27 thoughts on “Cat encourages remaining employees to vote for museum tax”

1. Maybe Mr. Owens means competition is forcing Caterpillar to start worrying about their own share of the marketplace and the last opportunity to spend money they don’t have on something they don’t need. Stock down 70% it takes guts to ask employees still employed (maybe) to contribute to big egoes while other scramble to find jobs in Peoria that aren’t really out there.

   Oh, I forgot, this construction is all union. So the union is forcing people to join unions if they want a job and Caterpillar is asking people worrying about keeping their jobs to spend money they really can afford to spend for “museum type education”.

   I love the way politicians talk. They say the the government spends money like, say, “drunken populists” and then “earmark” $14 million in dollars they don’t have for something we don’t need.

   But after it is built, it will create new jobs. Security officers for the “underground” now $9 million plus parking garage.

   I hope I can live long enough to say “I told you so”. I’ve been able to say that about all my predictions except that I though by now one Bergner’s would close.

   Hope they keep the old one. In the meantime, create a new passtime; watching the potholes grow, curbs and sidewalks crumble and watch #150 continue to spend money for more administration.

2. CJ, this is your first posting wherein I think you’ve crossed the line into being cynical and mean spirited. It starts with the headline’s referring to Cat’s “remaining employees” and pretty much runs through your post. Calling into question which neighborhoods Cat group presidents elect to live in, not to mention where future transplants will someday settle, is getting rather petty. Do you know of some mythical, Fortune 500 corporation out there whose senior staff all reside in declining or dangerous neighborhoods?
   If you elect to burn bridges with Big Yellow, that’s your business. It’s not like Cat’s support for this project comes as some sort of a surprise. It’s easy to wish for a scenario where the south side blooms anew and our local underclass somehow vanishes because we decided not to build a museum. Wishing, however, will not make it so. More to the point, neither will misrepresentation.

3. Steve J — You may be right (about crossing the line). Maybe I’ll take the post down later after I think about it some more.

   But in my defense, I wasn’t intending it as a criticism of where Cat execs choose to live, although I can see how it would be taken that way. My thinking was this: There are a lot of people who choose not live in older parts of Peoria — not just Cat execs, but certainly including Cat execs. They don’t live there because these areas are, as you said, “declining or dangerous.” So, given that, what should we in Peoria be spending taxpayers’ money on? What should our priorities be? Is a new museum really going to make Peoria a better place to live for those who live in these neighborhoods? I would argue that it’s not. On the other hand, for those who live in neighborhoods that are safe and have well-maintained infrastructure, it probably will make the city a better place to live, because their basic essential service needs are already met.

   What I’m getting at is the fact that we need to make sure that the whole city’s basic essential city services are met before we start spending money on discretionary private entertainment projects like bringing an IMAX to Peoria. I really don’t wish Cat or its execs any ill will, but I think they need to be more sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate in the community. Even though it’s probably unintentional, arguments about how this is going to improve the “quality of life” sounds like little more than “let them eat cake” to those who live in neighborhoods with crumbling infrastructure and school buildings that have been vacated due to District 150 teetering on the brink of insolvency.

   And before someone jumps to Cat’s defense, I know they do lots of charitable work in the community and have given lots of money to schools and other programs that help the less fortunate. I’m not trying to take anything away from that; it’s commendable. Nevertheless, that doesn’t make lobbying for higher taxes to pay for a luxury when so many people are losing their jobs any more palatable.

4. Steve J-

   Thank you for addressing the headline – Those were my sentiments exactly.

   BREAKING NEWS: CJ’s Remaining Readers Find Agendas Increasingly Monotonous

5. good one Scruff

6. anyone have any clue what would make Widmer happy? He sounds bummed that one of Bergners didn’t close.
   What kind of twisted thinking is that? He is one of those that WANTS THINGS TO FAIL, he gets some sort of satisfaction out of it.

7. Thanks, Scruff… for being one of my remaining readers! 🙂

   Peoriafan — Did you read the part of Merle’s comment where he said he hopes Bergners keeps their old store open? That doesn’t sound like a guy who wants things to fail.

8. Scruff,

   Monotonous?!?!? This is BIG news! Really though… by April 7, it will [should] all be over. Then we can go back to picking on Aaron Schock, etc.

   Steve J,

   If C.J. didn’t write it, I would have.

   This ‘e-mail’ is crossing the line, and I dare you to tell me it doesn’t. I suppose the CAT employees [Team Cat] who didn’t lose their jobs, should be SO grateful, that their YES VOTE is in the bank [because the money sure isn’t].

   The person who sent the e-mail to C.J. probably wanted to remain anon. because HE/SHE was scared to death of losing his/her job! There are several people who post on this site anon because we don’t need the political backlash that comes with rubbing the ‘elite’ the wrong way.

   Last, and this has been discussed before, one museum will not bring the ‘future of CAT’ to Peoria. Proper schools, a well maintained city, low crime, LOW TAXES…etc.

   Don’t you know what location, location, location means?

9. Peoriafan,
   Do you like the Civic Center?

10. Personally, I agree with C.J.–and am pleased that he had the courage to question Caterpillar’s “thinking” and its plea to its employees to vote for the museum. I also agree with C.J. about all the good Caterpillar does and has done for this community. However, I fail to understand how anyone, in good conscience, can believe that a museum will enhance the quality of life in Peoria. I understand all the arguments about the benefits of the new global economy, outsourcing, etc., and also the demands made on Caterpillar by this changing economy. I understand Caterpillar’s desire to move some of its operations to places where they do not have to pay union wages, etc. I even understand that union workers in Caterpillars’ heyday received great pay and benefits (possibly exorbitant)–and, undoubtedly, as we are seeing now with banks, etc., the executives reaped that harvest, also (and probably continue to do so).
    Neverthelss, when Caterpillar began in the 1980s or earlier to downsize in Peoria, the quality of life in Peoria did go downhill. Peoria had, of course, relied too long on one industry. I would be curious to know how many of the boarded up businesses in the area suffered losses directly due to Cat’s withdrawal from Peoria.
    Again, I understand how and why these decisions were made by Caterpillar, but I find it disingenuous for Caterpillar to make a plea now to its employees to help make Peoria a better place to live. Aren’t a significant number of those employees (or previous employees) right now wishing that Peoria were a better place “to work.” Aren’t they, also, the ones (if they stay in Peoria) who will be asked to help fund this museum touted by their employer–as a way to improve the quality of life in Peoria.
    Many people, not just Cat execs–made the decision to leave Peoria behind. We can’t turn back the clock, but certainly no one should believe that a museum funded by public funds is going to do much more than further empty the pockets of taxpayers. No, the museum will not improve the quality of life in the places in Peoria most in need of improvement–and as those areas go, so goes Peoria (somehow I believe that is a truth that most people, thankfully not C.J. as a spokesman, do not believe.

11. Does CAT even allow political pandering like this in the workplace? I thought that on-the-job campaigning for this vote [or that vote] was against company policy. This is kind of ‘strong-arm’ tactic makes me wonder how far CAT is REALLY willing to go…………

    Yeah. A company the puts the thumbscrews to its employees like that is REALLY going to attract alot of bright, future prospects……… [the white collar kind, not the blue].

12. Now the Illinois Sec of Transportation is schmoozing the local ‘money’. He wants to let the people of Peoria know he is behind us. Does that mean it’s time for all of us to bend over?

    How in the world can he justify taking Ill stimulus money and funneling it into a museum the people of Peoria may not even want?!?

13. Let’s see, Merle doesn’t want the new museum/Cat visitor center to attract visitors and enhance development downtown, doesn’t think anyone would buy his home in the hot real estate market of Edgewild neighborhood even with a naked woman in his yard, doesn’t want to pay his property taxes as a County Board member so the city and county can fix potholes. Hmmm, something is wrong here. Be careful Peoria who you listen to and look at the messenger.
    Hopefully, CJ, you don’t listen to him.

14. Merle has a naked woman on his lawn?

    Sounds like something we’ll see in the new museum……?

15. Museum Block, Caterpillar Center

    Shopping analogy. 1. Pick up the apple and look at the sides, put it down, look for another with a clear skin. 2. Gem specialists tell us that a real diamond has flaws. So are we getting an apple or a diamond?

    I’ve spent time browsing around museums here and overseas. Seems to be a reasonable thing to do with vacation visits or idle time. School kids get ‘field trips’ to museums. All is ok. But Peoria already has Lakeview Museum. And Caterpillar already has a World Headquarters as well as a Track Type Tractor World Headquarters in East Peoria.

    Darned if I can understand making this downtown visitor center/museum a high priority. Beyond the bricks and mortar value, it seems both unnecessary and redundant.

    For the time being, a green park would be ok with me. And for the $17 per year, that is about 10 cups of Panera’s coffee.

16. Sailman, Merle doesn’t have a problem paying his real estate taxes. He just doesn’t want to be taxed on more than the fair market value of his home. Big difference.

17. Diane,
    Your last post was very nice. Good job.

    Question: Does having a [statue?] of a naked woman in his yard increase or decrease the value of Merle’s home?

    E.G. Dentino,

    “…beyond bricks and mortar value…”

    I like that……………………..

18. Hey Diane,

    I agree with you! I am curious as to what is your opinion, as a realtor, of what Merle’s home is worth in the hot selling neighborhood Edgewild, with or without a naked woman in the front yard?

19. I’ve been to museums in Chicago, Indy, St. Louis and New York. I seem to recall potholes, some sidewalks that were not in great shape, questionable neighborhoods and yes, crime. I would imagine these cities saw the value in building quality of life venues even when they had not fully addressed their basic services.

20. A statue in your front yard would be considered personal property and has no more or less impact on the value of your home than if you had a bicycle parked on your sidewalk.

21. Pat,

    Are you REALLY copmparing Chicago, Indy and St. Louis to Peoria?!?

    Do I even have to explain why that comparison is ridiculous?

    I don’t mean to be harsh, but too many people in Peo County seem to think PRM will do for Peoria what any number of REAL museums have done for the big cities in U.S. You guys are comparing apples and elephants!

22. Diane,

    Well, then what would Merle’s value be without a naked statue(I thought he meant a live one as quoted in the paper)? I’ve heard most of the values in Edgewild are in the range of $ 225-300,000 plus. A lot more than my home.

23. sailman-

    As far as home values in Edgewild, follow this link.

    http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Edgewild-Peoria-IL.html

24. New Voice,

    REAL museum? So if this were a bigger, better museum you would support it? What would make it real to you?

    Should we simply stop trying to be a better city? Is it too much to think that The Block could be another step, one of many more that will need to happen over time, towards a more progressive Peoria?

    Is it fine with you that we have to travel to have this type of museum experience? Is it fine with you that kids who cannot afford to make a trip to Chicago or St. Louis must simply miss out? It’s not fine with me. And neither is Ms. Alms suggestion that we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to fill it with dirt and cover it with grass…not very new urbanist and not very likely she will find anyone who will want to pay for that. And that’s a very expensive “placeholder” as she referred to it.

25. Pat,

    Most people focus on the financial/economic aspect of this project. I believe this project will become nothing more than a financial burden on the county, however my problem goes beyond that.

    There is NOTHING about the current project design that makes this a world class museum. A few of the obvious problems:

    Each of the museums you’ve seen in the larger cities were built and designed for a specific purpose in mind.

    Chicago museums:
    Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
    Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
    Cernan Earth and Space Center
    Chicago Children’s Museum
    Chicago History Museum
    DuSable Museum-African-American History
    Evanston Art Center
    Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center
    Illinois Railway Museum
    Kohl Children’s Museum
    Latvian Folk Art Museum
    Lederman Science Center
    Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
    Morton Aboretum
    Museum of Broadcast Communications
    Museum of Contemporary Art
    Museum of Contemporary Photography
    Museum of Science and Industry
    National Museum of Mexican Art
    National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
    Oriental Institute Museum
    Polish Museum of America
    Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at Navy Pier
    Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
    Swedish American Museum Center
    The Chicago Athenaeum
    The David & Alfred Smart Museum of Art
    The Field Museum of Natural History
    The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
    Ukrainian National Museum

    – The size of the proposed PRM building has gotten smaller over the years [the cost has gone up], yet the PRM must figure out a way to incorporate the Peoria Historical Society, African -American Museum, IHSA exhibits, Nature Conservancy, Lakeviews own collection of ‘art’ and stuff, permanent exhibits, temporary exhibits, artifact storage space, office space, bathrooms, janitor closets, book store, education rooms, etc, all into that one little building.

    How is this even possible? It isn’t. The PRM is trying to butter everyone’s bread, and in the end each one of these organizations is going to pay a high price. You cannot design a REAL museum that way, or pay due justice to each of these institutions that way. This point has been brought up before.

    Even if the museum has a 50-50 chance of surviving the next few years, that is to great a risk. These institutions will go down with the sinking ship.

    A REAL museum would have an on-site conservation lab/equipment. A REAL museum would have a staff with the expertise to manage all aspects of the museum AND fulfill its mission.

    What exactly will the PRM’s mission be? HEY! WE ARE WORLD CLASS BECAUSE WE DO IT ALL! Lakeview is an arts and sciences museum. Who there will manage and preserve Peoria’s history? Oh. I forgot. They plan to outsource all of that work………….

    The Peoria Historical Society is useless. Their houses are falling apart, the stuff inside is rotting, and not a professional historian among them. By the way, what do you think will happen to those houses when [if] the museum is built?

    IHSA? Well. Looks to be some cool exhibits, toys to play with once maybe twice…. Then what?

    African-American Museum is new. They need organization. They, like the rest of these institutions need to remain independent. If not, they [and their ‘message’] will simply be swallowed up by Lakeview’s new ‘monster’.

    As much as I would like to see Peoria become a stop-over for every tourist out there, it isn’t going to happen. Peoria is NOT Chicago or St. Louis. It doesn’t have to be. People want to come here to work, send their kids to a decent school, get away from the hussle-bussle [crime] of the big city………… If they want a world class city, with a world class museum, they all know where to go.

26. P.S. I would like to tell the PRM Group where to go………………….

27. NV: Exactly — there are many museums available for people to visit. Many taxpayers have asked the question … What is a WORLD CLASS museum? How does this project fit that definitiion?

    Pat: As for children missing out — children will miss out at the PRM too. There is community outreach from the museum into the community which is fabulous. Nevertheless, there will need to be a lot of grants (taxpayer and/or private) or other sponsors to be able to send the thousands of people who will not be able to afford to pay even reduced admission to this facility. There is also the 12 museum passes at the Peoria Public Library which allows a family to attend the museum for free — two week check out period which equals 12 X 26 = 312 families per year. If the pass is only checked out for one week then it will be 614 families per year. School districts are strapped for cash and so that option might also be reduced for field trip admissions.

    Pat: Making it a park is but one option — that came from the people. Other options have been coming forward from the people. We have received many suggestions from the people. No other options have been able to be pursued because Lakeview has had teh block under contract since 2003.

    Nothing can happen with the block until the do or die moment of the referendum vote.

    If the referendum passes then we stay on the same regrettable path.

    If the referendum is defeated, then the museum group has publicly stated that they have no Plan B, that it is over and that CAT is done.

    At that point the museum group and CAT should be gracious and terminate the soon to expire Redevelopment Agreement for the Sears Block with the City of Peoria.

    We need to work together. Let the process then proceed to build a better block.

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