On the front page of the Wednesday October 10, 2007 Edition of the Wall Street Journal is a story about the Honda plant being built in Greensburg. This plant is the fantasy dream of our own DCDEI and our own Lawrenceburg Chamber of Commerce. The hourly pay FOR THE WORKERS will amount to a lot less than the average Dearborn County Income. But all we hear is moaning and groaning about our missed opportunities related to the Honda Plant which up in Indianapolis is joked about as the "salvation of Indiana."
According to this Wall Street Journal story Honda has been given, surprise, surprise 140 million dollars worth of tax breaks and "other incentives"plus about 50 million dollars of state funds.
For the benefit of pro development folks who might have difficulty in reading this story or understanding the source of these tax breaks and the statewide funds, this represents OUR TAX MONEY. Of the 50, million statewide fund. Keep in mind Lawrenceburg's gift of 10 million dollars to Greensburg.
Now we have a problem in St Leon in which our friend and neighbors all hard working folks or retirees are being forced to come up with thousand and thousand of dollars to buy into the St. Leon Sewer system, regardless of their need for this sewer system which will enrich the usual folks, the sewer company named EES and of course our developers.
The St. Leon Town Council in its RECEIVED WISDOM has issued revenue bonds to pay for this extravagance. They passed an ordinance which essentially forces anyone whose property line is within 300 feet of a sewer line to pay thousands of dollars to hook up to this outrageous system. Don't pay up to hookup and your house can go to a Sheriff's sale. Can anyone imagine that this kind of thing can happen in these United State?
The Chinese government is taking people's property for whatever use they wish but that is China not the United States. Seemingly our elected officials can't tell the difference between the governance of Communist China and the governance of little old Dearborn County Indiana.
Now for a measly few million dollars, as compared to the Honda giveaway the state could help these folks by buying buy back the sewer bonds and inactivating them. These bonds are the basis of the forced hookup. Buying back the bonds would relieve our friend and neighbors of this onerous uncalled for burden.
Will the state do it, will our own Honorable Senator Johnnnnnny Nugent try to help? Of course not.
Alan S. Freemond, Sr.
Jackson Township
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Think about all the other companies that may come in, concurrent with Honda, that the taxpayers can give tax abatements to?
That would be a real feather in their caps and money in their bank accounts of a small handful of "connected" developers!
As a taxpayer, I know I just cannot do enough to make few "politically connected" developers rich!
And apparently, these "connected" developers feel the same way:
The taxpayers just cannot do enough for these developers' bottomlines!
In fact, they believe the taxpayer should be forced, by their in-pocket politicians, to do much more!
I HOPE THE BRAIN TRUST FROM THE DCDEI AN BOTH CAMBERS OF COMMERENCE SEE EVERY IDEA THEY HA COULD TURN OUT NOT TO BE PEACHES AND CREAM
DO YOU SEE THAT MR.WEST AND MR. RUZO
"Will the state do it, will our own Honorable Senator Johnnnnnny Nugent try to help? Of course not."
If someone beat Johnnnnnny in the primary, he would immediately run as a Hillary Democrat in the general election, in an embarrassing attempt to remain in power!
With our local Republican Leadership clapping in approval on the sidelines, in their usual "limp-wristed" fashion!
While Ewbank and Company smile smugly off in the shadows in gleeful anticipation as their "bought boy" does his best to remain in his subservient position of taking care of his "Betters!"
Remember what Nugent told Dennerline as far as what the DCRSD should do:
"THEY SHOULD START OFF SMALL, FIX HIGH RIDGE AND SEWER GABBARD ESTATES."
Start off stealing only a few million dollars from the taxpayers to finance Gabbard Estate's sewers!
Maybe the taxpayers will not notice, or at least, the DCRSD can sue the initial taxpayer complainers into submission before they raise too much of a fuss!
Johnny Nugent to Frank Linkmeyer:
"Frank, you are my type of Republican!!!!!"
"Maybe the taxpayers will not notice, or at least, the DCRSD can sue the initial taxpayer complainers into submission before they raise too much of a fuss!
Berating citizen/taxpayers into submission for the sake of one of Developments' “Chosen Ones” leaves the DCRSD's patronage hire secretary all giddy and lightheaded!!!
I heard Nugent is blaming this summer's drought and accordingly downturn relative to the sale of Cub Cadets on "Do Nothings" and "Anti-everythings!"
In no uncertain terms, he has made it abundantly clear to Liz Morris to get some flyers together with the appropriate "Do Something Democrats" to run against all those "Anti-Rain" Republicans!
I guess West cannot sell Dearborn County without millions of $ of State and local money for abatements and handouts.
Maybe they should fire West and use his salary to "buy" companies into coming to Dearborn County.
We need to "expand" our tax base by giving our tax base away.
Again, the DCEDI's only goal is to promote and insure the profits of handful of "politically connected" Development Interests in this County.
Jim West scolds landowners for wanting more dollars for their land...
...because it gets in the way of the Developers in making more on these landowners' land!!!
We must all accept and expect less in order for DCEDI members to reap more!!!
Maybe the term "Do Nothings" should be altered to "Not Willing To Do Enough For Our Development Masters?"
The NWTDEFODM!
Look for, the NWTDEFODM label, when you are buying the next load of BS from the DCEDI, the Chamber and the Chamber Boys, Fox and Hughes!
HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF THIS NOVEL IDEA? How about spending economic development money within this community of Dearborn County to keep the businesses open that are here now? Why not offer businesses struggling to keep their doors open with assistance. Of course there needs to be a plan and we can't just willy nilly give people money, but why not help those longtime businesses? Offer their employees bonuses. People that make money spend money. Something is needed to revitalize this county and giving new businesses tax abatements for 10 years doesn't seem to be the right idea. The goals of this county need to be reviewed. Short term goals as well as long term goals. The idea that everything is needed "right now" just won't work. The citizens of this county just won't accept that idea. Look at downtown Aurora, downtown Lawrenceburg, Bright, Highway 50....if you want economic development keep and maintain what you HAVE! This idea of trying to buy land at 10 cents on the dollar because commercial property is too "high" is crazy. Jim West wants farmers to maximize their land by selling at the highest possible price, but then says that those that are, are pricing Dearborn County out of the competition. Our county needs to wake up and get a plan together. Jim West, Mike Rozow and all the county government officals need to get on the same page. At this time, we need gradual and steady progress with thoughtful thinking. Maintain and keep your current clients and then focus on new developments. Currently I think the opposite is happening in Dearborn County. "plan your work and work your plan" --this was told to me by a very wise and successful business man years ago.
Jay Whitehead
Jackson Township
"We need to "expand" our tax base by giving our tax base away."
So few words that say so much about the "flim-flam" operation that so epitomizes the dregs making up the membership, counsel and leadership of DCEDI, as well as its political co-conspirators and Republicrat Party enablers!!!!!!!
HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF THIS NOVEL IDEA? How about spending economic development money within this community of Dearborn County to keep the businesses open that are here now? Why not offer businesses struggling to keep their doors open with assistance.
Well:
1. Economic development money is still taxpayer money, it doesn't come from thin air.
The idea is to let private enterprises pay their own development and or expansion expenses. There are bank that will loan them money. If their idea is so good no problem. If there is visualized a risk by the enterprise guy then he ought to take on the risk not the taxpayers.
2. If they can't keep their doors open without public financing then why have them? What good does it do?
This is the difference between capitalism and socialism.
China is having a hell of a time right now because their banks loaned or really gave out money to improbably enterprises, ie ones that couldn't keep their doors open without government ( really taxpayer money.)
3.Taxpayer mony as bonuses to workers in a private enterprise??? If they didn't qualify for a bonus in their workplace why should the taxpayers reward them?
The problem with this county is there is no plan. I think there are several valid points presented. Some may work others may not. To nit pick does nothing. To see the facts and understand that this county is losing businesses is another. To put the feather in the cap of those that try to justify their position is insane. I don't think the poster says anything abut wanting a socialist society. I think the poster says this county has no direction. The only direction its going is to satisfy the politicians own agenda and those that are conected to them for "favors".
I don't think the poster says anything abut wanting a socialist society.
If taxpayers' money is used to support a failing business and taxpayers' money is uused to award workers in underperforming companies what do you call it?
Who will decide which failing buisiness will get the taxpayers money, who will decide which workers in an underpreforming business get bonuses paid for by the tax payers...The local Republican party???,
It's not capitalism that's for certain.
interesting comments...our society has food stamps, free lunch, and medicaid. A business gets tax abatements, better rates for health coverages because they are in a group rate, older people get medicare and welfare checks. Some have never worked a day in their life outside their own home. The list goes and goes. Sounds to me like we are not in a total capitalist society????
The more money that is "handed out" the more people rely on such "hand outs!"
Shortly thereafter, those on the receiving end view such "hand outs" not as a temporary helping hand up and more like entitlements.
As it stands now, development interests in this County already feel entitled to County resourses and taxpayer dollars to grow their businesses through such taxpayer sponsored entities such as DCEDI and DCRSD.
"Free" money does not fix problems, it grows more problems.
Instead of trying to figure out different ways to divide up the taxpayers' pie, how about it if we just bake fewer pies that require dividing up in the first place.
As it stands now, development interests in this County already feel entitled to County resourses and taxpayer dollars to grow their businesses through such taxpayer sponsored entities such as DCEDI and DCRSD.
As it stands today, developers do not only feel we own them our tax dollars, they feel entitled in having taxpayer paid lawyers sue the tax payers for more money for their subdivisions and commercial developments!
It would seem now the DCRSD has found a way to get publicly payed Doug Baer to force the taxpayers onto sewers they do not need nor want to subsidize Brett and John's sewer dreams!!!
Who will decide which failing buisiness will get the taxpayers money, who will decide which workers in an underpreforming business get bonuses paid for by the tax payers...The local Republican party???
Bi-weekly bonuses for Fehrman, Maxwell, Tucker, Lehner, Ewbank and soon to be full time lemonade stand proprietor, Benning!
Maybe we can hand out some hefty bonuses to those who are the hardest hit by the "Status Quo!"
Socialism is not the answer to our economic woes!
We need less government intervention in our quests. For every tax dollar collected by the government, we'd be lucky to see 50 cent being used to directly better our communities infrastructure. One half of all our tax dollars goes for paper pushers, studies,clerical,organizational hand outs and legal advisors. The people need to unite and become MORE critical of how our tax money is spent. We are becoming more of a Socialistic society than a Democratic society. This is becoming more obvious as I read the rhetoric written politically,in the news and on this blog.
The tax money collected should be used for the betterment of people need doing their best to work and support community needs that increase the integrity of the American society. Special interests cannot be allowed any more lattitude in controlling our society or our precious Democratic society will cease to exist as our forefathers invisioned.
"...Brett and John's sewer dreams!!!"
Sewer Dreams! How fitting for the plans of Fehrman and Maxwell! Always ready and willing to Flush Away some one else's money in pursuit of their selfish dreams!
willing to Flush Away some one else's money in pursuit of their selfish dreams!
Not selfish, just a couple of "Pro-Everythings" and "Do-Manythings" at the expense of the "Anti-Everythings" and the "Do-Nothings!"
Stealing money from the "Anti-Stealers" is not stealing at all!
It is just adding to the tax base of those who require the tax base to subsidize their individual financial investment bases!
It really is that simple!
Just speed dial Fox, or
Hughes, or
Benning, or
Linkmeyer!
If you should reach a busy signal while dialing any of these tools, just dial Ewbank, Lehner or tag-a-long Kramer for your taxpayer waste questions!
Dearborn County could have been a "Contender" if only those selfish landowners had not been so self-centered and had not overlooked the needs of the DCEDI Membership and their political drones.
These "landowners" could be vacationing right this very minute in Greendale while the DCEDI Membership was vacationing in Paris, as their drones were vacationing in Bear Branch, if these "landowners" would have marched in "lock-step" with Jim West's vision of this "ripe" for development County known as Dearborn!!!
Before Jim West took his job with the DCEDI, all he knew of Dearborn County was a map, supplied to him by the "users" of all things Dearborn County, of land owned and occupied by a number of faceless, humanless "marks" ripe for the "picking!"
so miss informed
"so miss informed"
So, inform us missy!
"Jeffrey Dahmer killed 17 young men and boys while committing acts of cannibalism and dismemberment!"
so miss informed
our little jeffrey only killed 16 young men and boys while committing acts of cannibalism and dismemberment
you do nothings are so miss informed
So, inform us missy!
Talk is cheap...however...little "Missy Information" is quite a bit cheaper than even her spittle of trash she tries to pass off as debate!!!
So I will answer for her:
VOTE FOR LINKMEYER!!!
Typical "Old Guard" Dearborn County bought and paid for politican.
As she spouts:
YOU ARE ALL MISS INFORMED(AS SHE SLAMS DOWN THE GAVEL, REFUSING ANYMORE DEBATE, AS HER MASTERS RUB HER ON HER HEAD AND GENEROUS BELLY)!!!!!!!
"She is Development's good little girl, yes she is, yes she is!!!"
Can you really be suggesting that Honda not coming to this area is a BAD idea?? Even though they are getting tax breaks, they will still be paying taxes, which were not paid before. My understanding is that we are paying money up front, to get more money in the future. This is good business sense. However, if we end up paying more than we get back, then I agree it is a raw deal, but you have to factor in everything such as the employees that reside in the county will be paying taxes, people that dont live here, will still be spending money here in the county (lunches, gas, etc) which in turn helps business, stimulates growth, and those business pay taxes. I think it is a great thing that Honda is here, and I am sure that other companies will sprout up in the area, which again will broaden the tax base.
Stimulates growth?
What does that mean, really?
Do we really want the type of growth that encourages the "growth" like that in West Chester?
We are all allowed to place a value on what "growth" means to us individually.
If "growth" means living amongst the mess that West Chester and Northern Ky has become...count me in as not a proponent.
Call me a "Do-Nothing" or "Anti-Everything," but, I enjoy this "island" of "life" that Dearborn County affords my family, in a sea of sharks and flounders!
Growth to some is simply subsistence and happiness.
Growth to others is lottery jackpot and the ability and resources to move away to another “quiet” burg to get away from the remnants of the community that availed them of their “jackpot” in the first place.
but you have to factor in everything such as the employees that reside in the county will be paying taxes, people that dont live here, will still be spending money here in the county (lunches, gas, etc) which in turn helps business, stimulates growth, and those business pay taxes. I think it is a great thing that Honda is here.
I don't care if Honda is here or not as long as I don't have to finance it.
On the 31K$, they were hoping for UAW wages of 60K/year. These folks are not going to spend a whole lot of money here in Dearborn County.
There is a book that explains all of this but no one seems to read it." The great American Job Scam" by Greg Lroy
"I don't care if Honda is here or not as long as I don't have to finance it."
Let the individual taxpayer payout more dollars than the individual taxpayer will ever reap from such industry...and let us define such payout as a flaming success for the taxpayer!
As long as a few developers make a fortune somewhere in the mix!
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