Three Rivers DDA millage proposed

At this point I stand firmly against ANY new taxes. I understand the DDA wants to improve the downtown area and attract new business BUT are higher taxes going to attract new business or is it going to bring additional financial pressure on the businesses already here??

In a time where government is out of control, spending every dime of OUR MONEY they can get their hands on plus our children and grandchildren's money, raising local taxes CAN be the straw that broke the camels back!!

Again they all look to the same old bucket to get more money, OUR BUCKET and it never seems to be enough! It's the easy thing for them to do!!

Remember the Happy Meal example used by TR hospital, well it's back and for the hundredth time, someone wants you to give up your happy meal AGAIN !!

Times are just to uncertain and volatile to raise taxes !!!!!

I believe our downtown area has improved and I'll give some credit to the DDA for that BUT raising taxes is the wrong way to improve our downtown area, it may have the opposite results!

So if you are a downtown business that opposes these new taxes feel free to give me a call because at this point I'm as dedicated in fighting these new taxes as I was the hospitals millage increase.

We will be more successful working together than fighting it alone !!!

Blaine Edgell 269 217 4136 PLease give me a call, I'd like your opinion eather way!

I think you are mistaken. The business down town already pay x-tra. They paid this voluntarily from day one. They are getting greedy and want the 2nd DDA district that they forced much of us into years ago now to pay almost 2 mills more on our taxes so they have more money to blow away!! This includes private home owners in the 2nd DDA District. I do not feel as one of these private home owners that I should be expected to have my taxes raised because the DDA wants to paint the mall or put up a band stand. I have asked to be removed and my wishes fall on deaf ears. They need to begin running there business in a profitable manner not expecting us to give them a stimulus package. If I want to improve my home I can not go to my neighbor and take money from him I have to come up with a way to do my improvments without stealing my neighbors money. I think the down town needs to remove the people from the 2nd DDA District who do not wish to be included and find another way to get money. They are saying that a Lawyer in Kalamazoo found somewhere that whoever is in the DDA has to pay extra. We were told in the beginning we would not have to pay anything.They would be taking the money out of the taxes we paid to the city.

(Quote by mist-e)
We were told in the beginning we would not have to pay anything. They would be taking the money out of the taxes we paid to the city.

Who told you this ? This is the first place to start, hold them to their word! It's also a strong reason for the city commission to VOTE NO on principle alone! You can't get away with lying to people! Or you shouldn't be able to is more to the point.

So what you're saying is, this tax if approved would FORCE home owners, Churches and any other who live in the 2nd DDA district to pay this tax?

I am against ANY additional tax during these difficult financial times. Like we all need more Taxes.

So I guess most of what I said still stands. I don't care how they try and implement it, if through the back door or though unkept promises, it's still raising taxes which I strongly appose so the offer stands, call me and we will fight this continual expansion of your taxes.

One word - recall.

Two words- fight taxes

The TR Commercial from Monday Feb.4,02 stated. The current district receives a 2 mill levy while the proposed TIF district(2nd District)would not include this 2 mill levy. TR Commercial Feb 7,02 Property owners in the current district would be assed a 2 mill levy while property owners in the proposed district WOULD NOT BE ASSESSED a 2 mill levy.I have kept both papers since 02. I sometimes have trust issues. If you are a business on Main St. or Mich Ave and you want to join fine but home owners and rental units should not be forced into this.I have been told, it is simple to be removed. The DDA asks the commission to remove me. Very simple except when all you think of is $$$. These 2 papers explain a lot of how this came to pass. The mayor I feel should have excused himself from it because he was too deeply involved with the down town. The city still has records of the commission minutes from 02 stating that a representive from S.Main brought a signed petition asking for this not to happen. Some people also spoke up. If I remember right one of the meetings notes might have stated the library did not want to be involved also. Sturgis said when they did there DDA they never put private home owners into it. If all 9 entities agreed to participate the DDA would get $93,597 in 2011. If only the city, library,ambulance and waste mangt. participate the revenues for 2011 would be $57,370. The DDA or the Commercial never said how much this 2 mill increase in taxes would give the DDA. Be interesting to know. I do not know what this new commission and mayor would do with this. I would hope they would also feel that private citizens do not have to support the down town. I AM ZONED RESIDENTIAL!

The businesses, residents and all others in the 2nd DDA district need to have a choice because the DDA changed the rules. If you change the rules people should have the right and respect to choose not to play.
As I understand it when the 2nd DDA district was created in 2002 those in the district were told they would not be taxed! Plain and simple ! So the DDA needs to stick to their word !!!

Now I also understand the DDA is holding a public meeting on April 15th, GREAT but the big problem is, the meeting is at 8 AM when most businesses are opening their doors and citizens are at work so they won't be able to make this meeting. Now you would think if the DDA really wanted public opinion they would hold their meeting when the public could attend ????

A little disingenuous don't you think ?? Make it convenient for the public not yourselves!

So I have a few questions.

1. Why did the DDA create a 2nd DDA district in the first place if it wasn't going to raise revenue?
Or is this a bait and switch move. Promise them, it won't cost you so you get no resistance, no opposition, then years down the road after everyone has forgotten the promises, try and force a tax after the fact??

2. What benefit will this provide for the 2nd district?

3.What is going to stop the DDA from taking these new taxes from the 2nd DDA district and using the funds for the first district?

4.The DDA was created to focus on the downtown area and it's problems because business was being drawn away toward 131 and downtown was losing businesses. So doesn't the creation of a 2nd district water down the real reason it was created?

Now if this DDA really desires the public in their meeting, I challenge them to prove it by changing the meeting time to 6 or 7pm so we can really attend!!

DDA the balls in your court !
Step up to the plate and do the right thing!! It's a matter of integrity!!

Someone said that money is the issue. Can't get the DDA to play ball, organize a boycott of the businesses of those involved in the DDA who WON'T listen to the voice of the people. Withdraw your financial support of their companies and watch how they change their tune. Everything sold in the DDA area can be bought elsewhere.

What does DDA stand for again? Is it like Deadbeat Dads Association, Duh Da String of lights don't work Association, or is it the Doofus, Dumb Ass, Association?

"If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons." unknown

While we try to support the downtown businesses whenever possible I will be damned if I will pay additional millage just because of where I live. If the DDA needs additional funding then go to the voters of the City as a whole rather than gouging homeowners because it's easier.

Absolutely cball ! The Downtown Development Association needs to focus on downtown ONLY, not residents or other businesses. Everyone has the ability to donate to the DDA if they choose so why the second DDA district??

Hopefully they will take my challenge and change their meeting time so we can all be their! If not, I think we know they don't really want TR citizens input!!

I WILL be there on matter what time they have it!!

I will definitely be there on the 15th. Unfortunately, we can let them know how we feel but in the end this will be something the City Commission will need deal with as everything I have read seems to indicate that the DDA is intent on pushing this through regardless.

I agree with you cball but I talked with many of the Commissioner last night and from what they said, I believe we have the votes to stop them. Mayor Balog was given newspapers from 2002 by mist-e that states the 2nd DDA district would not pay a tax to the DDA. That was the original agreement as I understand it so if that has changed then I believe we have ever possibility of dissolving the 2nd DDA district all together.

I still think it is very important for everyone who can attend the DDA's meeting on April 15th to be there. It doesn't matter if you live in the 2nd district or not YOU CAN ATTEND and give your two cents worth or more!!
I live on N. Main St. out of the DDA district all together but I'll be there because I'm sick and tired of other people spending our money because they think THEY have a good idea we should pay for!

So I know some of you City Commissioners are reading this and are now just learning about the DDA tax on the 2nd district. Please take time to inform yourself about this issue!

NOW IS NOT A TIME TO ADD ADDITIONAL TAXES TO BUSINESS OR RESIDENTS!! Times are to tough and as I said at the Commission meeting last night( THERE IS A STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMELS BACK) thus the saying.

I encourage you to support dissolving the 2nd DDA district all together !! It's a matter of fairness and integrity!!

If anyone has an opinion on this please contact me ramsey4commission@yahoo.com; I do read Liberty 1st but I would really like some individual input. We as commissioners put ourselves in front of the community openly; I am on the board as your representative no matter what district you live in, help me do that by letting me know how this effects you.

If you are angered and frustrated by the DDA taxing the 2nd district Please contact your Mayor and Commissioners to inform them! They need OUR input to make educated decisions.

Please don't stand by and let the other guy do it. Taxing business effects all of us. They pay more tax = we pay higher prices !!!

City Commission Below is a listing of the current city commission and Mayor

Daryl L. GriffithAT-LARGE COMMISSIONER

Address: 614 Pine Street
Office Phone: 269.279.1673

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Wendy ShankAT-LARGE COMMISSIONER

Address: 516 Spring Street
Home Phone: 269.350.7307

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Allen J. BalogMAYOR

Address: 507 Tulip Lane
Office Phone: 269.273.9007

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George RamseyFIRST DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

Address: 318 East Hoffman
Home Phone: 269.273.9307

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Elbert FosterSECOND DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

Address: 700 South Main Street
Office Phone: 269.279.1696

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Earl E. StarkTHIRD DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

Address: 213 South Douglas Avenue
Office Phone: 269.279.7968

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Carolyn McNaryFOURTH DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

Address: 420 Fifth Avenue
Office Phone: 269.267.0282