Home | Featured | Politics | City Council votes to spend 1.2million more money in Columbus

City Council votes to spend 1.2million more money in Columbus

Source: Joe Swaim Posted: 13.Dec, 2011 10:06:00 | Last Accessed: 2013-05-14 22:33:40 |

33 Comments Article Rating:2.25 | Read: 954 | New today: 1 | Mobile Version

Tagged: money, Kristen Brown, VOTE, City Council, Frank Jerome, Jim Lienhoop, Citizens of Columbus, Retire

There you have it folks. With the exception of Kristen Brown and Frank Jerome, the new council sat there silent while the current council stuck us with another 1.2 million dollars worth of debt.

Jim Lienhoop voting right along with the rest of the council. Even though Kristen Brown made some good points in not being so hasty, the current council had to get their last claws into the citizens of Columbus before they retire. Shame on them and shame on the new members who said nothing..

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Comments (33 posted)

Administrator 14/12/2011 08:44:23

So what? We tar and feather them now?

I understood it to be a bond that the orgnization would be paying back.

So we rail the council for helping a company build a place that will bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue and millions and millions for years to come in tourist money to the city they represent.

Stop and think about what you're saying, once again.

The people we elected to make decisions for us made a great decision and you want to whine about it.

It's called investment people!

It's called planning for the future.

And thankfully, they have the guts to do what's best in spite of people like you.

Olden 14/12/2011 14:38:31

Where exactly are the millions of tax revenues going to come from? Maybe some tourist revenue, but the existing ceraland only pays 40,000/year in taxes. If this site pays that much, it would be 30+ years to pay back 1.2 million. That is if they don't ask for an abatment.

Politics 101 14/12/2011 10:47:25

Exactly Bob! It's about CLEANING UP an environmental mess, it is not tied to a sports complex. The mess still has to be cleaned up. By the way, there was some very loud arguing between Kristen Brown and Frank Miller in the hallway last night that everyone could hear. Would love to know what that was about???

Joe Swaim 17/12/2011 15:58:40

This has absolutly nothing to do with cleaning up the environment. If this was to clean up the environment, then why did they wait till the very last meeting to commit this much money. Yes Bob, we vote people in to make these important decisions, thus the very reason it should have been left to the incoming council to commit this money. Why commit taxpayers money before we get the money from all of the owners of the property. This property was owned by the Miller family, why are we not going after the cost from them before this is stuck to the Taxpayers of Columbus. With the property being undisturbed, clean up is not required since contamination is contained.

This is not a loan to be paid back, this is money that we the taxpayer will never see again. While the Millers and other owners go off scott free. There were some personal agendas here that had the council ram this through while there were people in the audience who opposed. It is the legacy of the current council as one that ignored the voice of the people. And they continued this up to the very end.

-1

Paula Jarrett 18/12/2011 19:06:41

Admins, how come With comes out on Mr.Swaims post??? Are you afraid to answer my question of why that word won't post on mine??? but it will do so for others????

Admin 18/12/2011 20:18:32

This might be fixed now, thank you. Might have been the capital "W" that was the issue.

Paula Jarrett 18/12/2011 22:51:04

Oh no, it happens ALL the time when I use the word with......and I showed a post where that word came out, and not with an *....

Phil Swaim 14/12/2011 11:27:59

If anything should be gathered from the election, it's that votes like the ones last night are hated HATED by the people of this City 2:1.

And what organization is paying this back? US! Now that we are guaranteeing funds, no one is going to assume liability since the City has already assumed it. sure, the law says past owners of the affected property should pay back money for the project, but are we really going to heap legal fees on top of our over-burdened debt service?

These are NOT investments. These are large sandwiches that the council and administration have eyes bigger than their stomachs for. Even as they voted, they had NO idea what they were voting on. They were still clueless and confused as multiple explanations have now been given to them of what this is. George Dutro just decided which reality he wanted to accept, I guess.

We don't have to worry about this kind of horrible decision making for long, hopefully. I would hope that this new Mayor and Council will actually look over things and spend time thinking and investigating what they are voting on before they actually vote.

-8

Politics 101 14/12/2011 12:50:52

Phil, get your stories together. Papa Joe already threw the new council under the bus except for the Mayor-Elect and Frank Jerome. It looks like the disenfranchised Swaims are still malcontents! This is better than a steak and baked potato!

Ben Hazelwood 14/12/2011 11:43:47

Compared to what the school board spends, it's a drop in the bucket.

Phil Swaim 14/12/2011 15:39:07

It's a drop in the midst of a flood of debt though. Sure, the loan is 0% interest, but that does not mean the money is free. We still have to pay the money. This is not a grant. This is debt upon debt that has pushed us past our debt limit. The fact that they know we are over our debt limit and still have a happy trigger when it comes to increasing the debt service shows that this council is not looking out for the interests of Columbus but is shooting citizens in the foot. The election showed an overwhelming mandate by the VOTERS that they want change from this current council and its ways. The responsible thing to do would be to let the council the VOTERS want decide if the debt service should be increased or not.

There are other ways we can finance this before we consider debt. This council will not have to work to pursue those ways, since they are lameducks, so the bullies went ahead and got one more punch in the stomach of taxpayers before they left.

-6

Devin 14/12/2011 16:10:06

Seriously Phil, you and your dad don't speak for Columbus to the extent you think you do. Your dad got beat and I have yet to see your name on a ballot for anything. It's easy to make catcalls from the cheap-seats when you are not the one making the calls but, in all honesty, your claims that the sky is falling are sounding weaker and weaker by the minute.

This Council and Mayor was the "will of the people" 4 times Phil. 16 YEARS they sat in those offices and did what they felt was best for the citizens of this community and for the most part, we are all better off for it.

Phil Swaim 14/12/2011 22:53:16

In a democracy, 1 vote overrides 4 votes or 10 votes or 10 decades of votes. And thank God for that.

-4

Kerrigan Smith 15/12/2011 10:42:29

You do understand, don't you that 16 years of votes do count, and they still count until 1/1/2012. You also understand don't you, that we are cleaning up a mess that was left to us in past decades - not yesterday - and you do understand that the money for this clean-up will dry up soon - and you do understand that we should not leave this mess for our children, like it was left for us. Pay attention Phil - all the questions that were asked about hearings, meetings were answered - all notices, meetings were done legally, with notice in The Republic. Just because no one from YOUR group attended, doesn't make it illegal -pay attention Phil - the Mayor has and the council has. I don't think your life is going to be a bed of roses after 1/1/2012 - you will finally understand that yourvoice is just one and the voices that want Columbus to move forward are many!

Phil Swaim 15/12/2011 17:18:58

1. Legal notice was not in The Republic. Atleast not for or around the dates that the gentleman who was there fumbled around. No notice was made on the City Website either (which is also required by law). Also, there is nothing from the Redevelopment commission in the repository. That is also something that has to be done in accordance with law. So legality of these proceedings and decisions must be challenged. They were at the meeting, and they were not considered past one man fumbling around with dates and he is still wrong.

2. The money will not dry up soon. We have until the end of 2012. Plenty of time to access that money.

3. No, it was not discussed. The public comments were closed, the council voted with no discussion.

Those are facts, you cannot make them up. Watch the video.

-1

Fact Finder 15/12/2011 16:17:36

I can not find the plublic notice that was to run from Oct. 18,2011 till Nov. 18, 2011 in the major local newspaper. Could not find the notice on the city's web site . How do you offer public input if you do not know when and where? If they held the meeting why are the notes not on file? Please let me know where all this is?

Devin 14/12/2011 12:55:20

No, any spending ANY is hated by the Swaims. Most of the people in Columbus realize that the new mayor and council are going to have to spend SOME money, everyone except the Swaims who want marathon explanations for every cent spent. Your people are insane! The toxic mess has to be cleaned up. Period. To have a zero percent interest loan IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS of the city.

As 101 has suggested so eloquently, the Swaims represent a minority of the majority. At last count Joe's Facebook for City Council page had 18 likes and Boy Phil's had just over 80. The Swaim's might be the biggest mouths in Columbus who DO NOT SPEAK for the majority. Stick that in your top hat Phil!

Phil Swaim 14/12/2011 15:49:30

Where is all this nastiness coming from? What is with all the hate? Can you not have a conversation about government without blowing up in to hate speech and personal attacks? Come up with arguments and reason. Columbus is a better place than your hatred. You represent a minority of Columbus, I definitely hope so.

But to address an actual argument you made: Not all spending is bad. Spending without consideration and in the face of questions about legality and alternatives to debt is not acting in the best interests of Columbus. The City had until the end of next year to make this decision. More work could be done to make sure what was being done. The council demonstrated last night that they have absolutely no idea of what they did. they could not keep their stories straight and, as usual, changed their reasons and identification as to what this project is about.

As Bob Freeman said above, he identifies this as a sports complex vote. The council in last meeting identified it as such, but now identifies it as an environmental decision. So which is it? The answer is which ever is most convenient, politically correct, and socially palatable.

Spending with no reason or no plan is a bad idea all the way around. That is what has quadrupled our debt over the last 6 years and put us over our debt limit. we are over the debt limit. This council has refused to recognize that duanting fact. That is what is really the travesty here.

-3

Devin 14/12/2011 18:37:40

Where is all this nastiness coming from? Look in the mirror Phil or better yet read your own diatribe.

Phil Swaim 14/12/2011 23:12:56

I have no idea what you are talking about. I never personally attack anyone. I only ever point out places in local government that I believe need to be improved. When politicians hear arguments against a measure, and vote without discussing it, forgive me or anyone if we are displeased with that form of bully government.

It's easy for you guys to make your comments behind you masks too. the few who have used such horrid language could very well be the same person. I think it is. People who hide behind a mask does not have an opinion that really matters.

People can disagree with me, by the way. It is perfectly fine. This is America. God forbid it that we should ever lose the ability, right, and duty to disagree with our fellow citizen over an issue. That is not the problem with many people who support the actions of this administration.

The point at which someone actually becomes a sheep is when they are unwilling to even entertain the thought that the officials they stand by could very well NOT be perfect and pure. Most people I talk to who agree with things this administration has done that I disagree with, they understand why I disagree. They just have a different idea or feeling on how their government should operate. I can respect that. I DO respect that. It is the people who could never bring themselves to question "his Honor" the Mayor on various issues that I take great offense to.

But my aim is not towards people. My aim is towards the people who make those decisions. I never diatribe. Rant is more characteristic of some of the writings you might be thinking of. Most of my writings are based a few qualities. Setting, background, concerns, questions, and solutions if they apply. It's never personal and always business.

Long reply. Just wanted to make sure you are perfectly corrected on where your comments about me personally are entirely wrong. Have a great day. Try to keep positive. Negativity towards people personally really is not healthy. Hope you have a great day, a good holiday season, and a great new year.

-2

Devin 15/12/2011 11:08:01

You CAN be wrong Phil. SURPRISE! These issues have been discussed simply because YOU disagree does not make them wrong. See you at City Hall :-)

Ron 14/12/2011 13:37:49

Not sure what the complaining is about. The city basically got a no interest loan to clean up a toxic mess. If the argument from Mayor-Elect Brown is that the city should incur legal fees chasing down past property owners and somehow force them to clean it up, I'm not buying it. Actually, this Council did something prudent and responsible at their last meeting a deserve applause not the typical derision that has saddled this city.

Jon 14/12/2011 21:04:07

I am growing weary of the Swaim's as well. Honestly, they see everything wrong with everything that is done. Anyone who dares disagree with Phil is called a sheeple and worse. If they want to govern so damn bad, why don't they run for office? Oh wait, Joe did! HA

Jus sayin' 15/12/2011 01:41:53

Disagree agreeably?

I'm not sure Phil is right on the issue, but he does have a point regarding the hateful diatribes.

A Spade's a Spade 15/12/2011 11:06:02

Sorry, Phil, but you don't get to criticize people for hateful diatribe. You are the one who decided to pass around Jihadi style pictures of your political opponents with their heads chopped of, complete with blood and bones. That makes you responsible for the single most despicable and utterly unacceptable chapter in Columbus politics. Personally, my opinion is that you should be a pariah, so there's no confusion that your sort of "conversation about the government" has no place here. But it's just my opinion.

At the least, however, you need to take a hard look in the mirror. You, Kristen, and anyone else who have reduced politics to "the name and blame game" over the last few years built this church, so don't complain to the rest of town about how uncomfortable the seats are.

Devin 15/12/2011 12:13:06

Phil Swaim -- "votes like the ones last night are hated HATED by the people of this City 2:1." "They were still clueless and confused as multiple explanations have now been given to them of what this is." "We don't have to worry about this kind of horrible decision making for long, hopefully." "so the bullies went ahead and got one more punch in the stomach of taxpayers before they left." " bully government."

Pretty harsh words Phil and all from YOU!

The point at which someone actually becomes a sheep is when they are unwilling to even entertain the thought that the officials they stand by could very well NOT be perfect and pure. Most people I talk to who agree with things this administration has done that I disagree with, they understand why I disagree. They just have a different idea or feeling on how their government should operate. I can respect that. I DO respect that. It is the people who could never bring themselves to question "his Honor" the Mayor on various issues that I take great offense to.

But my aim is not towards people. My aim is towards the people who make those decisions. I never diatribe. Rant is more characteristic of some of the writings you might be thinking of. Most of my writings are based a few qualities. Setting, background, concerns, questions, and solutions if they apply. It's never personal and always business.

Long reply. Just wanted to make sure you are perfectly corrected on where your comments about me personally are entirely wrong. Have a great day. Try to keep positive. Negativity towards people personally really is not healthy. Hope you have a great day, a good holiday season, and a great new year.

Like many other folks Phil, you use your bully pulpit to demonize the people entrusted to make the best decisions for this city. You have done repeatedly for more than the past year but only within the past year have you taken to your soapbox more often. You speak from your soapbox, which is your right, but you come across as a know it all and when things don't go your way, you make accusations of decisions made behind closed doors. Deals under the table or any other "shade" that you can manage to throw without a shred of actual proof.

This issue that has you screaming is just one that must be dealt with and the people that YOU helped elect were, by and large, in agreement to clean this mess up. Will you put on your top hat and take your broom to the next council meeting to "sweep the out?" Anything less would make you disingenuous Phil. You are a bully and you are mean. It's one thing to disagree with the decisions people make, it's another to make the snide remarks that you wrap yourself in.

Phil Swaim 15/12/2011 17:33:15

Read those comments again. No personal attacks. I do not use vitriol in my opinion or commentary. I call something irresponsible and I give the reason. I call it clueless and I give the reason. I question whether behind closed doors discussions have taken place or not. I do not know, but something had to happen between last meeting and this one to cause that huge of a change in the council.

The commissioners of the county ought to be commended. When they have discussions or interactions that the public are not privy to, they let everyone at the meeting know how they got to that point and what discussions they have had with people to help them form their decisions. This Council does not do that. It's sad.

Bully pulpit is one who is in a position of authority who is in a rank or position over many others and is characterized by using power to direct the workings of the underlings, possibly against their will. Get your phrases and idioms correct.

I'm fine with the fact you disagree with my commentary. But your problem is that you do not think people should be able to criticize or otherwise reprove elected officials. The are indeed entrusted. If no one is watching them or keeping on them, then they become soft, comfortable with their position of power. That is what has happened. They are not gods from on high. They are people who must be held accountable for their decisions. Mayor or coucilman is not a community position. It is a government position.

Votes matter. But when a vote MASSIVELY overturns prior votes, those prior votes no longer count for anything. The people have changed their mind. That is what a voter mandate is. It should mandate change in the current council and administration too, but that is not going to happen with these individuals.

-1

Politics 101 15/12/2011 15:19:48

Like the occupy protesters, the Swaim's are, essentially good, at rallying support for their cause but I am not sure what the definition of their cause is. How, exactly, would you fix the mess at Second and Lafayette, Phil? A lawsuit against Cummins, perhaps? Maybe you can bring your conspiracy theory out of the closet and explain just, exactly, what the council and mayor did that was so wrong in voting to clean up a toxic mess?

Should we wait six months or a year while Frank Jerome and Mayor-Elect Brown dismantle CDI and change the way the city does business? Obviously you think so. The problem, as I have suggested many times, is that when you don't get your way, you come out swinging like Mike Tyson but lacking discipline. Public meetings have been advertised, public meetings have been held and THE REPUBLIC and WCSI have covered those meetings. Even you have streamed them on your fledgling blog. You always come across as an expert with all of the answers and you paint those who have been elected and sit in those chairs as disingenuous and often times worse.

You are quick to point out the problems as you see them Phil and are eloquent in your rants, diatribe or whatever you choose to call it but you lack credibility and specifics when it comes to how things should actually be done. None of this is new, we have all been listening to it, ad nauseum, for the past year and not only is it ponderous, it's boring. The team that was elected last month, for the most part, supported the decision by this mayor and this council to proceed. Perhaps your problem Phil is not with this particular mayor and council but ANY elected officials who we ask to make these tough calls. I suggest again that you put your name on the ballot since your ideas and concerns seem to trump everyone else's.

Phil Swaim 15/12/2011 20:59:43

That meeting was not publicized.