All comments must be phrased in the form of a question unless you support the Museum.
I attended a Build The Block informational meeting at Bradley tonight to hear what the Museum Collaboration Group had to say and hopefully hear them give some good answers to the questions that everyone seems to have. I don’t claim to be a reporter, a CJ Summers, or even a mere citizen journalist, but these are my general and random thoughts on what I witnessed.
This was not an informational meeting, this was a snow job, as Bob Manning might put it. Dissenting opinions were nipped at the bud, dismissed or told that complete and detailed answers would be posted on their website in a weeks time after all meetings were completed. Brad McMillan seemed aloof and unknowledgable to the details of the project and would pass off any tough question to anyone who would take it.
Initial questions were in the form of questions written on note cards, which were supposedly anonymous. The moderator made a point of mentioning before one of the more pointed questions that it came from a public official in attendance, which I assume was Merle Widmer. So much for anonymous questions. The County Board representative on stage was trying to sell the project, and the moderator insisted that all comments be in the form of a question – with the obvious exception of any supporter.
One of the speakers pointed out that several fliers and information was available at the back of the room, which they were, and just to show that he was fair, he said a flier of a dissenting opinion was also there… it was… on another table was a small stack, blocked and shielded from view by a very enthusiastic Museum supporter who made snide remarks about Merle Widmer, Gary Sandberg, and anyone else who dared to question the “facts”.
Speaking of facts, here’s a few things I didn’t know. The attendance figures are based on people who open the front doors to go to a pottery class or a book sale – not people who actually pay to get into the museum, and if I recall correctly, 60% of their revenue is projected to be brought in by ticket sales to the proposed Imax Theatre.
Parking is not free, but on the bright Peoria county residents will get a token 15% discount on admission.
Because the City Council approved the site plan, it apparently is new urbanist in design.
What happens if the voters say no to the tax hike? According a recent Journal Star letter to the editor by Cat’s VP, that’s the end of the road as far as they’re concerned and all plans will be scrapped. Repeatedly I heard that if the people don’t want this, then it’s over, but there was no consideration given or acknowledgment that people might want this in a different form. On the other hand, they didn’t say it was over. Between Lakeview’s Brad McMillan and a very well spoken Caterpillar executive, they hinted between the lines that it was not the end of the road. (paraphrasing) … well, we’d have to back to the city council and (reading between the lines) we don’t want to say that we could change the design to incorporate a 24/7 museum, retail, residential aspect because it’s so much easier to put the tax payers up against the ropes, cower down and give up.
As a side note, anyone who is supportive of the Peoria PlayHouse – you are what Brad called “a few mothers” who wanted to build a Children’s Museum.
March 9th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Wow……this makes me more sick the longer this goes on.
I wonder if the effort that is being made to shove this down our throats raises red flags in the minds of voters?
March 9th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Nice job, PI. Good observations.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I think it is funny when they use the John Deere Pavillion numbers as a starting point for their own attendance numbers. The Pavillion is free and directly across the street from the I Wireless Center fka The Mark of the Quad Cities. So anytime you are walking around and waiting for something at the Mark to start you just pop into the Pavillion to see what is going on. I am sure several hundred, if not thousands, of “visits” are related to people hanging out waiting for graduation ceremonies, weddings etc to start at the Mark. Not exactly economically stimulating.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Was it me, or did the guy on the stage seem more and more irritated as the Q&A went on?
March 10th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Attended the forum at Nighborhood House tonight. McMillan wasn’t there so the small group of museum people were more friendly.
About 10 people from ther nighborhood attended along with C.J. and I.
Richerson said endowment had shrunk to $1.6 million from $2.+ million which is what I expected as it was invested.
Good investment by local charitable group?
March 11th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
You have to love this format with the notecards, been to a couple of those. When they start doing those types of meetings from my experience the officials involved are doing several things. 1. They are usually lying and hiding something.
2. They are always losing the battle for whatever it is they are proposing.
3. They are always loading the deck with positive points they have already deciced that you must hear, and the negative questions allowed have already been attacked by the loaded positive cards.
March 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
This reminds me of the county jail farce. As I remember, there were four referendums, all defeated, with none asking to refurbish and add on to what was already in place. Imagine that, a county jail close to a county courthouse! But since the outcome had already been decided by downtown business and our city “representatives”, we bought a new escapeproof jail (except for those guys walking along Plank Road). After buying that, along with a variety of other things I didn’t want, need, or use, I gave myself a binding referendum on the whole mess; get ready to enjoy your museum!
March 13th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Dear Sir:
“They hinted between the lines that it was not the end of the road. (paraphrasing) …”
I don’t know how many times it has to be stated, Mr. Owens and Mr. Banwart have both stated it repeatedly, so I doubt my posting this statement on your blog will do much more in the way of convincing folks of our sincerity on this issue. But if the referendum fails, Caterpillar believes the people will have had their chance to speak on the issue and if there is not a majority of support, then our continued support for the project will be terminated as well. Finished, kaput, done, I can’t make it any clearer.
What anyone else proceeds to do with the site is up to them, but don’t be expecting any financial support from Caterpillar.
Mark L. Johnson
Project Manager
Caterpillar Inc.
March 14th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
OK, Mr. Johnson.
Let’s put ALL our cards on the table. Certainly you are aware that some people backing cited the possible Caterpillar might move its world headquarters is this referendum fails.
Your comment hear doesn’t address this possibility. So I will ask.
Yes or no: Would Caterpillar consider moving its world headquarters if this referendum fails? HAS this possibility been discussed?
March 15th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Mr. Dennis, I do not like to get into these type of personal discussions via blogs, but I will answer your question this one time as this particular issue does need clarification.
I believe if you research the records of the discussion on this issue, would Caterpillar consider moving its world headquarters if the referendum fails, you’ll find that no one from Caterpillar Inc. has ever threatened such action. Furthermore, I do not believe you’ll find that anyone from the company has ever even mentioned this as a possibility.
Please understand that I work on the 1st floor of the Admin Building. That’s a long way down from the 7th floor, and there’s a lot that’s discussed up there that I’m not privy to, so in all honesty, I don’t know the answer to your second question. For what it’s worth, I can tell you that I’ve never been involved in any such discussion, and from my perspective, it’s ridiculous for folks to propose that this would even be considered.
As a company, Caterpillar has invested considerable time and resources attempting to move this project forward. Sure, there would be many Caterpillar people that would be very disappointed after all that’s been invested to date, if the financial commitements that have been extended to the community to build this project are not utilized. But the company has many other challenges and I’m certain the disappointed staff members will find a way to move ahead regardless of how the referendum is decided.
Mark L. Johnson
Project Manager
Caterpillar Inc.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Mr. Johnson: Thanks for your reply.
For the record, I didn’t say the possibility Cat might move is an option being discussed openly by anyone from Cat. But I did say it’s a possibility that is quite often mentioned by public figures — in an out of office — when they are trying to encourage support for this project, as well as others.
The impression I am left with is that Caterpillar is perhaps telling politicians it is a possibility, perhaps because would like people to be in a constant state of unease regarding the company’s plans should the government or the voters say no to things like this.
I simply thought I would give you — as a spokesman for the company on this matter — an opportunity to “fight far” and say authoritatively whether Caterpillar is spreading this information.
That didn’t happen, as I didn’t get a yes or no answer. I heard a “maybe.”
March 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Mr. Johnson,
I understand that Caterpillar is sincere in its desire to improve the quality of life for all Peoria residents. I have a one year old son at home, and we are excited that Caterpillar is supporting family friendly institutions such as the museum. For that, you have my deep respect and admiration.
If I can find any fault with Peoria, I will blame the corrupt and inept city politicians for allowing this city to remain a “one company town.” I also do not like watching established neighborhoods rot while the city concentrates on annexing prime farmland and new subdivisions in the Dunlap and Mossville areas.
I am in favor of the museum project; however, I would vote “NO” on the referendum for one reason alone: The flawed design plan.
http://www.nomuseumtax.org/plan-flawed/
Have you read this web page, Mr. Johnson? Current design plans resemble a crappy shopping mall from the 1980’s. Why the lack of “new urbanism” in the design plans. Is Caterpillar interested in a vibrant downtown, or not? I would gladly vote “YES” if the design plans were changed.
ALL: Taxes will increase regardless of whether the museum is built.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:37 am
The above post was not written by me.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I can confirm that.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Ok, Mr. Dennis, I’ll say it “authoritatively”, Caterpillar Inc. is not spreading the story, rumor, information, whatever you want to call it that the company would move it’s headquarters out of Peoria if the sales tax referendum is defeated. It’s actually another example of how ridiculous this discussion has become, to even suppose that the company would incure the expense of relocating just because the citizens of Peoria County have turned down an offer from the company of over $55 million to improve the community. End of discussion.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Ah. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.
It is silly to think Cat would do this. But that is the tale being told. Hopefully, this will shut them up.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Mr. Johnson,
I agree with Anon E. Mous. The design is flawed. For better results, please fix the design plan, and then hold the referendum.
I can recall my old town once having a tax referendum for a new library. The referendum failed. After the results, taxes were raised, and the library was built anyway.
March 17th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
In spite of the “many Caterpillar people who would be very disappointed…”, it would be interesting to poll all area employees to see where they stand on the project. Someone from Cat said it has been in the works for a number of years. Haven’t things changed a tad since then? Would it save the jobs of a number of employees (who wouldn’t have to be laid off to provide the $$$ for it) if it doesn’t go?
Yeah, it’s a really wonderful possibility, but so is a new car in my driveway; I know I have necessities to pay for before that happens. Museum proponents choose to ignore an EPA mandated sewer system modification, among other things.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Has anyone contacted Aaron Schock about the sewer system. Is everyone aware that the Illinois River flows directly from the Chicago river. The city of Chicago dumps its raw sewage in the river, only to have to wash downstream to Peoria. Why is Peoria stuck paying for cleanup. Why can’t Aaron Schock get the federal government to clean up the Illinois river once and for all?
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
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