Question #4: "Why is it that Mt. Pleasant is growing and Caledonia isn't?"

Answer:

"The answer to this question is a relatively simple one... ATTITUDE.

Caledonia is definitely a divided community. There are those that want to see responsible commercial development settle into Caledonia to help to keep our taxes low. Then there are those who are very open about the fact that they do not want any more growth in Caledonia.

However, Caledonia is at a point where we need to start cutting expenses or we need to start making money. We've already begun the cutting, but there's only so much we can cut before we fail to provide the essential services the taxpayers of the village have paid for. We now should look at how we are going to make money. This could be accomplished by raising our taxes, or by attracting and retaining commercial growth.

I've heard it said somewhere that, "If you're not growing, you're dying." Caledonia has spent a great deal of time and money on neighborhood planning. In this planning there are places that are designated to be developed: Hwy 32, Hwy K, I-94, and the Franksville Industrial Park. Caledonia needs to get serious, take action to attract commercial development, and take the time to work WITH developers to retain these developments before we are forced to raise taxes.

Mt. Pleasant is obviously very serious about development. They have taken action, and have done a good job at attracting quality commercial development to their community. They do not have the development requirements, inconsistency in regulations as they apply to development, or the unwelcoming demeanor that Caledonia has; but Mt. Pleasant, instead is apparently willing to work with companies looking to locate in their community, rather than making it as difficult as possible. (I have learned that some contractors charge a higher fee to do work in Caledonia to compensate for the hassle and headache they encounter here in Caledonia. This is shameful to Caledonia, and not acceptable to me.)

In the end, Caledonia is Caledonia and Mt. Pleasant is Mt. Pleasant. Caledonia is unique and shouldn't necessarily want to be Mt. Pleasant, but we can learn a thing or two from them when it comes to attracting and retaining a commercial taxbase."