Bicentennial funding: Why are we paying for private parties?

A note I sent to some council members today, asking for some rational, bicentennial intervention on behalf of a very left out, largely confused public: 

A brief review of funding so far:

Bicentennial Book:

$144,000 (Started with a "loan" from redevelopment. Does anyone know how much?)

Park: 

$165,000 purchase price (grossly overpaid)

$50,0000 design (overpaid again)

$520,000 for construction (no one seems to know why such a small park is so expensive)

Other:

$43,000 (earmarked for DNA and Bicentennial out of $100,000 transfer to Board of Public Works)

That puts the City on the hook for between $778,000 and $922,000 already, depending on the amount of the book loan, with little to no oversight. Now they're asking for $85,000 more. That's all in addition to the $275,000 they've received from Horseshoe among other private donations. The total known expenditure so far is about $1.2 million even before tonight's request. I've seen far lesser amounts lead to significant council debates but this money, for some reason, seems to be flowing without much question or understanding of its use.

Beyond the wildly overpriced park, why is the public being asked to fund what are essentially private parties with cover charges that will preclude much of the population from participating? It's one thing to help fund a small number of free-to-the-public events but why should everyone have to pay for lavish, ticketed events that those throwing them should be able to afford on their own?

Please consider turning down the funding request tonight, at the very least for those events which intend to charge for admission even after receiving public subsidy.

Thanks.

$85,000 more, tonight. For what?

There's more Caesar's Folly funding on tap tonight as the city council convenes to avoid the question, "Who's really in charge around here?"

I'm attending a wake and cannot make it, so let's hope either Bluegill or Iamhoosier, or both, can provide a report from the scene of this latest example of the Bicentennial Junta's budge-busting.

Here's the agenda, courtesy of the city clerk.

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Common City Council Minutes

THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, WILL HOLD A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2012 AT 7:30 P.M.

MOMENT OF REFLECTION:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

ROLL CALL:

APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF THE FOLLOWING MINUTES:

Work Session Meeting Minutes for September 13, 2012
Public Hearing Meeting Minutes (Redistricting) for September 20, 2012
Public Hearing Meeting Minutes (Cooling System) for September 20, 2012
Regular Meeting Minutes for September 20, 2012.

COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC:

COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OFFICIALS:

COMMUNICATIONS – MAYOR

APPROVAL OF CF-1 FORMS:

Insulated Roofing Contractors, Compliance with Statement of Benefits referencing R-08-37 (RE)

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: READING

R-12-15 Resolution to Provide Funding to Haven House for the Provision of Homeless Services
Coffey

A-12-20 Appropriation from Riverboat Fund for Bicentennial Events and Operations
Phipps 1&2

A-12-21 Appropriation from EDIT for Restoration of Second Baptist Church Clock Tower
Gonder 1&2

A-12-22 Appropriation from Medical Drug Fund
Caesar 1&2

A-12-23 An Ordinance to Fix Non-Reverting Budgets for the Year 2013 McLaughlin 1&2

A-12-24 An Ordinance Setting Salaries for the Year 2013 for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees
McLaughlin 1&2

A-12-25 Ordinance/Resolution for Appropriations and Tax Rate (New Albany Flood Control)
McLaughlin 1&2

A-12-26 Ordinance/Resolution for Appropriations and Tax Rate (New Albany Civil City)
McLaughlin 1&2

G-12-21 An Ordinance to Allow Any and All Political Parties to Represent the City Council on Boards
Coffey 1&2

G-12-22 An Ordinance to Rescind/Abolish Health Insurance for Part-time Elected Officials
Coffey 1&2

Z-12-18 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of New Albany, Indiana Title XV Chapter 156 (Commonly known as the “Zoning Ordinance”)
Blair 1&2

BOARD APPOINTMENTS:

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC (non-agenda items):

IN COMMITTEE:

G-12-12 An Ordinance Amending the Code of New Albany Title IX: General Regulations, Chapter 99: STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, to include Section 99.03: RIGHT-OF-WAY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, as permitted under Indiana Code 8-1-2-101, (a) through (d), to provide for the safety of the traveling public in the rights-of-way of the City of New Albany, Indiana.
McLaughlin 3

TABLED ORDINANCES:

A-12-15 Additional Appropriation in an Amount of $210,700 from Riverboat Fund for Upgrade to the Financial Software Systems
McLaughlin 1&2

G-12-20 An Ordinance Amending the City of New Albany Code Chapter 34 Section 17 Regarding Vacation Policies for Nonbargaining Unit Employees
Zurschmiede 1&2

Groomsian "freedoms" from a Republican Party intent on keeping women barefoot and pregnant.

During the course of my campaign, I've been asked why I seem to prefer denouncing Republicans rather than conducting a polite primary meet 'n' greet.

If the shoe fits ... then Democrats with a conscience need to wear it.

Item: Poor Indiana women might lose access to Planned Parenthood for non-abortion services

Item: Last evening, Vi Simpson tweeted this observation: "Awful day in Senate today. No citizen left unscathed by Repub majority - women, workers, teachers, voters, students. What about tomorrow?"

Item: Whether or not I win my race for city council, and whether or not there is anything specific a council person can do about Indiana's current fascist tilt, I guarantee that the coming year will be spent assisting the grassroots opposition. We can't get to Ron Grooms for a while, and that's too bad. But in 2012, there'll be another chance to retake a House seat. Just let me know how I can help.