Peoria County Board Member Merle Widmer is reporting that Caterpillar sent a threatening letter regarding the proposed Peoria Riverfront Museum (PRM) to all County Board members demanding “a positive response from the Peoria County Board by February 12, 2010.” The letter, signed by CEO Jim Owens and CEO-elect Douglas R. Oberhelman, went on to say, “Failure to move forward in a responsive manner will result in Caterpillar withdrawing its funding for a PRM and termination of our plans to move forward with the Caterpillar Visitor Center.”
The bullies are back, and they want action.
You may recall that this isn’t the first time that Caterpillar has strong-armed community members to support the museum. In December 2008, they sent letters to the all the county school districts asking them not to put a tax referendum on the ballot that would have provided desperately-needed funds to the cash-strapped rural districts who don’t have access to the Public Building Commission. Why? Because it would have jeopardized passage of the museum tax referendum which was slated to be on the same ballot.
So the school districts lost out on education funding, and the museum referendum passed, raising the sales tax a quarter of a percent. Even after all that, the museum group was still unable to raise the remaining private funds they needed, despite promises from museum supporters that the shortfall would be easy to make up once the referendum passed. The County Board had the audacity to insist the museum group keep their word and raise the remaining money before starting construction, which has delayed the project considerably. Also contributing to the delay has been an apparent inability to agree on the makeup of the new museum’s board and operational bylaws.
Now Big Yellow has turned its muscle on the County Board, giving them an ultimatum. The county needs to move forward — presumably with a contract between the County, City, and Lakeview — by February or else Cat withdraws all its funding and its plans to build a visitors center. If the deal falls through, who will get the blame according to Cat? The county! Yes, it’s all their fault the museum can’t get its act together, I guess. Cat even included this little gem in their letter: “Delays (by the county) have cost our community $5 million dollars in New Market Tax Credits.” Et tu, Feles? After all the county has done for you? After successfully shepherding through a tax increase in the middle of a recession that will contribute $37.5 million to the cause, you’re going to throw them under the bus for your failed attempt to secure more taxpayer money? There’s gratitude for you.
Well, the bullying is already paying off. Just a couple hours after Widmer published his post on the matter, he received an e-mail informing him that “all misunderstandings have been cleared up and the collaboration contract will soon be ready for the County Board vote.” It looks like Peoria taxpayers’ milk money will be dutifully handed over by the deadline.
Check Merle’s blog for the latest news.
I think this is a perfect example of why this project should never have gone forward. The fact that private donations couldn’t be raised for this project goes to show that there isn’t enough of a demand in the area for a new museum. This along with the divisive fight over the tax…
Quite frankly, Caterpillar should be pushing this! They laid out the ground rules, they said, if you wanna build a museum, here’s some money and we’ll build a visitors center. We checked around, found out there wasn’t support, and should’ve said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”. Instead, our leaders ran around telling us how we don’t want to anger Caterpillar, we don’t want them to leave…. All over a museum? Really? I’m honestly at a loss here. I have to agree, Caterpillar is not the bad guy here, our local governments are for not saying no to an unnecessary project that’s been hanging on for dear life since the beginning.
No, no, no Patrick…..this is a great project. This will make Peoria a destination city. Just listen to all those on here pre-vote heralding the next great thing…..and where are they now?
(cue the crickets chirping)
If and when this actually opens, look for the rounds of backslapping at the opening ceremonies by the usual suspects.
Maybe they could hire the laid-off policeman as security guards.
And don’t forget that Caterpillar is behind the charter school–I wonder what kind of letter was sent to District 150 board members, encouraging them to vote “Yes.”
here I am.
Caterpillar stock tripled in value last year… do you remember when I told you all that Owens was given 248,000 shares of stock, and to watch the stock price soar despite nothing exciting going on within the company? Despite layoffs and jobs being sent out of the state… or because of it, Jim Owens received a $10,000,000 bonus through that stock gift. He doesn’t give a crap about the county, or the museum, or education… he has his eyes on the PRIZE. It’s good to be King.
They practice the same heavy handedness at ICC as well… I presume it is the same at Bradley and everywhere the yellow hand reaches.
american gangster
My simple version. Whether you like CAT or not they do good business. They are looking at the program for the museum and seeing flaws. So they send out a little note that says if this is a real project lets get this show on the road, otherwise dump it and move on. CAT has always been smart enough to dump its losses and they may consider this as one to avoid. I think I would pay attention to their letter and take it as an advance warning of insight from a successful business. Unfortunately the powers that be that are steering this project haven’t a clue as to good business and that is why it is in limbo. Bite the bullet, say ‘we goofed’ and get on with life.
So what? Cat is simply saying: sh*t or get off the pot. It’s become rather apparent that the museum has become a back-back-back burner for the county and city, now that everything and everybody is broke, and the imaginery money for the museum is isn’t even make believe anymore.
I said it before and I’ll say it again, the Cat visitor center will end up on the other side of the river.
I agree with SD. It appears the project is floundering. Cat has money earmarked in its’ budget for this project which can be put to use elsewhere if this museum does not materialize. Cat continues to tighten its’ budget and is still facing flat markets in many regions of the globe – IMO, it has drawn this line in the sand in hopes that the deadline will not be met, so it can pull its’ money from the project.
Let’s face it, CAT couldn’t win or lose in this argument in the minds of many people posting on this blog. First CAT was demonized for “pushing” this project through. Now, even though CJ himself is constantly criticizing the progress of the project and CAT AGREES with him and demands some action to maintain it’s support they are bullies. Go figure.
Peoriafan,
Now that you are here…what next?
Reconstruction of Water St. begins April 1 with the intial construction on the underground parking deck starting few weeks later. The museum is going to happen.
Cameron: “…the museum has become a back-back-back burner for the county and city”
Really? All the city and county taxpayers have done is every damn thing the backers of this thing have demanded, including putting a sales tax on EVERYONE. The people who are dragging their feet are the donors that the backers insisted that they would find in order to get this thing built once taxpayers were put on the hook.
Feh.
Peoriafan,
AT LEAST you are the only museum supporter to speak up despite all of the ‘questions’ surrounding this project. AT MOST, we are still waiting for you to make your point. That the museum is “going to happen” is hardly a foregone conclusion.
Can I assume you are employed by CAT? Maybe upper management? If not, it is amazing that you do not resent being pushed around by Big Yellow like the rest of us. CAT’s only interest in this project is self-serving. They don’t even try to hide behind the “economic benefits to the entire Peoria area” facade anymore. I guess you have to respect their no ‘B.S.’ approach. No more sugar-coating. Do it or else!
IF this thing is built, CAT’s strong-handed bullying of the Peoria County Board [not to mention the people of Peoria County], is just ONE more reason I will never visit this museum. The idea that it was built on threats and misconceptions galls me to no end. I am sure that many will agree on this point.
If CAT told the County Board to take a flying leap off the Murray Baker Bridge, Merle would probably be the only one to hesitate.
How is CAT bullying anyone? CAT is saying either do the project that was brought forward, that seems to be in limbo, or we are going to invest our money elsewhere. CAT has a budget that has funds earmarked for the project and they are probablly sick of waiting on the county to make it happen. Heavy handed bullying. Wow thats laughable.
CAT isn’t bullying anyone. Imagine what this town would be like if CAT decided that their World HQ would have more class in Atlanta, New York, or Huston. And to correct a past comment; If CAT told the County Board to jump off the bridge, Merle would be the only one wearing a swimsuit. (Cause he’s been reading)
Peoria will never be a “destination city,” no matter what we do. But it is a city of interest and we can capitalize on that. On NPR the other day I heard a report about “Gang Tours” in LA. Maybe we can do Peoria cultural tours. This is an interesting, fascinating, historical place – the oldest city in IL. We should be able to cook up interest based on that. We have poverty, prostitution going way back, gangs, Richard Pryor, an awesome river, Grand View Drive, whiskey baron houses, warehouse district, CAT, art, music, an amazing Springdale cemetery, Laura Bradley park, and more.
Stephen,
If CAT has money budgeted for this project, let them build the visitor’s center stand-alone and WITHOUT tax payers money!
Tulip,
You are correct, Peoria has a storied history. Which is why leaving it in the hands of the people running this museum fiasco a CRIME! This ‘group’ of people have been ‘in charge’ of running Lakeview, the Peoria Hist Society, etc….. for decades. What have they done with Peoria’s history? Lakeview has NEVER been an history museum and never will be. The Peoria Historical Society has been a joke…almost from its conception. They were NEVER able to properly maintain or promote Peoria’s history.
Like C.J. wrote in an earlier post; you can bet your 1% tax that the people running the show, now and in the future, will be the same goobers who proved incapable of getting this project moving ‘forward’ after decades of trying. Can’t wait to see the members of the first Regional Museum Board of Trustees, etc………? Should be interesting [if not hilarious]!
“Imagine what this town would be like if CAT decided that their World HQ would have more class in Atlanta, New York, or Huston. ”
Let ’em go. This town as been addicted for far too long. It is time for Peoria to get to work and make itself a real city. It will never do it as long as it is afraid of Caterpillar. (I believe it is only a matter of time anyway before Cat completely leaves… 10 years, 20 at the most.) India is where they will go, or Australia.
Charlie – CAT has a long history in the community and much invested in infrasture. Let them go – fine, but I currently do not see what Peoria has to offer that would cause any other major employer to come and take its’ place. Be careful what you wish for.
“… you can bet your 1% tax that the people running the show, now and in the future, will be the same goobers who proved incapable of getting this project moving ‘forward’ after decades of trying.”
Those “goobers” got the tax approved. Somewhere this year I’ve heard that elections have consequences.
What have you done to oppose it besides bitch here?
nontimendum,
I was/am busy bitching everywhere! You know as well as I that the vote barely passed and that this project was mis-represented from the start. “Somewhere this year I’ve heard that elections have consequences.” Are you talking about good or bad consequences? Even people like you and Peoriafan are having trouble justifying this project now. Are you going to read all of my post[s] or just pick and choose? I guess you and the museum group have at least that in common…..
You must work for CAT as well.
Shouldn’t the county already had these agreements in place before they asked voters for a tax increase? I am not a fan of Cats, but I have to side with them on this one.
It sounds like the county asked us all last year to give them more of our money and they would figure out later, how they would handle it.
“do not see what Peoria has to offer”
I know you are kidding… right?
We have a workforce that made Caterpillar one of the largest companies in the world!
We were the greatest alcohol manufacturer in the world, we were the center of all growth and transportation in the midwest, we were instrumental in the invention of the automobile, we were the largest stockyards outside of Chicago…
We have become dependent on the pennies of charity dropped from Caterpillar’s pockets for far too long. Give us one example of a sacrifice Caterpillar has made for this city. EVERYTHING Caterpillar has done has been for Caterpillar’s benefit. Sometimes, it coincides with Peoria’s or Central Illinois’ interests.
New Voice the deal was a visitor center with the proposed museum project. Why should CAT build the visitor center if the county dosnt build the museum. No museum no visitor center. How dare CAT expect the county to actually follow through with their side of the project.
Great back to the vote just barely passed argument. Well when votes just barely pass I guess we should just throw them out. Thats how it works right?
Before you say I must work at CAT. I dont.
Mouse, no there would be several more that would not jump. This board is thinking BEYOND the just the funding of the “building” of a museum and VC.
Ben, No, $34.7 million was for the PRM. Part of the agreement with the county was fulfilment of the PRM Committee’s promises. These promises have yet to be met. Not even financially. New Market Tax Credits (really another tax on the taxpayer to be paid later on) were not now or ever the obligation of the county.
It appears now that Owens and Oberhelman may NOT have heard the “whole story”.
I’ve heard some crazy rumors–I’m sure they are just that–but I am mentioning them. That Woodruff might be turned over to the charter school–based on some work that is currently be done at Woodruff–not necessary for a soon-to-close building. Also, if the museum falls through, money could go to some other public building (schools??). Remember the museum wasn’t mentioned when we voted on the money to be set aside.
NO NEW MONEY FOR 150! Manage the money that you already have. Show something for that money being spent. Then yeah Ill get on board with that.
Stephen, I wasn’t advocating more money to 150–my biggest fear is that the charter school might get its hands on money allocated for the museum–if the museum doesn’t materialize.
Hell no more new money for D150. How about less money for D150!
Stephen,
If I follow you right…….you must be having some sort of break down? Maybe you could explain, since no one else seems to be able to, why CAT would need a museum to go along with their visitor’s center. The visitor’s center would be built for one purpose; to promote all that is great about CAT. I simply want to know what CAT’s vc has to do with the museum. Is there something else CAT hopes to gain by bullying the Peoria County Board into getting their [museum] act together?
Your argument that a vote is a ‘vote’ is ridiculous. Just because a slim margin of misinformed Peoria city voters voted for a slight tax increase, does not make this project right for Peoria. I mean really, Peoria has a bad habit of voting most of the same incompetent people into office again and again. The city is in the red, Dist 150 is in the red, layoffs all over the place, etc. Like I said earlier, CAT and the Museum Group has a long history of shoving this museum down the throats of the people…AT ANY COST. These people have an agenda.
At least when I write about misguided, misinformed voters, I can always refer people to your posts.
Stephen wrote, “Show something for that money being spent.” That is the same thing many of us have been trying to get the Museum Group/CAT to do for decades! Stephen must be taking a poke at the proposed museum. I knew we would get him to see things our way eventually!
Sharon,
Brilliant idea! But that is exactly why it won’t work in Peoria…….
I was totally against Bush getting elected, many people were, but he was still put into office even though the vote was really close. Should we have just thrown it out and elected Kerry or Gore? It was a popular vote and your side lost I dont understand why that is so hard for you to grasp. It dosnt matter how close or if it was a landslide. OK Sharon I agree with that. When I read your post it seemed to point that 150 should get its hands on those funds instead.
Stephen,
I hear what you are saying, but consider this…. elected officials are temporary. If we don’t approve of the way they or their party are running things, we vote them out of office. This tax is here to stay. If the museum goes bust [and it will] what will you do then? Raise more taxes to keep it going? Sure, we could divert the money to the schools, etc, but what will we do with a multi-million dollar building, designed for a specific purpose, move Big Al’s into it…?
Anyway, the vote has nothing to do with this anymore. The fact that the city, county, etc is still having so much trouble moving forward with the museum [despite the YES vote for new taxes], tells me this project is in sore need of ‘re-evaluation!’
P.S. I apologize for the jabs I took at you [or anyone else] earlier.
“I was totally against Bush getting elected, many people were, but he was still put into office even though the vote was really close.”
That is correct, he was PUT INTO OFFICE. There is legitimate doubt about whether he was elected by the people of The United States once, twice or not at all.
I have little faith in the results of popular vote counts.
“It’s not the people who vote that count. It’s the people who count the votes.” (Josef Stalin)
“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” (Albert Einstein)
NV:
You’ve got the wrong guy; I never attempted to justify the museum. In fact, I stated that I thought the economic impact forecast prepared by the Bradley profs was ludicrous. I support it just because I want to live in a community with a better museum and am willing to pay my fair share.
As an olive branch, I will pay your $17, too, and that of up to 25 others. You just have to swing by and mow my lawn once. That would require an hour of your time and suspension of your “bitching everywhere” campaign, but I’m confident you’ll use that time to think of the next thing to bitch about.
In my humble opinion the Visitor Center and the Museum would complement each other. I am not in favor of the museum as proposed because I believe the plan and the financial aspects are flawed. But if we are going to have it then we should have both of them to work together to draw more visitors and assistance from each other.
nontimendum,
Do you really have anything worthwhile to say? You would probably be better off burning your $17.00, or…. be ready to cough up more as time passes. Like I said, supporting that ridiculous museum is going to end up costing [everyone] far more as time passes. Can you afford that?
Aynway, what’s up your butt? Everybody who posts here has their ‘pet issues.’ You want to live in a community with a better museum? Move to Chicago. Otherwise, leave my tax dollars alone. Better yet, why doesn’t CAT, you and the rest of the museum supporters pay for this thing themselves? See you at the first board meeting!
nontimendum,
One last thing………….. If you read a post, the title of which is “CAT bullying County on museum,” what type of comments do YOU expect to find? I am sure by now you [and everyone else] knows where I stand on the ‘museum’ issue. Did you really think I was going to let this opportunity go by? Are you that thick? You don’t like my comments, don’t read any posts that have to do with the museum.
Besides ‘dude,’ don’t you have an issue you rail on about, or are you just content with the status quo….?
I’ll mow your yard for $17 bucks, nontimendum. I’m pretty curious to see who the heck you are 🙂
Though we may not agree on this particular issue NV your last two posts are spot on. Your ok taking a hand out to build a museum nontimendum?
Stephen, the difference between the museum tax and your proposed tax to improve your home and neighborhood is that I perceive the receipt of a personal, tangible benefit from the museum tax. I don’t feel responsible to you for moving into a neighborhood of crime where the PPD Armadillo has done a stint. I don’t have a problem with charity, but believe it should be reserved for the least of my brethren. From your comments here about your financial position, you could help yourself without a handout from me.
NV, what did I expect? The question is what did you expect? A chorus of 100 unquestioned voices against the museum? Sorry to ruin your party.
Ever played six degrees of Kevin Bacon? I play two degrees of New Voice here in recognition of how quickly you turn any topic into an inane rail against the museum.
“I perceive the receipt of a personal, tangible benefit from the museum tax.”
And what would that be?
I was a little shocked by your statement “I don’t have a problem with charity, but believe it should be reserved for the least of my brethren.”
Does the Least of your brethren include Caterpillar and The Museum people?
Does it include the Marriott and Big Al’s, The Water Street buildings and owners of the warehouses? Does it include AIG, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America?
nontimendum wrote,
“NV, what did I expect? The question is what did you expect? A chorus of 100 unquestioned voices against the museum?”
NO. What I expected was to have at least one question [about the museum] answered. I would like to have C.J.’s post addressed by some of the ‘pro-museum’ crowd.
I would dearly love to know what “personal, tangible benefit from the museum tax” you expect to receive, and please…don’t start rambling on about what an economic impact the museum will have on the area. Even you condemned the BU econ study. Are you privy to some insider info about this wonderful ‘stimulus package’ we call the Regional Museum?
Sure, I stick a museum comment in there on occassion, but most of the time I am being………sarcastic [and having a little fun]. There are plenty of people who regularly post on Dist. 150, local politics, etc. We all have our pet projects.
Besides, I don’t want to have to get nasty……………
Just read the J-Star…
“Among issues discussed included language that states nobody associated with a member organization of the museum collaboration group (MCG) can serve on the museum board for three years.”
“That is a very pivotal clause because it would preclude people who have the know-how to run a museum. It would preclude anybody from Caterpillar with valuable engineering knowledge because we are part of the MCG. It just doesn’t make any sense to us,” [Tim] Elder said.”
– What else can you say? People who have the know-how to run a museum? Just who would that be? 99.9% of the people ‘serving’ [and I use the word loosely] on the museum board have absolutely no knowledge of museums or how to run them. The same goes for CAT. I guess the writing on the wall has become even clearer. If you don’t run in our little circle of Peoria High and Mighty, don’t expect to be a part of the development process. These ‘people’ are bound and determined to maintain control of this thing.
Again, can’t wait to see the whose-who list of the first museum board of trustees…………… wonder if I will be nominated?!?!?
At today’s Peoria County Management Services Committee meeting, Chairman O’Neill announced that Governor Quinn would be in town tomorrow around 3:30 pm to sign the DNR ‘Grant’ funding $5M more of the museum project with taxpayer dollars instead of the private dollars as promised.
Illinois’ bond rating was downgraded to 49th, just in front of California’s 50th place. Illinois does not issue IOU’s like California! Illinois just does not pay its’ bills. Illinois state payments are months behind, record umemployment and and and we are still talking and taking more public taxpayer dollars for a want and not a need.
NV will you be attending the signing?
I will be there, but not as New Voice [obviously].
Well done Karrie.
Going as Stale Voice?
Charlie, you’re a confused individual. Read my post a little more carefully. At least I hope that’s the problem.
nontimendumb,
Yes, yes…I am going as “Stale Voice.” I suppose you will show up just to hand over a blank check….. I really don’t think my responses are bothering you all that much since you are obviously continuing to read this string of posts. I find it interesting that you are willing to give-in to this multi-million dollar debacle just because you are tired of hearing people “bitch” about it.
As for the comment you directed towards Charlie, you might want to take your own advice……..