When a percentage of sales and real estate taxes are the primary public revenue resource in a city of about 30,000 souls and the community spending economy is in the dumps, what's to celebrate?

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler answered these questions:
· Has today's poor economy reduced the city's major revenue?
· Is the city taking measures that benefit local businesses?
· Will that be self-sustaining long-range economic development?
· Are any of the U of W Storefront recommendations included?

All answers were, "Yes," adding, "In long-range economic planning my philosophy is, open guidelines and find a way to make it work," Sheckler said.

Life just doesn't get much better than when you're bringing home a promise for multi-million dollar local investments. Mayor Sheckler experienced one of those unreal moments - and it appears his feet haven't touched ground since. More on that story follows.

Meantime, Des Moines' financially hard-pressed local retail income is down about 30 percent. Business owners are working on new ways to cut costs and increase revenue. That's no easy task when folks don't have jobs.

The uniqueness of small local stores draws visiting shoppers. Consider Corky Cellars, Des Moines Drug Store, The Quilt Shop, The Print Shop The Cleaners, Kimberley's Exquisite Jewelry.

Historically, local business owners volunteer their time, talent and money to community causes. They need support.

The boomerang of tough times causes people to make lifestyle changes just to keep solvent.

A local insurance agent said clients are reviewing rates, changing to budget payment plans to keep insurance in force, cutting back non-critical coverage and not replacing extra cars. Insurance is a must-have.

Marine View Veterinary staff say pet owners seem to be cutting back on their animal's maintenance shots, not scheduling elective surgery or dental cleaning, and dropping prescribed diet pet foods.

Some decisions are heartbreaking.

When hard times come people need each other's support. Do you remember when local shops donated to your children's school and club activities? It's payback time.

Big warehouse stores are tough competition to small family businesses. Wherever you spend your money is where your tax revenue stays -- not where you live.

So spend your dollars locally first, where it does the most good. If your community is financially healthy, your property benefits.

Business owners are asking themselves, "Where's the city in supporting us now? We're not feeling the love. We'd like to see more city employees shopping and living here, more development, or at least signs that the city is taking positive action for economic development."

Maybe the rest of that story about Mayor Bob Sheckler's trip to China will shed light. This is not a "Once upon a time," story, although the ending seems happy.

Two years ago, Mayor Sheckler planned for a personally paid trip to China to be taken November 2009 to discuss possible sister-city agreement with officials of Changle, China, a coastal city in the Province of South China. Local investor Matt Chan, owner of property for development at 216th and Pacific Highway South, accompanied him.

As well as meeting with Changle Mayor Lin Wengang, about sister-city relationship, Sheckler also established a Highline Community College student-exchange program and encouraged interest to invest in Des Moines.

Chinese businessmen Zedong Ye, a property developer, and Mr. Zhang, an industrialist, saw the natural beauty of Des Moines during an earlier trip to America and liked it. During Sheckler's China visit, the investors talked about a hotel project.

Almost in unison the businessmen declared, "Let's build it in Des Moines!"

It would be a 330-room hotel with three in-house restaurants on property located at Pacific Highway South, near 224 Street. The hotel would be where the former Washington State Emissions Test building stands.

A Chinese advance team immediately submitted applications for building permits. Groundbreaking and work start could begin this summer on the multi-million dollar hotel project, if all goes well.

So it is-- people in China celebrating the potential of Des Moines, WA.

Is this the beginning of better times? Think how this project could attract new development and public revenue. That calls for community celebration assuming the money is spent wisely.

We can hope there's a construction site fence with peek-holes to personally watch progress, and believe this influx of millions inspires better times for all Des Moines tomorrows.

Maybe Mayor Sheckler's personally financed China trip has triggered a rolling ball that gathers no dust to higher financial goals in this Waterland City. Let the games begin!

Today's thought: "If you want honey, don't kick over the beehive." Dale Carnegie