Continuing the TIF discussion
Submitted by Adrianne DeWeese on March 20, 2009 - 9:07am
Good morning everyone,
I've been reading the discussions back and forth about the IRMC TIF process, and I feel that I must offer one personal comment: To those who have continued questions and need more information than what has been provided in blog posts and published articles in The Examiner, where were you at the TIF meetings during the last two weeks? I understand that the first meeting wasn't the best publicized, but the second meeting, in my opinion, was well-publicized with several blog posts and three published articles in The Examiner. When residents pose questions or make statements at meetings, I report on their questions and comments nine times out of ten. I think questions are just as important to include in stories as statements made by professionals or committee members.
Blogs are great ways to include questions, but they certainly don't replace people attending meetings and asking questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions and question the process, but I think people should be willing to do so in person and not just hide behind a computer screen. Trust me. I am a fairly shy person, but my professional life centers around asking others questions and I'm OK with it.
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Nobody is hiding behind a computer screen. There are a number of us who, for one reason or another, cannot attend meetings, not because of shyness. Goodness knows I've never been accused of that. For us, the Examiner is about the only source of meaningful local information, and it has been woefully lacking in the past. As mentioned in an earlier post, because a question was raised about the incubator planned at IRMC, we gained more information in a day than had been available to us within the past year. We will continue to question. We might get answers.
Adding a bit to my last post: Even if we did attend these meetings, what purpose would be served? Typically, there is little if any public dissemination of the facts in the case, so we would be walking in with no knowledge of what is to transpire, making an argument (in 3 minutes or less) to a board that has had weeks of internal discussion, and most likely has formulated its decision prior to the meeting. It is damn hard to object or agree to any undertaking when you are not privy to what the undertaking involves. Obama often uses the operative word - transparency. We seem to have a large lack of that. I don't agree with everything our congress does, but at least I get to hear both sides of the argument so I can intelligently relate my feelings to my congressperson. That is not the case with local politics.
Transparency with Integrity should be what we expect from our local politics.
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Look at the attention and respect that people get at City Council meetings???
As Civil said U get 3 minutes on a stop watch and when it’s up the time Nazi screams out “TIMES UP”, AND THE ENTIRE TIME THE BOARD ACTS AS IF THEY ARE ON mars???
God bless Elias and Erin for coming as much as they do…
The truth is so sad it sounds funny. That is why my friends tell me to hit the road telling our stories.
Thanks Civil you said a mouthfull and then some. Out of all the answers I have found you help me the most understand. Thank You.
I feel the same way as you. I was out of town. I work 7 Happy day's a week. I try to go to all the meetings I can. This TIF project is my back yard. Wanting help for our people is why I want answers. The Blogs help me find not only more answers, but more people that think like me. Thank you for your Blog. You are right I should be at more meetings to find more answers. I plan to be at the next one. Thanks for your input.
The reason I subscribe to the Examiner is so I don't have to attend every single government meeting that is held. My subscription costs and response to the advertising in The Examimer pays for reporter salaries. It is the reporter's job to attend these meetings, serve as an impartial, professional witness and share the information we all need to know and that I pay to receive.
That said, if there is a meeting that I see as crucial, I do attend them. But a TIF meeting, where public financing is discussed, is only step one of about a dozen when it comes to a project. Quite frankly, there haven't been enough answers granted to critical questions I have about these projects for me to formulate an opinion strong enough to go down to city hall and make a stance for or against anything.
Currently my only opinion is that the TIF commission and city are set to pass the TIF financing for this project without having enough answers either. The one thing that does tell me is just about everything I need to know when I hit the election booth: our city government is either gullible, happy to be completely ignorant or in the pocket of developers.
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Again Adrianne I have to applaud U for Ur efforts to bring us the best up to date info U have.
I know I would be at the meetings if I could get there???
And when they have them in the middle of the afternoon it cuts out quite a few,
and face it most people don’t think they have any input that will be heard, so why waste the time…
That is one of the things I have been trying to do with the Blogs is make people believe they can make a difference if they take part…
The last election about 12% of the people elected our leaders here I Indep.
People just think local Gov is a joke of good ole boys who do what they want and nothing can be done about???
So a few of us have been fighting that, and we hope the next election will be different.
Mminnoe I pray it will be different. People don't fail they give up. That is what people do. That is why things are so bad. To many people give in and give up. I Love Your Fight. xoxox PS Sorry we can't get a bus to you yet.