Comments on: Local: Despite denials it would ever happen, ‘Build the Blockers’ are still implying Cat’s gonna leave (UPDATED)

By: stueie

stueie — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:21:07 +0000

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.

By: Diane Vespa

Diane Vespa — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:10:57 +0000

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.

By: Kevin Wood

Kevin Wood — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:44:52 +0000

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.

By: Oh, really?

Oh, really? — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:31:17 +0000

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”

By: diane vespa

diane vespa — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:11:37 +0000

typo above *at our area’s number one employer*

By: Ed Sanders

Ed Sanders — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:53:20 +0000

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.

By: diane vespa

diane vespa — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:45:30 +0000

Billy, would you please quit flipping the bird and our area’s number one employer? You are starting to make me really nervous….