At our last council meeting dated 9/21 we once again discussed the topic of promotional advertising being done by the city of LaSalle. I am referring to only those radio and newspaper ads you see and hear which are paid for with YOUR TAX DOLLARS. These newspaper ads contain either the whole lineup of elected officials names or just the Mayor’s name with or without a picture.
The radio ad usually is the Mayor talking about an event or the beginning of school or wishing you a happy holiday season. Again its paid for with YOUR TAX DOLLARS.
I have no problem with the newspaper or radio stations selling these ads. Its their job and it generates revenue for their companies. I have a problem with those that spend your money in this fashion and think its OK or is helping some charitable organization. These are nothing more than POLITICAL ADS PAID BY THE TAXPAYER AND BORDER ON BEING UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
I have spoke about these ads since I took office over ten years ago. The past year we have spent almost $26,000 on newspaper ads alone! At the same time we have curtailed charitable donations due to the poor economy. This makes absolutely no sense! Our Mayor harps on the fact that he has cut back on these ads compared to the previous Mayor. He’s correct but we need to totally STOP this WASTEFUL SPENDING OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS!
If an elected official wants to sponsor an ad for someone or some organization he or she should use their own MONEY!!! NOT YOURS!
Please help me by letting your aldermen or mayor know how you feel.
If you don’t know how to contact your alderman call 815-223-3755 and the Mayor’s secretary will give you their contact numbers. Its time to end this waste of funds. Let me ask you the simple question that seems to confuse some of your alderman……does a charitable organization benefit when the city places and ad in support of that organization or would the organization be better served by getting the cost of the ad given directly to them?
Here’s an example of what you are paying for. Under the heading of school sports we spent over $3,200.00. You are already giving money to schools in the form of property taxes. Do we really need to place ads saying we support our school’s sports teams? Don’t they already know that? Aren’t we really only supporting the bottom line of the newspaper when we do that?
Wouldn’t the school’s sports programs benefit more with a check for $3,200 than ads saying how the city supports them?
Please take a moment to let me know how you feel. If you disagree with me tell me where I went wrong….if you agree let me and the other aldermen and mayor know….after all its your money!
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