Comments on: Tax Increment Financing Districts: A Double-edged Development Tool

By Carl on 08-28-08

If the budget “shortfall” [plan] exceeds resources, then the budget needs to be changed.  As a family budget cannot have out-go exceeding income, so should gov’t budgets.  Or - if a family can’t afford a new car this year, they cannot go demand higher wages from their employer, they simply do not spend the money on the car.  Not too complex now is it?

By End TIFs, and Fire Patrick! on 08-28-08

This city council is just old and ignorant.  Look at the resume of mistakes that this council and city manager have performed over the past years.  The new city hall comes to mine.  These TIF districts are crazy.  Why would all the money from the Hilton go to the airport?  What about the water that it uses?  The sewer that it uses?  How about the firefighters that will have to go there for the sick or injured guests or perhaps a fire?  You mean to tell me that giant building and all that tax money goes to a couple of chain link fences and a runway?  What slow-minded council person thought that plan up?  Get rid of the TIF districts and free up that money.  Stop wasting our dollars and acting like you care council!  If you cared you would truly evaluate Jim Patrick and terminate his position immediately, thus freeing up $130,000.00 per year in his fat and wasteful salary!

By Unbelievable! on 08-28-08

How come these articles always mention budget problems and never the real reason?  The reason can be found here:
http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/construction_crisis_inflates_price_tags/2740/
“The city spent $1.1 million to buy the building and then $1.7 million on construction. The per-square-foot costs of the 21,000-square-foot building are low for a project of this magnitude, they said.”.........
“I don’t think they spent enough time on the front end investigating the building,” Oswood said. “I certainly appreciate the position that (City Manager Jim Patrick) is in, that he has to go back to his constituents and say this is going to cost twice as much as expected.”

The building is STILL INCOMPLETE!  They have more money to waste in it!  Not to mention on top of all this they lost an additional million dollars in budget mistakes. 

FIRE JIM PATRICK NOW!

By Hope and Change on 08-29-08

Lay Off Jim Patrick! Fire him, send him down river.  Do something!

By Citizen on 08-29-08

The council cannot fire Jim Patrick.  They are too afraid of him.  He has them wrapped around his finger and believing every word he says.  The mayor couldn’t make a controversial decision if her life depended on it.  The rest of the council is too ignorant to connect the dots leading to the current fiscal situation.  This city is up a creek and Jim Patrick had to take the paddle to a pawn shop!

By Neighbor of a Neighbor on 09-02-08

If the council does not terminate Jim Patrick or if Jim Patrick does not resign, I will run for council, get elected and motion to fire him myself during the first meeting I attend.  He is an impediment to this city and community.  Mr. Patrick is squandering the wealth and potential of this town.  Jim Patrick has destroyed the city budget, created rifts between the employees and management, fanned the flames of poor labor relations, run off good employees, destroyed morale, ruined parks, and made back door deals that are ruining Kalispell for years to come.  How this city council and mayor can sit idly by as our town is driven nose first into calamity is beyond me.  Wake up and get involved in local politics people.  This is your town.  Educate yourself and talk to people.  Do something.  Some of us are, but some is not enough to bring the change we need.  Tell a neighbor to tell a neighbor, FIRE JIM PATRICK NOW!  Join the movement!

By Derek on 09-02-08

Neighbor:  I have been telling other people of Mr. Patricks “legacy” all year.  People know.  The word is out.  His days employed by the city are numbered.  Just wait.

By Jacob on 09-04-08

The financial situation with the city is scary right now.  They have already eliminated positions in public safety!  That is appalling.  The city is even delaying the hiring of critical positions.  Because of Mr. Patricks mistakes.  Now not only is our taxes wasted, but our safety is being put at risk.

By James L. on 09-04-08

Exactly.  The Beacon needs to do an article interviewing some of the department heads.  They cannot however because everybody is in fear of Jim Patrick.  The retaliation over whistle blowers and truth tellers would be blatant.  Too bad people are so afraid to come out with what is happening in the city behind closed doors for fear of Jim Patrick.

By Will on 09-04-08

I work for the city and cannot believe that more people in this community are not up in arms over this entire situation!  Public safety cuts!??  Lay-offs!?  What?  All because they lost money in the new city hall?  How come the highest paid morons that lost the money still have jobs??

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