Don't Be A Blockhead!

Last month, I received an e-mail from a friend who is currently living overseas. It was a message he forwarded to me regarding the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Obviously, someone in the Peoria area keeping him updated. At any rate, he thought this was something the Peoria Jaycees could become involved. Posted below was my response:

It would be better to "plug" to the members to vote AGAINST this referendum.  Here's why (the blue text comments are mine).

 

The Contemporary Art Center enthusiastically supports The Build The Block Campaign. We invite our members to “Be a Blockhead!” by supporting and donating to the Riverfront Museum project through www.BuildTheBlock.org

 

Don't believe the propaganda and if they invite you for some drinks, don't order the Kool-Aid.  You'd have to be "blockhead" to support this boondoggle.

Why is The Block so important to our community?

• The Block is poised to be one of the most important developments in our history, annually drawing an estimated 360,000 visitors and infusing an estimated $7 million to $14 million into our local economy. 

That's what they say now... the projections have changed as much as the wind changes directions.  And they are always based on unlikely conditions.  That's almost 1,000 visitors per day per year.  I recently went to Lakeview to see the Picasso exhibit.  There was hardly anyone there... and this was over the Christmas holiday when school was out.  What makes you think we need a bigger museum?

• The Caterpillar Experience, a world-class attraction, will not be built unless the museum is fully funded.

Cat's got money.  If they really wanted their own museum, let them build it... but not on the taxpayer's dime.  The city can give them a great deal on buying the underlying real estate and then bring in real estate tax revenue indefinitely.

• The 25-month construction phase of The Block will create our own economic stimulus package, generating more than 250 local union jobs each month and $1.8 million in monthly labor payroll.

After 25 months, then what?  Construction jobs dry up.  The museum may do well the first few months, then attendance will drop.  Then revenues drop but expenses will no doubt increase.  This museum will then be unable to support itself.  To survive, the museum will then need to be funded by taxpayer money... yet another failed project to be subsidized by you, the Peoria County taxpayer.

• The Block will provide an investment in our present and our future with hands-on learning and entertainment for people of all ages.

Is that so!  Kind of a high price tag for this type of learning.  I can probably learn more by watching the Discovery Channel or National Geographic.

What is the referendum for?

The referendum is for a Peoria County sales tax increase of 0.25% (a quarter of 1%) to pay for public facilities. The tax will close the gap for public funding needed to Build The Block. 

And this is because earlier, there was not a lot of support from private donations and the public to get this thing built.  So because there is little interest and support for this project, it is being forced onto the public by the powers that be because the powers that be want a museum.

How long will the tax be assessed?

The tax would begin on January 1, 2010, and will be assessed for no more than 20 years to pay off museum bonds issued by Peoria County. 

And then 20 years from now, they'll realize the museum cannot operate on it's own and continued subzidation will be required.  Like the $55 million Civic Center addition they built a couple of years ago to extend the HRA (hotel, recreation and amusement tax) tax because the Civic Center could not operate on its own, this museum will do the exact same thing.  This tax will never go away.  Peoria County citizens will pay for it every time they step up to a cash register.  Bend over.

How much will the sales tax be?

The tax would equal 25¢ on every $100 spent on select purchases. The tax would be assessed at Peoria County restaurants, Peoria County hotels and on non-titled, non-food retail goods. Titled goods such as boats, cars, or property will not be taxed. 

Oh yea, a little bit here, a little bit there... but it all adds up in the end.  Face it, we are TAXED TO DEATH!!

How does Peoria County sales tax compare with neighboring counties?

• Peoria County sales tax would increase from 0.25% to 0.50% You mean a 100% increase?!  OUCH!!

• Current Tazewell County sales tax: 0.50%

• Current Woodford County sales tax: 1.0%

And now for those who live in the City of Peoria... add in the city sales tax too.  Be sure you're lubed up for this one.

What should I look for on the April 7 Peoria County ballot?

Only one referendum will appear on the ballot. Below is the referendum text. The language of the referendum will not mention the Peoria Riverfront Museum, but rather "public facility purposes."

To pay for public facility purposes, shall Peoria County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales taxes by 0.25% for a period not to exceed 20 years?

This means that a consumer would pay an additional $0.25 in sales tax for every $100 of tangible personal property bought at retail. If imposed, the additional tax would cease being collected at the end of 20 years, if not terminated earlier by a vote of the County Board.

"Public Facility Purposes" is very vague.  Can mean almost anything.  And sure, this round of taxation will end in 20 years, but what's to stop them for initiating another one to take it's place?  They sure did it with the Civic Center.

What happens if the referendum does not pass?

The Block won’t have sufficient public funding to proceed. The project will lose all of the public and private funds already pledged ($67 million), as well as the Caterpillar Experience. 

Good!  Then maybe we can use whatever money we have to fix real problems, like our repairing our outdated and almost collapsed sewer system at a cost of over $100 million, or to fully fund our police and fire departments, or... the list could go on.

Note: I noticed in the e-mail message that public and private funds donated were $67 million. In the last week, I received a mailing stating $90 million was already raised. On March 7 in the Forum section of the Peoria Journal Star, a letter from Caterpillar VP Sid Banwart claims over $80 million. The numbers and figures on this project change so much, no one knows what to believe. This is yet another clue to vote NO on the Museum Referendum on April 7, 2009.