DeWeese counters CMP petition claims
Tags: Community Maritime Park / Maren DeWeese / Marty Donovan
In a post to her blog, City Councilwoman Maren DeWeese counters the claims made by the anti-Community Maritime Park group “No $48 Million Debt,” which is currently collecting petition signatures to force a referendum on the City’s financing plan for the project.
Here’s the statement on the group’s website:
We want to see a 15 to 25 acre public park built on the city owned Trillium waterfront property. A park that would be a permanent monument to the citizens of Pensacola. A park that would be a tribute to the water that we are all so proud of. A park that we deserve. Sounds simple: Using public owned land to build a public park and all for about half the cost of the proposed baseball field and stripped down park that is now being proposed for the $48,000,000 of city debt. Why can’t we have a park? The simple answer: Special interests, egos and personal agendas want a park in their image.
Councilwoman DeWeese counters on her blog:
1. We have a tribute park. Plaza de Luna is a permanent monument to the citizens of Pensacola. Plaza de Luna is a tribute to the water that we are all proud of, the CMP is altogether different it is one of the most important projects in the history of Pensacola.
The Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park is a visionary project that not only gives access to the waterfront, but also creates a large venue for our citizens to gather and celebrate their beautiful waterfront. We will all benefit from the improvements and gain a higher sense of community. The events that our new park will bring to our area will be world class and open up the City of Pensacola to success and prosperity that to date we have not realized or imagined possible…this is big thinking for a hopeful & patient community.
2. On September 5, 2006, 9,684 citizens of Pensacola voted YES for the Vince Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park… not special interests, egos or personal agendas. The CMP has been voted on and approved by the citizens. Next question, please.
3. The petition question being raised is simply “how the City of Pensacola will finance the park”. The actions taken on October 8,2009 were in line with council discussions on March 27, 2006.
Councilman Donovan: “Do we know what the total bond issue will be to net $40 million?”
Finance Director Barker: “That was with 3 years of capitalized interest. The most recent numbers I have are around $42 million.”
Councilman Donovan: “$42 million?”
Finance Director Barker: “Yes, sir.”
To force a referendum, the group must collect just over 5,800 signatures by December 7.
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My favorite part of Marty’s new petition mailer is the phrase “What We Voted For” next to the 2006 conceptual rendering.
Second favorite part is how most of the talking points on why the current plans have changed since the referendum (exceeds $40 million, missing lighthouse, etc.) were used during the 2006 referendum!
I know there are some denizens of this blog’s comments section who object to fancy five-dollar words like “disingenuous,” but if the shoe fits…
Not true, Joe. Seven million dollars worth of capital improvements were eliminated AFTER the referendum. These include the Converence Center and the UWF Classroom Building. These two buildings were major parts of the sales pitch to the voters.
The lighthouse, marina, and virtually everthing else shown on the Fantasy Rendering were eliminated soon after the release of that rendering. The rendering continued to be used as a sales tool, however, even though the promoters, city council, and news media knew that it was false.
At the same time that amenities were being eliminated, mysterious new “costs” were being added to the project’s budget. MY favorite is the $2 million fee that is being paid to a so-called developer who is bringing absolutely nothing to the table except a vague promise to “hunt for some tenants.”
Joe,
So I have these two mail outs in my hand. The front of the first says “The Bait” it has this pretty picture of what 9000 of us voted on — I call it The Dream. There is a statement on the front that says “… would not cost citizens who lived outside the downtown CRA district ONE RED CENT.”
This declaration is consistent with this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg-SFmoRS2Q&feature=related — agree?
No flip this card over and we have another picture. Here all I see is a Parking Lot and a Base Ball Stadium and a statement that says “…and you and your neighbors are responsible for the entire debt.”
Now I have another mail out, much bigger than the latter. It says, “Stop the Dream Killers.” Hum, clearly the DREAM presented to us voters, 9000 of 38000 that voted on has changed. Changed to just a Parking Lot and a Base Ball Stadium.
It goes on to say “Pensacola needs economic growth, job opportunities, and an improving quality of life.”
So $48M+ for site improvements, infrastructure, a parking lot and Base Ball Stadium is the guiding light to economic growth, job opportunities, and an improving quality of life?
Hum, what to do, what to do? Do I sign this yes or no?
Mr. Sealy (XO)
You crack me up. Conspiracy, inside deals, hidden costs, payoffs. Dude…cut back on the Murder She Wrote and Matlock.
Big boogy man comin’ to get ya Pensacola…Hoooooooooooo!
Everyone this is a conspiracy of 56% of the City electorate. That means all you against the park almost 2 of your friends are out to gittcha.
One City Voter,
It sounds like you will be signing the petition. Okay, your choice.
But as has been pointed out, if the petition forces a referendum, and if that referendum overturns the council action, the only thing that will change (other than boosting Marty’s self-esteem a smidge) is the financing method, which was adjusted to save money. So the park would still be built using the original financing method, but without the extra $12 million+ in New Market Tax Credits that the proposed financing method would allow us to receive.
Obviously there are people willing to cut Pensacola’s nose to spite its face, but I’m hoping they will fail like they did three years ago.
Joe,
No I have not signed yet! But,I think what you are pointing out is the fact that no matter what the cost, the Parking Lot and BaseBall Stadium is the number one priority. It’s going to be built everything else on that drawing – someday. Someday, when I will be, many of us will be to old to enjoy it, but someday nonetheless.
The fact today is what we voted on vs. what is going in are not one and the same, just a variation. The fact that now all City of Pensacola Tax Payers are on the hook, not just the CRA as originally promised.
The real problem here is that “We The People” are asleep at the wheel. 9000 of 38000 voted in 2006, 13000 voted for strong mayor. To me that speaks volumes.
Good luck!!!
Well, 9684 voted FOR the park in ‘06, just as 7762 voted FOR mayor-council government. The total voting in ‘06 was 17385 though.
Obviously elements of the park development have changed since the referendum, and I don’t begrudge anyone a healthy dose of skepticism or frustration. But the changes in financing etc. have been made in good faith on the developer’s recommendation to get as much additional money from NMTC, stimulus grants, and other sources as possible.
Remind me again why building this ballpark is important to my grandchildren. That’s what Mr. Studer said on WEAR tonight, but he didn’t say why.
He also didn’t say what was going to be built on that mailer or
why in this downturned economy the price went up and immenities have disappeared.
The devil is in the details and now the city will be on the hook. We all knew the CRA couldn’t pay for this and if the airconditioned Civic Center is a loser the county offered to give the city how will a 48 million dollar open ballpark do better?
Outdoor movies, boy scout jamborees? pass the kool aid
Mike:
“One Man’s Dream is Another Man’s Nightmare”
and in our case — City of Pensacola Tax Payer’s Nightmare.
Since I posted last I went for a walk, and knocked on a few neighbors doors. I asked a simple question, “How will spending $48M supporting building of a Parking Lot and BaseBall Stadium improve your quality of life?”.
Most had no clue what is going on, just like Strong Mayor, most have no clue.
I signed the Petition! Of my neighbors, five couples did as well.
Most don’t have a clue is correct and that is what wins. They are counting on it.
55%+- of 25%+- of those voting changed our government.
The concept has changed, the price has incrased, the financing scheme has changed, but those who want to build Studer a ballpark on the taxpayers dime still proclaim that is what the voters approved . It is not.
I didn’t expect anyone on this council to notice these details. Their handlers told them to build Studer a ballpark no matter what. To heck with the citizens paying for it.
Remind me again, Mr. Studer, where our children can come home to work once we build your ballpark.
Remind me again, Mr. Studer, what the jobs at your ballpark pay and how many jobs will be generated once construction is complete.