Or maybe just not allow any development except what was in Ontario in 1990? It is funny how 1990 now seems so old school now. Kind of like your ideas. "

Jan L. wrote on Aug 1, 2008 3:28 PM:

" I am amazed. Wanting to revitalize downtown Ontario after destroying it with our "strip mall" to promote the ever powerful Walmart and not to mention Home Depot. How many businesses did we lose because they were too scared to stay downtown and not join in the frenzy surrounding the retail giants, feeling like they might miss an opportunity of a lifetime. We all see how that worked out. Great job in planning City of Ontario, you took the town out of downtown. "

I thought this was the the USA wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:23 PM:

" I do not think that a revitalization plan is a negative idea, so long as the business owners have a say, and it is done in a responsible manner.
That being said, the idea of a hispanic motif is absurd. We live in the United States of America, not Mexico. If this is a direction that is chosen, I will not support it, nor the businesses. I have seen what has happened to southern california and their own hispanic motif, I am not interested in seeing Ontario becoming another "Calimexico". "

JIM P. wrote on Jul 31, 2008 1:33 PM:

" ANOTHER ONE OF ONTARIO'S FINEST --FRED-- I THINK THAT THE BUILDING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA COULD USE A LITTLE REFURB. TO THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WITH MINOR UPDATES. THE I WOULD WANT OUR DOWNTOWN TO BE THE ONE PEOPLE SAY "LOOK AT ONTARIO'S, OURS COULD LOOK LIKE THAT." KEEPING BUSINESS' DOWNTOWN TO STAY WOULD BE MY FIRST CONCERN. IF THERE ARE MORE BUSNESS' DOWNTOWN THERE ARE MORE TO HELP PAY FOR THE RENOVATIONS. I ALSO AGREE WITH --FREQUENT DOWNTOWN USER--.I WORKED FOR THE COMPETITION AND THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE, EVEN IF THEY HAVE A HOLIER THAN THOU ATTITUDE. AND MIKE HAVING A PSEUDO NAME ON HERE SHOULD NOT MAKE YOU ANGRY, IT SHOULD MAKE YOU PROUD THAT A PERON LIKE "FRED" CAN TELL YOU THINGS LIKE THIS. MAYBE ONE DAY, SOME PSEUDO NAMED PERSON MIGHT SHED A LIGHT ON YOU. "

Fred wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:51 AM:

" Mike I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, that was not my intention. Maybe the Downtown Revitalization Plan could offer you assisatance on resotring your building to the fine building it was once was. What we can not accoplih individuals we can sometines accopmlish as a group. Give them a chance and listen to what they have to say. "

Larry wrote on Jul 30, 2008 7:01 PM:

" Actually, I have been thru downtown The Dalles and I tell everybody they gotta see it. How or exactly when they did it, I do not know. But I do know if you build a downtown people talk about, they will definitely tell others. If you get a chance, check it out! ( The Dalles ) You just might buy something while your there. Isn't it what it's all about? More traffic be it foot or vehicle. "

Mike Widmer wrote on Jul 30, 2008 6:54 PM:

" There in lies the problem, I said I own the business, not the building. Yet you slander my businesses name, in public, without any recourse, without the facts, over a building that could certainly use a little updating, but at what cost?

Do you know that I can afford to renovate a 100 year old building?

Do you know if I can afford to raise my prices to cover such a renovation?

You know nothing of the support and contributions, I give to many Ontario events and charities.

The answer is NO, you know nothing.

It also makes me very angey that someone can hide behind the name "Fred" and bear no responsibility for what they have to say.

I have a 100's of good things happen to me everyday, thankful that I live in an area that has given me, my family and my business so much support, only to have my day ruined by jerk like "Fred", who once again knows nothing. "

Lupe Alvarado wrote on Jul 30, 2008 5:26 PM:

" I've always shopped in Ontario. When I was a kid my parents drove from Nyssa to the "big" town of Ontario every Sat. We played in the park in front of the R.R. Depot while our parents and older sibblings shopped. They could "lay-away" a lot of stuff for all of us (10) from different stores and pay a little at a time 'till we could own it outright. You see, we migrated from Texas every Spring/Summer season and stayed till all the harvest was done. My parents were treated as valued customers and they felt welcomed everywhere they shopped. This was many years ago but I still feel the same about Ontario. It's a caring and wonderful community. If we don't become involved and shop in it, why do we complain if some businesses can't afford to renovate their stores? By the way, it was never about the buildings. "

Fred wrote on Jul 30, 2008 4:23 PM:

" To Mike, I know all I need to know by just looking at your building. "

Fred wrote on Jul 30, 2008 4:21 PM:

" Go to Walla Walla WA if you wna tto see what our downtown could be. If left to its own it will soon be just as you described, go downtown and half of what you say is already there.Wake up and work together so much more can be accoplished. "

Homer Homer Homer wrote on Jul 30, 2008 2:56 PM:

" In many of your blogs, you claim to be concerned and frustrated with the way things are going in Ontario. Then you announce that you would drive to Boise and pay the Idaho sales tax rather than support a local merchant. . . because his building is not attractive? Therein lies the problem. You and many others have a need for glitz and glamour when you purchase basic items. You need the "shopping experience." Here's an interesting fact: Fancy storefronts and fancy displays raise the overhead and high overhead means higher prices. Not to mention the transportation costs involved in getting you over and back for your shopping fix. You and all of the other Boise-addicts should monitor what's coming and going from your wallet and give local businesses a chance. P.S. The Eldridge Building was looking a little frumpy. I'm glad they're giving it some attention. "

Rob wrote on Jul 30, 2008 1:07 PM:

" I agree with Mr Widmer. If you talk about something or someone, you better find out more about them first. Knowledge comes before intelligence. Apparently Fred Flintsote, or whoever he may be, does not have much of the latter. "

Mike Widmer wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Fred,
My name is Mike Widmer, owner of The Competition, TV and Appliance.
Obviously you don't know anything about me or my business. If you think you need to know more:

Phone (541)889-3606
Mobile (208)642-2718
email mikewidmer@yahoo.com "

James wrote on Jul 29, 2008 10:31 PM:

" Fred, Homer, Richard, and everyone else listening in on the downtown talk; I want to share a basic rule of speech and writing as applies to all debates, “never share a response bred by emotion.” Someone was perhaps confused because they had their toes stepped on. Emotion put words in their mind and mouth. Case and point, the only building I can see that has been actively worked on of late in downtown, is Eldredges. Was it said that the owner their had no pride in his building?

The solution to make everyone happy is this: business owners take the initiative themselves to maintain their businesses. If he or she feels a change should be made to his or her business’s appearance or what have you, it shall be done at his or her discretion, and at his or her expense. It is against the spirit of our nation’s constitution, that a city assume discretion and responsibility over any private enterprise.

Now we have at hand the examples of surrounding towns, who have already tried “preservations.” They have conducting “beautifying” and “revitilization” projects. Sound familiar? What ever happened to all the businesses in those downtowns? I walk the streets of one such city’s downtown and all I see are thrift stores, bars, and latino shops in say 10 of the 20 or so buildings, the remaining 10 buildings are empty…unlit windows with for sale or lease signs in them. I just don’t want to see Ontario fall into that as well. The truth of the matter is; downtown Ontario, and the rich small-business atmosphere there, will be best preserved by leaving it alone. "

to Homer Richard and Fred wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:45 PM:

" Homer Simpson,Fred Flintstone, oh and Dick. I don't think anyone really cares what you personally think bout the Competition or Eldredges. Spare use all the negative babble. Go to Boise and shop. Isn't that where most of you latte drinking liberals go anyway????????????????????? "

Fred wrote on Jul 29, 2008 4:41 PM:

" The Comettiton is another fine example of screw the rest of you, I have mine and I will do it my way. That has got to be the second ugliest building downtown. "

Frequent downtown user wrote on Jul 28, 2008 8:41 PM:

" For years I have heard that the City needs to do something to draw shoppers to the downtown area. Now that the city is moving forward, look at the results. You can’t get there. Don’t waste your money like Eldredge says. Focus on the North Interchange and East Idaho Avenue. I have supported the 1% for this reason, such as doing the revitalization of the downtown. When the City is in need of additional general fund revenue, if they give these businesses a tax break, I will loss all respect for the City. "

Homer wrote on Jul 28, 2008 4:47 PM:

" Right on Richard, I would Drive to Boise and pay 6% sales tax before I would shop at Eldridge Furniture. Open your minds and give Evan a chance to explain how this works before you go out and confuss everyone with your stories. Reminds me of how our Mayor Pinocchio Joe conducts his business. "

Richard wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:57 AM:

" I don't normally write an opinion on most issues that involve Ontario, but this one needs a comment. I frequently have coffee at the jolts & Juice and have to pass by Eldredge Furniture and what a disgrace his builidng is. I would not shop or even visit a store that is owned by someone who has no pride in its ownership or the building appearance. It is a shame that other business owners who do take pride have to put up with Eldredge's view on making our downtown something we can be proud of, not one where you drive thru the downtown area with friends and they comment on what a dreary little town with no pride. Wake up downtown merchants, the nicer the downtown will become the more people might come and shop (visit Camas Washington and see what they have done). In closing at least paint and repair your building Eldredge. "

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