cewoodford wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:35 AM:
" Yeah...I want to hear some Dlf'ers in St Paul tell me how raising taxes is an absolute requirement...how Mn is ran on a shoestring budget...yet, sending $500,000 for what is essentialy discussion of the building of an unwanted sports arena. If this isn't a blatant misuse of public dollars( in a down economy nonetheless)by your elected officials I don't know what is. "
realtor star wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:47 PM:
" but maybe it's "for the kids" again? How about another referendum......dumb ass leaders "
cewoodford wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:27 AM:
" And this isnt about "caring about the arts" the "arts" have been nudged to the side on this project. They have been used as a pawn to procure these dollars. "
cewoodford wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:24 AM:
" Lets all get this straight. First we had $250,000 in magical funding for the "feasibility" study. Now we have another $250,000 in public dollars for the "design study" aspect of this project. We have a grand total of $500,000 spent before one shovel has hit the ground. The taxpayers( the people actually paying for this) have yet to see one business model for this project. We haven't been shown how, if actually built, it could show some profit or at least be financially self supporting. Instead, we watch waht appears to be a freight train of public dollars running loose on the tracks. $500,000 spent so far...on theory... "
realtor star wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:20 AM:
" WASTE, WASTE, WASTE..........That's what our elected officials are good at. Who really cares about the arts anyway??? "
Jack Sparrow wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:20 PM:
" Wonderful, another quarter million of taxpayer's money wasted on worthless projects when we have ROADS that need rebuilding. I don't care if it's a "separate fund", why not combine the dang funds and actually fix what needs to be fixed before trying to build something new?! One key example: the bridge on county 7 through Pickwick is now limited to 3 tons. That means that the garbage truck can't go across the bridge, the school bus can't cross, and come this winter: the snowplow can't cross. What's he going to do...plow from both sides to the bridge and leave a giant snow pile in the middle? That should be interesting. "
myopinion wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:18 AM:
" I agree that this is a huge waste of tax money no matter where it comes from. It looks like Eric Sorenson has his own agenda and loves to spend OUR money. This "arts & theatre" stuff is crap and we don't need to spend any more money on it. (I'm sure the Wilkie site is being eyed up very close by the Mayor, Manager and Council) JUST WATCH!!! "
RVtraveler wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:51 PM:
" I agree with Questions4U, Always Wondering and sfs-123. I don't want my tax dollars spent on something that isn't needed and wanted by only a few. We are not Rochester or La Crosse and never will be. They draw people from a large area that includes Winona and this includes eating out and shopping. Let Winona State do their own thing. "
always wondering wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:34 PM:
" This might be a good idea; but---I don't see anyway it will be near downtown. And because of that, it won't help the downtown businesses. And unlike Lax, there is no place to really eat. And the hotels are not close either. Winona is set up differently, with nothing being close to downtown and that's part of the reason for it's decline. And lastly, I don't want my money going to building this since I know I will never use it with the shows they are already thinking of having there. Not my cup of tea unless it's rock n roll! "
Mac daddy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:04 PM:
" Hey, I like the idea. Progress is a good thing. Creating a place for all to enjoy is important to Winona and to local businesses.
I find it funny, that there are so many negative people around here that want to try and destroy any progressive ideas in Winona.
Unfortunately, a lot of times they succeed with foiling the good ideas, well, I hope this time, Winona can get a great new building to showcase the amazing talent of this area. "
Questions4U wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:27 PM:
" If private investors want to waste their money, go right ahead. If WSU wants a basketball arena let them do so on the backs of their students through more tuition increases. I say a quarter of a million spent designing a money pit is a complete waste of my tax dollars. Wasted on a looney idea. Thanks a lot Gene Pelowski. And I'm all for getting rid of Miller and the rest, but the best thing that could ever be done for the city is to get rid of "manager" Eric Sorenson. "
Questions4U wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:19 PM:
" Winona will NEVER be LaCrosse because you can find people eating and shopping downtown there any time, any day. Our tax revenue can't possibly compete with LaCrosse because you get so a little from a burger or sandwich. Better questions to ask are where is this dream dome going to go? Why would WSU pay to rent a facility when it can use its own for free? Why would Shakespeare pay to rent a facility when it can use WSU for free? Furthermore Shakespeare has been around for 5 years so how about a story on how much tax revenue it's produced for Winona? Surely the city has stats on how much it's benefited the community. In SO many ways. Right? "
myepinion wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:25 PM:
" But like the Civic center in LaX, Winona would need to be open to everything from dog shows to comic shows. Sports and festivals, garden shows and clothing shows and boat shows. They would need to give this center a liquor license to sell booze like in LaX. LaX is a good working model, but if our local people don't open their eyes to see what needs to be done--it'll be another huge empty building and wasted $30 mil. "
Reasonable wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:50 AM:
" Furthermore.A Blatant waste of money?? Have you been to the area immediately surrounding the LAX convention center? And please spare me the Winona isnt La Crosse argument. Do you think the businesses in that area profit from the events that happen there? Does that increase tax revenue? Does that create more jobs? I went down there for a comic show a while ago and the streets were full of people eating and shopping before the show started. Bring people to town and they will spend money. "
Reasonable wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:43 AM:
" I love comments like this from Deb Salyards, Theres no way that the theater needs are going to be met in the same venue as a sports complex, I mean, we put a man on the moon, tunneled under the English Channel, harnessed the power of nuclear reactions, landed robots on mars, but there is NO WAY we can design a single structure that can handle both Shakespeare and Basketball???? "
xfs-123 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:14 AM:
" This is a blatant waste of my money regardless of the initial amount. How about looking at the $25M that will come out of our pockets for a theater that does not turn a profit and sporting events we can do without. I can sure think of numerous other things to spend that kind of money on. Don't forget we will be spending a large amount on a second overpass in the near future. How many streets could be fixed? How many snow plows and drivers could be had for that money. I sure hope we get a new mayor and replace some of the council this time around!!!! "
Hot Rod Otis wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:38 AM:
" Don't look at me, I live in Wisconsin. "
The Donald wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:29 AM:
" Calm down, Chuckie W, it's the original $250K, not an additional allocation. But $500K makes for a better rant, so run with it. And you neglected to mention PAIN AT THE PUMP!!!! "
cewoodford wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:11 AM:
" Now ask yourselves...Are the lawmakers in St Paul and Winona really representing you and your families best interests? $500,000 spent before ONE SHOVEL has hit the ground...on a theater/arena nobody really wants... "
cewoodford wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:09 AM:
" So.....FIRST we had a $250,000 grant to study the "feasibility" of building this theater that very few local taxpayers want and has a very slim possibility of not being a huge financial burden to the city..NOW we're spending another $250,000 on its design? Does anyone else here have a problem with your tax dollars being spent like this? That was $500,000 they essentially blew on studies of how they could spend YOUR hard earned dollars..a half million dollars...up and out of the chimmney like smoke in the air...you may have problems making your mtg payment and keeping food on the table, obviously in St Paul there is no economic downturn... Thanks once again Mn DFL!!!! "
therealdeal wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:52 AM:
" I was just wondering what happened to the funds ($250,000) that were for the theater committee to look into funding a theater??? Can any City Official answer that one. Why another cash payout for this one. Boy that levee is looking good right about now. "
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