I jumped in about 7:30 last night, in the midst of citizens’ comments so the proclamations must have taken a long time! Here’s my assessment of what I saw. The Bad The saddest part, of course, was Council’s approval of almost all of ReNew DeKalb’s wish list. With that they closed the door on the…
Tag: TIF
Verbic Does Work for Barb City Manor
Third Ward Alderman Pam Verbic did finally return my e-mail inquiry regarding her employment at Barb City Manor, confirming that she has worked there part-time for the past three years. You will recall that such a connection will require her abstention from votes on BCM and TIF 2. Thanks to others who made the same…
Letter: Council Puts Taxpayers on Hook
Freshly published in the Daily Chronicle: To the Editor: During the March 8 DeKalb City Council meeting, 4th Ward Alderman Brendon Gallagher made a plea to the community for support during the upcoming budget preparation period. According to the meeting minutes, Ald. Gallagher “asked that the citizens be empathetic with the current financial situation facing…
Biernacki: “Widespread Community Support” for Skating Rink
Northern Star‘s article on the impending demise of DeKalb’s synthetic skating rink: Because The Skate School was not at fault for the decline in patronage, Biernacki said he is sure the council will relieve the contract. “We pursued [the ice rink] with widespread community support,” Biernacki said. “That support did not translate into patrons.” Biernacki…
Park District & TIF
Here are facts obtained recently from the DeKalb Park District about its agreements with the City of DeKalb: Once upon a time, the Park District would submit requests to the City for reimbursements of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)-eligible expenses incurred on a project-by-project basis. The projects had to occur within TIF districts and there was…
You May Raise My Taxes When…
Is it wrong to prefer a Council meeting without Wogen and Simpson? I’ve decided there’s no immediate need to get rid of Wogen unless he starts showing up again, or if the 3rd Ward wants the mayor to appoint somebody to the spot. And Simpson can take as much time off as he likes unless…
Alderman Renews DeKalb for TIF Money
With the help of city administrators, Victor Wogen managed to parlay his seat on the DeKalb City Council into income approaching $60,000 of taxpayers’ money in 2008, about ten times more than his annual salary as representative of the Third Ward.
“TIF = crack for politicians”
The above description came from blogger Christopher on the Chicago Tribune Web site on the 10/01/09 article entitled, “Copenhagen countdown: The latest from the IOC meeting.” This link works at least for today. Here is Christopher’s quote in context:
Your TIF Dollars at Work
Michael “Max” Maxwell sent CB a few snapshots of two of the new outdoor cafes. Thanks, Max!
The Redevelopment Commission
TIF oversight in DeKalb is a joke. Recently I asked to see several years’ worth of minutes of Joint Review Board meetings, which apparently are as perfunctory as can be since there is no substance to the minutes, much less evidence of real oversight. How could there be? They only meet once a year. Then…