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11. Catherine
    Member

    Yes Mike, you are correct about the order of the questions so far as I know so far. You must remember that 2 and 3 are NOT going to happen. They were thrown in as red herrings to scare people into voting for the TIF.

    The local govt would have to go to the people and justify their budget in order to get a property tax increase - something they have not done and are not prepared to do. That is why they want a TIF.

    Secondly, even though it makes no economic sense, they know the only reason the average villager supports development downtown is because they want retail (i.e. food.) They are trying to scare them into thinking they won't get that without a TIF.

    I wouldn't waste my time trying to take these questions seriously, therefore. For my own part, I am willing to call their bluff. I know Smith came up with the no retail idea, in my opinion in this same bad faith. But, if people recognize there is not enough money for village operations, they MUST take responsibility for WHERE it is going to come from. One can't simply object to everything. Why did they vote bonds off the table, for instance. Are we not about to pay off a bunch of bonds and to therefore realize a substantial freeing up of monies otherwise dedicated to interest payments. (I am no economist or financier.)

    Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 08:24 #

12. spatny
    Member

    Catherine - problem is, so few of our "smart, educated" citizenry have not paid the least bit of attention to this process, or to local government. Many is the meeting i go to and see only the few stalwarts who want to hear, first hand, what is being articulated. Most, it is evident, feel as Rhett Butler: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." And they don't. So they could be fooled by the "In lieu of" preambles. Sort of - "Vote Yes for the TIF or we'll raise your taxes." That is patently what they have done this for. Then, if they get enough votes - more than 60, they'll say, "More people want the TIF than said no to the projects, so we have a mandate." Blah. Blah. Blah. Watch for it, at a theatre near you.

    Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 19:41 #

13. spatny
    Member

    I meant to say, at a website near you.

    Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 19:41 #

14. Elisa
    Member

    Mr. Spatny,
    Don't underestimate the people. There are plenty of people who are paying attention who can not go to meetings. I am trying to be involved and informed, and I have only been to 3 meetings/workshops this year. I was at a party tonight and there was plenty of attention that was being paid to the subject. I think people do care - they are out there (on both sides, I'm sure), but people are taking notice. Have faith in your fellow citizens!

    Posted Saturday Feb 24, 2007 22:53 #

15. MikeT
    Member

    Fides et Internetatus !

    Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 02:02 #

16. spatny
    Member

    Well and good - but if people object to this TIF, or if they just think it needs more thought, or a concrete set of goals and a list of enumerated planned expenditures and a better explanation of how it will impact the schools and the CBD, then they need to come forth NOW and at the polls. There's another Board meeting tomorrow night, and the last workshop is Tuesday, and then there will certainly be a follow-up meeting, and we need to see more people get up out of their chairs and make the effort to slog through the slush to attend. Passive doesn't cut it. I saw people leave early the other morning who I knew didn't have a clue as to what this was about. How about a 5% turnout - one in every 20 - which would be about five times as many as are showing up now. That would carry a meassage.

    Posted Sunday Feb 25, 2007 18:23 #

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