Back
Stoyer, who grew up in Reading and has deep roots in the city, was still reeling from the shock that DID was done.
- Advertisement - People donât realize what they are getting rid of, he said.
City Council voted 4-3 on Monday night not to reauthorize the improvement district for another five years.
DID, an organization that has been tasked to provide a clean, safe and green downtown since 1995, will cease to exist on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m.
DID board chairman Jim Cinelli was still in shock Tuesday afternoon. I m absolutely dumbfounded by the poor judgement displayed by four of the council members last evening, he said. Without the DID, conditions in the downtown will surely erode, and I fear that we will revert to how the city was two decades ago. If that happens those council members should be held accountable.
Back
Stoyer, who grew up in Reading and has deep roots in the city, was still reeling from the shock that DID was done.
- Advertisement - People donât realize what they are getting rid of, he said.
City Council voted 4-3 on Monday night not to reauthorize the improvement district for another five years.
DID, an organization that has been tasked to provide a clean, safe and green downtown since 1995, will cease to exist on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m.
DID board chairman Jim Cinelli was still in shock Tuesday afternoon. I m absolutely dumbfounded by the poor judgement displayed by four of the council members last evening, he said. Without the DID, conditions in the downtown will surely erode, and I fear that we will revert to how the city was two decades ago. If that happens those council members should be held accountable.
The motion to reauthorize the district failed by a narrow and unexpected 3-4 vote.
Council members Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Stratton Marmarou, Melissa Ventura and Donna Reed voted against reauthorization.
- Advertisement -
The DID was formed in 1995 to focus on the cityâs downtown and provide cleaning, safety and economic services.
âI think itâs unfair that we continue to neglect (business and property owners), and we donât listen and don t meet their needs,â Cepeda-Freytiz said before casting her vote. âTo pay a higher property tax and put a financial burden on them that many have expressed they are paying for a service they are not receiving.â