CRI needs your help to make downtown better
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Michael Lysczek
Published: May 22, 2008
Over the last 20 years, Culpeper Renaissance has spearheaded the effort to rescue Culpeper from the rubble, vacancy and decay of a neglected business district. The result of this effort is the thriving historic business district you see today.
Progress?
Not really, not yet. We haven’t fully recovered the thriving business district that Culpeper achieved more than 50 years ago — a business district full of stores, offices, hotels, restaurants and services that filled even more buildings than those that remain standing today.
In the past, growth and development took a toll on downtown, and vacancy and decay were the results. Business climates change over time, and we can never afford to take the success of the present for granted.
CRI has helped revitalize the downtown, and the organization has taken steps to allow us to continue the promotion and vitality of the business district in the face of future economic pressures.
We cannot implement these programs if we are forced to cut staff and services. We need your support.
Please let Town Council know that you cherish your downtown and the efforts of all of the supporters and participants in the public/private partnership that make the downtown Main Street Program possible.
Michael Lysczek
CRI vice president
Culpeper
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Posted by ( Pat ) on May 24, 2008 at 7:46 am
Culpeper Resident! I am so sorry you are not aware of the direction of your tax dollars. CRI has added to the area where they assist and I am sure you will be seeing a difference there soon. Just remember the money that Council Gives CRI most of it goes right back into the Coffers of the Town, Via electric, taxes food for visitors which is meals taxes. Taxes spent on office supplies bought in the Town of Culpeper. When they hold events it brings money into town by the using of the local B&B;‘s we have a couple downtown. That would be taxes, also look at the farmers market the 25 vendors to spend money downtown, for supplies and food and that is taxes. Then you take in the Rent that is paid and that is money so the Landlord can pay taxes and keep up the property. I can see where you think CRI is given a lot of MONEY! But frankly they earn every cent. Talk to the Board of Directors they can fill you in on many things. DO not be in the dark about where your money goes. We have a great downtown due to many factors but getting rid of an organization that puts the money given right back into the Council bank does not make sense to me. They could not afford to pay all the VOLUNTEER hours that the folks who are truly interested in CRI put in. CRI is a WONDERFUL investment in Culpeper. I believe it shows they are aware of the benifit they are getting from CRI went they invest.
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Posted by ( Pat ) on May 23, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Culpeper Resident! If you were interested in what CRI is doing with the money Council GIVES them look around downtown. Council does not give CRI money they earn every cent and then put it right back into Council Coffers!!! Did you ever think about that? People bring in business downtown to pay more taxes in food and then in rent to the landlord who is also paying taxes! Utilities for the office the money goes to the town it goes right back to light and Power. The Landlord pays the Water and sewer, but CRI pays him rent so he can pay the water and sewer. They have meetings and use the places in downtown this provides income for the restaurants and taxes via meals for the town. If you can not see what this Organization has done then you need to take a walk. If it had not been for CRI several businesses that I am aware of would never have gotten off the ground. They provided information on places to buy and lease they assist with information about the town in general and they provide community services that many folks are not aware of. They work with other places downtown to bring more people into Culpeper to spend the money and stay at local B&B;‘s in downtown which put money right back into Councils coffers. Look at the Farmers Market CRI has taken over that and it is as nice as anyone around. This helps the farmers who buy the seeds and pay fees and they inturn help the folks who are buying the healthy produce. Are you starting to see a VALUE here. If you had a business downtown you should find out more about CRI. I am sure you would be very pleased to know how much money they bring in that goes right back to the town. The Town could not afford to pay CRI for what the VOLUNTEERS do. The people who are on the board and who Volunteer for CRI are very fine Culpeper Citizens and if this was not a worthwhile organization why would they not use the time in a different way.? I can tell you from experience the town of Culpeper would suffer greatly if something were to happen to CRI. Talk to the CRI Director and I am sure she will give you more information than you really want.The reason CRI is looking for other funding sources? Ask the Council. Who do you not know where your money is being spent? I do not believe it is CRI’s fault you do not know where your money is going. If you want to know how CRI spends the money from the Town well get on the Board or ask one of the CRI Board members. The office number is 825-4416 and the Director is Mrs. Logan.
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Posted by ( Culpeper Resident ) on May 23, 2008 at 3:03 pm
So you propose that council just keep giving you money you ask for without benefit of knowing how MY money is spent? Why is CRI not looking for other sources of funding a report suggested you do instead of depending almost entirely on the public taxpapayer’s money? CRI thinks it is a tourist bureau sometimes. It isn’t. Expand your borders from Davis Street. Davis Street is done and has been.
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