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Madill resigns post at Main Street Hanford

By Seth Nidever
snidever@HanfordSentinel.com

Pam Madill, executive director of Main Street Hanford, has resigned effective later this summer. Dave Geide, a board member of the organization, confirmed that Madill submitted her resignation on Monday.

Madill couldn't be reached this morning for comment.

"We're just sorry to see her go, because she's been a tremendous asset for the (Thursday Night) Marketplace and Main Street in general," Geide said.

Madill will stay through the end of August to oversee the popular Thursday Night Market Place, which runs downtown through the summer.

Some downtown business owners have been dissatisfied with Main Street Hanford's performance under her tenure.

The organization is a nonprofit entity funded by business license fees for some 300 establishments in the downtown area. The fees go to Main Street Hanford to support downtown revitalization efforts.

Early this year, however, a small group of downtown merchants hit hard by the recession formed a separate organization called the Downtown Merchants Association.

The merchants banded together to do group advertising and other activities to collectively promote their businesses.

They also became more involved in Main Street Hanford.

Bob Braun, an active member of the new group, said he welcomed a change of leadership at Main Street.

"I feel at the beginning (Madill) did a great job, but it deteriorated after that, and I didn't see any effort to stem that. But I can't say that it was her fault. That's a lot of the board's problem as well," said Braun, who owns Artisans Custom Framing and Fine Art Gallery on Seventh Street.

"I just felt like the focus had shifted from helping downtown merchants, which was what the thing was all about," he added.

Braun said he wasn't happy about money spent by Main Street on iron tree grates.

"Some group advertising might have been a little more practical," he said.

Braun has also soured on the Thursday Night Marketplace. He said the no parking signs and cones set out before the event were hurting his business.

Other members of the new group expressed support for the Marketplace but said that they hadn't been very involved in Main Street's decision-making process.

"I don't think (Main Street) has been held accountable. That communication has never been there," said Stacey Marshall, owner of Stacey's Boutique.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432.

(May 29, 2009)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

Girl Friday wrote on May 28, 2009 12:47 PM:

" Ms. Madill will be missed as a frequent Thursday Night Market Place visitor I think she does a fantastic job, I don't think the sour grapes merchants mentioned above realize what a great way to showcase there business they have every Thursday I would love to see more of them open at least for the first hour. Main Street Organization will be loosing one of its best but we wish Pam all the best and thank you for a job well done we have the best market place in the valley! "

Time 4 Change wrote on May 28, 2009 12:55 PM:

" A positive step FORWARD for the BID representative organization.
PLEASE look outside of the community for a new director.

FRESH APPROACH NEEDED.

For the Director Salary, get some bang for the buck.
MSH caught lightning in a bottle with Craig Scharton.
Hope to see a like talent in the position. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on May 28, 2009 2:54 PM:

" I cannot honestly say this announcement surprises me, all I can say is good luck to Pam, whereever she goes next. "

jerryirons@msn.com wrote on May 28, 2009 7:28 PM:

" Pam:

You did a great job! Hopefully you'll get picked up by a Fresno, Bakersfield, Monterey, etc.,

Always a few cudgemudgens in the group!

Jerry "

Watchdog Fred wrote on May 28, 2009 7:48 PM:

" To; Girl Friday wrote on May 28, 2009 12:47 PM:

"Main Street Organization will be loosing one of its best but we wish Pam all the best and thank you for a job well done we have the best market place in the valley! "

I don't know "Old Town Clovis" looks pretty good when the Fresno Television Stations visit it. Do we have any televised action, if so I am missing it, which channel is it on? "

hanfordian wrote on May 28, 2009 8:23 PM:

" I think there exists an opportunity now for positive change within the community. It is high time for collaborative efforts; consolidating resources and all agencies working towards the betterment of Hanford. "

big john wrote on May 28, 2009 8:30 PM:

" Pam,

I commend you for having taken on a very difficult job.

Your enthusiasm and out of the box thinking benefited us all. I didn’t agree with everything you did, but the important point is you weren’t afraid to try something new. Saving (any old) downtown is a hard problem to solve. The new group, referenced in this story, has had no better success (but kudos to them as well for trying). The Chamber of Commerce would be well served by stealing any page out of your “just do something” playbook.

I wish you and your soon to be new husband all the best. I hope you enjoy the Sacramento area as much as you enjoyed Hanford.

Thank you!

-Big John "

Time 4 Change wrote on May 28, 2009 9:48 PM:

" hanfordian wrote on May 28, 2009 8:23 PM:
" I think there exists an opportunity now for positive change within the community. It is high time for collaborative efforts; consolidating resources and all agencies working towards the betterment of Hanford.

BRAVO!

BIG PICTURE thinking.

Set aside territories, egos and salary protection to fulfill the mission...betterment of Hanford. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on May 29, 2009 1:47 AM:

" I think an active recruitment for more store owners to participate and stay open at TNMP. Don't roll up the sidewalks and lock your doors. Give people a chance to see what you are all about, if you don't do anything else you might make a new friend or two.
I've said it before and I'll say it again we are in this together on this economy thing. If we don't support local business it will go the way of Mervyn's and Gottschalks. Attitudes need to change and attractions devised, to get people down town and buying merchandise/products should be the focal point. Entertainment is a good idea but for my two cents those amps could be turned down about three or four notches and people would enjoy it more. Nothing like Kettle Corn as you walk up and down the downtown area shopping and looking, looking and shopping. They truly have some of the freshest vegetables and fruit available in this town. Enjoy! "

Girl Friday wrote on May 29, 2009 10:33 AM:

" Sorry Watch Doggie better put your tail between your legs I have been to the Clovis Farmers Market and just because you have a TV crew there does not mean bigger and better. You need to go maybe we could go together "

hanfordian wrote on May 29, 2009 11:28 AM:

" Big John,

If you are not part of the solution; you are part of the problem. If you have suggestions for the Chamber, perhaps you should contact them, rather than take cheap shots. "

Bobb wrote on May 29, 2009 10:31 PM:

" Fred; you are right about downtown rolling up the sidewalks at 5. It is a double edged sword though as most of these businesses are owner operated and it makes for a long day. On the other edge you have family's with both persons working and the only time they have to shop is after work. that is why the big box stores exist. I do agree though that the TNMP would be a good night to stay open as there are many people downtown.Each business will need to justify as to whether the products they carry would justify the extra hours. I also agree with you that the exposure may draw customers back on weekends it people like what the merchant has to offer. "

Alihandero wrote on May 31, 2009 8:44 PM:

" Well, in the words of our great new liberal president, 'change is what America needs...'

Or something like that... "

Carl.Spackler wrote on Jun 1, 2009 10:04 AM:

" I would imagine that any store owners would stay open if they saw a dollar to be made. They have probably sized it up and found that there is no business. Most people at the marketplace are tuned into beer and zucchini. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 2, 2009 11:04 AM:

" Well and another candle is shed on this light by the Chief of Police. It seems Chief Mestas now wants to raise the fine rates on parking in Hanford. This will further drive the shoppers out to the mall, where they don't have to contend with this problem. You as Store Owners should show up tonight in mass and when this comes on the agenda, you should speak up and denounce the practice. What sense does it make because the city doesn't want to cut it's budget should we the taxpayers support it when we ourselves are short on funding? It just doesn't make sense when a downtown is sinking to raise parking in front of its stores as a means of making more city funding to put someone in a vehicle to write tickets. If they want to cut back give them a chalk poll and a ticket book and let them walk the streets, it's better exercise and the cheapest mode of transportation. What nonsense in a recession/depression to raise fines for parking. "

transplant wrote on Jun 2, 2009 1:04 PM:

" Fred, I just had to respond to your last comment about raising parking fines. The fines are only for people who BREAK the law!! If you don't park illegally, you won't have to pay ANY fines, much less increased ones. I thought you were in favor of law enforcement and people following the laws of the land. Is that only when you agree with the law?

And, before you start blowing more hot air about the City cutting back on its expenses, I think you should actually attend the budget meetings so you'll really be aware of what they are doing to cut back. Are you even aware that in order to cut expenses the City laid off some employees last Friday? Tell those people that the City isn't reducing the budget! Or are you going to say that they deserved to lose their jobs? "

Deb wrote on Jun 2, 2009 2:52 PM:

" It's interesting - the people are there on a market place night - it's up to the business to market to them, not necessarily for the dollar spent at that point in time, but to create an impression and get them back in when they are in a shopping mode. It's not all that often that thousands of people are in the downtown location, IF I were down there as a business owner I'd certainly try to lure them back when they've got time to shop. It's marketing 101. MS has done a great job bringing the people to the core downtown. Now it's up to each business to get the people to walk through their doors. But, that can't happen if the doors aren't open. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 2, 2009 5:10 PM:

" To: Bobb wrote on May 29, 2009 10:31 PM:
and to Carl Spackler

You need to realize, just because someone doesn't purchase at first glance, doesn't mean they won't be back later to purchase it. Not everyone walks around TNMP with a fist full of dollars or an atm card stuffed with purchasing power and certainly at today's banking fiasco people are thinking twice about putting anything on a credit card. So it has made us wiser shoppers, also it is true impulse buying has slowed but it hasn't disappeared entirely. I just happen to think with vendors filling the streets and people walking the sidewalks of the downtown area and window shopping the closed shops, sales may be missed or certainly future sales are missed. Believe it or not, people from out of town come to our TNMP and they may not come back again, during what the downtown merchants consider normal business hours. Once again a missed opportunity to do business. It does happen. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 3, 2009 7:19 AM:

" To: transplant wrote on Jun 2, 2009 1:04 PM:

Well for those who haven't had their heads buried deep in the ground over the past twenty years, What you are describing now was called down sizing by large corporations. It is just now hitting the government entity because tax fuding is running out, do to no water in the Central Valley, people who lost jobs in Silicone Valley, moving to other locals out of state. Also there is a mass exodus of tax paying citizens leaving the state right now due to the LGBT uprising, and the high cost of doing business in this state. Not to mention of the high cost of supporting illegal aliens of all ethnicities who are on the ride free. So when you take all of that into consideration of course it will mean less jobs. In the scenario I described about the water leak across the street from my house, I'd say they were a little over staffed as it is. Most of those working for the city aren't there for what they know but who they know, so maybe this is a good thing. "

BIZMOM wrote on Jun 3, 2009 9:08 AM:

" Uh, my downtown business is open 7 days a week for the convience of everyone. We are open TNMP till 8+ and Sundays 12-4. It's tough though. Sundays always drive a few people in but barly enough to pay the electricity and the help. TNMP is a great method of advertising and I agree, many people come back all week long because they saw something but didn't have the cash that night or the time.
Just remember though, many of the businesses down here have tried all kinds of different days and times to be open. If it doesn't at least pay for itself though, it isn't worth it. People have to shop us. Next time you are downtown shopping, pop in and ask your favorite stores if they've considered opening (even minimum hours) on Sunday or staying open later. Be a voice directly to your favorite stores...not just the paper. And then....shop em'. That's key to keeping us open people. We ALL hafta support our local downtown on a regular basis or we will turn into the likes of Mervyns/Gottschalks. Very sad "

BIZMOM wrote on Jun 3, 2009 9:54 AM:

" Interesting fact....did you know that for every $100 a person spends at a locally owned business, $68 is directly refiltered into the local community? In comparison, only $43 is done so from big box chain stores and $0 from those who internet shop. Hmmmmm.....
Our "new" merchant organization has been so misunderstood thru this all. Our #1 goal is to simply pool our money in advertising. Getting the word out is expensive. We've been able to save $ AND even gave away 4 Mother's Day baskets each valued at $800-$1200 full of donated items by our OWN local downtown businesses. We are doing the same idea for Father's Day. As a group we are striving to come up with at least 1 monthly event to bring people downtown again. But, admitedly, it's tough. We can only do so much with our resources. Ultimately it comes down to the public realizing that it takes their support. If we want our favorite local businesses to succeed and we appreciate that personal customer service, etc we have to shop Downtown. Talk to us, Give us input, but be realistic too. Our resources are more limited. "

bluefalcon559 wrote on Jun 3, 2009 11:41 AM:

" Curious, will Wal Mart be able to set up a both now at the "Thursday Night Market" or are they still banned? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 4, 2009 3:48 AM:

" To: BIZMOM wrote on Jun 3, 2009 9:54 AM:

" Interesting fact....did you know that for every $100 a person spends at a locally owned business, $68 is directly refiltered into the local community?

With 100's of thousands of contracts being awarded by the city Council can you imagine how that same formula works in that scenario?

Buy Local and Have Local Contractors and Businesses awarded Local Contracts. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 4, 2009 3:50 AM:

" To: .bluefalcon559 wrote on Jun 3, 2009 11:41 AM:

" Curious, will Wal Mart be able to set up a both now at the "Thursday Night Market" or are they still banned? "

Good luck getting an answer to this one Blue, you remember what a fiasco it started last year? "

bluefalcon559 wrote on Jun 4, 2009 12:00 PM:

" hahahaha, indeed I do WDF! haha. "

Time 4 Change wrote on Jun 4, 2009 3:46 PM:

" Is the Calif. Main Street program still intact?
Is there an annual review process that check programs to see if they are in guideline compliance?
Used to be that if you hung out your "California Main Street" accrediation, there were strict adherance policies. Our programs' challenge would be to show the 4 dollar ROI on each 1 dollar reinvested. Oh, and the four points approach commitment, too. (There are three other points other than Promotion).
Recently, in the featured video on the publication website titled "Thursday Night Marketplace", the audio features an orator who cites tough economy, hard times, economic challenges numerous times during the 'speech'. Is this MSH's message to it's attendees, tough economy, hard times? Do they need reminders?
Kinda preachy, seems like.
Time for a new approach.
2001-2009, the experiment is over.
Time for results.
Take a look at the overall picture and re-define the mission. If the Business Improvement District guidelines preclude decision makers from providing a way to "make it work", always remember, it only takes a majority vote of the BID membership to close it down. Check the Property Based Business Improvements guidelines or our city ordinance. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 4, 2009 11:47 PM:

" To: bluefalcon559 wrote on Jun 4, 2009 12:00 PM:

Now see what you started Blue, Time 4 Change wrote on Jun 4, 2009 3:46 PM: wants to shut 'em down for non-compliance. Just like on the Barbery Coast in San Francisco, when they were hi-jacking civilians out of bars, to make them Seamen, on the Tall Ships.

One comment, and they go all bananas on ya, be careful what you say. LOL Amazing what a revolting development this has become. "

dog food wrote on Jun 5, 2009 1:09 PM:

" It will be interesting to see who is allowed to participate in the market now. Places like EECU who found a loop hole to get out of downtown with the rest of the financial sector now wants to have a booth?
Valley Toyota was a major sponsor last year, but where is their downtown location i haven't been by that dealership? but the moneys good so...

Round Table wasn't allowed to sell pizza because there was already ONE pizza establishment(Fatte Alberts) last year and it isn't considered a "downtown merchant"; but there are numerous Mexican food vendors one of which being Alicia's Cafe, where is there downtown restaurant located?
Monopoly is more than a board game folks.....

Maybe they can find someone less concerned with making a bonus and more concerned with actually promoting and encouraging growth in downtown, and maybe they can do it before everyone moves between 12th and 13th off lacey?

While they're at it would it be too much to clean up after your mess? there are countless kids with shirts "picking up trash" and holding clipboards but when its all said and done its a mess up and down main street. "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 5, 2009 4:13 PM:

" When you take competiveness out of the competition is it stil free marketing america? Whatever happened to United We Stand, divided we fall?

Downtown wants the support of all the residents of Hanford and probably Armona and Lemoore too, but they don't want them to participate with booths and hock their wares.

Dang, I thought that kind of control went out with Al Capone, next thing you know they will be charging protection money for the booths that are allowed. Come to think of it, when the mob went into Nevada didn't they call theirselves an "Association"?

Welcome to Hanford the "Biggest, Litte Segregated Community, In The World". We come complete with our own little Cast System, built right in. Where you can shop downtown but don't try and set up a booth of your own, or you'll be ran off the street.

To: dog food wrote on Jun 5, 2009 1:09 PM:

You bring up some very valid points. Points worth taking before the City Council, are these off the main drag participaters, paying a double license fee? "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jun 12, 2009 9:27 AM:

" To: dog food wrote on Jun 5, 2009 1:09 PM:

Why can't we do some hook 'em up leggings on some County Visitors and let them pick up trash and such after the TNMP? Let them earn some of that food they protest and order outside to get their food on. They sit in a cell block all day and do nothing but complain anyway. Give them a little fresh air and let them earn their keep. Of course someone will speak up and say but then you have to hire extra guards, no you have to have guards watch them even in the jail. The new natural gas bus could roll up let them board take them down town and when done drive them back to their homes, at Kings County Jail. That might work as a temporary re-entry program, until one can be established here in town. For that matter there is many vacant lots that need weeding, let the prisoners do it and send the property owner a bill in the mail. We have resources we aren't even tapping. "

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