City not publicizing MusicFest

Why isn't the City of Woodstock publicizing this week-end's MusicFest 2010 on its Community Calendar, which is located on the homepage of the City's website (www.woodstockil.gov)?

The Farmers' Market gets a promo on the calendar, as does this Saturday's "Remember Our Heroes" car show.

The City decided to close Main Street and restrict important parking for MusicFest 2010, which starts Friday night and continues through Saturday night. And then it fails to publicize and promote the event on the City website.

The homepage (and entire website) could use a good make-over. It's like the stepchild of the City and gets very little attention. Check it out:

The 2010 Census Count is still promoted, but the enumerators have finished their work and have stopped pounding on doors.

The City's new refuse contract (the $100 word for trash pick-up) is still there. Lose it; it's the only deal in town.

The expansion of Pace Bus service is still announced "in the future" for February 13. Waaaaay past time to update that announcement!

The three-year old National Trust for Historic Preservation notice? Either update it or trash it.

And Illinois Main Street Program? That died. The Woodstock Downtown Business Assn. (WDBA) is shuttering. Merchants and the City never got behind it. Squabbles and condescension at the Chamber of Commerce revealed back-biting and jealousy. But times at the Chamber have changed.

For a city that says it is heading for Disney-like qualities (if it is), the direction toward the alligator swamp needs to change.

Downtown Woodstock has so much to offer! Well, not necessarily in his current condition. The bright spot is the make-over of Cobblestone's and folding it into Seasons by Peg. There are other bright spots. The D.C. Cobbs' remodeling deserves attention, and other restaurants deserve patronage - Pirro's and the Public House. Don't forget about them, just because they are land-locked.

And there are the dim spots - business closings, drab appearance, businesses more appropriate to edges of town, not "downtown", such as the proliferation of tattoo parlors and the pawn shop.