Letter To The Editor,
I am writing as a deeply disappointed citizen and small business owner who has invested time, money, and heart into this city, only to watch Alton continue to decline.
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With all due respect, closing downtown businesses is not a solution. Of course, if nothing remains open downtown, there will be no crime, but there will also be no community, no opportunity, and no reason for people to invest in Alton’s future. That is not progress; it is surrender. Is that the goal?
If the City of Alton and its leadership were truly committed to the upward mobility of its residents and small businesses, that commitment would be visible in the results. Instead, I see stagnation, neglect, and a steady erosion of confidence.
Meanwhile, surrounding towns and villages are thriving, building infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, creating an inviting atmosphere, attracting new residents and businesses. Alton, on the other hand, is focusing on a skate park and “affordable housing.” On paper, that may sound like progress, but in reality, it feels more like a distraction from the structural issues suffocating this community.
One of the greatest needs in Alton right now is a true free community center for our youth to create a safe, inspiring, and empowering space where they can learn trades, develop leadership skills, and find positive direction. Our youth need somewhere to go before they get lost to the streets, not after. A free, well-equipped community center could provide after-school programs, mentorship, trade training, arts and technology workshops, and a hub for growth and connection. Without investment in our youth, we are simply ensuring that the cycle of decline continues.
Where are the investments in real opportunity living-wage jobs with benefits, stricter accountability for slum landlords, rent cap for unmaintained properties, trade and technical schools (plumbing, electrical, contracting, automotive, cosmetology), and business incentives that actually uplift local entrepreneurs rather than push them out? Where are the repaired streets, sidewalks, and beautification efforts that reflect pride in this city? How can residents believe in the future of Alton when the current leadership seems content with mediocrity?
I love this city and believe in its potential, but potential means nothing without leadership that shows up and boldly, transparently, and intelligently.
Alton deserves better — its citizens, its youth, its business owners, and its legacy demand it. I hope this message is received as an urgent plea for real, visible change.
Respectfully,
Dorothy L. Moss
Alton, Illinois
Founder, Mo’z Sweet Treats
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