Larry Morrissey for Mayor

Dear Friends,

It was great seeing many of you at the Around the World in Rockford event last Wednesday. This was a wonderful celebration of Rockford's strength and power in its diversity. It was also a very successful fund raising effort. Thanks to you, we raised a substantial amount of money that will help continue our efforts to bring new leadership, unity, and hope to the mayor's office.

The River District Association also hosted the first Mayoral Forum of the campaign season at its Annual Dinner Meeting last Thursday. Each of the candidates was given five minutes to respond to the question, "How will the Downtown River District look after the next four years if you become mayor."

This was a great chance for our campaign to demonstrate its very different approach to leadership and development from the current administration. Rather than continuing the current administrations lack of focus and dependence on the State of Illinois to finance development possibilities, I focused on the action strategy that must be set to take charge of our destiny. We can "save ourselves" by facilitating private marketplace redevelopment in our Downtown.

I highlighted three critical priorities: 1) coordinating budgets between the City, County and Park District to improve downtown infrastructure (The 3 R's: Roadways, Rail, and Riverwalk); 2) changing our downtown land use and zoning plan to encourage small business development; and 3) improving our business marketing and sales of our Downtown development opportunities so that more potential businesses and developers know of the unique advantages of downtown development.

While these priorities apply downtown, the truth is that they apply all over the City. As I have said, we are one Rockford. Our ability to grow in a healthy manner depends on focused leadership. The priorities for downtown improvements are the same types of priorities of infrastructure, zoning and land use, and marketing that should be set for the entire City. Please check out the web site if you would like to view the full text of my remarks (click here for full text).

We are continuing to set up forums, debates, coffees, and other speaking opportunities. If you know of a group that wants to hear from me, please let me know. We are also continuing our very crucial effort to raise money. We need to keep pace with the out of town "volunteers" and thousands of dollars pouring into the incumbent's campaign through state PAC's and affiliations. We are up against out-of-town influences that care less about “helping” Rockford than they do about “controlling” Rockford. Rockford’s people must set Rockford's course. Also, please pass on the fact that you or a friend can make a donation on-line through the web site. We can even accept credit card donations.

I also appreciate the comments to the newsletters and the input that I have been getting through the web site. If you know of others who would like to get the newsletter, please let them know that they can subscribe through the web site. Thanks again for all the support!

GREETINGS FROM LARRY

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