New year looks good

Editorials

Facebook

January 6, 2013

New year looks good

Anonymous Commercial-News The Commercial-News Sun Jan 06, 2013, 02:00 AM CST

DANVILLE — Area residents should look forward to the coming months of 2013 with more anticipation than they have been able to for the past several years.

Despite the chronic complainers who can find fault anywhere, local signs for a stronger 2013 can be found in several sectors of the local economy.

Local industry remains strong. Watchfire, ThyssenKrupp, Quaker Oats, Danville Metal Stamping and all of the others continue to seek skilled workers to fill open positions.

Area health care providers plan expansion this year. Carle officials could enhance their Fairchild Street clinic, continue to strengthen their hospital in Hoopeston and might add a clinic in Milford. The VA Illiana Health Care System plans to construct additional housing for veterans and their families. Provena United Medical Center — soon to be Presence — continues to add services and physicians to its offerings.

Danville Area Community College will open a satellite campus in Hoopeston and plans to offer more online options for its students.

“Student success will be a major thrust at DACC this year,” college president Alice Jacobs said in a recent story, That sets a perfect tone for 2013.

For District 118 officials, securing a contract with teachers and other staff must be a priority. The school board’s decision to attempt to change the way talks would be conducted, and the teacher union’s disagreement with that move, has caused significant delay. Upcoming talks with a federal mediator involved, will be critical.

The brightest light for the community in 2013 will be the planned opening of significant retail offerings. Kohl’s, Dress For Less, TJ Maxx and Meijer will add opportunities for local shoppers and revenue for local government.

Nothing is guaranteed, and lots of work remains to be done. But 2013 looks like a good year for the local economy.

Text Only

Editorials

Way to go, graduates!
Hundreds of Vermilion County residents will walk across a stage this month, smile, shake hands and pick up a diploma they earned from their school.

May 19, 2013
Seizure of AP records insults independent press
May 17, 2013
Don't rush to change limit
The National Transportation Safety Board recommended Tuesday states should lower the legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent.

May 15, 2013
Tell Mom thanks
Mother’s Day will mean a flurry of flowers, a cascade of cards and plenty of phone calls — and, in this day and age, probably a ton of text messages as well.

May 12, 2013
Set example in the stands
A new season of youth sports — primarily baseball and softball — will begin in earnest during the next few weeks. That means it’s time to have a chat about sportsmanship — with the parents.

May 10, 2013
We share responsibility to end litter
The young man walked northward along Gilbert Street, tipping back his can of soda as he crossed the end of Memorial Bridge and started to take the curve toward Main Street.

May 8, 2013
Spend tax dollars in wise ways
Tax Increment Financing districts — TIFs, for short — allow local government to collect and set aside a portion of property tax revenue to spend on infrastructure and other projects designed to attract development or serve the public.

May 5, 2013
Dam debate took an ugly turn
Thanks to the endless stream of babbling noise coming from those who declare themselves to be commentators, Americans find it difficult to conduct true debate about a topic.

May 4, 2013
Join in city's cleanup effort
Dozens of volunteers will help bring a fresh look to downtown Danville and the Douglas Discovery Garden on Saturday as part of the Great American Cleanup.

May 2, 2013
City's program invests in the future
Danville officials want to spend a considerable amount of money from their Community Development Block Grant to pay for housing updates in the Vermilion Heights neighborhood.

April 28, 2013
More Editorials Headlines

Editorials

Search Results

Facebook

New year looks good

Site Map

Contact Us