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Steve Pickering wrote on Aug 20, 2008 4:21 PM:
Resident,
Try stevepickering@live.com
I only have a cell phone and I do not wish to give it out at this time.
I created this disposable account and E-Mail for the upcoming campaign to prevent SPAM in my regular E-Mail.
Try stevepickering@live.com
I only have a cell phone and I do not wish to give it out at this time.
I created this disposable account and E-Mail for the upcoming campaign to prevent SPAM in my regular E-Mail.
TOM wrote on Aug 19, 2008 2:29 PM:
Sounds to me like the city manager needs some training. In the shape Coos Bay is in, the city manager needs to figure how to save money, not spend it. The City Council sounds like it needs a shaking up also. Ask the City of North Bend why the people voted down combining Coos Bay and North Bend here while back. TO MUCH MONEY SPENDING BY THE CITY OF COOS BAY THATS WHY. Just like a untrained kid. If you have the money in your pocket, spend it before it burns a whole in your pocket. They never seem to think that they might need some money for a rainey day. What a total waste of tax payers money. Abd the way the economy is around here, people open your eyes it is POURING.
Bob wrote on Aug 19, 2008 11:44 AM:
To Chloe and Steve
Why should the city give assistance and resources to the college, don't you think we pay taxes for them both as it is? Tom, I have encountered rude people in this area as well but it isn't just here ...its everywhere. Moonpenny..The customer is ALWAYS right..just asked Tom. You may think he has a problem but the businesses are not getting his money...that makes him right and as a business owner you should already know that. If you are as disagreeable in person in your business as you are on these comment sections I sure hope I have never been to your business. Tell us which one it is so we can avoid it.
Why should the city give assistance and resources to the college, don't you think we pay taxes for them both as it is? Tom, I have encountered rude people in this area as well but it isn't just here ...its everywhere. Moonpenny..The customer is ALWAYS right..just asked Tom. You may think he has a problem but the businesses are not getting his money...that makes him right and as a business owner you should already know that. If you are as disagreeable in person in your business as you are on these comment sections I sure hope I have never been to your business. Tell us which one it is so we can avoid it.
TOM wrote on Aug 19, 2008 7:33 AM:
TO MOONPENNY: YOU sound like you are one of those business people. Anytime anyone goes into a business for something and I am unable to find it, I usually ask an employee where to find it. Then the emloyee usually just says " that is not my department", or "Gee I don't know". In reality that employee should get you help even if it isn's his department or go to another person to find out if they really do have the product that you are looking for. As for respect, well if I have a bad attitude towards Coos Bay businesses, then the BUSINESS have made me that way. So moonpenny, go back to your pointing or your unethical ways of doing business and if we the public gets lucky maybe you will go out of business just like all of the rest.
moonpenny wrote on Aug 18, 2008 3:29 PM:
Tom:
I do live here in Coos Bay. And I see business owners and their staff on a daily basis. I see nothing but courteous and respectful behavior from those owners and their staff. Good customer service starts with the customer as well. If your attitude is less than friendly, you’re going to get the same in return. Since you state your issue is with several business(s), perhaps you should take stock in yourself to see what you need to do to illicit a better response.
I do live here in Coos Bay. And I see business owners and their staff on a daily basis. I see nothing but courteous and respectful behavior from those owners and their staff. Good customer service starts with the customer as well. If your attitude is less than friendly, you’re going to get the same in return. Since you state your issue is with several business(s), perhaps you should take stock in yourself to see what you need to do to illicit a better response.
Fairview wrote on Aug 18, 2008 3:17 PM:
“I want something that says to people: Stop”
Great! You can start there by stop spending taxpayers $$$ on worthless schemes..or is this going to be your last great project before getting booted out of office?
Anyone remember when business's were pretty much given free rent, subsidized taxes and almost free utilities to base their business in the "enterprise zone"?
Anyone old enough to remember the coffee roaster that went out of business? How about Falcon NW Computers? He cut himself one hell of a tax free deal, all on the backs of taxpayers and THEN moved his business to Medford.
Think about where your money is actually going.
Great! You can start there by stop spending taxpayers $$$ on worthless schemes..or is this going to be your last great project before getting booted out of office?
Anyone remember when business's were pretty much given free rent, subsidized taxes and almost free utilities to base their business in the "enterprise zone"?
Anyone old enough to remember the coffee roaster that went out of business? How about Falcon NW Computers? He cut himself one hell of a tax free deal, all on the backs of taxpayers and THEN moved his business to Medford.
Think about where your money is actually going.
TOM wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:42 PM:
I do not live in Coos Bay and will never live there. I do once in a while go shopping there, but I for one, if the City wants to do something to improve the City business, the first thing they should is send most of the people working in those businesses to some kind of a class on "MANNERS" or "HOW TO TREAT YOUR COSTOMERS" and require them to pass the class. Regretfully business people or at least the people working in soome of the businesses in Coos Bay are some of the rudest people I have ever met, and frankly don't care to again. That is why I do my major shopping in the Roseburg area. I would love to be able to shop in Coos Bay, but as a customer, I do not have to put up with the way a lot of the businesses treat their customers.
Resident wrote on Aug 16, 2008 10:35 AM:
Steve Pickering--How can we contact you? I can't find a telephone number, but I would like to talk to you.
moonpenny wrote on Aug 16, 2008 8:38 AM:
Please do something the people want.
Fix the downtown area. We have the tools and the laws, enforce them. Give us a downtown we can appreciate. At no cost to the city or the citizens. Those buildings have owners. Force the owners to repair/renovate "their" properties.
Give them the "reasonable" amount of time to do so. Offer the facade grant again, give them tax incentives. Give them a real reason to "want" to fix up their historical buildings. And if they dont, triple their taxes, quadruple if necessary, but they need to fix what they have allowed to decay.
Fix the downtown area. We have the tools and the laws, enforce them. Give us a downtown we can appreciate. At no cost to the city or the citizens. Those buildings have owners. Force the owners to repair/renovate "their" properties.
Give them the "reasonable" amount of time to do so. Offer the facade grant again, give them tax incentives. Give them a real reason to "want" to fix up their historical buildings. And if they dont, triple their taxes, quadruple if necessary, but they need to fix what they have allowed to decay.
Steve Pickering wrote on Aug 15, 2008 10:48 AM:
Chloe wrote on Aug 13, 2008 5:24 AM:
"If SOCC's Business Development Center offers the same services, maybe the city should provide the college assistance and resources for this valuable service to expand. "
Now there is an idea that makes sense. I am Steve Pickering, and I am running for Coos Bay City Counsel.
"If SOCC's Business Development Center offers the same services, maybe the city should provide the college assistance and resources for this valuable service to expand. "
Now there is an idea that makes sense. I am Steve Pickering, and I am running for Coos Bay City Counsel.
Resident wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:33 AM:
To Chloe--
That's not what happened with Walmart. Local businesses couldn't even get the items (like bikes and lawnmowers and sometimes clothing) from their suppliers for the price that Walmart was able to sell them. Walmart gets quantity discounts that locals can't.
That's not what happened with Walmart. Local businesses couldn't even get the items (like bikes and lawnmowers and sometimes clothing) from their suppliers for the price that Walmart was able to sell them. Walmart gets quantity discounts that locals can't.
RealitySucks wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:36 AM:
To Moonpenny: In order for your idea to work Coos Bay would actually have to enforce some type of building codes....I think the only codes now are if it doesnt fall over today it's good, if it falls over tomorrow we'll "look into it".
To Get Real- Put a parking garage in the area and the homeless will move into it making it very "unwelcome place" to park a car.
To Get Real- Put a parking garage in the area and the homeless will move into it making it very "unwelcome place" to park a car.
moonpenny wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:11 AM:
You really want to help business'?
Then demand renovation and maintenance so that those vacant spaces in the downtown are look appealing. Make leasing information available. Demand maintenance, painting schedule for the buildings, awnings, city approved planters along the walkways, mandatory facade look. Demand that the office spaces are leased or rented at all times. Implement a "Need to reside" clause for the building owners. Fletchers building on the corner of Anderson and 101 needs serious attention now. Renovate or demolish, same with the Central Ave building. The American Building needs new windows now. All need awnings now. If we want to attract new business and customers we need to make the downtown area LOOK like a downtown area.
Building owners need to get this work done now at their own expense. They allowed their buildings to decay into what they are and need to do more than collect rents and donate a gallon of paint once a year. Or property taxes will increase on those properties until the owner complies.
And it wont cost the city a dime.
Then demand renovation and maintenance so that those vacant spaces in the downtown are look appealing. Make leasing information available. Demand maintenance, painting schedule for the buildings, awnings, city approved planters along the walkways, mandatory facade look. Demand that the office spaces are leased or rented at all times. Implement a "Need to reside" clause for the building owners. Fletchers building on the corner of Anderson and 101 needs serious attention now. Renovate or demolish, same with the Central Ave building. The American Building needs new windows now. All need awnings now. If we want to attract new business and customers we need to make the downtown area LOOK like a downtown area.
Building owners need to get this work done now at their own expense. They allowed their buildings to decay into what they are and need to do more than collect rents and donate a gallon of paint once a year. Or property taxes will increase on those properties until the owner complies.
And it wont cost the city a dime.
moonpenny wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:07 AM:
And they are offering what?
Downtown business' already have those benefits through the Business Development Center in North Bend, whom Ms. Soto works for.
I recently moved my business from the downtown area due to costs. You want to do something for the downtown business'?
Co-op costs or utilities. Charters internet is 80.00 and Verizon charges over 100.00 for a flat line, just because you are a business. And the lists go on. Put out some REAL help and the business' will stay and others will come.
Downtown business' already have those benefits through the Business Development Center in North Bend, whom Ms. Soto works for.
I recently moved my business from the downtown area due to costs. You want to do something for the downtown business'?
Co-op costs or utilities. Charters internet is 80.00 and Verizon charges over 100.00 for a flat line, just because you are a business. And the lists go on. Put out some REAL help and the business' will stay and others will come.
Get real wrote on Aug 13, 2008 7:15 AM:
Start with a parking garage!!
Put in retail shops or offices at street level.
We only have so much space in Coos Bay, build up not out!!!
Put in retail shops or offices at street level.
We only have so much space in Coos Bay, build up not out!!!
Chloe wrote on Aug 13, 2008 5:24 AM:
If SOCC's Business Development Center offers the same services, maybe the city should provide the college assistance and resources for this valuable service to expand.
Mostly, you need to get to the real problem with small businesses. Before Wal-Mart came small businesses charged what they wanted and the local folks could not afford it and went out of town. When Wal-Mart came to town, the small businesses in the area could no longer compete with their prices and sunk.
The solution for small businesses is to be an expert in your area and to keep prices at a reasonable rate. If you get too greedy your customers notice and that is what feeds the support of the "Mart" stores and their corporate greed.
Mostly, you need to get to the real problem with small businesses. Before Wal-Mart came small businesses charged what they wanted and the local folks could not afford it and went out of town. When Wal-Mart came to town, the small businesses in the area could no longer compete with their prices and sunk.
The solution for small businesses is to be an expert in your area and to keep prices at a reasonable rate. If you get too greedy your customers notice and that is what feeds the support of the "Mart" stores and their corporate greed.
Coos Bay Kid wrote on Aug 12, 2008 6:12 PM:
My advice to Coos Bay business....Get out while you still can. Too little too late.
Gen Xer wrote on Aug 12, 2008 3:54 PM:
This pre-supposes that there are existing businesses that locals and tourists want to shop in... there are trinket stores and a few specialty stores that might attract a tourist or two - but not enough people to even pay the light bill... service businesses don't work either... I can't recall ever needing office supplies or appliances while on vacation... Just not enough of a "center of activity" to draw tourists either... call the Navy and ask them if we can have a ship or a submarine out of the inactive ship facility - or get a "Tall Ship/ships" homeported in Coos Bay --- that will give you the "center of activity" you need to get more effective retail in Downtown Coos Bay... contact the local Navy League for help... it's the only thing that's going to give people a reason to stop - otherwise they'll just drive by... Retailers remember... the good news is 20K cars will pass by you business everyday... bad news is 20K cars will pass by your business everyday... :( :(
empireman wrote on Aug 12, 2008 3:35 PM:
Isn't it sad. Fred Kirby writes a letter to the editor after the World wrote a good article about business having problems with the city and all of a sudden the dynamos on that council see the light. Meunchrath should be mayor and the current mayor should be sent packing.
Nick wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:11 PM:
The difference, of course, being that SWOCC is a place of higher learning, with people who are skilled at what they do, and know a thing or two about technology.
The City of Coos Bay? Not so much.
The City of Coos Bay? Not so much.
Coos Bay Resident wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:01 PM:
I agree with BOB, this is a waste of money. At least the thought was there to help existing buisnesses and not give $2million to Fred Myer.
Chris wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:19 PM:
I agree ... downtown Coos Bay is dead. I think that this area needs to pick a location close to the city lines of Coos Bay and North Bend and build ONE Visitors Center. I think that it is overkill to staff both visitor centers when you could build one nice 21st century version with plenty of parking.
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