In correcting the misstatements of my opponent’s letter to the editor, let me paraphrase Paul Harvey. Now I will tell you the rest of the story … that Frank left out.

Frank left out that it was not Greg Sparrow who committed DeKalb to approximately $2.3 million dollars for the rest of the Peace Road tollway exchange. That vote was taken in December 1997, a full seven months after I left office. But I am glad the council did it, because the exchange has helped make the Park 88 industrial center possible.

Frank left out that it was not Greg Sparrow who provided the developers of the old Northland Plaza with incentives. It was a majority of the city council. But I am glad they did it, because DeKalb residents enjoyed a great holiday season shopping here instead of driving to the suburbs.

Frank should have left out his statement that the goals of the Growth Summit are not being implemented. Had he shown up at last Monday night’s council meeting, he would have seen the council in action implementing the summit’s goals.

I understand that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon when things are going well, and quite frankly, economic development in this community is going well. But it’s a little hard to believe Frank when he says he supports economic growth and development and then votes against the county board’s resolution for Target’s property tax abatement.

Target will be the largest industrial development ever built in DeKalb, with a $110 million investment and more than 500 good-paying jobs. Within five years it will generate $3.1 million in annual property tax revenue, of which 60 percent will go to our schools.

Frank says he needed to hear what the abatement would be spent on before he could vote for it. My answer to him is, look at it this way, Frank: It’s an investment in our schools.

Life in DeKalb really has gotten better during my tenure as mayor, but I’m not trying to take all the credit. A lot of dedicated people have worked hard to make life better here, especially the city council and staff.

But I do hope that my contribution will be recognized and that voters will give me another four years to work with the team we have assembled and continue to contribute to DeKalb’s improving quality of life.

Greg Sparrow

DeKalb mayor