Your tax dollars at work: Rita Duff's new house in the TIF district gets some KELO coverage:
But wait a minute: Forward Madison is using this project to grow the population? I know Rita; she's a Madison girl. We're keeping population, which is great... but growing? Is Dwaine giving us more LAIC-speak?
Oh well, I guess if it ain't negative, it's positive. Now, how about those sidewalks?
Some things sound nice but don't hold water. Best example is Dan Bohl's house listed at a very reasonable 89k (ironic I find since he supported the TIF). It's a desirable home, established neighborhood next to college, with character. Always loved that house. Why would anyone want a TIF house when you can buy a real home like that for much less than their target price?
ReplyDeleteDan's house sold in two days for around $80,000. Great price for a well-built home with double garage. Can't go wrong when your square feet cost is less than $55 a square foot including the lot. New homes are around $100-$125 a square foot. What is the affordable price these TIF District homes are selling for? I like having local builders, but wouldn't a Governor's Home be much more affordable, like about half-price for same square feet?
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of couples in town, myself and wife included, who could NOT afford the TIF home.
ReplyDeleteIf that home is intended for "low income" people, what group do the rest of who can't afford a 110K home fall into?
There are hundreds of homes in Madison that you can get much cheaper than a $100K. You might have to lower your standards a bit to do it.
ReplyDeleteWe do not have any significant growth in Lake County. We do have sprawl though. Why is it gov't job to provide new housing for low income?
I watched the KELO segment and LAIC Director, Dwaine Chapel said this program helps bring new families and new jobs to Madison. Rita Duff has lived here all her life.
ReplyDeleteWe have the highest unemployment rate other than the reservation, so who is accountable for creating jobs and bringing in new industry and retail?
The day will come when the cow will have use for her tail.
ReplyDeleteWho is the cow?
ReplyDeleteThe cow already uses its tail to swat flies when they come out, but in Madison, the cow is attracting flies, local flies who are suckling at the teet of Forward Madison donated money with no worry of being swatted by the tail. If we measure progress by moving existing firms around rather than attracting new flies, and if we ignore our loss of jobs and families, I guess we're doing okay. Reality will set in soon.
ReplyDeleteNo, anon. wrong. Nice attempt at completely changing the meaning of the proverb, though.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some things have to be totally obvious before people speak up. Kelo gave it good press without any scrutiny. Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a waste of time to stew about something that is not going to change. I'd like to see all of these people (or a couple?) who are so angry about things going on in Madison actually take the initiative to make a change. Criticizing what is already decided or finished does not change anything. Instead, invest your own time and effort into a project that you see would help the community of Madison. Don't wait for someone else to do so, so you can sit and watch, and criticize.
ReplyDeleteI respectfully disagree, Anon. Criticizing things that have been done wrong, even if those things are done and over and not subject to change, is an important part of the conversation that helps the initiative-takers figure out how to do things better the next time. The fact that some folks don't have the money or the political pull to initiate certain projects does not make them ineligible for participation in that conversation, does it?
ReplyDeleteI will respectfully disagree with you too, Cory. I strongly believe that one does not have to have money or political pull to take initiative (although it helps). If passion and good intentions exist, the person has the power to make change.
ReplyDeleteI've said before... criticism is healthy and is necessary for a functioning community. We've all heard the comments about the TIF, PAST the point of constructive criticism.
The obsession with negativity can be turned into positive power to make a change.
It sounds like the TIF program has people stirred up because the person who started it, Randy Schafer, hasn't put any money in to it. It is welfare for the rich and greedy. City gave him land behind his mall, City gave him $325,000 for streets, sewer, etc., and LAIC put up two new houses at no cost to developer, Schaefer. The rich get richer and we all pay for it in taxes. Not fair.
ReplyDeleteAnon:
ReplyDeleteI wish you many more happy thoughts!
If a person says the same thing one-thousand times, does it mean it's the truth?
Sometimes I say, "my desk is made of licorice." Maybe I need to say it a few more times! Mmm, yum!
It surprises me that K Ericsson would have a "desk" unless maybe K Ericsson is her father, R Shaefer, posing as someone else.
ReplyDeleteSeem to be pretty defensive, but offer no facts to back up statements.
How about a public meeting to discuss TIF funding and let others know the secrets of Madison money.
Oh my goodness! There have been meetings!
ReplyDeleteMy computer sits on a desk... though you're right, I should have said something else, like, "My foes are made of licorice." Much more tasty!
How rude of you to accuse my father of posing as me. Enough. This crazy talk and negativity will take no more of my precious energy.
Give yourself a big hug. We can all tell you need one.
I think Anon is just used to masquerading as different commenters, trying to turn her/him/itself into a majority. In typical childlike fashion, Anon assumes the rest of the world operates just like she/he/it does. Anon also continues to cower behind anonymity. Oh well. You and I disagree, K, but I respect your forthrightness, and your willingness to put your name to your words and take guff for it. The conversation would improve if everyone else rose to that standard.
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me Randy is too busy for blogging. The TIF issue struck a cord with me since I dabble in real estate, check HomeView twice a day, reviewed the housing study summary, researched TIFs, talked to the city commission and the whole thing didn't add up. Privately people would tell me they agreed but most didn't want to speak up (fear a loss of business, say kids in school get ridiculed, etc). So maybe Anon comments have their place and I use them often when a name doesn't seem necessary. But overall I was disheartened to loose faith in community leadership, our economic development efforts (or lack thereof), and again see that most people don't care unless it directly affects them. That said, Cory could remove the Anon option and see what happens. He gave "read more" a try (which I liked). John Hess
ReplyDeleteAnonymous comments, provided they are not abusive and slanderous, allow for an unrestricted release of thoughts about current issues. It is healthy community discussion. With Cory monitoring the comments, there is little fear of something slipping by that lacks accuracy or abuses the format. After all, what is the difference, if someone clicks Anonymous or if they click Name/URL and make up a name or initials. They would probably be similar.
ReplyDeleteBLT makes reasonable points. On the rare occasions when I nuke a comment, I do so based on personal standards of obnoxiousness. And even when a comment is offensive or unenlightened, sometimes the comment is just as well addressed by leaving it in the open where sunlight and scorn can kill it. And while I've been tempted to lock down the Anon option, I still fret that I would lose occasional thoguhtful insights from Anons while still not preventing snarkiness from folks with unidentifiable usernames (like BLT? ;-) ).
ReplyDelete