In a surprising move, the Common Council upped the ante for a relief program for businesses affected by the building collapse on Main Street.
A resolution submitted by Council member Gerry Daley suggested that businesses in need could receive a grant of up to $5,000.
But during debate of the proposal, Council colleagues suggested that some businesses might need more help than others. Council member Ron Klattenburg suggested a larger total pool of $50,000, and Council member James Streeto said that the individual limit should be $10,000.
With the exception of Councilman David Bauer, who felt that the plan was "not fully developed," Council members voted to create an emergency relief grant fund which would grant each business up to $10,000.
"This is a matter of business retention," Daley said.
"These are not corporate behemoths," Council member Dan Drew said. "These are our neighbors, our friends."
"It's huge for me because I don't know what my insurance is going to do," said Dmitri D'Alessandro, owner of Middletown Frame, which was a tenant in the building which collapsed. "This will allow me to do important renovations on our new space across the street, which is very important to my business."
D'Alessandro explained that his new space needs immediate upgrade in infrastructure like the electrical system which will not support the tools he uses in his business.
6 comments:
Grant = gift. What about insurance? I'm sure that would cover any loss. Unless they don't have insurance a la another business owner that got a taxpayer gift, uh, I mean "grant." Are they going to repay the City when the insurance payout comes through. Naaahhhhh. Of course not.Why on earth would they do something silly like that?
The City will fight tooth and nail going against the unions and try to destroy all their benefits, yet they throw money at the small business owners who in all rights make out very good if they carry insurance like they should. Did O'roukes pay the city back after he had a fire and the city bailed him out? NO! Why are our tax dollars paying for something the private insurance industry should pay for. Are there even stipulations that these businesses have to remain open in the City? The condos that slide during the landslide caused by heavy rain didn't receive money- that was that landlord's business. And private home owners who's garages and gutters fell haven't received money to rebuild. Why didn't anyone protect the tax payer here?
So how is one of the business owners Melissa Gionfridda related to the former mayor Gionfridda? Sounds like a political game here
WHERE did the money come from?????
Any of the counsel members want to answer that one?? AND how are the business owners connected to you? Big donors what? Can you honestly say they are not?
Why do taxes go up when we are in a recession if there is extra money to toss around??
These are 3 small businesses that rent small spaces on Main Street. I am sure they are barely surviving, not thriving. They don't own the property and they are being forced out. If they have business interuption insurance then the city only should pay the deductible and other nessesary costs insurance wont cover. Main Street needs these 3 storefront businesses and the city coming up with small sums to help them stay on Main Street is completly appropriate.
10k is like a fart in the wind compared to the huge salaries of average Middletown citizens. Why not give em more?
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