A very important vote will be coming up this week before the Clark Co. Council. The BatBlog has learned that the council is leaning heavily towards voting YES to the Regional Cities Initiative the brainchild of Indiana governor Mike Pence. The BatBlog along with many Clark Co. citizens feel this Initiative is not in the best interest the citizens and taxpayers of our county. This is a complicated and confusing issue that we feel the people aren't well educated about and are in the dark concerning the details. In essence the passing of this program would basically take away the right of the people to control their tax dollars, as non elected appointed officials will be overseeing this project which leaves it in our opinion open to cronyism, waste and favoritism.
Below local realtor and incoming Sellersburg town councilwoman Martina "Tina "Webster gives an excellent explanation of the program and it's ramifications if it is passed. The BatBlog urges you to watch and learn from this video and contact your local Co. councilperson and tell them your opposition to this Initiative,,,,Tell them to vote NO....
Tina has always been anti-growth. This initiative is a great way to coordinate the surrounding counties in a plan that would be beneficial for the entire region.
ReplyDeleteThis area has grown just fine and developed without these type initiatives. The people chosen to lead this can't be held accountable and that is a recipe for abuse and corruption.I have to agree with Tina on this one...
ReplyDeleteThe Initiative passed tonight 5-1 Khuri the only voice of reason voted NO...Disappointing results the council obviously voted against the voice of their constituency...
ReplyDeleteThough there was a good turnout for the meeting you have to feel the general feeling of the voters was indifference on this. Sadly those who voiced their concerns had their voices fall onto the deaf ears of the Co. council....We need to remember this in coming elections, first one we can erase from public view is K. Vissing in the Jeff city council race this November..
ReplyDeleteI am not anti-growth.
ReplyDeleteI am anti-growth AT THE EXPENSE OF TAXPAYERS!
If your idea is so great, do it in front of the taxpayers! Don't slide the ideas the private market won't fund on their own dime, on their own risk under them under the guise of redevelopment and regional authority.
One of the 1Si guys that got up there to speak even told the council that we need "progressive" ideas like bike trails to attract youth. *rolling my eyes*
This was a vote for big government. Period. I am opposed to taking people's tax money & using the BUSINESS idea of return on investment. That money is the PEOPLE'S MONEY FIRST. Not governments.
A win for Clark County.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ht. I love you too!
ReplyDeleteI had 5-1 in favor by email until the last day was pretty equal. Those obviously weren't at the meeting. Many pro RCI in the room didn't speak. So don't believe I don't pay attention to my constituents. I am pro business. One SI has a large membership as well as other pro business groups. Many, many, people who are members of those groups were for RCI.
ReplyDeleteActually, the council heard my voice and have earned my respect and vote in future elections.
ReplyDeleteMy official statement: As a candidate for Clarksville Town Council I am saddened by the fact that our County Council has given our authority to direct development in our town over to an unelected board. I am more saddened by the fact that I was the only candidate for Clarksville Town Council that spoke against this usurpation. I vow to continue to work for the people of Clarksville against this usurpation with every means at my disposal.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering Kevin if the ALLEGED 5 to 1 in favor were mainly the lobbyists who appear to have more influence over the council than your constituency. Sad day for the people of Clark Co. when the majority has been over ridden by a minority with the monetary means to shove this thing down the people's collective throats.
ReplyDeleteThis area has grown exponentially here recently and will continue without any help from self interest groups like One So. In. who seems to have cajoled the council into a YES vote. I guess maybe your circles favor this but from my perspective and experiences this wasn't wanted by the majority of voters and taxpayers....and we will remember...
The council's vote was bought and payed for by the heavy lobbying by One Southern Indiana who want control over this thing.
ReplyDeleteKevin and his boss TG want the airport to get more money. This ordinance REQUIRES we do that now.
ReplyDeleteMay not have money to pay employees, fix roads and bridges, but TG will get his hands on some cash for the airport and his clients at the Colgate property out of this deal.
Hollis usually has some sense. Her party boss probably leaned on her too.
The three Republicans were mad one Tea Partier insulted Lenfert and later seemed to include Yost and Doherty. They were against it before, but voted yes out of revenge. Their party boss told them how to vote too.
All the (non-rich) people got screwed because they had their panties in a bunch over one.
The legislation is not perfect. It was a well fought battle by both sides.
ReplyDeleteIf Floyd votes it down, then there will not be enough population (200,000) to join.
Thank you Kevin for supporting growth in Clark County from one of your constituents.
DeleteTom Galligan never spoke to me about the RDA. The airport is already an authority.
ReplyDeleteRiver Ridge, Port, are already authorities. They have all been responsible.
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteDo you realize the board you just voted to create could take YOUR home and there is nothing you could do about it?
The legislation is horrible. Shame on you!
ReplyDeleteWin an election and then you can speak on big time desicions.
DeleteRussell, do you own a shirt with a collar?
DeleteYes, I do. If you attended the rally for Old Clarksville that we put on you would have seen one of the many shirts with collars that I own. Are you the fashion police? I didn't know that was a requirement in order to speak for liberty and against tyranny. You know they are getting scared and desperate when they start attacking outward appearance rather than ideals. Thanks, I'll take your fear as a compliment.
DeleteIf local politicians are listening to Tom Galligan we are all screwed....
ReplyDeleteIf local politicians are listening to Tom Galligan we are all screwed....
ReplyDeleteIf local politicians are listening to Tom Galligan we are all screwed....
ReplyDeleteIf local politicians are listening to Tom Galligan we are all screwed....
ReplyDeleteIf local politicians are listening to Tom Galligan we are all screwed....
ReplyDeleteBut what happens if politicians are listening to Galligan?
ReplyDeleteApparently we are all screwed.
DeleteI will speak as long as I have a voice.
ReplyDeleteLaryngitis can not set in soon enough.
DeleteI believe Lowe's sells ear plugs mate. You're more than welcome to buy a set.
DeleteYou could expect a yes out of Vissing he's never been accused of being the sharpest pencil in the box, but Lenfert , Yost, Hollis was disappointing.
ReplyDeleteEnvy will get you nowhere!
DeleteI agree.
DeleteThat didn't come out right. I'm agreeing with you Mr. Vissing. I hate all the petty personal attacks.
DeleteFloyd county voted it down 5-2. That means it will fail due to lack of the 200,000 population.
ReplyDeleteUnless New Albany city, and Washington County jump in.
ReplyDeleteSo, Mr. Vissing, would the Clark County Council be inclined to reconvene and get rid of this thing completely since it is basically useless at this point?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it would be necessary to vote it out. I Imagine we will wait to see what New Albany does.
DeleteWhy would you want to retain an unelected board that has the authority to write it's own rules, take people's property and tax the citizens if you can't even take a bite out of the golden carrot it was sold to provide?
DeleteFor all those gloating about the YES vote here in Clark Co....Read em and weep, Floyd rejected it 5-2 in a vote of common sense. It appears that the RCI is buried where it belongs and good riddance....
ReplyDeleteKevin V.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your time in providing the information you have given us. I have high hopes the C.C. council who has recently made good inroads and common sense decisions on fiscal problems created by earlier councils, will put this vote behind you and move on.
There are things we don't agree on but I respect your position and candor and hope you will continue to participate here...
This is the first time in a long time I have been critical of the CC. council I just feel for whatever reasons you all got this one wrong...
I enjoy your blog, and if treatment is good, I will continue to post on here. Thanks KVISSING
DeleteTina said: "One of the 1Si guys that got up there to speak even told the council that we need "progressive" ideas like bike trails to attract youth. *rolling my eyes* "....
ReplyDelete...lol... !
Tina nailed them on that !
Tina, excellent comprehension and nice exposure of the faulty thinking of those NWO people that "trick the dupes" into promoting this dribble.
Keep it up!
Some of the same people who were against the casino vote for Clark County, we're against the RDA. I wish we had the casino here. Harrison County has millions in the bank because of the boat. Just sayin!
ReplyDeleteThat boat is slowly sinking according to conversations I have had. I'm glad it's deteriorating in Harrison County and not in Clarksville. It's already changed hands once and from what I've been told the upkeep is slacking, the hotel is offering less and the dining has gone downhill. If a private developer wanted to come in and build a casino using all of their own money then I would not stand in their way. However, I don't think that taxpayer money should be used to bring a Casino to Clark Co. I do not think it will be a boon for Clark Co.
ReplyDeleteI was never against a casino vote in Clark County.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a source for that claim Kevin?
ReplyDeleteHere, I'll throw one in return!
Most of the same people who favor the bankrupting functions of TIF are pro-RDA! They love to steal net assessed values from the taxpayer.
Ta-da!
I would also like to point out the other reason Harrison has $ in the bank is because *drum roll please*
ReplyDeleteThey have ZERO TIF districts!
Kevin, you should have someone run the numbers for you on how much more $ the county council would have if Clarksville released *just* the Veteran's Pkwy TIF back to the taxing units.
Martina, I agree that Tif can be bad and also good. It reminds me of when ford motors first offered the zero % finance . Now everyone does it to compete.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately State Legislature made the TIF. It's here, and we have to deal with it. We do get income tax from those jobs created by TIF.
As we know. ...the old fashioned way of development, Clarksville would have stuck their neck out, financed veteran parkway, then as tax dollars rolled in, the schools, Clark County Government, Library, Fire District, Clarksville would all got a piece of the pie.
Clarksville, might not have taken the risk! No Veterans Parkway, no River Ridge.......too many to list.
The state legislature created the authority to set up TIFs, but who set them up? Let's not try to pass this on to Indianapolis.
ReplyDeleteTIF's CAN be a good tool if used properly... unfortunately proper use seldom occurs, especially here locally. Politicians over use it and for projects not intended for TIF's.
ReplyDeleteAbuse , cronyism and favoritism to developers, contractors and investors is rampant. TIF usage needs to be monitored more closely but because average Joe taxpayer know little or nothing about them nothing is ever done about misuse...
Ask your friends, family coworkers what a TIF is . what it stands for and how it operates...
I'll bet 75% don't know what your talking about and that is to the politicians favor, an uneducated and uninformed electorate is a poltician's best friend....
I agree! Not sure about favors. Can you tell me where?
DeleteSo we should beg state government to do away with TIF?
ReplyDeleteYeah, bond lawyers would let that happen! ha!
Not going to name any names, I know it goes on but don't want to get sued....this is one of the big drawbacks critics have of TIF's nationwide
ReplyDelete