Wilmette Shows Weakness in the Living Wage Discussion
We had an opportunity to send a message last night, but we showed weakness instead.
I spoke for the first time last night in front of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wilmette. So I thought it would be a great time to re-launch my blog under a new name, CulDeSac Diaries, formerly SouthCentral Wilmette, A Transition to Village Living.
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| That’s me last night. |
Our village trustees overwhelmingly voted to opt out of giving people who work in our Village an increase in minimum wage.
I’ll summarize as to their reasoning and my commentary:
1. Doom & Gloom. The narrative that businesses will suffer ruled the day. Businesses will undoubtedly have to adjust, as they adjust with all changes in expenses, but I simply do not believe that they will all disappear or it will prohibit new businesses from opening here. It’s a classic Doom & Gloom scare tactic at work here. We are a community that will support good businesses, especially if they are good corporate citizens (which they are), and continue with their great service providing a quality place to dine or shop. And we have the capacity to pay more, if needed, for a great quality and local product.
2. Monkey See, Monkey Do. “If all of these other communities are opting out, then we should, too!” (Not actual quote, but general sentiment from the opt-out crowd). A leader doesn’t follow the crowd. A community like Wilmette should be leading. And leading is doing the right thing to get the people who work in this Village a living wage. And I certainly don’t buy the narrative that this would make us less competitive with neighboring communities. Maybe it would with narrow-minded thinkers, but our momentum should be built upon with thinkers that are not narrow-minded, but looking out for the good of the entire community.
3. Let’s wait and see what Washington or Springfield do. Seriously? That’s really all I have to say about that.
The point that I do agree with the opt-out crowd is that this has been a ridiculous process and has led to misinformation and confusion. So be it. Is that anything new in politics these days? What isn’t misinformation is that everyone deserves a living wage. Every one of our trustees agreed that the minimum wage should be increased. But they weren’t brave enough last night to make a stand and make it happen. We had an opportunity to send a message, but we showed weakness instead.
These are my opinions and my opinions only. I still love all of you and all businesses in Wilmette and will keep spending money. I love the dedication and service of all of our trustees and anyone in public service. Hope you still love me, too.
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