Thanks Terri for your continued support of our community and most certainly Late Nite Highland Park is something that enriches the community and helps make our town the vibrant small northshore town that it is. Just yesterday, I was showing my visiting parents Port Clinton Square and "bragging " about the activities held there!

Thanks, Forest. Late Nite HP has evolved from an initiative that was started to provide safe activities for youth into an initiative that is all about providing and promoting something unique on the North Shore -- live entertainment that takes place on a regular basis in many HP businesses (and Port Clinton Square in the summer months) -- and through it, supporting our businesses and community as a whole. For the past 6 years, LN has provided innumerable performance opportunities for youth and adults; has brought HP and non-HP residents to restaurants to dine, socialize, and be entertained; has been recognized as a model program by other communities; and, has strengthened city partnerships with our schools, park district, and many HP arts & cultural organizations. For the last 5 years, LNHP has also provided the city's 4th of July entertainment with the Late Nite HP Bitter Jester Battle of the Bands, which Nic DeGrazia runs. While both of us donate all of our time to coordinate our parts of the initiative, city funds are needed to sustain it. As requested, Nic and I presented a detailed budget to the Council at their budget meeting on Nov. 21, which they approved. Of the total requested ($15,655), $6,500 will be used to support the year-round initiative; the remainder will go toward 4th of July expenses ($8,455) and the June Friday night Battles of the Bands ($700), which leads to the 4th of July finale.

Teri:

You are sorely missed on the Council!

Who cares about Late Night Highland Park? Probably the local businesses that benefit from it. Let them pay the 12k, give me a tax break.

Bryce

Don't waste your time with guys like Daniel, he's only tring to get your goat and others who know what a great thing Late Night Highland Park is

If "Late Night Highland Park" doesn't net the City more than it costs us, we should not fund it. If the downtown businesses feel it's worthwhile, let them fund it. The "safe programming for kids" aspect - that can be financed and provided for privately as well, no need for the taxpayers to fund any of it because it's ultimately up to the parents/guardians of the kids to provide activities for them. Besides the supposedly "safe environment" for kids, we hear about the alleged benefits of Late Night Highland Park - there's plenty of negative effects as well, but we never hear about those - noise from the bands that can often be heard more than a mile away for one.

I agree with you David. Since when is it governments role to pay for late night activities for kids and adults? If its such a great program then there should be no problem funding it privately. Ill keep my 36 cents and spend it how I want to. Don't need big brother spending entertainment dollars on my behalf.

Economic Development is key to the health of any village, town or city. The more people outside of our city who might otherwise not visit HP is essential to maintaining a strong sales tax revenue stream in these tough economic times. Most retail businesses are struggling today. I'm sure the ROI on the $16,000 spent by the city on LNHP far exceeds the investment. As a business consultant, I've seen too many businesses fail when they micromanage expenses and don't take action to increase revenues. The same concept works for municipalities.

"I'm not trying to be xenophobic". Except you are.

Thanks to Terri for keeping the focus on economic development going (even if it means dreaded external visitors coming to town to spend their money.)

Terri;
Great project and a worthwhile investment in our city. We have a great city but need to keep telling people from other towns WHY it's great, including our many cultural activities, family friendly events, interesting and unique shops, great food and more. When people consider leaving Chicago and heading to the 'burbs to raise children, Late Night, our lakefront, our Parks facilities, and our other cultural choices will encourage them to consider moving here over other cities they might choose. Keeping a city vibrant, attractive and current is a shared 'trust', for the city and it's inhabitants and the time you and Nic donate in effort is a huge value that's not mentioned here in dollars, but if everyone in the community rolled up their sleeves the way you and so many others do, we'd see continued growth and prosperity for our city. Thanks to you for this great program and for the council working so hard to keep it intact.
James.

David – can’t get my head around the concept of why or how a city would only allow residents to shop at its stores or restaurants. This must be a first in urban planning: discouraging tourists or visitors under the idea that tax revenues from residents are somehow more valuable than tax revenues from non-residents.