Public money: most good for most people
To the editor:
This is in reply to John Maynard’s letter in the Oct. 27 Bulletin. I am responding to his comment, “Ask incumbents what capital projects they have completed with marijuana money.”
Library construction, Hiawatha Gardens improvements and many other projects are now funded and will be under construction next year. Money from various sources — very often grants — is underwriting these. Marijuana money, like other sales taxes, goes into the General Fund, and a large amount of that then goes to capital improvements.
There is a good deal in progress, but more years of dedicated work and funding are needed. A lot is getting done despite having had so much former public money bleed through the URA.
Now, Mr. Maynard, what did the Urban Renewal Authority — of which you are the vice chair — do with the URA sales tax?
The URA provided Paragon Properties, an Indiana developer, with $2.15 million to acquire and demolish the La Fun Motel. The Holiday Inn chain also got a sweetheart deal. This is what the URA recently used its sales taxes for.
It is ironic that Maynard mentioned the library. I had asked a URA Board member for a donation to the library but was told “no,” since it is outside the URA boundaries — as is most of the city.
Last year, City Council stopped the automatic pass-through of the money to the URA, directing it to be used for the entire city. In recent years that’s been about $1.4 million annually.
The URA is an issue where my opponent and I strongly disagree. She has been and is a stalwart supporter of an unrestricted URA and its decisions. I think council oversight and collaboration is warranted.
I believe that public money should do the most good for the most people for the longest time.
Mayor John Graham
