MetroCentre Follow-up

Sorry for the delay in posting...

The County Board voted to approve contributing to MetroCentre renovations, again. Most recently without any significant "strings attached." I had hoped, and still hope, to see an accurate pro forma (financials) on the proposal. Contrary to popular belief, the County isn't an equal partner in this deal. The City and MetroCentre have failed to produce a complete financial analysis of the team ownership part of the equation, with most Board members voting on this simply on the word of City officials.

Based on an incomplete pro forma and additional information from MetroCentre officials, still won't see a profit. That's OK, if the City is prepared to subsidize the facility, but I think the City and MetroCentre officials have convinced themselves that new luxury suites and marketing sponsorships are going to save the day. Unfortunately the revenue-side of the pro forma seems inflated and the expense-side of the equation seems incomplete when all expenses are taken into account.

I voted for the basic MetroCentre renovations, but still doubt that the City and MetroCentre have done all the necessary research to make hockey team ownership a profitable endeavor. I hope I'm wrong, for the taxpayer's sake.

MetroCentre, More Confusion, No Plan

I really would like to fix up the MetroCentre. But as a County Board Member I can't in good conscious vote to spend tax dollars without some type of financial plan, pro forma, or economic impact study.  No such plan has been presented to new board members, and now I've learned our board liaison with the MetroCentre has not seen a plan.

According the Rockford Register Star, Tuesday night the Rockford City Council approved a deal to upgrade the MetroCentre, and it seems also the purchase of an American Hockey League license (although not expressly mentioned in the on-line article), pending final votes next week. Last month the County Board approved initial plans for renovations, but not for an AHL license. It seems the City's plan has changed, but most County Board members don't know the details and the agreement is scheduled for a board vote as early as this Thursday. Confusing matters further IceHog ownership reported at a recent game that the IceHogs will be playing at the MetroCentre in 2007, putting in doubt the AHL license plans.

Contact your Alderman and or County Board Member and demand that a plan detailing what portions of the bonds the City, County, and MetroCentre will be paying, along with plans on how luxury suites and franchise fees will help increase revenue. You have a right to know how your tax dollars are being spent and what kind of return on investment you're getting.

MetroCentre and an AHL team

Seems as if CentreEvents, the City of Rockford, and the owners of the IceHogs still aren't working from the same "page" on the MetroCentre upgrades. IceHog owners claiming they'll be playing in an upgraded MetroCentre in 2007 and Mayor Morrissey saying that's not the case, at least yet.

As a County Board member I've yet to be presented with any detailed economic impact studies, alternatives for upgrades to the MetroCentre, or with any details on how exactly the MetroCentre will actually make one million dollars a year on licensing and franchising fees, especially when early studies put the estimate at $300,000 per year. And the County Board is being asked to vote on an agreement this Thursday.

I won't vote to spend money on any MetroCentre upgrades without a financial plan, and I don't support using taxpayer dollars to buy an AHL team.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all.
Take care, be safe, and enjoy the season.

MetroCentre Economic Impact

Rockford's City Council and the Winnebago County Board are currently discussing plans to make major renovations to Rockford's MetroCentre arena. There's been much talk about adding luxury skyboxes and replacing the UHL Ice Hog hockey team with an AHL Ice Hog-branded hockey team.

Missing from the discussions however is a plan, even a rough outline, on how an improved MetroCentre will create new jobs and economic development opportunities, arguably the main reason to upgrade the facility. What new jobs will be created with a renovated building? What businesses will leave the city if we don't make the upgrades?

We should look at the twenty-five years of Metro Centre history and at communities with arenas of similar size for this information. Arenas like the MetroCentre don't always make money, but our elected officials should at least make the effort to illustrate the economic impact the MetroCentre has on Rockford and Winnebago County.

To vote on spending $20 million for economic development without a significant review of economic impact information is shortsighted and does taxpayers a disservice.

Question Extending Thompson's Contract

I ask the Rockford school board members to review Dennis Thompson's performance before extending his contract for two years. Specifically, I like to know what his administration has done to raise test scores other than have the students study for standardized tests. Teaching kids how to study for and "cramming for" standardized tests isn't a measure of improvement. Yes the district's finances are better, but at what cost to programs and the local economy? Much of the savings came from layoffs and replacing long-time district employees with low-cost outsourced workers. I'm all for cost cutting, but not when it means putting the parents of our school children out of work. Local wages are declining and competition is stiff for good jobs, and I want to know what Thompson's administration is doing about preparing our children for this tough local job market.

Scott Christiansen Insults Local Newspaper

County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen found an minor error in in a Rock River Times news article, but instead of requesting a correction, he sent a letter insulting the paper, and in the process, presented some incorrect information himself.

Here are two rebuttals to Mr. Christiansen's insulting letter:

1) Submitted by Paul Gorski.

2) Submitted by Pete MacKay.

Chuck Sweeny on Rockford Urban Sprawl

Chuck Sweeny had some good thoughts in his May 4, 2006 opinion piece on urban sprawl.

Nice job Chuck.

Poor Planning Could Lead to Library Staff Cuts

Relying on grant money to fund permanent staff positions can be a bad practice, and here's a letter to editor printed in the Rockford Register Star regarding potential Rockford Public School District #205 library staff cuts and the district's failing to adequately fund library positions.

Quoting the article, "Grant funds are not intended to be used for long-term sustainable operations. This type of planning signals how an organization and a community value their educational system."

I include the link here because it speaks directly to the lack of long-term budget planning for essential services. Please visit the Rockford Register Star's website to read the full letter.