Local: Despite denials it would ever happen, ‘Build the Blockers’ are still implying Cat’s gonna leave (UPDATED)
So I’m getting ready to leave for Blogger Bash and I check my email just one last time, and I discover a Facebook message from the “Build the Block: account. It reads:
Subject: Big Yellow and The Block
Caterpillar builds the world around us…let’s help them build up our little corner of it and grow their roots a little deeper here in Peoria! They’ve committed $55 million to The Block. Let’s make sure it’s not lost forever.
Why in the world would that phrase ever be used in a statement in support of the museum referendum? If the “roots” are not already deep enough, what could they be implying will happen, except that Caterpillar is going to take its ball and go home. And that phrase keeps popping up. I hear pro-politicians use it all the time. It’s on the Build the Block talking points memo or something.
It’s a scare tactic, people. It’s designed to make voters afraid to vote against this sales tax increase.
And it is dishonest. Caterpillar has stated, quite specifically, that it will not pull up stakes and move if this doesn’t pass. The idea that this company is going to move its world headquarters because a sales tax referendum doesn’t pass is ludicrous.
And that’s not me saying it, it’s the guy who’s running this thing for Caterpillar, Mark Johnson:
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 incur 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.
One bone to pick with Mr. Johnson: Voters aren’t going to vote on whether to turn anything down. The question is whether their taxes are going up. I’m sure there might be a few voters who would say “no” to a multi-million gift from Caterpillar that didn’t come with any strings attached. But certainly not a majority.
I wish that someone from Catepillar would speak to the Build a Block group and tell them, in no certain words, to STOP spreading this bizaare story. Cat denies it. Common sense says it isn’t going to happen. End of discussion.
UPDATE: Add Phil Luciano to the list of people pushing the idea that CAT might leave if voters don’t raise their own taxes. Maybe Phil were to read local blogs instead of RetroCrush, he might know that Big Yellow has emphatically ruled that out.
March 31st, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Billy, would you please quit flipping the bird and our area’s number one employer? You are starting to make me really nervous….
March 31st, 2009 at 8:53 pm
If CAT officials are really planning to leave Peoria if the museum tax issue fails, then I say they are bad citizens and goodbye to them.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
typo above *at our area’s number one employer*
March 31st, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I’ve always took this to mean that it’s one more reason for the company to not think about leaving someday in the distant future if they’ve poured all that money into the visitor’s center. No guarantee they’ll stay, for sure, but a big honkin’ building they paid for to welcome people to their headquarters goes in the “plus column” if they’re looking at reasons to reject talk of moving that headquarters 20 years down the road. I don’t know how you read that as a hidden (but false) threat that they’re considering moving right now. It’s more like the block people saying “it’s one more reason for them to never think about leaving”
March 31st, 2009 at 11:44 pm
If and when Cat leaves peoria it will be due to domestic taxes not a silly trophy case. They would save hundreds of millions of dollars by moving the company to Bermuda to avoid paying taxes. The big non-secret about Cat is most of their sales are not US based.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:10 am
Billy, from my own perspective, I would say that this is not an orchestrated effort. It is more a personal anxiety that many of us who make our living in Peoria feel.
Many people, particularly the self employed, depend on a robust economy and satisfied, profitable employers. My fear is that in the midst of challenging times for Caterpillar Inc, our number one employer, voting down this project that is obviously very important to them would be a slap in their face.
Combine that with the fact that American Companies are becoming increasingly disadvantaged in a global market, and that they are operating in a state that is becoming increasingly hostile to business… what museum foes seem to be doing is yelling “JUMP” to a man who is standing on a ledge.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:21 am
Diane,
So what has cat done for you.that company has had Peoria over a barrel for quite some time I remember the 1980’s they never have cared about the labor force and never will. Now I know that the U.A.W. are a bunch of cry baby fools. and the U.A.W. leadership are a bunch of idiots . This I know first hand. People are worried that they may leave ,what is left of the factory work ,they moving it out of here as fast as they can,the main people that will pay the taxes that we are to vote on.and what a time to ask for a increse in taxes ,when we can’t afford them. So if cat wants to leave let them !!!! and good buy .As for Brad Mcmillian let that idoit liar go too.He has never told the truth way before he worked for lahood. and this guy is on a ethics community I can.t stop laughing . What is Peoria coming to.