Volstead Lounge
Cut the Corporate Welfare
RECEIVED Thu., May 3, 2018
Dear Editor,
People now agree that giving Precourt a prime piece of parkland is not so smart. But giving them any taxpayer-owned land is wrong. The McKalla Place property is not [a] burden on the city; the Crestview Station area was an EPA Superfund Site very successfully remediated. Any piece of prime taxpayer-owned land should not be given to a private profit-making enterprise – no matter how the deal is dressed up. Even Precourt’s supporters describe the project as “an amenity.” With an upcoming city bond election, I hope Council does not ask voters to pay higher taxes when they are giving away city assets. I am very happy for taxes to pay for schools, public infrastructure, health care, and social services. These could use more funds. But let’s cut the corporate welfare. Finally, with the Precourt lawsuit in Ohio [see "At Court With Precourt," News, April 27], how can our Council seriously suggest dealing with these people?
People now agree that giving Precourt a prime piece of parkland is not so smart. But giving them any taxpayer-owned land is wrong. The McKalla Place property is not [a] burden on the city; the Crestview Station area was an EPA Superfund Site very successfully remediated. Any piece of prime taxpayer-owned land should not be given to a private profit-making enterprise – no matter how the deal is dressed up. Even Precourt’s supporters describe the project as “an amenity.” With an upcoming city bond election, I hope Council does not ask voters to pay higher taxes when they are giving away city assets. I am very happy for taxes to pay for schools, public infrastructure, health care, and social services. These could use more funds. But let’s cut the corporate welfare. Finally, with the Precourt lawsuit in Ohio [see "At Court With Precourt," News, April 27], how can our Council seriously suggest dealing with these people?
Gary Price
