Our Opinion: ‘Yes’ to Transformation

News Tribune editorial

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Transformation represents a culmination.

The economic development initiative to be decided Tuesday by Jefferson City voters collects a range of projects that have languished for years on our community’s “to-do” list.

The proposed half-cent sales tax for 10 years would generate an estimated $41 million to finance 30 projects.

Many of these projects have been on the local radar for some time. Project areas include Old Town, Downtown, MSP redevelopment site and Millbottom area. Also included are enhancements for a proposed conference center and a partnership to locate Lincoln University programs in the St. Mary’s Health Center building to be vacated.

Invariably, some individuals will criticize the inclusion of specific projects. That is a virtue of the list. It is not any individual’s ideal; it reflects community consensus developed through a public process.

We appreciate the sentiments of people who have expressed concerns about increasing the sales tax.

We agree proposed tax issues must be justifiable and reasonable; we believe the Transformation initiative exceeds those standards.

Local taxes are much more efficient than state or federal taxes, which must divert significant portions of each tax dollar to feed bureaucracies. In addition, accountability by local governing bodies can be monitored and progress and completion of promised projects can be tracked.

In the final analysis, Transformation marks a crossroads. Our community can choose continued stagnation or visionary progress.

Stagnation begets deterioration. Historic buildings at the MSP site — now a tourist attraction — will disintegrate. Once vacated, the St. Mary’s facility overlooking the center of our city, will descend into disrepair if it remains unoccupied.

The alternative is action, development and progress. Our community can transform potential liabilities into attractive assets.

We encourage residents to support a vibrant future for our community. Vote “yes” Tuesday on Proposition 1 to transform Jefferson City.

Visit the Transformation section to read additional articles about the Transform Jefferson City proposal.

More like this story

rodinman 1 year, 3 months ago

The MSP buildings have already begun to deteriorate and the owner (the state) is not being held accountable by the city to properly maintain the facility. Blame the mayor and the city council. Who says St Mary's will be vacated? Are you sure the owners have no plan to sell or lease the facility or portions of it? Will the current St Mary's hospital facilty descend into disrepair? If so, blame the mayor and city council for not ensuring city departments are enforcing codes. A city funded survey was done in April 2010 and was released in June 2010 and the results were raising taxes was a low priority; conference center, old town and riverfront development were given low priority and should be privately funded. A large percentage wanted parts of MSP developed but with private money. No body wants to talk about this survey (done with a 95% confidence level) because it does not accomplish what the local elite want -- tax money to fund their pet projects. If the survey was in support of these projects the chamber of commerece and local business leaders would be waving the survey results from the top of every building in town. I will vote "no" to this waste of tax money.

seeno 1 year, 3 months ago

Cash rules! $79,000 to $ 0 in favor of this transformation. Just the cost of doing business!! Google the names of the pro tax transformation opinion pieces and you will find they are all connected. They are either city politicians,city or cole county supervisors, business owners, CEO's of banks, a large medical group or PR employees of these companies. Hawthorn Bank took a TARP bailout at taxpayer expense and has not paid back one dime. They did make money, though, at taxpayer expense. I really doubt that these supporters are the least bit concerned if winning this victory will cause hardship for anyone outside their circle.

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

I just don't see any of these projects adding very many jobs to Jeff City. They won't help raise existing wages either. Without higher wages and promotional opportunities, young professionals will not be attracted to live here. Our brightest high school graduates will not come back here if they can't get good-paying jobs with promotions in the future.

Some really nice stuff here for good 'ol boy Chamber members, but none of these projects will benefit middle class families.

I want this city to grow and improve, but we need projects that will benefit more than just the upper class. Perhaps the city hall budget could be tightened up a bit to do some of these projects without additional taxes. They are already getting a big hotel tax, and an ambulance tax that isn't needed.

online_editor 1 year, 3 months ago

Just to clarify. In Missouri, the owner of a new car pays sales taxes based on where they live, not where they purchased the vehicle. It's paid when the vehicle is licensed. See www.dort.mo.gov/net_apps/SalesTax Calc for further reference and to estimate what your tax would be.

online_editor 1 year, 3 months ago

Yes, Jefferson City and Cole County have the local option use tax. See www.dor.mo.gov/pdf/rates/2012/jan2012.pdf

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

Uh, Grace. That's the problem. Many of us already do. Because of rude sales clerks, outrageously high prices, and little selection, many of us do nearly all of our shopping in Columbiaz, the Lake, or online. There isn't much left to boycot.

Others protest by moving outside the city limits.

The leaders of this town have nearly run everyone off with their draconian control, goofy spending, and failure to maintain infrastructure or basic serviced.

Try to get around this town when you are disabled. No bus runs after 5:30 pm and never on the weekends. Few sidewalks, and even fewer curb cuts and ramps.

spelchek 1 year, 3 months ago

I don't trust leaders that force laws upon their people. They blew it with the trash fiasco. I already recycled before the nanny state put the hammer down. It must be frustrating for the city to know they couldn't force this on us too.

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 3 months ago

I can't think of any optional laws. It's a package deal. You don't get to pick which laws you want to follow and ignore the rest.

gofish 1 year, 3 months ago

This wasn't "opinion", it is propaganda. Sure, if the city doesn't enforce any zoning or building codes, the whole town will "stagnate" and "deteriorate". If I follow that logic, why would I want to give more tax money to a city that doesn't take care of what it already has responsibility for?

I'm not in favor of "partnerships" that use taxpayer money to support private corporations. It's welfare. And if I'm going to pay taxes to give welfare, I'd like to give that welfare money to myself, not a private corporation, be it St. Mary's or anyone else. I'm sick to death of having the spending habits of the wealthy balanced upon my back. It's high time the government either stop giving my money away for free, or start giving it back to me!

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

It appears General Growth really could use some advice on how to improve their mall: ggp.com/properties/mall-directory

Their experience seems quite limited (ha ha!!!)

"General Growth Properties has been in the shopping center business for more than 50 years, blending innovation, tradition and reputation to create some of the country’s unparalleled shopping locales, including such premier destinations as Ala Moana Center (Honolulu), Tysons Galleria (D.C.), Glendale Galleria (Los Angeles) and Water Tower Place (Chicago). The entire GGP portfolio is comprised of 136 regional and super-regional malls, totaling roughly 140 million square feet of space. These include international retailers and anchors, as well as popular regional stores covering a colorful range of categories. More than just places to shop, our malls serve as entertainment centers for the community by offering theaters, restaurants, ice-skating rinks and many other family activities. Half of our portfolio is located in the 50 most populated U.S. markets, with 33 malls in the top U.S. metro areas. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP."

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 3 months ago

If there's anything in the Jefferson City area that needs transformatioin it's the Capitol Mall.

rodinman 1 year, 3 months ago

Gas prices up to $3.29 a gallon and I heard on the radio they think it will go to $4.25 a gallon before spring. With prices that high, and Ameren due its yearly raise from the PCS, and layoffs looming for hundreds of state workers and many more as that loss of cash flow will affect other businesses. There won't be much left over to spend for anything except the very basics

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