From today’s Journal Star editorial:
You don’t need hindsight to appreciate that the locals are starting to get fed up with the city’s economic development practices, which include doling out substantial subsidies at the same time cops are being fired. In fact budgets say volumes about a community’s priorities. In fact the city’s debt service on its TIF districts has increased at double the rate of inflation during this decade, with potentially more to come through a hotel development Downtown. In fact City Hall’s history is rather checkered in picking subsidized winners and losers. In fact the council had ample forewarning that the MidTown Plaza TIF – which included the now-closed Cub Foods and a $450,000 bill for next year – was a dud; their own consultant told them so.
That’s just a taste — you really should read the whole editorial. Companion article: Main Street merchants struggle while waiting for action on revitalization plans.
It’s all about priorities. The city council didn’t bat an eye at raising taxes downtown to give a $39.5 million grant to a local developer to build a downtown hotel. But there are big cuts to police, road improvements, code enforcement, and snow removal, just to name a few things. In other words, risky economic development schemes that benefit a few people are a higher priority than basic services that benefit all. That’s not right, and it needs to change.
It seems everyone gets that except the Peoria City Council.
No one was more disapointed than I was when the Main Street traffic study was shelved. We need a slower Main Street; which is a destination, not a thoroughfare. We need decent businesses that recognize the advantages of having residents nearby and work together for win-win scenarios.
Everyone gets it except 10 members of the city council. Gary Sandburg gets it.
Kohlrabi:
Regrettably, I agree …. more on that ‘not getting it’ front … what happened to the management the Enterprise Zone? Would that make for a total of 60 years?
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x29009673/Traffic-cameras-guns-on-City-Councils-wish-list
– At-large City Councilman Ryan Spain is pushing for an extension of an enterprise zone’s life span another 30 years.
The zones allow for property tax abatements and the exemption of sales taxes purchased on materials used to make improvements within them.
Spain said the city’s enterprise zone expires in 2013. According to the state, 72 of 85 enterprise zones in Illinois will expire between 2013 and 2020.
“When that tool disappears from our tool bag, it will remain in other communities, and we’ll be less competitive as a result,” he said.
“Risky economic development schemes that benefit a few people” Isn’t that the whole raison d’etre of capitalism?
NO “Roamin'” it’s NOT. The govt. isn’t suppose to pick “winners and losers”. It’s supposed to provide “a level playing field” – ie. equal protection of the law. And see that everybody plays by the rules. When the City subsidizes one hotel, and, thereby, discriminates against other hotels, it’s not doing its job. In fact, it’s violating those other hotel owners and employees’ constitutional rights. Any it’s doing its misdeeds with our money. Capitalism is about providing what the market (ie. individual people making free decisions) demands. YOU vote with your dollars. When the govt. distorts the market but subsidizing a few well-connected developes, it’s not capialism. Frankly, its fascism.
PJS reporter Dave Haney also caught that District 150 also blew the budget! Interesting start of the article “An unrealistic budget…”. Furthermore the headline is misleading saying it was an $8.9 shortfall, yet in the the text he revealed that Operations and Maintenance had a positive balance, but only because of a one time transfer of $5 million from an investment account. So it looks like King Hinton really lost $13.9 million in his last year and had authored an unrealistic budget! I’m so glad you are history, Hinton! Lastly I have to wonder why the audit was presented last night at a BOE Meeting of the whole vs in a public forum that would be televised. Is that damage control now being practiced by the interim superintendent? hmmm
“Risky economic development schemes that benefit a few people”
– Sounds alot like a certain ‘museum project’……………………
CJ is taking a break from city council coverage so; I thought I would step in and do my best to cover our elected (and past) official’s use of Standard English and other embarrassing behavior:
How can they justify their criticism of District 150 when they are unable to speak well?
Here are some highlights:
•”ta” most likely “to” [portion of comment deleted by blog owner]
•”ya” most likely “you” [portion of comment deleted by blog owner]
•In the background we have past School Board President Alicia Butler [portion of comment deleted by blog owner]
Citizens to speak are well spoken and articulate – could it be they are so eloquent the council is unable to process their comments…further evidence we have work to elect others to the horseshoe.
One new citizen, a transplant from Springfield, Illinois ( also incredibly articulate)said she contacted the city council and has yet to hear from any of them. She should not feel singled out- as most all communication to the city council is ignored- perhaps our city council member are second cousins to those at Easter Island.
Brian McGinnis is working himself into a spitting episode- he cannot get the excuses and explanations of PDC’s practices out of his mouth fast enough. He is making up words as he goes. Good thing the city council does not have a transcriptionist seated- she would be befuddled.
•“git” otherwise known as “get” and “tippen” most likely “tipping” [portion of comment deleted by blog owner]
As always Gary’s comments are clear and based on an informed position. What a thorn in the side of the others who think they can sit there and nod their heads and vote yes without any understanding of the consequences of their votes.
Riggenbach is confused and Brian McGinnis is channeling him. He looks around looking for help….hummm no life lines yet????
[portion of comment deleted by blog owner]
They are now reading- total silence in the chamber- ok Spain is coming to the rescue and explains what they need to know-
Attorney Ray is waving his hand and quite possibly he will create some magic agreement, no, Gary Sandberg is going to make it less complicated and simple. Just recycle he says. Ardis is now going to bring the amended motion to a vote, but Spain wants the motion to be voted on separately.
The resolution has confused all of them with the exception of perhaps Gary. Gulley wants everyone to know the difference between special waste and non special waste. Ardis wants no further discussion and asks for a vote-he adds up the votes – whatever they are voting on fails.
Ardis says they are back at the original motion ( whatever that is) Ardis thanks the listening audience (tax payers) for their patience and the motion passes with Sandberg being the dissenting vote.
Gary and District 150 Interim Superintendent Durflinger are speaking with “all due respect” to each other (code for you are not on my page)- now Ardis is going to shed light and he explains the two units of government have had discussions. Ardis is now using prepositions, adjectives and adverbs wildly.
Durflinger is congenial and VanAuken is waxing on ad nauseum complimenting Planning & Growth Director Pat Landes as they discuss the plan for Lincoln School
Several agenda items have passed. Now the new city manager is speaking and I must say his dialect is equally disappointing. Perhaps they all should watch Denzel Washington in “ The Great Debaters”
Eric Turner is speaking and gosh darn it his son may have some of this happening to him- What? He says we all can’t go out to dinner or to the movies every night…what?
How is that possible even in the best of times? We do not have enough restaurants to satisfy even the least discerning among us…unless of course you consider fast food going out to dinner and if so …oh my goodness.
Spain is saying that and that and folks and folks and we are fortunate to have the “best” staff- you have got to be kidding????Jacob is going to excuse the actions of the council with “unprecedented” situations and yet they have been able to reach” consensus through whatever he sites and he goes on [portion of comment deleted by blog owner].
Spears is now all teary eyed and he laments the services in the city of Peoria are going to be less-Spears says “ the cuts are just not the cuts that are out there but they are real cuts” What does that mean??? OMG
Yes, they are our city representatives and they make policy that affects our quality of life and yes we do have reason to be concerned. Spears is now waxing on and on and on…supporting the budget knowing the citizens of Peoria will have fewer services than they had in 2009.
Ardis concludes the budget discussion and, of course, has to stick it to Gary as he waxes on about how hard this council has worked and explains the situation and he offers a public (yet false) appreciation of Gary’s efforts.
Ardis says this council is doing what all citizens are doing” cutting to live within their means” and he thanks the public for indulging him and the budget is approved.
Good night I am sick and tired of this dribble. I am going out tomorrow and buy a Maserati just to show living within your means is so Peoria…
George: Thank you for your coverage! 🙂
Yes, again, it was Gary sharing the details that the debt had gone up from 2….. % to over 11% and the rest who spoke were in denial that living above their means was the true problem. Other People’s Money aka yours and mine — and so the insanity continues.
It was sad that Mayor Ardis made any mention of Gary’s facts and percentages — it would have been better to say nothing at all. Wondering if the council has taken time to read — Leadership and Self-Deception and/or ….
The Arbinger Principles of NonViolence
http://www.arbinger.com/downloads/principles_of_non_violence.pdf
or
What We Are
http://www.arbinger.com/downloads/what_we_are.pdf
Gary — Thank you for championing the OMA violations!
George (TONJ) — Nice job! It was sad that Mayor Ardis needled Gary.
Gary thank you for your ‘OMA’ point of order! :0
George, I think what Turner was referring to was his son’s employment situation with Cat. Sounds like he might be laid off. The going out to eat reference was probably related to “living within one’s means”.
Mazr: Turner was referring to his son the police officer. Turner shared the same comments at the monthly Turner/Montelongo Breakfast Chat on December 3, 2009.
Come now, when’s the last time “the market” didn’t tell the people what they wanted? It’s corporate capitalism, it’s predatory, it owns everyone, including governments and Adam Smith has nothing to do with it.
George (TONJ) — Thanks for the coverage, however, please review the terms of use, specifically #5.
Maybe you’re a mindless robot, “roamin,” but the market doesn’t tell me what to buy. the rest of that post is just nonsense. Capitalism, like any human system, is far from perfect, but if you want a socialist paradise, try Cuba or North Korea. There the govt. definitely tells you what you want and what you don’t want, and you will like it or they will lock you up (or worse). You have to face facts. Socialism takes power out of the hands of people and concentrates it in the hands of a few, and power corrupts, absolutely.
CJ, you are most welcome and please accept my sincere apologies for violating #5, but heck considering how the city council gets my blood boiling 10 out of 11 isn’t bad…
Wow, George, just when I thought infallibility was the exclusive province of the Pope, here you are.
Nontimendum- The Pope?- Please do not get me started!!!
Did anyone notice this from the PJStar article on the move of Big Al’s?:
“Hotel developer Gary Matthews still has to finalize his $102 million Marriott Hotel project, but reportedly contacted Zuccarini to tell him to get prepared for an eventual move.
Matthews, on Wednesday, said a property closing on the hotel project is likely to happen by the end of January.
“It could be earlier than that,” said Matthews, president of EM Properties Ltd. “I’m very pleased with our positions right now.”
Matthews said the project’s private financing comes from five different sources, three of which are from local community banks. He declined to name them.”
I posted this on my blog, but I thought I would re-post it here. Has the council already approved this? And if not, why is Matthews so confident they will?
The redevelopment agreement that the council passed in December 2008 is still in force. The council doesn’t have to approve of his financing. As for Zuccarini building next to the Madison theater, I think the council has made it pretty clear they’ll approve anything he wants.
The redevelopment agreement that the council passed >>>> 10 -1 <<<<< in December 2008 is still in force. And at the same time and by the same vote, the Council raised the sales tax for the area around this "silver bullet" project.