Comments on Advance Indiana™: Indy Taxpayers Have Given Simons More Than $400 Million!

This story is yet another example in a long line o...

2009-04-19T15:24:00.000-05:00

This story is yet another example in a long line of examples, of why paying your "fair share" in taxes only makes you a sucker. Time to start acting like high ranking Democrats and cheat on those damn taxes. Why should you have to slave away at work, only to turn around and give your money to the government so it can be handed out to the connected elites to make them rich? I think people's attitudes are being adjusted. More and more people are being awaken at what this country has become. It hasn't been a capitalist country for many decades. This country is now closer than ever at being 100% socialist. The government owning the banks, some heavy manufacturing, etc..

I heard today that there's a move afoot to get IUPUI into Conseco for their games but the Pacers are concerned about conflicting schedules.This will only make us lose even more money. IUPUI can rarely get that many people to their games at their laughable gym over on campus. Unless there is some sort of special event, I would say they usually have around 200ish, maybe 300. Not only that, but the handful of students who attend the games would likely pass since the distance from the field house to campus would likely add close to a mile (each way) of their walk.

The power of the Simon family is strong. The old rumor was that the failing RCA tennis center was going to be torn down. Then, IU, the city, and private investors would build a small multi-purpose sports center. It would have a basketball arena for IUPUI which could be converted to a hockey arena for the former IHL Indianapolis Ice. Well, I heard that the Simons and the city screamed because it was discovered that costs to use these facilities are so much cheaper, that events like Disney on Ice usually book these smaller arenas because they make more money by paying the lower fees. In the end, this venue was never built.

The bigger issue is that the taxpayers should not ...

2009-04-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

The bigger issue is that the taxpayers should not be in the business of picking winners and losers and that is what happens when they subsidize specific businesses instead of providing infrastructure and public safety improvements that enhance the common good.

The city will likely waive any penalty fees relate...

2009-04-19T10:01:00.000-05:00

The city will likely waive any penalty fees related to the Pacers lease if they tried to terminate it, just as they will likely let the Simons off the hook if they are indeed in violation of their subsidy.

I have personally called for the resignations of B...

2009-04-18T18:04:00.000-05:00

I have personally called for the resignations of Bob Grand, Pat Early, and Mayor Greg Ballard. With the information brought before us, I believe there is a conflict of interest with Bob Grand and the Capital Improvement Board which I observe violates major ethical standards.

I also ask City County Councilman and Vice President Ryan Vaughn to recuse himself from any activity dealing with this issue as there is a clear conflict of interest in this matter. If a vote is cast by Mr. Vaughn, I will also call for his resignation.

I wish I did not have to give up time in my life to guard my city's treasury, but it appears that our public servants have given the robbers the combination.

I heard today that there's a move afoot to get IUP...

2009-04-18T16:24:00.000-05:00

I heard today that there's a move afoot to get IUPUI into Conseco for their games but the Pacers are concerned about conflicting schedules.

Interesting thought about MSA. It COULD have been turned into a third venue for smaller crowds - as you say for IUPUI - but also for IHSAA or some minor league sports - thus never tieing up Conseco.

Seems odd to throw away a sunk-cost like that when it could have been another jewel in the downtown crown. We ARE after downtown development are we not?

And Gary, you realize how irritated I became that ...

2009-04-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

And Gary, you realize how irritated I became that the organizers of the tea party totally BLEW, just wasted, a huge opportunity with thousands of citizens being driven there by the mainstream media they had handed to them, to do a damned thing to clean up our own backyard.

Gary, the cleanup is going to get done anyway. And you are a big part of the reason why.

Thanks for all you do and keep the pressure on high.

Now is the time we make lemonade, for we are now g...

2009-04-18T15:17:00.000-05:00

Now is the time we make lemonade, for we are now given the opportunity.

http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/2009/04/indianapolis-city-councilors-have-great.html

If I could afford it, JohnBoy, I would get the IBJ...

2009-04-18T14:27:00.000-05:00

If I could afford it, JohnBoy, I would get the IBJ's permission and reprint this article and send it to every resident of Indianapolis. It would be a waste of time to send it to any of the politicians. They already know all they want to know, but if they suddenly started hearing from thousands of constituents about their outrage, it would make a difference.

This is unbelievable. How can we get the word ou...

2009-04-18T13:55:00.000-05:00

This is unbelievable. How can we get the word out? We can't depend on the the local newspaper (which is invested in the fieldhouse!)

Morton Marcus editorial in the IBJ really calls ou...

2009-04-18T11:18:00.000-05:00

Morton Marcus editorial in the IBJ really calls out the Legislature and rightly so as the disgrace of Indiana.

It is on target and good read. There are some good people in the Legislature. It is too bad they are out numbered by the "Good Old Boys" in the halls with their hands out.

Unigov, I doubt it is simply because the Governor...

2009-04-18T10:57:00.000-05:00

Unigov,

I doubt it is simply because the Governor used to be a VP at Lilly. Time and time again, government fails to follow up on committments private companies have made in these public-private deals.

Advance Indiana, Thank you! Keep digging and repo...

2009-04-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

Advance Indiana, Thank you!

Keep digging and reporting.

Good work. Another beneficiary of tax abatements ...

2009-04-18T10:24:00.000-05:00

Good work.

Another beneficiary of tax abatements - Lilly. They got zillions of dollars in tax breaks after promising to hit specific employment targets in Indiana.

Since then they've laid off thousands of workers.

Gee, I wonder why the state hasn't gone after the tax breaks - clawback ?

Cause the governor is the former VP of Lilly ?

My God, this is sickening. Our city needs a compl...

2009-04-18T08:50:00.000-05:00

My God, this is sickening. Our city needs a complete housecleaning.