Pueblog USa
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
No Expansion Without Justification
There other choices and needs, besides the Convention Center expansion. Vote no on ballot question 2B.
Pueblo Citizens for Positive Change
No Expansion Without Justification
Here’s Why a “Vote No” on the Convention Center Ballot Question 2B is the Right Choice
PUEBLO: This Will Cost You Money. It does not matter if it is called a tax or fee, the money is out of your pocket. Where is the value to the community? When will “our real needs” be addressed?
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA), the Convention Center gatekeeper, has not been able to prove that the expansion will bring in a significant amount of out-of-town business to Pueblo. When we requested past performance records URA provided incomplete and inaccurate files, leading one to question the credibility of the URA. National studies show the number and attendance at conventions and trade shows have been decreasing.
The Convention Center operated at a deficit every year and would continue to do so even with the expansion. During the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 the operating deficit averaged $400,000 each year (Pueblo Chieftain, 6-4-08). The City Attorney told the City Council (6-9-08) that the Convention Center deficit was $500,000 in 2007.
Each year Pueblo sends Global Spectrum, the Convention Center management firm, over $120,000. In 2007 checks were written to out-of-town Global Spectrum for over $150,000 (2007 Convention Center check history).
Financing for the expansion would include paying interest only until the year 2019. What will be the actual cost at the payoff year 2029: 14 million, 20 million? Remember that URA and the City have a history of cost overruns. We have until 2019 to make the decision as to how to spend the Vendor’s Fees or to stop collecting it after 2019.
There are other choices and needs, besides the Convention Center expansion!
To learn more and to record your opinion, visit http://WWW.PUEBLOG.ORG or http://www.pueblog.us on the Internet.
Donations for copying are urgently needed (call PCPC). Contact Ted Freeman 544-4479 or Alvin Rivera 566-0069.
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Well, here we go again . . The Citizens of Pueblo have told the City Council and those who advocate spending another few million here and there, On more convention center . . NO twice . . By vote!
Sorry Rod, I love ya but . . An analogy to this might be, I need a new 60 passenger bus . . Yeah, I know my little 38 passenger bus is nearly empty most of the time, but if I get a bigger one, I’ll look more professional and appear to really be in the transportation business . .
Besides the money is coming from “the (Magical) Vendor’s Fee” . . .
Say! . . Isn’t that where the $11.8 million for Vestas and PEDCO came from?
Not to mention . . The whole “Vendor’s Fee” is a lie, basically. That money was supposed to go to the local businesses for collecting the City Sales and Use Tax . . but it doesn’t . . and shortly after becoming part of the City’s sales tax, the “Vendor’s Fee” was hijacked, and actually never used for what the citizens were told it was for . . What REALLY dazzles me is how much money a half cent generates . . while the other three cents can’t seem to ever make ends meet in the city budget . .
But . . I digress . .
How many times does the citizens have to say NO to the City Council? Or are they just going to pass it by “Resolution” this time?
That seems to be Council’s new way of getting around any discussion or vote!
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/17 at 05:30 PM -
Vote Yes on 2B!
Support the Expansion of Pueblo’s Future
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 09/23 at 02:30 PM -
I think the city council wouldn’t just take no for an answer. And so that’s why the people have to say it over and over again.
-M from Mexico
Kohunlich Mayan Ruins on 10/13 at 09:03 PM -
I agree with M, the council will not take no for an answer. the next thing they will do is to pass a resolution.
mitch @ teak furniture on 10/24 at 02:12 AM
