A PSA (Project Destiny Debate on WHO Radio) and Roses

5 Responses to “A PSA (Project Destiny Debate on WHO Radio) and Roses”

1. M.R. Field on July 6th, 2007 5:52 pm
   

   Remember to vote on Tuesday, July 10. (If voting by absentee ballot, the latest date for postmark or in-person voting is July 9.)

   In the debate, Indianola Mayor John Kelley argued for the proponents. I did not catch the last name of the person arguing for opponents, but his first name was John and he’s been around politics for several years. In the debate, women asked 5 of the 19 questions, which is just over 26%. There was no variation in the comments or questions based on gender, though.

   In the post-debate wrap-up, Ed Fallon voiced what I have been saying, i.e., that we need bike paths as part of a transportation plan, not just as recreational options. The same holds true for bus and light rail transit. Both Fallon and his colleague in I’m for Iowa, Lynn Huess, said that if the ballot measure fails, it will be important for local officials to work together to persuade the state legislature to take a look at how funding is allocated. This includes road money to fix city potholes, as well as to build new rural roads, and a mechanism to ease the burden tax exempt properties places on taxpayers. (I say we need regular citizens to be part of this discussion, not just the elected officials, and the discussion should occur regardless of the July 10 vote.)

   During the debate, the discussion of how renters would benefit was raised. Jerry said he had talked with landlords in Indianola, which is in Warren County, who said they would hold rent increases. John responded by saying property owners would see a tax decrease, but tenants would receive a non-binding promise that they wouldn’t see a rent increase.

   One caller said she moved for jobs, not quality of life. Jerry, arguing for amenities, said that young people are different, that they will move to where they want to live, then look for a job. (My observation is that people, younger and older, still move for jobs, they just have more variety of places in which to find work. Plus, moving to a place then looking for work is as old as capitalism.)

   Here is what John and Jerry said in closing comments: John (for the opponents) talked about the sales tax being the wrong tax, too much money going towards corporate tax relief and not enough for central Iowa area needs, the proponents’ campaign has been full of misstatements and outright duplicity, there are questions about the responsiveness and voter accountability of the 28E administration, and more. Jerry (for the proponents) said that 43 of the 48 government entities in the 3 counties agreed to have one governing entity and one approach to the tax, which is unprecedented in Iowa; the elected officials know what they are doing, and that was all he said.

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2. M.R. Field on July 9th, 2007 2:07 pm
   

   There was a Project Destiny debate on Max World on 93.3 FM on the afternoon of Monday, July 9. I caught the last hour; here are some raw notes and personal comments made:

   Jerry Kelley, Mayor of Indianola; George Davies (spelling?), NoLocalOption (Destiny opposition group)

   Much better debate than Friday’s hosted by Ed Fallon

   considerable give and take on both sides

   Just learned that Project Destiny is not being voted on by rural Dallas County, but it’s another plan

   irritated by obsession with young workers; there are several middle-age and older persons who want jobs, too; indeed, there are several people of all ages already in the area eager and ready to work, only there is no transit to the jobs

   Jerry said 50% of government work is planning for future; he argues fiscal controls are in place with Project Destiny; opposition argues that regardless of fiscal controls, history shows public is not going to be included in setting priorities

   Jerry said the Project Destiny ballot measure has language included that money must be spent as indicated, unlike the school tax that is widely considered to be unfairly distributed; [– this can be viewed as both good news and bad news; what it means for residents is that if Des Moines' street lights have to be turned out to save money again, the street lights will be turned off even as residents keep paying the one cent sales tax to build more recreational bike trails and arenas]

   People called in from several different communities; each community has its own needs and its own opinions on the reliability and responsiveness of elected officials; which is one of the problems of Project Destiny; good and bad are all clumped together

   Max - sounds like whole anti-Destiny campaign is dislike of more taxes
   George - certainly that, but more - better pay is better means of attracting and keeping workers
   George - pandemonium - threat that if Project Destiny doesn’t pass, all good things in Iowa will end
   Jerry - the good came about because of money spent in the past

   Max’s conclusion: voters can decide either want to keep growing or want to stop growing

   Wrap-ups:
   Jerry (for Project Destiny)- citizens have opportunity to vote to lower property taxes; also opportunity to do essential public services and life in our area; you either want to lower property taxes, or you don’t

   George (against Project Destiny)- his idea to lower property taxes is just to lower them, not to switch to other tax; Iowa ranks in lowest 20% of wages, that’s why people are leaving Iowa; phoney pro-Destiny literature, phoney claim that area is broke, it’s all phoney

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3. Carole on July 10th, 2007 12:39 pm
   

   Don’t know much about the issue, but the pictures are lovely.
4. M.R. Field on July 10th, 2007 11:19 pm
   

   Thank you, Carole. The camera did not do justice to the deep rich yellow color in the Yellow Simplicity.
5. Barb Tool on July 11th, 2007 12:27 pm
   

   Very Interesting.

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