Mayor Butler wants community to know about TIFs

What the mayor WON'T say is to whom or how the TIF money is paid out. The Southern says attorney ron osman put together a study to show the benefits related to TIFs - wonder if Osman included the benefits HE receives?
Crooked web indeed - Bob!

Why, after more than 1,159 violations of the open meetings act, in which a large number of TIF decisions were made - are the mayor and city council wanting us to know about what they conducted in closed session(s)- with an attorney who benefits GREATLY from property he owns?
Think you know how that study shapes up before you read the attorney's opinion?
Ask about the pay out. Ask why bob's buddies, ten or so of them, hide behind land trusts - and gladly accept YOUR tax dollars.
Count the wal marts in marion.
Three.
Including the rural king, vacant and current footprint. Does wal mart really need more of YOUR tax money in an attempt to lure them here?
Here's a flash! They were already here. And, instead of the imaginary reward, or pot at the end of the rainbow, when the TIFs mature - more favors are needed - for the next NEW location.
Or, how about the EMPTY 33 plus acre circuit city building? Any rewards for that investment?
If there is a suggestion of the success of the baseball project, sure its a money maker for the out of town owners and management.
As for the part time and volunteer job base, whew - thanks a lot! Playing a lot of games now... Look at the windfall from those taxes - let's see, zero plus zero equals zero for the citizens for 23 (maybe more) years - a negotiated split of the taxes collected are paid out - but the tax payers REALLY don't know to whom or how YOUR tax dollars are distributed.
Butler said, "How dare you..." when the school board ask to see how the millions of dollars are being diverted away from the school district.
Now, they want to explain themselves through the opinion of the lawyer representing the city in the lawsuit.
Great piece of reporting the mayor's press release. Exactly what we've known to expect from the local print media.

Its odd isnt it that now it seems that they are going to make some things known to the public. The heat is on now and they know it, they are going to post the TIF info on the Marion web site by what they said in the Council meeting, we will see.