A petition drive was launched today by Citizens for Responsible Spending, County Board members Brad Harding and Merle Widmer, and At-Large City Councilman Gary Sandberg. It’s an effort to allow Peoria County residents the opportunity to vote on whether or not to issue $41 million in general obligation bonds to construct the proposed Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Why? Because things have changed since April 2009 when the revenue to pay for the bonds was approved by the voters. Back then, we were promised they would issue revenue bonds, so as to limit the exposure of Peoria County taxpayers and protect our general sales tax receipts. Now they’re trying to issue general obligation bonds. Back then, they made it very clear there was going to be an IMAX Theater — the contract was just sitting on their desk waiting to be signed as soon as the referendum passed! Now they say IMAX isn’t compatible with their mission. Back then, the County assured us that they would insist that all the private financing be raised and in hand before construction would begin. Now they’re planning to start construction before the private money is raised, before vital grant money is awarded, before they own the land, before the bonds are issued, before the bond hearing is held, and even before Caterpillar has voted on the redevelopment agreement.
In short, the County has betrayed the trust of the Peoria County taxpayers. They’ve reneged on their promises. They’ve broken their word. Peoria County residents deserve better.
The last available option to residents is to gather signatures to put the museum funding on the ballot so we can vote on their real plan, not the bill of goods we were sold in the Spring of 2009.
For more information, or to get involved, please go to BlocktheBonds.com.
I is safe to assume this petition will available to sign at the upcoming blogger bash?
Chef: Absolutely!
Did someone just butt-post?
Amazing — I can see where all that “energy” i hoped would go toward working to make it a success if going to go to more spin and attempts at stopping the project. While you’re at it, how about a rally on saving the Pioneer Rail Line?
I’ll give you points for determination and commitment to your beliefs, but you have crossed the line (or are about to) to committing the same actions you “allege” and condemn the Museum Board for — spinning the message without a factual basis to support your position with statements like “Now they say IMAX isn’t compatible with their mission.” and contorting facts to show a mass conspiracy to defraud the public.
What the public approved was the following:
To pay for public facility purposes, shall Peoria County be authorized to impose an
increase on its share of local sales taxes by one quarter of one percent (¼%) for a period
not to exceed twenty (20) years? This would mean that a consumer would pay an
additional twenty?five cents (25¢) in sales tax for every $100 of tangible personal
property bought at retail. If imposed, the additional tax would cease being collected at
the end of twenty (20) years, if not terminated earlier by a vote of the county board.
All the detail on how to implement this are just that details to be worked out in administration of it not “promises to the public”. You all (or most of you) have acknowledged that the County could use these funds for many other purposes if it choose — they are not limited to the museum.
Find a new windmill guys.
Peo Proud: Here’s a FAQ sheet that was published before the referendum by Peoria County. It says:
And just in case there was any doubt as to what was meant by “revenue bonds,” it also says this:
And what about that $40 million figure? They elaborated on that, too:
I think I’ve substantiated the museum’s promises of an IMAX in a previous post. Those, sir, are promises. Promises to the voters. All of those statements were answers to questions that came from voters at town hall meetings.
Definition of “promise”:
Peo Proud — One more thing. I think all this “energy” you hoped for is indeed “working to make [the museum] a success.” The preferred outcome of this effort (speaking for myself) is that the museum would be redesigned in such a way that it is more affordable to build and sustain. The current plan is too big and too expensive, and relies disproportionately on the taxpayers. Wouldn’t you rather go forward with a better business plan for the museum? Why can’t we build a better block? Why shouldn’t we put our energy toward that end?
CJ, I getting worried about you, I have always been impressed with your focus about your various causes, even though I don’t always agree with you. But lately, the objections you have been raising seem as random and contradictory as what your contention(mostly correct)is about the 180’s the museum collaboraters have been caught doing. too. Is this your strategy, the shotgun approach if you will, to see if anything will stick and stop the museum cog? It’s interesting the combined city council/county board was 24-3 in favor of the re-development agreement and the 3 nays are aligned with you now. Are the other 24 all idiots in your eyes, then? Are you saying Caterpillar honchos are morons, also? (I don’t count the new PRM group, because they are obviously predjudicial). See where I’m going with this? There seems to actually be more support for this with the powers that be, than there was before. Will your petition signatures really be people against the museum or will it be peppered with people who don’t care for authority?(CAT and the 24 for example). If so, wouldn’t you be fueling the same bait and switch, that you and your latest compadres allege the power group is wrongly doing? If so, fine, that’s politics, but if you live by the sword, you might die by the same sword… ya’ gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em…(I got a million of em) Anyway, good luck with your effort. You have the right, that’s what’s really the best message here, no matter how it ends up, as if we don’t already all realistically know.
This effort is responsible and correct. The “powers that be” are badly managing this project and it is time for an overhaul. I fully support this effort and will do whatever I can to advance it. If the block is to be built , let’s do it in a manner Peorians can be proud of for years to come.
outsidethebox: First, thanks for the compliment. Second, I don’t see the objections I’m raising as random or contradictory. Could you be more specific?
Everyone has their own reason(s) for supporting or not supporting this project. I wouldn’t characterize anyone as an “idiot” or “moron,” but I would characterize their votes or their reasoning as misguided, foolish, and/or not in the best interests of the City/County in some cases.
The same County Board that approved these bonds also approved the language that stated voters could petition to have the bonds put to a referendum. Anyone who signs these petitions is abiding by the rules set forth by state and local authorities.
In 2009, museum supporters and County officials were touting the virtues of letting the voters decide on the sales tax. What’s wrong with letting them decide on funding the museum, now that we know more specifics? Why cast this effort in such a negative light? This could be a big opportunity for museum supporters to show how much popular support there is for the project.
The same County Board also backed FireFly to the extent of $3.5 or maybe more.
Ditto, the same City Council backed loan of $3 million to FireFly
ditto, the same City Council on GO bonds for the new hotel.
Much of the same City Council backed the now closed Cubs.
Both boards financialy committed the taxpayer to failed Globe Manufacturing, River Station, In-Play, etc.
12 union suporters sit on the County Board with Union bosses sitting being them at every meeting.
Note union man Bill Spears quiteness on the discussion before the vote.
Union bosses comment to me “we don’t give a damn what you build or where you build it, we need jobs.”
Dan Irving, salesman for Lincoln Office, major supplier to Caterpillar. Sales potential to both the museum and the Cat Vistors Center.
Discount Tim Riggenback. He told a mis-truth to the JS plus Tim has never seen a public dollar he wouldn’t spend.
Carol Trumpe, Steve Morris and Andrew Rand, all p;aced on the PRM boards, two as chairs.
Hmm.
Better, yet, contact our former Financial Officer, Erik Bush and see where he would stand if asked and if he still lived here. You might be surprised.
Then there is most important fact, the sometimes disastrous “herd” instinct.
Thanks, CJ and Merle, for your clarifications.
Here’s another point. I’m a resident of Chillicothe. Last year’s tax referendum FAILED in Chillicothe by nearly 70%-30%. 2 to 1 AGAINST. So, how do you think our County Board representative, Bill Prather, voted on the redevelopment plan? He, like the other lemmings, voted FOR it! Why? Why didn’t he vote the will of the people he’s supposed to be representing? And just what should those people do about it?
CJ,
I don’t want to circulate a petition, I just want to sign one. Where can I go to do that?
Paul
You know what? Those big wigs can easily afford to chuck the whole thing in a few years if this project fails. After all, when making 6 figures a year whats a few hundred here and there. To those of us who work 40 hrs a week, pay our bills on each payday, every bit helps and hurts when taxes are raised. The problem is the city has a crappy track record when dealing with our money be it MidTown or Firefly or whatever loan and lest we forget the big box hotel coming. So it’s easy for the big wigs to say; “Let’s take a chance and make this a success!”
I hope it’s stopped, but if it’s not, then I hope it works because when it fails, and it will fail, then we little people will be left holding the bag and the shakers and movers will have long since moved on.
This is moving on without proper thought and the process seems to change every day. All that is happening here is we are lining the pockets of and making happy the union bosses for the construction jobs, the big shots who have none of their money at stake but whom seem to have their hands in the till. Meanwhile, Joe Average Citizen pays the bills.
Sorry, but I don’t trust those big shots anymore as we are paying for TIFs and hotels, and loans that the big shots all said were “sure things”. So yes I will sign against this and hope it comes up for a vote and is defeated because I am tired of being crapped on.
CJ – as you and your cohorts continue this crusade, here’s another aspect for you to investigate. As I remember during the sales tax referendum campaign, the Museum folks made a big deal about the IMAX being open in the evenings to show Hollywood entertainment films as a draw for the general public to downtown. In fact, these evening shows were touted as a big benefit for the entire downtown area, as it was to draw folks to the Block and spin off benefits to surrounding area restraurants etc. Now I’m hearing that the Museum folks are pulling back on this commitment to evening shows at their “Large Screen Digital Theater”. That would be a major reversal and renige on a promise to the coummunity as well as the surrounding businesses. If the Block goes dark at 5pm, the City Council will obviously have gotten the bag pulled over their heads. Perhaps you could get Ransburg, Beasley or Richerson to write another letter that can be read into the record with some more waffling language on their commitment to their previous promises.
just curious at to what the professions of the group that started this petition are?
I know Merle is retired so I am guessing he has lots of extra time to research and study this stuff but the rest seem too young to be retired.
I know with my full time job I wouldn’t have time to be blogging and researching all day as I would be working.
Great point Jackie…..we should just leave it up to our elected officials to figure out the right way to blow our money.
You want to block the bonds, revote on it AGAIN,after we voted on it .. This is nuts , over and over we go thru this..We vote on something, then we have groups that want to it over.. Why? I did listen to the meeting last Tuesday, did you not hear the man in the blue shirt saying, he was taking his children to Chicago for a trip to the meseum..Why should we have to go out of town, do it again and when the vote for it again, Are you going to keep nick picking . This is an insult to the people who give of their time and efforts..
Jackie,
You obviously came into this argument a few years too late. Outside of the current Lakeview Museum ‘crew’ [and I hardly count these yahoos], what are the professions of the people currently pushing this museum down our throats? Politicians, local business men, union/constructions bosses……? Are you seriously asking that question?
MAMA [GULLIBLE] HEN,
1.) If I had to pick the most idiotic moment from that entire council meeting, it would be when that idiot made the statement comparing the PRM museum ‘wanna-be’ with ANY museum in Chicago. If I want to take my kids to a ‘REAL’ museum, off we go to Chicago or St. Louis. If we all want to find a way to kill an hour, maybe we go to PRM…….
2.)When was the last time ‘we’ voted on anything that was met with as much resistance as this PRM project? Maybe the [negative] reaction to this thing should TELL YOU SOMETHING!! Are you that easily swayed? Do you really intend to hand these people $140 million bucks?
3.) “This is an insult to the people who give of their time and efforts..” GOOD! The entire reason this petition has been started is because most of Peoria County feels it has been lied to, manipulated, and of course, INSULTED! That our local politicians and big money business elite think they can bait & switch at leisure, is an insult to every tax payer in Peoria.
I think this is awesome! It’s about time someone organized public opposition to the City and County government giving political payback to businesses, government organizations, and individuals. It makes me excited to see that the “little people” aren’t willing to roll over and play dead anymore. I am also happy to see the elites squirm and whine like stuck pigs, as the people start to organize opposition to their purposeful financial mismanagement and handouts to businesses and unions.
CJ and other leaders of this crusade beware: You are against ego centric people, who have power, and they are not going to go quietly into the night. You are going to quickly find yourselves in the cross hairs of the blue blood country clubbers. You are going to be mocked and ridiculed, and there is no doubt that you will be called fringe kooks. Stay strong and fight the good fight for all of us little people. Give’em hell!
Jackie — It’s precisely because we have to work so hard for our money that we are spending our free time trying to keep our elected officials from wasting the ever-increasing portion they confiscate from us in taxes.
And perhaps you should take some remedial civics courses. Participating in our democracy is generally held to be a good thing in America.
CJ- just out of curiosity what do you do for a living?
Jackie — (1) I make it a policy not to discuss work on my blog. (2) It’s irrelevant to the topic at hand. (3) Why should I answer personal questions from an anonymous commenter?
If you’d like to contact me via e-mail or by phone and let me know who you are, I’ll be happy to discuss this with you.
Jackie, several of us that are supporting the petition are professionals or retired professionals such as myself. CJ has a full time job and works very hard at it. Others work full time and as I said some of us are retired. I worked for 53 years and now enjoy my retirement and have the time to do research and support the things I feel are right for my community. I hold a doctorate so I feel I have the knowledge to be able to sort out the right from the wrong. And the plan for this museum in my opinion is wrong. It was flawed to begin with and it has only gotten worse. I say block the bonds. This is not the way to do business for the best interest in our community.
I’m no Constitutional scholar, but I seem to remember hearing some language somewhere about the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances…
A group of concerned citizens of Peoria County are assembling a petition to get a counter-referendum placed on a ballot. This is relatively common, and is the proper avenue to take. If there aren’t enough voters who care enough to sign the petition, then the vote never happens; if there are enough voters who sign the petition, then it’s at least a topic that deserves to be opened up to the vote of the county.
I’m not going to sit here and rehash all the reasons why I’m against the museum in this location — in fact, I think most of the dissenters aren’t against upgrading Lakeview Museum or redeveloping the Block, but rather we feel that the project as-is would be (1) too costly to us taxpayers; (2) a subpar use of the land in the heart of downtown; and most importantly (3) not living up to the hype that initially fueled the original referendum that passed by a very narrow margin.
If the project was scaled back into a massive renovation and overhaul of Lakeview Museum, I think you’d find much more support from the current dissenters.
The argument regarding the CAT visitors center seems to be a bit of a red herring to me; the visitors center can basically stand alone and does not need the museum to support it. After all, the oft-cited John Deere Pavilion up in the Quad Cities does not, to my knowledge, have a regional museum and IMAX theater anchoring it — in fact, what they do have anchoring the area is a convention center, sports arena, and an upscale hotel… so maybe one of the Civic Center parking lots would be a more appropriate location for the CAT Visitors Center and/or the Museum if Moline is indeed the impetus for this project.
Paul, and anyone else who would like to sign the petition can stop by The Book Nook at 6944 N. University. We will have the petition on the counter for any and all. As a side note, of all the fliers people have ask us to place on the counter this is in some regard the most unique. We did however agree to put out literature for the Build the Block people, now due to the overwhelming request of customers and in the issue of fairness we will put out Block the Bonds information.
C.J., don’t be shy. Tell them about your career in interpretitive dance.
I think we should offer up the Sears block for sale to John Deere. Maybe we can just offer them naming rights for the museum. We can always low-ball them and see how quickly the Big Yellow God makes a counter offer.
I’m confused. Because the museum isn’t the larger, more expensive one you were promised, you’re petitioning to make it smaller and less expensive?
Jackie: All it takes is the willingness to read the latest report dated June 30, 2010, prepared by White Oak Associates, the museum planning experts. (more than $552,000 paid to White Oak Associates to date without the costs for the latest report).
http://www.peoriacounty.org/countyBoard/files/get/Committee_Agenda_and_Minutes%2F2010%2FAugust%2F6+-+Peoria+Riverfront+Museum%2FMusagenda100806packet.pdf
Page 196 ….
“However, three separate visitor research studies have indicated a keen interest and recognition of the IMAX brand in the Peoria market, and the public already expects an IMAX theater. The attendance estimate for both the GS and the Museum as a whole are contingent on the IMAX brand, and the use of an alternative brand will result in significantly lower attendance, as it has with other non-branded GS theaters.”
WHY / HOW would “the public already expects an IMAX theater” be written by the museum planning experts in their latest report dated June 30, 2010?
Another small sampling on pages 172, 173, 174, 183, 195, 218, 219 and several other references show the integral role that the IMAX plays in the SUCCESS of the PRM.
Why pay that type of money to disregard their advice? And it is certainly okay if you want to do that on your own private $$$$$$$. IMO, with public $$$$$$$$$$, especially $41M plus plus plus, it is irresponsible and some might even say reckless.
My question to some person in the know, “when and who changed from revenue to GO bonding”? Was there a vote to change it/ who voted for the change? What discussion was held to inform the members of the group/board of the need for change?
Back in the late 1990’s Limestone Township was trying to build senior housing. The first go around the measure passed but some technicality or some complaint caused the Town board to rethink the project, they did and another re-vote was held.
The original vote used revenue bonding.
The Town board in order to save some money changed to GO bonding of the project. They did not file a complete notice in the paper as was required that informed the public of the different funding mechanism.
A big firestorm ensued and the next vote went down in flames due to a less than full discloser of the bonding changes. Public notice was incomplete and some wise individuals caught it in time to make the vote a real problem for the town board.
I wonder if the County Board has to follow a similar procedure?
“I’m confused. Because the museum isn’t the larger, more expensive one you were promised, you’re petitioning to make it smaller and less expensive?”
Nontimendum, what will $140 million buy you? The ORIGINAL plan as set forth years ago was for a history museum. LaHood put an end to that. The next thing you know Lakeview has taken over. Renovate an existing building for use as a history museum [you can include African American museum as well], allow Lakeview to expand its current facilities, and you have plenty of money left over. You still have a prime piece of downtown property available for sale……
Besides, $140 million is only a best guess. If the PRM sticks to construction budget, operating budget, etc, I will be shocked as hell. What kind of money are we really looking at?
PC: The Peoria County Finance Committee voted at the end of July to send this type of debt instrument to the full Peoria County Board for their August 12, 2010 meeting. The debt was identified as General Obligation Alternate Revenue Source Bonds. As Erik Bush (the former Peoria County CFO) is now the business manager for the school district in Bloomington, you would now need to ask the Peoria County Interim CFO, Scott Sorrel, who is also the Assistant to the Peoria County Administrator.
Nontimendum and NV … seems that you are arguing again?
Nontemendum: White Oaks report … at the above link ….
page 219 – Attendance at Selected Other Museums
Even though PRM will almost double exhibit gallery space compared to what is available at Lakeview Museum, the total interior exhibit sq. footage at PRM will be relatively modest. It has the smallest gallery square footage of the museums shown in the following table. The major driver of attendance and repeat visitation will be the IMAX 3D Theater and traveling and temporary exhibitions.
Another reference to the ‘major driver’ of the IMAX and changing exhibitions is a costly proposition from what the museum representatives shared at the town hall meetings.
Paul, Print off a petition sign it and then get just 9 more people to sign the petition and we will be 10 signatures closer to refereduming this museum.
First of all New Voice. I’m not Gullible, as you think, i have done a lot of community work thru out our community. I have a right to speak my mind. I also have worked with a lot of community leaders, representatives, i have watched both sides agree and disagree.. Its time to move past all B.S. We have already voted ..I n the end, if they want it , it will be done. Rich people can get it, i know because i have with them.Maybe you should run for office and show them how to do it..
Mamma Hen,
O.K. You may not be gullible, but your comments “In the end, if they want it , it will be done,” and “Rich people can get it…,” speak volumes. What kind of sense does that make? Because they are wealthy we shall simply refer to them as Peoria’s ‘best and ‘brightest’ [as if we haven’t heard that before]? We should just give in and let them have their ‘fun’ spending our money?
What are you reading… the “Social Darwinist Handbook?”
People like you and nontimendum have such short memories. Anti-PRM people are not complaining about a smaller less expensive museum, like nontimendum seems to infer. The current problem centers round the entire museum planning process. Like many of us indicated when this entire thing started, the ORIGINAL plan called for a PEORIA HISTORY MUSEUM; the possible restoration of an existing building [preferably a landmark]. We would have saved a ton of $, renovated an existing building, and still left a prime piece of real estate downtown available for [proper]development.
Nontimendum’s comment was ridiculous.
Your comment “Maybe you should run for office and show them how to do it..,” was just as ridiculous. How old are you…12? What do you do when you have a problem with ‘government’? Run for office…? Politicians run for office knowing full well what they are in for. [Most] know that at some point they are going to be held accountable by their constituents. We have been through this before. The next time you are zipping through the McDonalds Drive-Through, and they short you a Quarter Pounder… you can just go in and apply for the next Night Shift Crew Chief’s job…. Go show them how its done!
What next? Somebody going to start whining about anonymous bloggers again?
Originally we were supposed to have an IMAX showing first run movies after 5pm. Now I hear that may not happen. I don’t know if this means the museum will not be open at night but we were promised first run movies in the evenings. The local business’s on the riverfront were very excited about this part because it would help drive traffic at night. As was mentioned before this was a big part of the revenue they had projected also.
I was a supporter of the museum project but with the latest development regarding the first run movies I may not support the project anymore.
New Voice, you sound like Councilman Sandberg… When i SAID, rich people can get it. They understand our pain, side .whatever.. They live here, they pay taxes.. I have worked at fast food places around town. I have complain about things with in our community . I am 67 yrs. old ..I HAVE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE AND i want to see peoria grow. As a small child i walked to the river , when it was cinders. I enjoy our river front. If a city doesn’t grow, busnesses will go away, people will leave..
Mamma Hen: Exactly — we want Peoria to grow. We want a plan that will help to facilitate that outcome. This is not that plan. If the PRM wants to change the business plan and is using PRIVATE dollar$ — so be it. To have a vote, then switch what the plan is after asking and getting a $40M of PUBLIC MONEY and all the other public money from state and federal sources and to REMOVE the KEYSTONE = IMAX = major driver of attendance = major driver of REVENUE is well, a recipe for disaster. And they may very well get the job done, nevertheless, it will be a financial drain on taxpayers for years to come and require constant infusion of dollars. With the PRM only planning for 1% government support when the normal museum industry rate is 20-25% ongoing government support is well,… unrealistic.
The PRM has not kept their word. They have not met their fundraising goals at several benchmarks along this process. What makes you or anyone else think that they will be able to ‘magically’ met them now? Please ask people in the Arts Community as a whole, those persons who are not too scared or intimidated to have a conversation with you, about the dire and severely negative impact that the future continual PRM fundraising will have on the Arts Community.
People are leaving and the educational opportunities afforded at the PRM vs. the day in and day out educational opportunities of schools is really not comparable. The debt load at the federal, state and local levels is troubling … we simply cannot afford another flawed project to be ‘hoped’ to success. It will not happen in the real world.
Just because we keep saying that the emperor has no clothes and just because the PRM keeps denying that that fact does not mean that the emperor has clothes.
Mamma Hen,
Mrs. Hen, I agree with everything you wrote in your last post. Thank you for the complement though… do I really sound like Sandburg? Anyway, most everyone wants the same thing; to see Peoria grow, etc. We DO all live here.
I lived in this area all my life [little over 50 years]. I do not recall another issue that has been so hotly debated…back and forth…
Sure, people are passionate on both sides. This is exactly why this entire project should have been managed better from the start. There was little, if any, over-site from the beginning.
A number of council ‘people’ expressed concern over the IMAX! Oh to be sure… Ardis & Co. actually seemed to give a crap; asking all those ‘hard-hitting’ questions about IMAX, shady grant applications, the current financial situation, etc. Without having one question answered, or one concern addressed, the city council votes 9-1 to allow this travesty to continue!
Like I wrote earlier, this has been one of the most hotly debated issues since….? That is exactly why this project [and those connected with it], should have been placed under the microscope!
“In the end, if they want it , it will be done.”
In the land of the free and the home of the brave… we have a plutocracy.
At least it is good to see people admit it.
The City of Peoria is largely seen to have botched every possible downtown redevelopment plan. Casino and Embassy Suites jumped ship to the other side of the river. Gateway Building wasn’t the magic bullet that cured downtown. Riverfront Village already needs a (far too expensive) stair replacement because they did a bad job installing it, and most people think it was a waste of money. While Riverplex does attract people nightly, it does little to contribute to the rest of downtown. The Civic Center renovations (and, to an extent, the Civic Center itself), gave us a beautiful Civic Center in the heart of downtown, but at a high price that we’re still paying for and is far underutilized — prior to yesterday’s “Get Motivated” event, there wasn’t a significant event at the Civic Center since spring. A Hotel Pere Marquette renovation and expansion will somehow cost Peoria residents $37mil for a boring Courtyard by Marriott, and that project right now is stuck in the mud.
And with a track record like that, there are people who say that we should just kick back and let the PRM go through without extra scrutiny? Just trust the rich folks to spend taxpayer money on a new museum that will do nothing to stimulate downtown?
No one is arguing against this museum because they want downtown to fail. We’re arguing against this museum because we DON’T want downtown to fail. Like New Voice said, City Council asked all the right questions and got no answers and it still sailed right through. If our elected officials around the horseshoe aren’t doing their due diligence, that falls to us taxpayers to try to find answers and make this project the best that it can be. If it takes a referendum to block the bonds to kick the museum group in the pants and get them back on the right track, so be it.
It seems a lot of the comments are focused on the City of Peoria and their role in the PRM. In my opinion, the real focus needs to be on the County of Peoria – they are the one’s that are issuing GO Bonds and they are the one’s that are going to be responsible for payments if the project does not meet expectations not the City (it does not appear from current fundraising that adequate funds will be available to create an endowment to assist with operations). The most disturbing thing is that construction is going to start without all of the funding sources to complete the project being identified (or at least publically) – what if the money is not raised to finish, where does that come from?
The City of Peoria is contributing a valuable piece of property and any future cash flows that would come from it (along with the other taxing bodies such as dist 150, ICC, airport, etc) which is signifcant but the sale of this property for development would not cure all the budget problems in the City. This investment by the City maybe a good investment if the projections were to come true as the downtown would have more activity and should generate more sales tax revenue, increased property values and additional development.
I signed the petition today at The Book Nook on University. Easy as pie! I hope everyone who believes in what is right gets their name on a petition.
C.J.
Please clear, at least, my confusion, and maybe others, about the name of our website. The one on the literature we are passing out does not work on the Widmer computers.
http://www.blockthebonds.com
CJ,
Just wondering if you are doing this on your time or on the church’s time? There is, after all, all the moving business that is taking place. Are we, as members/parishioners paying your salary through our offerings to be Assistant Director of Communications or are we paying you to blog on church time?
Jackie – here is where CJ works – http://www.gracepres.org/about/staff_details.asp?id=28
DTaggart–maybe you should take care of your complaint somewhere besides on this blog–I have the feeling that C.J. is a very conscientious employee and that you are getting your money’s worth–how much would that be from your pocket? For whom do you work and on whose time are you writing?
thanks
DTAGGERT,
Well, well… how awfully ‘Christian’ of you.
Since you posted your comment at 10:27am, can we assume YOU are doing this on someone elses time [as Sharon pointed out]? If you are retired, go spend some time with your grandkids……..
Dtaggert, we’ll just assume you are one of the blockheads that stand to gain either financially or politically from the museum development. It would be hard to imagine any other reason for the viciousness. If you think you are making a stronger case for the museum project, I’ll beg to differ. We will hold you up as an example of one of the dirty corrupt powermongers in this town that will let nothing stand in the way of their raping of the taxpayer for their own financial gain. I used to support the museum, but will now circulate a petition to block the bonds. Your post solidified my decision. If this project cannot be built without integrity, it should not be built.
Public officials lying on federal apps, and then getting other public officials to excuse the lying is unconscionable. Now they go after the jobs of anyone who dares defy them! This is getting downright pathological.
For anyone who has read DTAGGERT post above, and is completely repulsed by his tactics, go here now,
http://www.blockthebonds.com/
Download 10 blank petitions, and carry them with you everywhere this weekend. Walk your neighborhood, visit your friends and family. Commit to 100 signatures by Labor Day. Make sure they are registered voters in Peoria County. There should be at least 25 – 50 regular readers of this blog who would be willing to get 100 sigs each. Show DTAGGERT that thuggery does not pay in this town. Thanks DTAGGERT or whoever you are (I’m sure CJ knows) for the shot of adrenaline. Who is in?