You’ve heard the numbers. You’ve heard the arguments. It now boils down to a simple “yes” or “no” vote on an election day (April 7th) ballot referendum.
At issue is are you, a taxpayer, willing to pony up roughly $17. per resident per year to construct and maintain a fully interactive, state-of-the-art regional museum on the former Sears block in downtown Peoria?
After taking months to absorb the entirety of the facts, fallacies and feelings I have come to the conclusion that your answer should be a Hell, yeah. More specifically, A vote of YES to the final ballot question of:
To pay for public facility purposes, shall Peoria County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales taxes by one quarter of one percent (1/4%) for a period not to exceed twenty (20) years? This would mean that a consumer would pay an additional twenty-five cents (.25) in sales tax for eery $100. of tangible personal property bought at retail. If imposed, the additional tax would cease being collected at the end of twenty (20) years, if not terminated earlier by a vote of the county board.
Below I have outlined my reasons in no particular order:
It’s not just about the numbers: Museum advocates and foes have bandied numbers back and forth to the extent that it will make your head spin. Many people realize that creative use of statistics can substantiate anything you want them to, on either side of an argument. The reality is, the whole project from a money standpoint, as in any large commercial endeavor is nothing more than what we call in the real business a SWAG – a sophisticated wild-assed guess. If anyone really knew how this thing would fly financially before it was built and operational they would have made a killing on Wall Street and be living on a private island. What museum foes have been ignoring is that for many, it is not about the numbers. It is about the opportunities the museum will offer to present and future generations of Peoria children. It will spark curiosity and imagination and broaden their understanding of our history, our universe and humanity’s place in it. These are intangible benefits that can not be bought or appraised. They are what Mastercard would consider, priceless.
The cost per taxpayer will not be burdensome:The referendum calls for a sales tax increase of 25 cents on every $100. Others have estimated it to be $17. per year per resident – or the cost of 4 happy meals or a carton of cigs. In short, nothing. No doubt someone will debate this point. If you do, I just hope I never stand in line behind you at Aldi’s as you throw a few packages of Ho-ho’s, Marlboro’s or National Enquirers in your cart. (Not that I would do that!) If you are not a big consumer of goods, you will be on the low end of the $17. per year estimated average.
Corporate CEO’s are every bit as capable of petty vindictive thought as the common worker: Caterpillar has stated in no uncertain terms that if this referendum doesn’t pass they are OUT. All investments pledged by them will be withdrawn and any and all plans for a Caterpillar welcome center will cease. Now some people don’t give a flying rats butt if that is true or not. That bravado will be shortlived however, if in fact those yellow feathers are so ruffled that they start moving corporate function out of state. You think times are tough now? That event would make 2009 seem like Happy Days.
Let’s stop choking on East Peoria’s dust: Admit it, it’s embarrassing. I have never been able to figure it out. Why do they get all the chocolate chips and we get graham crackers? You never hear a fuss or a fret. Just one day you’ll be driving over the Murray Baker bridge, look over to the right at some swanky hotel and exclaim wtf! Where did that come from? It’s not just East Peoria, either. It’s Springfield, Chicago, St. Louis, even Bloomington. Peoria is worlds ahead of comparable sized cities in terms of culture and history but why is that not reflected in our amenities?
If you can’t beat them, join them: No one hates government waste and controls more than I. As I sit here typing this post, I am watching Breaking News of President Obama signing the multi-billion dollar Omnibus bill, chalk full of pork and hundreds thousands of earmarks. Frankly, it makes me sick. Is this the future of our country? I wonder how many museum opponants who find the spending of taxpayer money so repulsive have contacted their Congressional representative and urged them to vote NO on the massive spending and bailouts? This obscene spending by the current Admin and congress will have far more reaching consequences and long lasting affects on our future than by comparison, this relative pittance of $40 million dollars. Additionally, it gives us local control which should translate to less waste. Numb at this point to government spending, I choose to regard it as our own private stimulus package.
Consider it a gift to our children, and our children’s children. The long awaited Spring Break is a mere few weeks away. As usual, Diane will log on to travelzoo.com and start looking for bargain hotel availabilites within driving distance of Peoria. We will make a quadrenial pilgrimage to a destination with cool things to do. Our children have been fortunate enough to have visited pretty much every relevant museum in Illinois and adjoining states. I love museums. The existance of the Peoria Riverfront Museum will open up opportunities for ALL children, and not just children with parents that have a wander-lust and the means to travel about. In today’s uncertain economic climate, “stay-cations” have become all the rage. As a result, I would suggest the timing for this museum could not be better.
Schlepping about Northwoods Mall and Shoppes at Grande Prairie doesn’t cut it after K-garten: Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE these Malls. Unfortunately, as winter drags on, many Peorians feel that this is pretty much their only entertainment option. The kids get out of the house, run up and down the aisles like maniacs, and will undoubtedly arrive home with some useless trinket that will be cast aside within minutes. Those moments can be fun, but are intellectually void and subliminally suggest to children that shopping is an acceptable substitute for boredom.
Can you imagine Peoria without the Civic Center? I can’t. In a few years the Museum will have a similar relevance to our perceived quality of life.
The Museum Plans are AWESOME!: Some of the criticism has revolved around the plans themselves, and not merely the existence of a museum. Have to say, they look great to me! Highly interactive and something for everyone. This post would be too long if I included a description of the plan, but please visit the site to familiarize yourself with the highlights. Of special note should be the African American Hall of fame – offering an amazing opportunity for young children to identify with and aspire to the accomplishments of great African-Americans.
I realize that this may be an unpopular stance to take in the Peoria blogosphere. I have nothing but admiration and respect for Karrie Alms and feel that if more people were like her, we wouldn’t have the systemic dysfunction that is prevalent throughout all levels of our government. She is truly a hero.
I understand her concern that many families cannot afford this expense, but it is my contention that those are the same families that will benefit from the Peoria Riverfront Museum the most. You may not be able to offer your children material wealth. You can, however, through this referendum, offer them something much greater- the gift of enlightenment and curiosity about their world, of wonder and humility. Lead them into a world that extends beyond drugs, gangs and poverty. Ignite a fire within each child that will help them realize their full potential. Our children deserve it. Don’t let a box of ho-ho’s and a double cafe latte stand in the way. C’mon Peoria, lets not screw it up.
