By: Diane Benjamin
I don’t see video on either Normal or Bloomington’s website this morning. A sports complex wasn’t mentioned, the meeting was more of a “what we do” presentation by the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The most noteworthy thing I heard was the EDC calling for a County wide plan of incentives to lure businesses here. It would contain giving away “new” money when benchmarks are met, like number of new employees, investment, etc. Normal will never go for that one, it would eliminate the property giveaways.
The room was not set up for the public to attend. They had to bring in at least 50 chairs. Marc Tiritilli was the only Public Comment speaker. He got to talk about Connect Transit’s mission and the unfilled seat for Normal in front of a huge group of elected officials. I hope somebody has video, there were a lot of cameras in the room.
DON’T miss this meeting:
Since the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is on the agenda, the Sport’s Complex will come up.
Emails received by FOIA:
The complex is a DONE deal if YOU don’t stop it!
Remember when the consultant said it will never break even? I predict some history re-writing tonight.
These people are at least consistent in their refusal to listen to the public. They are seriously planning to hit us with $54 Million in more debt and higher taxes. A sports complex is not going to attract new businesses and jobs to the area. The increased taxation will do the opposite. How many more businesses and people have to leave the area before they end this non-stop spending spree? We have not even begun to start paying the principal on the Uptown debt.
Who is driving this complex?
Normal, CVB, plus other people who have no respect for citizens.
Bloomington’s in a huge hole with the BCPA and Coliseum debt…how much deeper does the council want to put us? Say NO!
So Pam lied when she said it not was being worked on. This is like the new busses. Or like a freight train coming at us while we are tied to the tracks.
It wasn’t mentioned tonight! Still a secret!
What a crazy meeting!! Can you believe they are still talking about the soccer complex. Thanks for giving us a heads up Diane! Nobody will cover the done deal Sport’s complex talked about tonight!
Nothing specific was discussed. It was more.of a showcase for the Chamber of Commerce, the CVB, and the EDC
What?!?!? there must have been some code only the elite insiders understood. Because you reported the facts. No doubt, they talked about soccer fields. Was pinky there? I’m sure she loves spending money on soccer! All they want to do is take our 💰
She was! I think only 8 were missing from all 3 boards.
Diane, you are right about the joint meeting. Must see TV. Grab the popcorn and beer because the liberals are gathering to steal more money for worthless projects and the voters will not be able to stop them unless you dump the current (with a few exceptions) councils . This farce of a show should be more than enough evidence to the people to get out and vote these idiots out.
There was just an article on line at WGLT local news about traveling sports not being great. So why do we need a sports complex?
Because some elitists see dollar signs – just like they did with the Coliseum
Then let the LIBERALS pay for it! Enough is ENOUGH! We need a sports complex like we need another EMPTY building downtown!
But, but the State Farm building sale is going to save us!
Leftists, not liberals. BIG difference. Kind of like the difference between illegal aliens and migrants, or guns and assault weapons. If the left controls what words you use, they control what you say.