Comments on Advance Indiana™: Mayor Ballard Thanks Billionaire Simon For Improvements To Fieldhouse Paid For By Taxpayers

You can't put $33.5 million in Herb Simon'...

2012-08-17T07:06:56.518-05:00

You can't put $33.5 million in Herb Simon's right pocket and then he takes $16 million out of his left pocket and claim that he paid for it. The Pacers also claimed that it cost $10 million a year to maintain the Fieldhouse when they sought the $33.5 million subsidy, which was a grossly inflated figure. Now Jim Morris says the actual maintainenance costs are even higher than the $10 million figure. Don't forget that the Simons take reporters and insiders in town to an all-expense paid resort in Mexico every year to buy them off.

I can hear the Simons now. "hey, thanks for ...

2012-08-17T06:36:51.075-05:00

I can hear the Simons now.

"hey, thanks for the wonderful house and I really appreciate that you pay for the upkeep, cleaning, electric bill, water bill, and gas bill. And thanks for letting me rent it out for parties where I keep the cash. But ya know, I just had to put in a new stereo and TV and those things aren't cheap. If you wanna make sure that I stay here in my rent free house, could you pay for my new stereo and tv? Otherwise I might leave and all those house guests would go with me."

Jon Murray updated his story so that it was clear ...

2012-08-17T06:36:19.583-05:00

Jon Murray updated his story so that it was clear that the Simons were going to pay for the scoreboard and not ask for reimbursement from the Simons. Of course that would just mean they'd ask for a larger annual subsidy. The Simons are not going to pay for the scoreboard.

They will announce the deal after the budget, afte...

2012-08-16T17:03:51.745-05:00

They will announce the deal after the budget, after the tax hike, and after the 6 new TIFs are approved.

Don't forget, the tax increases for the CIB bailout that must be approved next spring or lost forever - ticket tax and car rental tax increases. The repayment of the State loans, that the CIB said they'd take just in case it turned out they really needed the money, will have to begin next year.

So, the Pacers deal will get sandwiched between what is currently on the Council's plate and what is required for 2013.