He [Schwab] challenged the Council to adopt a budget that does not take any money from the Redevelopment Agency.
Walt Stanckiewitz Said he would meet Schwab's challange of a ballanced budget with out raiding CRA Funds.
Then the" GT City Machine," got to him, CRA Director, Joyce Powers overpowered Walt, with: "how CRA was good for the City and how we needed to be selfish for GT. Take as much property tax we can get and forget all the others levels of government that relay on the same tax base."
We may need some CRA to fund projects we cannot afford from the General Fund, but why should we pay for private commercial investment?
Congressional earmarks are up for a one year moratorium. Republican David Drier is quoted in today's The Sun Newspaper writes about how earmarks for private investment is not a good practice.
People, special interests have engaged government to take on debt for capital projects true entrepreneurs can and should do for their own profit. How has private investment become the public's responsibility?
Why do we have the Joint Chiefs of Staff, if a local Congressman is going to decide we need a certain shield for a military weapon.
Why did Congressman Lewis use earmarked tax funds to pay for the Proton Beam at Loma Linda University and you and I cannot use it, unless we have health insurance and the insurance allows you to use it? People from other countries are using it. London, Germany and Australia.
Lastly, todays La Times has article regarding the County of Orange California's Treasurer, who supplemented his pay by $200,000 by investing in risky securities. Remember Orange County filed bankruptcy in the 1990's, because Robert Citron, former Treasurer, was investing in deriatives, the same stuff that caused the housing bust.
OUR CRA/GT staff love having RDA to supplement their inflated salaries. Councilmembers love all the attention they get from developers. Private Party Funds and campaign contributions included.
By law the CRA 5 year plan and any extension of the RDA debt capacity must expalin, why private development needs our city help. All the plan says is private investment cannot do it alone and needs are help. The plan notes it is working with private developers to establish new projects.
By law the CRA 5 year plan and any extension of the RDA debt capacity must expalin, why private development needs our city help. All the plan says is private investment cannot do it alone and needs are help. The plan notes it is working with private developers to establish new projects.
Who are these Developers? What are their incomes?
WHY are WE SUPPORTING THEM?
These Questions are not answered in the extension plan.
