World class

We certainly are lucky that we have the leadership necessary to take us toward being a "World Class" city.  Today's paper (5/20/07) tells us what the next steps are, and the deal is fairly simple.

All we have to do is submit to blackmail from two different sides.

A union wants the mayor to step in to a union organizing campaign and tell the operators of a new hotel to let the union in.  Theoretically, the basis for mayoral intervention would be the fact that the hotel owners are seeking a very substantial taxpayer subsidy for construction.  This leads to the conclusion that the mayor ought to be able to tell them what to do.  We are told that without the mayor's action, the union will "...not be able to guarantee labor peace at the convention center during conventions."

One has to wonder whether this ties in with speculation we've seen about the recent election fiasco.  It has been suggested in some quarters that organized labor was behind the no-show inspectors as a ploy - a very successful one, if true - to show their ability to embarrass the mayor and the Democrat party.  It will be interesting to see how the mayor handles this demand.

Being the old-time reactionary we are, we might go so far as to suggest that it is not the mayor's money involved, and if there is an appropriate action it ought to be a popular referendum rather than an arbitrary decision by one man.

Of course, the really simple and appropriate economic decision would be for the mayor to withdraw any and all subsidy for the project and tell the union to have at it with hotel management.

The second case of extortion is that demanded by the NFL as part of the conditions to be extended by the city to show our gratitude for their generosity in "giving" us a Super Bowl.

We'll re-print those conditions for the benefit of those of our readers who didn't get all the way back to page 14 where they appeared in this morning's paper.  We'll add our own comments as we go along.

"Among other requirements, a community that wants to host the Super Bowl must guarantee:

*Public safety services at no charge.  (This should be no problem for an under-staffed, under-paid, under-equipped police department for which the mayor is already seeking tax increases to handle current crises.)

*A 300-foot security perimeter around the stadium.  (Is this for protection from the taxpayers?)

*Prioritization of NFL projects and streamlined permits for NFL-related facilities at the stadium and NFL party venues at no cost.  (This can be read as: While we deign to grace your city with our presence, just stay the hell out of our way.)

*Free use of 30,000 parking spaces on game day.  No indication in the paper as to location.  We'd recommend Eastgate and Lafayette Square.  The mayor would probably be happy to ride a snow plow if necessary.  There is precedent!)

*Sales tax and other local tax exemptions for the NFL and its 11 affiliated not-for-profit organizations.  (After all, these are only the same taxes which built the palace in which they will cavort.  Presumably, this an area where the 'feel good because we had a Super Bowl' factor kicks in for the poor slob who will be paying those taxes for the rest of his/her life.) 

*Alcohol service to be allowed until 4 a.m. at NFL and team post-game parties.  (We're reminded of old debates in the statehouse about liquor service hours - 'If you can't get drunk by midnight, you aren't trying!')

*A ban on scalping Super Bowl tickets."  (Ain't nobody but us millionaires going to make money on this deal, Bub!)

One has to wonder.  Is "spineless" a synonym for "world class" as an adjective for leadership?

Comments

[Leslie Baker]

I didn't get to page 14, and I appreciate you bringing this forward to our attention. Gee, I wonder why this wasn't all listed on page one?

Peterson wasn't voted in by me and I certainly would never vote for him now. However, there isn't a bumper sticker long enough to explain why! How about if I print out a copy of several of these blog posts and attach them to the back of my car?

[Pogo]

Is this a city or a Sopranos segment? Can't guarantee labor peace? These thugs who play fast and loose with members' money and taxpayer cash need to be reigned in. If it could shown that any union had a hand in the election fiasco, the union needs to face federal charges!

[Chazz]

It's all about Bart getting paid...much like our continuing parking scam...er saga

[racecar_fan]

Thank you. I am 44 years old, work in IT as a systems analysts, and I am tired of pointing out that spending taxpayer money on a new stadium for the colts amounts to welfare for the rich.

Indianapolis needs money for the police, replacing the storm sewers, and the schools. Instead we spend $700 million on building a new stadium and have not identified how the operating costs will be funded, the mayor is having some sort of competition to figure out the highest subsidy he can offer to a hotel builder, and the politicians wonder how they can get a superbowl ticket.