Republican says she’d vote for the devil…
If you ever wonder what could be behind some of the decision making processes of our Toledo City Council members? This quote from the Blade article, New Marina District plan garners council support, TPS ire shows you how one thinks:
“I would vote for the devil in cloven hooves if it would bring jobs to Toledo,” Councilman Betty Shultz said.
Surprising considering it will not only cost the City more but could affect the City’s ability to do any future bond projects.
Originally the City of Toledo was only supposed to have to come up with ten million dollars for the park aspect of the project and in return Dillin would contribute ten million dollars and be given the 58 acres of property. Now, Dillin is only coming up with 3.6 million dollars rather than ten million and instead of the land being “given” to him with the value it currently has, it will be listed as it is being sold to Dillin for the 3.6 million dollars.
That’s as the deal stands right now as it has been reported, it’s changed several times as far as the amount and who’s contributing what. As it stands it appears 7 members of Council seem to agree with this, with Councilman Michael Ashford’s comment also being one that should be noted:
“It is $14 million to build a park – the city has enough parks it can’t maintain,” Mr. Ashford said.
Having walked by Highland Park and it’s now unusable pool facility earlier today? I’d suggest he’s right on that statement.
But for those that dream of expensive townhouses by the beautiful Maumee River and the myriad of shops that will appear with people boating down the Maumee River in record numbers, to them it’s obviously worth the additional expense.
There could be another appropriate satanic reference to this deal, “the devil is in the details.”
Seems her comment, at least to me, is a sign of frustration and or desperation.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:04 amTPS school board have no business making economic decision which they are elected to oversee the well-being the children’s education, school budget, staffing, and facilities, just as Bob Vasquez has pointed out. I think some of the board members felt compelled to feel like they have the “power” and decide to stall as much as possible IMHO.
TPS does not even receive any money from the existing parcels of the Marina District and they should by the Ohio Revised Code be very thankful that they get anything through this project unlike other states where schools does not receive funding from these type of developments.
With the growth of the Marina District in the next 5-25 years, it will bring in population, jobs, and tax revenue to the school; and it was greedy on TPS part to think they deserve more money. Sometimes in the real world, “any money is better than no money.”
Good riddance TPS board and I will be thinking of you when you are up for re-election.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:57 amTwo things:
1. When the city took control of the Acme Plant, they were given $4.8 million by Toledo Edison, which covered most, if not all of the environmental cleanup when combined with brownfield redevelopment grants. Selling the land for anything is a win as long as the city remains the first creditor.
2. If I were the mayor, I’d be doing everything I could to push TPS to the side in this deal. For the prospective residents of the Marina District, being in the TPS district detracts from the desirability of the property. Few, if any future residents will be putting their kids in the Waite feeder system, instead sending their kids to private or charter schools. Why the TPS administration thinks it is entitled to money from developments built in spite of poor test scores is beyond me.
June 15th, 2008 at 2:49 pmRockets Man, with all due respect, there are two parts of the “budget” equation for which the elected Board of Education is legally responsible, i.e. revenue and expenditure. The Board would be remiss in its statutory responsibility if it did not completely and thoroughly pursue the revenue part of that equation. Oil prices have affected us all, from gasoline costs to heating costs to the purchase of goods that have had price increases as a result of oil price increases. TPS is no different than the rest of us in that regard. Tax abatement to the Marina district (or anyone else, for that matter) decreases the tax revenue to the Toledo Public School District that might otherwise be forthcoming. “Any money is better than no money” is a cliche that just doesn’t hack it, IMHO.
Upgrayedd: You ask why would TPS think it is entitled to money from real estate developments. That has a very simple answer: the Ohio Revised Code. That’s the law, pure and simple. Real estate taxes provide the bulk of funding for Ohio’s public school system. There is nothing in ORC that ties school funding to test scores. Incidentally, another option of public school funding available under ORC allows school districts to collect an income tax if the school district places that option on the local ballot and the voting public affirms that option. TPS has not pursued that option and therefore does not receive any funds through personal income tax.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pmIt’s not wise to vote out of desparation.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:14 pm