By: Diane Benjamin
The work session last night before the Council meeting was more interesting than the Council meeting. Alderman Sage had questions for the Council about the direction his budget work group should be taking. Code: They want tax increases, but didn’t want to look stupid bringing them back to the Council without permission. Since the majority of the Council didn’t object, expect them soon. Living “within your means” isn’t possible for government with an agenda.
The Bloomington City Council is a textbook example of why the State of Illinois is close to bankrupt. Spending can be justified on any whim brought to them. It’s just a little money and it’s a great return on investment! Even though Tari proudly accepted an award just months ago for his pensions funding plan, he’s now open to cut it back. Gee Tari, you really couldn’t tell that MILLIONS more per year allocated to pensions was a disaster? Will you have to give the award back?
The regular Council meeting was very short and nothing was discussed that won’t cost citizens money. At least two people who wanted to speak during public comment weren’t allowed. Did Tari limit public comment so the classless Hauman wouldn’t look stupid again for walking out if a rep from Cities 92.9 spoke? The work session before has discussions cut short because the meeting had to be over before 7:00.
Sage didn’t get all his budget questions answered. Hauman had to have time to present changing “words” used to describe the City. It reminded me of the Not In Our Town pledge, just slogans on a card that are meaningless. Renner is allowed to bully at will without a peep from the NIOT crowd. Tari wants to change the mission statement because this one doesn’t say what they want:
The Mission of the City of Bloomington is to be financially responsible providing quality, basic municipal services at the best value. The city engages residents and partners with others for community benefit.
Tari wants one that “shows a city on the move”.
Guess what that means! Your money is his because he is so much smarter than you. He can make things happen.
Sound like Judy Markowitz?
During the regular Council meeting there was a contentious exchange between Renner and Alderman Lower about downtown. Tari claimed no cities are successful without a vibrant downtown. He learned that from the US conference of Mayors. He didn’t say that conservative mayors don’t attend the conference. It’s nothing but an indoctrination camp for big spenders. That explains why the current mission statement just doesn’t fit.
A downtown hotel at taxpayer expense disguised as funded by TIF money violates the “financially responsible” part. Obviously it needs changed.
Two years ago when Renner returned from the conference of mayors he proudly proclaimed that he learned what millennials wanted, which of course was a vibrant downtown and the usual liberal garbage. What an idiot! He’s a college professor and can’t figure it out on his own? Let me tell you want they want. They’re young adults and they want to be free to make their own choices. They want a decent job to pay off their school loans and they want to move on (move away) to grow, to live, to raise a family. They don’t want to live downtown in the middle of the bar scene all their lives as though they are still in college. Although younger they’re no different from any other living thing, they want to be free.
I have a somewhat darker view of millennials. They are the Nintendo generation with a short attention span who have helicopter parents and receive trophies for participation. Many, especially those at IWU, are from well to do families and have had everything provided. Most have a sense of entitlement. Unfortunately, a lot of 18-34 y/o don’t have a job that pays well enough to afford the downtown lifestyle. And, the university students move elsewhere after graduation.
Of course you are entitled to your opinion and experiences but I will stick up for the many IWU students I have come across over the years and most are really decent kids.
I just attended the wedding of an IWU grad – he’s gainfully employed and a hard worker. He also got into lots of trouble with my son, much I still don’t know about. My kid says he will talk in about 10 years.
Alderman Burgess was more subtle with her jab at Alderman Lower. “$90,000.00 is such a small amount of money to investment to get a $500,000.00 return.” It is a good thing she is a lawyer and not an investment advisor. The downtown has 3 publicly funded “anchors,” and according to the association report, $400,000.00+ of public investment and $90,000.00 for the Downtown Association. Private investment is reported to be $500,000.00+. According to the Director of Economic Development, the return was $500,000.00 in 2014. There is an addition of 5 full time and 6 part-time jobs. Do the math and so me the return, Council.
As long as taxpayers pay the DBA head’s salary, why should the downtown businesses join and pay dues? If they are making so much money then they should return the money they already take.
That was the gist of Mr Lower’s point. There is NO positive return. Unlike other business “districts” in town, the downtown is totally subsidized.