NaNa Anchor City, too: "Commentary: A River City Shakedown."

Are we Breaking Wind yet?

In Louisville, the out-of-town developer menacingly waves the gun.

In New Albany, we helpfully excise the "armed" segment of the forthcoming robbery by approaching the out-of-town developer, offering the city's wallet, and subsequently hailing the transaction as another successful "public-private partnership."

There may be a slight difference in degree, though I may need a bout of daytime drinking to locate it.

Commentary: A River City Shakedown, by Dan Borsch (WFPL)

The threat: abandonment of two major development projects after tearing down historic buildings and closing a popular night spot. The payoff: $10.4 million in public money. The Mark: Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration.

Edwards Companies, a developer from Columbus, Ohio, has proposed major new projects at the sites of the Phoenix Hill Tavern and Mercy Academy. The company has already cleared the Mercy property.

Now, after city officials agreed to offer the company $7.5 million in tax incentives, Edwards is asking for nearly $3 million more – and suggesting it will abandon both properties without it.

After all, why spend your own money when other people’s money is available?

Let's rant for a bit on opportunistic sales buzzards ...

Apart from all other considerations, it's grimly humorous to note the noticeable changes in the composition of attendees during those first two Tuesday morning "emergency" Merchant Mixer meetings, which took place at the Grand in the immediate wake of the Sherman Minton Bridge's closing on September 9.

During the first meeting, there were more business owners and the usual collection of concerned parties from government and non-profits. At the second meeting, there were fewer locals and more carrion-pickers, i.e., sales people of varying stripes looking to capitalize on anxiety by means of their proven records of successfully extracting money for advertising schemes, coupon giveaways, and social media ... whatever.

Over the weekend, a representative from Clear Channel (the radio monopoly, not Amy Adams' political fluffability barometer) contacted us with a sure-fire radio advertising plan to ease the pain of Shermageddon.

This is as good a time as any to remind her and others:

(1) There'll be no audiences for anyone who uses the term "Shermageddon," because it is what was avoided when the bridge was closed for repairs, and it did not actually occur. Exaggeration is bad, and tacky exaggeration borne of societal self-illiteracy is worse.

(2) As noted previously ...

Stop "reaching out" before I tear your arm off.

(3) Do not speak to me of coupons: Coupon Sites Are a Great Deal, but Not Always to Merchants.

What's that? You say you know the secret to small business success, and all I must do is pay you for it? But it you knew the secret, why aren't you in business yourself?

That's what I thought. Bye.