Lucente wrote:
Ohio Republiscum,
I don't think I am surprised by the action. I am surprised, however, that they would admit in a public meeting that they did not have time to study the deal but they were going to do it anyway. Usually they lie and pretend like they know what they are doing!
~tjl~
I don't think I am surprised by the action. I am surprised, however, that they would admit in a public meeting that they did not have time to study the deal but they were going to do it anyway. Usually they lie and pretend like they know what they are doing!
~tjl~
15 May 2008 12:08:30
Tee Cee wrote:
Yo, Mr. L., surprised by the unfounded spending in Lima or Allen county, "another day another taxpayer dollar".
Don't you think after the taxpayers supporting something that I don't think has ever finished out of the red they would want something that might turn a profit.
How many high dollar weddings etc. do you think DOWN-TOWN LIMA will attract?
Might want to get this berg safe enough to attract things like this.
Just what I would want, to walk out into a drive by shooting, or a 50,000 person protest march.
As far as the name, Veterans Memorial, I think (the last I knew) the only recognition to VETERANS is a plaque donated by a Lima Senior high-school class in memory of classmates killed in Nam! There was more recognition (by the city) to Sohio Oil and Furl Williams than to any vets !!
But that is nothing new for this berg.
I was told the name "Veterans" qualified them for state or federal help in building it, thus Veterans Memorial silly, oops civic center.
I never saw the first break, not a dollar off admission or anything for VETERANS.
The mayor is so desperate to find anything that might bring in a dollar he seems to be in favor of a casino. There you go ready made building. Bet that would bring in a few bucks.
The attached hotel, turn it into a brothel, then you could get the hookers off the streets and tax them.
Maybe I better stop, this all might start sounding good to some of the "lifer" politicians running this berg.
See Ya, good job with your column!!
Don't you think after the taxpayers supporting something that I don't think has ever finished out of the red they would want something that might turn a profit.
How many high dollar weddings etc. do you think DOWN-TOWN LIMA will attract?
Might want to get this berg safe enough to attract things like this.
Just what I would want, to walk out into a drive by shooting, or a 50,000 person protest march.
As far as the name, Veterans Memorial, I think (the last I knew) the only recognition to VETERANS is a plaque donated by a Lima Senior high-school class in memory of classmates killed in Nam! There was more recognition (by the city) to Sohio Oil and Furl Williams than to any vets !!
But that is nothing new for this berg.
I was told the name "Veterans" qualified them for state or federal help in building it, thus Veterans Memorial silly, oops civic center.
I never saw the first break, not a dollar off admission or anything for VETERANS.
The mayor is so desperate to find anything that might bring in a dollar he seems to be in favor of a casino. There you go ready made building. Bet that would bring in a few bucks.
The attached hotel, turn it into a brothel, then you could get the hookers off the streets and tax them.
Maybe I better stop, this all might start sounding good to some of the "lifer" politicians running this berg.
See Ya, good job with your column!!
16 May 2008 01:15:00
Lucente wrote:
Tee Cee,
Great Idea! Let's turn the Civic Center into a casino! I love it.
I also find it sad that the Civic Center, which is supposed to be a memorial to veterans, only has a small area set aside to honor our heroes.
~tjl~
Great Idea! Let's turn the Civic Center into a casino! I love it.
I also find it sad that the Civic Center, which is supposed to be a memorial to veterans, only has a small area set aside to honor our heroes.
~tjl~
16 May 2008 15:51:40
DERRINGER wrote:
Greg is absolutly correct. The Civic Center Board has no businss trying to run a banquet facility. That should be left the private business who know what they are doing. They can't even run the Civic Center at break even - that the least they should do.
20 May 2008 09:42:55
Lucente wrote:
Derringer,
Agreed. Unfortunately, Sneary seems to be the only county official who understands how the free market should work. More evidence that more businessmen need to run for office.
~tjl~
Agreed. Unfortunately, Sneary seems to be the only county official who understands how the free market should work. More evidence that more businessmen need to run for office.
~tjl~
21 May 2008 23:37:32
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County officials betray taxpayers, again
The only bright spot was Commissioner Greg Sneary's comments calling for fiscal restraint. Of course, he's just spinning his wheels when the rest of the county government machine wants to spend, spend, spend.
Board members voted 4 to 3 to lease the third floor of the former Schnorf Hardware Store building from the Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, provided the Chamber purchases the building. The Civic Center will pay $42,500 a year for the next 10 years for what will eventually (maybe) be a formal banquet facility, which they hope to rent out as they do other Civic Center rooms.
This was a bad idea for the Civic Center. It does not need any more room to rent. It can't even make a profit with the space it has.
However, putting that aside, members agreed to this abuse of taxpayers KNOWING that more research was needed. Board members and Civic Center Director Brian Keegan admitted they would have liked to have more time to study the marketability of the new space, but deadlines made that impossible. However, it's our money and not theirs so caution be damned. Would Keegan, et al., have made such haste if it were their own money they were investing?
I think not.
I am disappointed, again, in Commissioner Dan Reiff, who just loves to spend taxpayers' money. He pushed this deal hard. He has made no secret of his love for the Civic Center at all costs.
However, Sneary once again demonstrated his fiscal responsibility.
"Hypothetically, if this were to be something that was taken to a lending institution, do you think they would consider it to be a bankable piece? If not, that demonstrates the level of risk and need I remind you, this is not our money, it is taxpayer's dollars which is not to be placed at risk," Sneary said.
How right he is. Too bad Reiff doesn't understand that simple concept.
Instead of acquiring more space it doesn't need, the Civic Center should concentrate on becoming self-sufficient.
The county, for its part, should do whatever it takes to wean the Civic Center from the government nipple and sell it to private interests. If the market can't economically handle an entertainment venue such as the Civic Center, perhaps that real estate can be used for something more productive.
category | Big Government
author | Lucente