By now, you’ve probably heard or read about how museum supporters successfully discouraged efforts by county school superintendents to put a referendum on the April 7 ballot. That referendum would have been very similar to the museum referendum, only instead of money going toward a museum and big-screen theater, the money would have gone toward school facilities in Peoria County. Each school district would get a portion of the sales tax proceeds based on enrollment. Museum supporters decided county residents shouldn’t have that choice because it would threaten passage of the museum tax. You can read the letters here.
The Journal Star got reaction from some museum supporters.
“We met with school superintendents and in very cordial conversations decided it seemed to be a matter of timing,” [Michael] Bryant [head of the CEO roundtable and the CEO of Methodist Medical Center] said. “The superintendents didn’t have a plan or projects ready, when on the other hand, the museum’s time is now. After April 7, if the referendum doesn’t pass, the museum goes away.”
First of all, this is simply false. The superintendents did and still do have projects ready. IVC is ready to build additions. Brimfield needs a new high school. Peoria Heights wants to pay off bond debt which will lower property taxes in the village. And I think we all know that District 150, which would receive the lion’s share of any sales tax proceeds, has just a few building projects underway or commencing soon. I frankly don’t know how anyone could claim with a straight face that school superintendents in Peoria County “didn’t have a plan or projects ready.” Why would they even be pursuing this option if they didn’t have a plan for how the money would be used?
But secondly, and more importantly, there’s no requirement under the statute that the superintendents have a plan before asking for a referendum to be placed on the ballot. So the argument is a red herring anyway.
“The county made the museum a top priority in February of 2008 and started working toward the goal of finding a funding mechanism,” [County Administrator Patrick] Urich said. “We met with school officials last summer and talked about the path the museum was on and that it was first in line with the sales tax referendum. The fact that the museum group definitely had a plan in place and the schools had no definitive plan on how it intended to spend the money kept us on this path.”
What is this imaginary “line” to which Urich refers? The statute states that if school districts representing 51% or more of the county’s total school enrollment votes to put a referendum on the ballot, the county is obligated to put it on the ballot. The county is not the gatekeeper as Urich implies — there is no statutory limit on the number of referenda that can be placed on the ballot, and referenda are not placed on a first-come-first-served basis. There is simply no “line” in which to wait.
Anything the county had to say to the superintendents would have been advisory at best. And that begs the question: Why was the county meeting with the school superintendents? Was the county also trying to dissuade them from putting the school funding referendum on the ballot?
Bryant said school districts will have future opportunities to see if voters are willing to raise sales taxes to pay help schools. The museum won’t.
With all due respect, that’s the museum’s problem, not the school districts’. Schools should not have to take a back seat because the museum group has been incapable of raising the funds they need over the last seven years.
excellent reporting cj and karrie. it doesn’t take much to read between the lines of the letters and see the heavy handed tactics involved.
i still believe more investigation is warranted into exactly what groups were involved in developing abnd pushing buildtheblock, now congealed into the PRMG and whether lakeview, as a private entity, had to or will have to engage in competitive bidding for the contract to run/operate this publicly funded museum. seems lakeview et al have pushed for the necessary legislation, funded the ad campaign and as reward will get to operate the museum (if built). so in essence, private groups acting thru public bodies to obtain legislation and placement of a referendum on a ballot, and if passed, using public monies, will receive in hand-to-mouth fashion and in absence of public bidding, the end result. i don’t like it.
Excellent piece, CJ. Thank you very much and thank you to Citizens for Responsible Spending for gathering the letters.
In a word, this is outrageous and I don’t understand why the school leadership went along with this plan.
Again, if our Peoria’s schools continue to with the financial and performance problems they have recently had, the city will fail. The “Block” will have no visitors.
These myopic community leaders are taking this community down the wrong path.
If you want t0 know who the museum backers are, just drive thru the Norhern parts of Peoria and see where their signs are; same people who backed the great new library idea and placement thereof. We’re going to get it shoved down our throats whether we like it or not. Cats’ CEO hs one in his front yard on Prospect, figlure it out!
Yes, this was an excellent post that raises many questions these pro museum people need to be honest about. Doubtful that will happen. Also, CJ, caught you on At Issue on 47 the other night. Very fine performance.
There are lots of Build the Block signs all over town, not just the northside. Almost all on private property.
On the other hand I have seen the “vote NO” signs pop up on public right all over the north end. Must not have been able to find enough private property owners willing to put one in their yards.
The city usually goes around and removes them and puts them in storage for the owners to pick up.
There are “Build the Block” signs along 116 in East Peoria by the Par-A-Dice. Tazewell County isn’t eevn voting for this.
CJ – This seems like a mis-information campaign, which frankly, is beneath you. First of all, it is true that an attempt to pass more than one referendum simultaneously would likely doom all to failure. So is it really so dastardly that the museum planners point this out?
Secondly, as far as D150 is concerned, it has been your contention (as well as mine) that the root of D150’s problems have nothing to do with a lack of funding, but rather mis-use of the significant sourses of income they do have. Remember, that District 150 spends more than twice what private schools spend per student, with inferior results. Reading this post almost makes me wonder if you have had a change of heart. That perhaps you feel the problems CAN be solved if we just throw more money at them or build shiny new Mall-like buildings. In reality, its just an inconveniant truth. OMG did I just quote Al Gore? ( I will now go say 10 Hail Mary’s and an Our Father.)
Of course, we all know it is a mute point, and therein lies my basis for claims of mis-information. The fact is that an up or down vote for the museum will have virtually no impact on student achievement, and in fact, it’s passage could be a single bright spot in an otherwise bleak educational outlook.
Diane,
CJ and others say they aren’t opposed to museums, just this one. I don’t see that in their writings. They have attacked it from all different directions. I don’t think they would be happy with anything that was built there at this point. They would be much happier if the block sits empty.
This latest attack using 150 and school funding is just showing how desperate the opposition has become. It’s not even about the museum anymore for them. It has become an us against them mentality just like everything else from the Library, 150, bike trail etc.
They are just opposed to anything and everything. If the city is going to build new sidewalks it would be on the wrong side of the street and they would bitch about that.
Nothing is good enough and they always feel like someone is out to get them and there is some big conspiracy.
The rest of us are out there trying to make Peoria a better place. We really are.
“There are “Build the Block” signs along 116 in East Peoria by the Par-A-Dice. Tazewell County isn’t even voting for this.”
That was a smart idea. People that live in Peoria County do work on that side of the river.
I have seen Riggenbach signs all over the Heights. I don’t think there are any rules regarding where you promote yourself or cause. Local candidates TV ads and newspaper ads are viewed and seen by people all over the tri-county area.
Diane and peoriafan: r u 4 real?
quoting letters from the leaders is ‘misinformation’? And just how has D 150 “misused” funds? Please.
“They are just opposed to anything and everything.” This is an uninformed, lazy statement. Have you read the posts?
Portraying the letters as a clandestine disgrace is misinformation. Has anyone bothered to ask the recipients of the letters how they felt upon recieving them? Did they feel like they were being pressured? Or did they feel that someone was merely putting before them a valid “greater good” dilemma? Now THERE is a good investigative journalistic piece.
If the perception is that the public would acquiesce to only one referendum, which project would you consider to be the greater good? My guess is the response would be a split right down the museum for/against lines. I would prefer a centralized educational powerhouse rather than more money going towards Admins, contracts, new buildings, consultants… you get the drift. We all know that teachers will be wayyyy down on that list!
A vicious circle. Put it to referendum. Let the public decide.
I really don’t care how the recipients “felt upon receiving them.” The fact is such strong arm tactics are unethical. And no one can rightfully argue that putting a museum before public education is looking toward the “greater good.” It doesn’t make sense. Sorry, D.
No problem, T 😉
i will step in here and defend cj.
diane: its ‘moot.’ not ‘mute.’ a link to actual letters is not misinformation. those letters were sent. i doubt the writers wanted them made public. it doesn’t take much to read between the lines. but linking to them allows readers to decide for themselves. it is NOT true that two items of referenda will inevitably result in neither passed. that is for the voters, whose money is at stake, to ultimately decide.
You are either disingenuous when you state the museum supporters are merely pointing out what you (and they) wrongly claim as fact (that two referenda equates with failure of both) or naive. Letters on official letterhead need not be used if this ‘fact’ is so apparent; why even the need to ‘point it out’ if its true and obvious. The letters have a clear intent: back off now and we might help you get yours later.
Lastly, whether money will solve D150’s issues or not, is not CJ’s point (correct me if i’m wrong). His point is that schools should not be pressured, cajoled or even petitioned to take a back seat to a private enterprise. and make no mistake about it, this amazeum (As i love to call it) is a private enterprise.
Peoriafan:
i think cj (And i and many others) would be ecstatic to see anything built on the sears block provided it was not paid for with public monies. someone can build an alpaca ranch on the site for all i care, as long as its on their dime.
when there is an organized group pushing for the museum and a group opposing it, of course there will be some ‘us against them.’ i am happy that other citizens participate in government and (try) to keep it open and honest. they also make peoria a better place. you just disagree on how.
BLOCK the BUILD!
Clarification, please: I would say that the main reason (bare bones reason) for opposing the museum would be the use of taxpayer money, instead of private funds, right? I started paying attention a little late–so I missed all the earlier discussions and am too lazy to go back to read all the comments.
I need a little clarification with regard to the generic “facility” part of the referendum. Am I correct in saying that this has something to do with the state’s allowing this referendum on all ballots in Illinois–so every area has a different “facility” in mind. So did Peoria county make a choice between schools and the museum as the recipient of these funds? Could there have been more than one recipient? And is there any chance (unlikely though it would be) that even if the referendum passes, the “facility” to receive the money could change?
There! I probably really showed my ignorance on the subject.
I do believe that schools should have access to this money first because they can only be funded with public money whereas the museum could and should be funded with private dollars. We just don’t have enough Caterpillars to foot the bill.
Dr Thompson – It would be correct punctuation to capitalize the first letter of every sentence. The pronoun “I” should be capitalized as well.
OK, now that we have each other’s grammatical and spelling errors out of the way, please make sure that you don’t mis-quote fact as opinion and opinion as fact in your arguments.
Regarding intent, wouldn’t it be reasonable to assume that only the writer can testify as to his/her intent? And if you are so confidant that the intent was sinister, I would genuinely be interested in whether or not it was interpreted that way by the recipient of the letter. The clairvoyance skills of many of you should be featured in the Amazeum. 😉
Over and out for now… gonna go watch “Australia”.
interchanging fact and opinion is not a ‘misquote.’ it is faulty argument.
i doubt there truly exists one writer to each of the letters. thus, there is no one person to ask regarding intent. more likely the lion’s share of the content was written by committee. evidence: letters from different business leaders contain identical material and were sent en masse to local school leaders.
given the more than coincidental wording of letters from sundry business leaders, it is clear the ‘writers’ and staff of multiple businessses collaborated.
i have no issue asking each of the recipients about his/her feeling upon receipt of numerous, nearly identical letters with not so sublte bold or underlined portions from local leaders and museum supporters on company letterhead. i simply doubt any would risk ire by sharing his/her true feelings.
do you, diane, or does anyone, truly believe the letters are just to drum up support? inform people? politely ask education administration to wait in line? if such is the case, why did it take an FOIA request to get ahold of the letters? and why didn’t i, a resident of the county, get a letter?
enjoy the movie!
Diane writes:
It’s not misinformation. The letters speak for themselves.
This, from someone who mockingly calls others “clairvoyant.”
That they point it out? No. That they tried to keep the school referendum off the ballot? Not dastardly, but inappropriate, in my opinion.
First of all, Diane, I’m not arguing that a school referendum should be passed. I’m arguing that it should have been allowed a place on the ballot without interference from museum supporters.
Secondly, the school referendum would not have been merely for District 150, but for all the school districts in Peoria County — all 18 of them. I don’t think the other 17 of them should have to suffer for the sins of D150.
Yes, I personally spoke to several superintendents and they most certainly did feel pressured! Very much so. So much so that they wouldn’t even speak on the record for fear of retribution. So much so that they would tell me in private that they’re not going to vote for the museum referendum because they don’t think it’s in the best interests of their students and taxpayers, but remain neutral in public. They said they found the letters condescending and insulting and they didn’t appreciate being blown off. One of them was particularly irritated by suggestions that they didn’t have plans or projects ready — this superintendent gave me a litany of projects they have ready to go and concluded by saying, “I don’t know how these projects can be any more ‘shovel-ready’ than that.” Why don’t you call the superintendents and ask them how they felt, Diane?
Why guess? Why not actually put it on the ballot and find out? Why should Caterpillar, the Chamber of Commerce, and Illinois Mutual be deciding for us that we shouldn’t really get that choice right now? What right do they have to pressure the school districts to wait?
Well, that’s what I’m arguing. But apparently you only believe that about the museum referendum, not any other referendum.
Peoriafan says:
We have attacked this development plan from all different directions because it has multiple problems which are laid out in detail on our website, nomuseumtax.org. You’ll notice there that one of the criticisms of the museum’s plans is that they leave the block too empty; that there’s not enough urban density. That’s the exact opposite of your petulant comment that we would be “happier if the block sits empty.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
We’re desperate alright — desperate for truth and transparency. And it’s never been about the museum per se, but about this development plan and funding mechanism.
I was for the library referendum. And I’m for bike trails as long as they don’t displace active rail infrastructure.
So are we, Peoriafan. Specifically, in this case, we’re trying to make “the block” a better place. A place that will revitalize downtown. A place that will not be a perpetual drain on taxpayer dollars. Call us crazy.
While this makes for an interesting debate, it is a red herring that should have nothing whatsoever to do with one’s position on the museum itself. So the backers may have secured their place in line through some behind-the-scenes maneuvering; shame on them. Please forgive me for not seeing D150 having to wait until next time for more funds to mismanage as tragic result.
Tim Elder of Caterpillar
Michel McCord of Illinois Mutual Insurance,
Debbie Ritschel and Roberta Parks of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
What I want to know is if these people really speak for their companies.
Does Caterpillar (the stockholders) really support subverting the “sunset” clause on the tax increase?
“The 0.25% sales tax referendum could serve as a vehicle to fund capital expenditures for Peoria County Schools if the Peoria County Board decides not to sunset the provision after the museum bonds are paid off.”
Does this multi-billion dollar international corporation really believe that “The only viable avenue remaining is the 0.25% Peoria County sales tax referendum.”?
“for the past 8 years, a broad-based collaboration including Caterpillar, The CEO
Roundtable, West Central Illinois Building Trades, Lakeview Museum, Peoria Historical
Society, Illinois High School Association, African American Hall of Fame Museum, Peoria Regional Museum Society, and The Nature Conservancy have worked closely together on this once in a lifetime $136 million project.” Broad enough to raise $136 million for this once in a lifetime project? NOPE.
From Mike McCord … (Is this the same President of the Red Cross McCord?)
“Illinois Mutual and I are strong supporters of the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Experience project that is now referred to as Build the Block.” REAAALLLYY? How do corporations strongly support” something like this?
“Significantly, Caterpillar, who has generously given $56 million to this cause, has made it clear that the Caterpillar will NOT build the Caterpillar Experience if the Peoria Riverfront Museum does not move forward.” The Caterpillar letter doesn’t state this. Is it true or not? Is it an idle threat or is Caterpillar ashamed of their extortion attempt?
As for Ritschel and Parks:”On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chamber and the over 1,200 member companies we are expressing our strong support”… Since when does a Chamber of Commerce EVER speak with one voice?
I find this the key statement from all of them…”In the current
climate, we firmly believe that combining the museum’s sales tax
referendum with a sales tax increase to fund capital expenditures for
Peoria Countv schools would doom both efforts to failure.”
WHy? Because the public WANTS a new museum but doesn’t want to pay school administrators another dime? The last part might be true, but I think it much more likely that the public will approve a tax increase to go to schools (EVEN THOUGH A SALES TAX WOULD NOT BE THE VEHICLE FOR THAT) than to approve a tax increase to go to “The Block”.
Also note the admission that they are protecting $24 million on hand funds…. “with over $24 million in hand”…
“Our original intent was to secure the vast majority of the public funding through the federal efforts of Congressman LaHood and Senator Durbin and the State of Illinois though the strong bipartisan support of Senator Koehler, Senator Risinger, and Representative Leitch.”
And with a trillion stimulus dollars being earmarked for projects…. apparently our museum wasn’t VIABLE enough to get 1/30,000 of those funds.
CJ, As much as I’d love to go point to point with you, I don’t have time. Off the top of my head though, you call it “the school referendum”. WHAT school referendum? I’ve never heard of A “school referendum” before your post here. You must mean…”A school referendum that could have happened had the museum people not bullied the school superintendants into submission…”
You might not like my answer but if this is true, I say shame on them. If they felt their school needed something and they out of some kind of fear of retribution did NOTHING then I would suggest they sold out their schools for their own self interests. People put their careers and their jobs on the line every day to blow the whistle on “misconduct” and if they felt this was so inappropriate why didn’t they say something when there was still time to act on it? And before someone thinks I’m bashing school superintendants, I’m not. I’m merely questioning that they felt the “pressure” you attributed to them. It is hard to imagine someone putting the best interests of the school district they are paid to represent because of a few letters. It is more likely they reluctantly or otherwise agreed with the assertions in the letter.
In answer to your question “why don’t you interview them yourself”? As much as it might not seem like it, I do have a life. You are the one that thinks it is such a big deal. I don’t. I don’t have time to run around de-bunking every conspiracy theory you send down the pipe.
Diane:People put their careers and their jobs on the line every day to blow the whistle on “misconduct”
if it were only true… we wouldn’t have this economic mess we are in right now…. we wouldn’t have the wasteful spending in Washington, we wouldn’t have the layoffs at Caterpillar and we wouldn’t have the crime rates in the city we have…
it is one in a million who have the courage and self confidence to put their necks on the chopping block
It’s true we get exactly the government we deserve. There are more people out there than you give credit to, KCDad, that would be willing to blow the whistle so to speak. My hunch is you are one of them, and so is CJ.
Diane, Sharon:
As previously reported by Dave Haney in the PJStar. Dateline: Dec 11, 2008
http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x1982520141/Museum-complicates-tax-for-schools
Quotes from this article …..
As Peoria County officials determine specifics to a ballot referendum for a special sales tax directed toward a riverfront museum, some school officials wonder if they might be included in the equation.
Peoria County Board will still deciding to put the sales tax referendum on the ballot.
*************
Kinney, Elmwood School Superintendent Roger Alvey and some other superintendents said they wondered if voters might prefer a tax to help schools versus the proposed Peoria Riverfront Museum.
No choice for voters to decide the issue themselves.
****************
At least one superintendent noted the county also may be looking for funding for renovation or construction of a new Bel-Wood Nursing Home.
Sharon: To answer your questions —- public facility purposes as defined by this bill — provide governmental services to citizens including but not limited to museums and nursing homes.
If the referendum passes and the ‘museum bonds’ are issued, what would any extra sales tax revenue be used for in Peoria County? Peoria County Board Members have not decided those details to date. Another unanswered question.
***********************
Some school officials were handed previous plans showing money going both to museum debt and distributed to schools simultaneously. That scenario may be unlikely, Urich said, noting the museum has a defined plan, whereas there is no such plan that’s been offered by schools.
Taxpayers must love the defined plan for the IMAX. There is no contract with IMAX and over the weekend, there were two forums pieces, Barbara Mantz Drake and Joanne K. Glasser who make reference to “3-D IMAX-like theater’.
From the Music Man, Harold Hill would tell peole to watch their ‘phraseology’. When one is typing, it requires extra keystrokes to type:
IMAX vs. IMAX-like theater. Is there a different horse in this race?
***********************
Said Bergia, “Don’t just leave us out of the whole picture.” Sunseted tax and what to do with any left over monies — pay of museum bonds early, Bellwood, the jail or something else … who knows…
Sorry, that is what is happening. I have attended Finance/Legislative Committees for the past several weeks. I have heard Mr. Urich caution the Committee members about the use of this referendum. The county is not home rule nor does it have the ability to impose a fuel tax and that the county has other facility purpose needs such as the Bellwood nursing home.
At a recent County Facilities meeting, it was mentioned that the sheriff would like to expand the jail.
Move over Bellwood. And how would taxpayers pay for the jail? The list goes on and on ….. needs and wants.
Dr. Thompson:
To answer some of your questions — please use this Peoria County generated document as your point of reference…..
Reference: http://www.nomuseumtax.org/projections-optimistic/ and then click Peoria Riverfront Museum to download the 241 pages ….
*********************************************
Page 24 – Ownership/Operational Structure
???? Option 1 – Title to site conveyed by City to County; Museum constructed; PRM would lease the building; after bonds repaid, County conveys property to PRM for $1
???? Option 2 – If City retains title to the site, County would own building (this option would require more legal review); PRM would lease the building; after bonds
repaid, County quitclaims entire right, title and interest in the building to PRM for $1
********************************************
page 25 – PRM/County Financing Construction Agreement
???? PRM and County enter into a financing/construction agreement
???? Financing could include a guaranteed minimum price (GMP) for the building construction
???? County would issue revenue bonds for the proceeds, repaid over 20 years
???? County would require competitive bidding
???? County would appoint an owner’s representative to monitor and participate in the construction
******************
page 26 – PRM/County Management Agreement
???? PRM and County enter into a management agreement for as long as the County had ownership of the building
???? PRM would be responsible for hiring all employees; entitled to all revenues and responsible tied to operating the museum, including repair and maintenance;
???? County would have NO financial responsibility for Museum operations or the museum building
???? PRM would indemnify the County with respect to all such costs
???? Unique structure would not lend itself to competitive bidding
???? County would retain oversight rights
*******************
Many unanswered questions.
PRM
Who/What is the PRM? A corporation? What is the organizational structure of this entity? A not-for-profit? A 501 (c) 3? Who is the leader of this group?
——————————————————–
PRM/County Management Agreement
???? Unique structure would not lend itself to competitive bidding
???? County would retain oversight rights
What does that mean for taxpayers? County would retain oversight rights?
———————————————————-
There has been talk that the County would retain ownership for the building even after 20 years and not sell the building at year 20/21 to the PRM because of the ‘significant’ public investment.
If true, then the County would have expanded government services for ? years by continuing to quasi-own and operate a museum.
——————————————————
What happens at year 20 if there needs to be updates? Think Civic Center — potentially more taxes for the ‘make-over’?
_________________________________
“The County Board has put the museum as a priority, so that’s where their attention is today,” Urich said. I will answer this question at a later date.
So, Dr. Thompson, if you want to pursue the legal questions, it would probably be necessary to start a legal fund.
FYI: The ???? was really a square bullet point when I copied the information from the County document.
“that would be willing to blow the whistle ” if we thought ANYTHING would come of it… unfortunately, to “blow the whistle” at my job not only means I would be immediately dismissed, but I would also be prevented from working in my field ANYWHERE. And well, I may be willing to take that risk myself, my parents, my wife and child may not see that as a particularly smart move. Nevertheless, keep your eyes open for a crazy guy with a picket sign and a grading book in the near future.
THAT is the power of the wage slavery system… we MUST have money to survive and we do not control that resource. IF and when we step out of line the system can withhold or withdraw our access to that resource.
Karrie: “From the Music Man, Harold Hill would tell people to watch their ‘phraseology’”
Your point is well taken, but it was Mayor Shinn who delivered that line.
Diane,
With all due respect, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re arguing on the grounds of ignorance and pure conjecture, yet acting as though you’re on the moral high ground.
Read the letters. Talk to the superintendents. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do so, that’s your prerogative. You’ve obviously made up your mind and don’t want to be confused with the facts. Just don’t call me a liar and the superintendents cowards based on nothing more than your willfully-uninformed speculation.
Oh brother. I didn’t call you a liar. It’s called a difference of opinion. And these anonymous people of whom you speak can cry me a river if they are complaining now, behind the scenes and off the record, after anything can be done about anything. Will the last person in Peoria with a backbone please stand up. I agree to disagree with you.
Thanks Karrie and C.J. for good information. As you know, I came late to my decision to oppose the museum. Learning that this money could have been used for schools certainly added fuel to my fire. And, “No,” I don’t think District 150 needs any more new building money, but even I recognize that other county schools have needs.
Last Thursday at the West Peoria Residents’ Association meeting (with guest speakers supporting the museum), I did ask the question as to whether or not there is a contract with I-Max. The answer was “no,” but the group seemed confident that I-Max would be coming along if the referendum is passed. With no written promise, I wouldn’t think that it is a sure bet.
Again, I don’t always keep up. But I know that the state of Illinois is planning to raise taxes. How many more tax increases will the public be asked to bear in these economic times? I can’t imagine the average person saying “yes” to a tax that he/she can reject.
Diane, I told you I talked to them and they told me they felt pressured. You said you didn’t believe that they really felt pressured. So, if you weren’t calling me a liar, then I guess you meant the superintendents were lying to me about how they felt. That’s fine. Think what you want. We’ll agree to disagree.
I would like to add a quick follow-up point. I am not entirely comfortable with the “letter-writing” campaign either, but don’t feel it is relevant enough to significantly impact support or lack thereof for the museum cause.
In fact, my level of discomfort with the letters, is equal to or possibly less than the discomfort associated with the knowledge that those involved are only complaining now, and not at at a time that evasive action could have been taken. So in essence, by being mum, they were at least equally complicit in taking the choice away from the voters.
Therefore, in my tiny brain, it becomes a “wash”.
Who cares about all of the back room stuff that went on to get this on the ballot, it is there. If you want it vote for it, if you don’t vote no. This is all pretty simple but I think that those against it are feeling nervous about their chances of defeating this because of the nonsense they are throwing out there now. I am a resident of Tazewell County and don’t have a vote, even though I pay sales tax when I shop in Peoria. But, as I have said before, I will spend a lot less dollars in Peoria if this fails. If residents won’t invest in their community why should I?
Lying is such a harsh word, CJ. The circumstances can be attributed to numerous factors other than a deliberate attempt to deceive.
Vote Yes on April 7th!
Diane– And the circumstances regarding why the superintendents dropped the matter can be attributed to numerous factors other than lack of backbone or unwillingness to take a stand. And I would again point out that, of the two of us, I’m the only one who has actually talked to them. So I’m telling you what I know from the conversations I had, and you’re telling me what you think they might have been feeling based on nothing more than speculation. So, like I said, think what you want; it’s clear you have your mind made up and no facts are going to get in your way.
Leslie110– If the referendum fails, it will only mean that residents didn’t want to invest in the museum plan as currently presented, not that they don’t want to invest in their community.
“I will spend a lot less dollars in Peoria if this fails. If residents won’t invest in their community why should I?”
How exactly do you see this as an investment in the community? (BTW, your lame little threat is toothless)
Don’t vote at all. It is a colossal waste of time. Even when the vote goes against the tax, do think that will stop them? They have $24,000,000 that they need to account for.
BTW, anyone catching the TV commercials they are running now? How is that expense being paid?
Leslie110,
Sooooo. If the PRM petitioned Tazewell County for tax dollar support, what would you say then? What would the residents of both Tazewell and Woodford Counties have to say? All I can say is don’t shoot the messenger!!!!
That PRM [and CAT] have used strong-armed tactics is clear. As C.J and Karrie have mentioned so many times in the past, those of us who oppose THIS museum plan, have offered a number of alternatives to the current ‘blueprint’. The PRM has been [and remains] a closed circle. The PRM and CAT share the same attitude; it’s their way or the highway!
Last –
The PRM and Co. have mismanaged this project from the start. Should the citizens of Peoria County ever consider developing another museum project, I would suggest you [we] leave Lakview & Co. out of the picture. They have proven that they cannot develop and promote an idea that the ‘people’ of Peoria will support [or have confidence in].
Why would school superintendents want a referendum on a ballot that goes to vote during spring break when those with children will be more likely to be away?
kcdad: Thank you for the correction. Do the TV commercials still make reference to the IMAX?
Leslie 110: Backroom dealing is what contributes to the financial meltdowns at the federal, state and local levels which all impact our lives. More rosey projections for worthless projects which do not rejuvenate our community.
Let the process work without backroom dealing to increase the odds for special projects the wants vs. the needs.
County could have put the school facility purpose referendum on the ballot as it was already in the statute vs. the museum referendum which was still waiting to be introduced and then passed. County had only stipulated that they would look for a regional funding vehicle not fund the museum. Additionally, the museum needs to get the funding approved on April 7, 2009, if the referendum passes because the next election cycle is April 2010.
CJ: Agreed. If this project ‘sang to the hearts of the people’ it would already have been funded. The proposed museum competes with all other arts funding as well as the zoo and Children’s Museum and it will put a strain on all of the arts if approved as currently planned. And, yes Diane, I have talked with a lot of ‘arts’ people about this concept.
Scott A: It is due to the election cycle. April 7, 2009 and the April 2010 elections are the only election cycles available. The Superintendents first met on June 6, 2008 and the County could have actually put their issue on the Nov 2008 ballot but the County for whatever reason did not do so. At the town hall meeting at Kickapoo Creek Winery, the question was asked about this school facility referendum. The county’s response was that no ‘formal’ request had been made of the board. The County appears to have been waiting for the ‘public facility purposes’ sale tax referendum which was approved 11/20/08. I hope that helps.
Leslie,
The museum group has not ruled out going for tax dollars in Tazwell and Woodford counties. It has been discussed.
It is one thing to volunteer to put your livelihood and reputation up against the rich and powerful as I did. It is another thing to ask other people, especially those that are supporting a wife and kids to take such risks. When I was practicing law and going after many of the same people and friends of those supporting Build the Block, I had the luxury of not having a wife or children to consider.
I guess my point is that since I know what it is like to have a group of powerful people go after you personally, I am pretty sympathetic to people who want to avoid that and will risk being called a sell-out in order to maintain family stability.
There are days that I show up at my office and feel like a sell-out because there are people that I met, admired and whose beliefs I still share who are sitting in Federal Prison, because they actually spoke out against and sued the Federal Government while I stayed clear of those particular controversies/injustices. But then I go home and night and see my kids little faces and it occurs to me that if I had them when I was in my 20’s instead of in my 30’s I’d have probably kept my mouth shut for their sake and still be a licensed attorney.
Thank you, Karrie. That’s clarified for me. Curiously, what’s the issue with IMAX?
Chase Ingersoll, I agree. Unfortunately, the blogosphere is rough on those on both sides of the issue. Merle Windmere’s blog makes no bones about ad hominem attacks, and even CJ has had to retract some harshly made statements.
It’s bad enough that these museum maniacs want to tax people in Chilicothe and other places far away from Peoria to support their boondoggle.
Trust me, the Woodford County Board will not support our residents paying for the museum.