SikUvTheRite's Blog

yes I was sick when I read the headlines and you called it write - the average tax payer you and I will pay for this. I don't know about you but I certainly can't afford to even to go a game. I say if they wanted the Ball park village let the cardinals and money people pay for it. I'm tired of paying for things that I can't afford to visit. Its unfair to lobby that cost to us. What about the working poor who can't afford health insurance for their families - yes its a twisted turn and the Rich is getting the handout they asked for while the rest of us picks up the cost.

Thanks for your comments, derotts3 and devas...

I just went to a game two weeks ago on "free" tickets from my wife's employer and some "free" event that was! $15 to park. And some of the parking was on property that was formerly a city street around old Busch! When I saw that I thought, "Shouldn't the city own that? I wonder who profits from THAT deal!"

Then there's the $8.50 beers! $4.50 for a bottle of water! I'm surprised they didn't charge me to use the bathroom!

And the place was packed with folks buying way more stuff than I was - cotton candy, nachos, etc.

With that sort of money being made, these owners need to come to YOU AND ME for a tax handout? I think that's just downright insulting!

Hey, my house needs work. Fixing it up will provide jobs, beautify the neighborhood, and raise tax revenue by increasing the property tax. Where do I sign up for MY handout?

Maybe they will give Larry Rice some space for the homeless in one of the buildings......

I am not a baseball fan. But I do know baseball games in downtown generate tax revenue for the city and the state. The $30 Million for the Ballpark Village will help future revenues. Do the Cardinals own Ballpark Village or does another group actual own it? Cities get most of their revenue from Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes. Developed property is worth much more. It looks to me what is being done is making tax dollars generate more tax dollars. Not to mention all the jobs created to build it and all the businesses which will be going in there. There is always another side to the story. Both sides need to be presented so people can make a valid decision.

THIS IS BS********* all of the OVER PAYED cardinal players could have all chipped in and built this ballpark village without using our taxpaying money!!

Here is my letter that I will mail tomorrow:
Mr. Peter Kinder, Lt. Governor,
State of Missouri
201 West Capitol Avenue
Room 224
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Dear Mr. Kinder;
I am deeply disappointed in the actions of the State of Missouri relative to the requests of the Owners of the St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Team over the proposed Ballpark Village development. I sincerely believe that the hard-earned State and Local tax monies generated by the taxpayers can be well spent on things like repairing bridges and highways, not paying for a private development that only benefits the Owners of the Baseball Cardinals.
When the Owners of the Baseball Cardinals had first proposed the New Ballpark, the Ballpark Village was originally included in the original plans and was supposed to be a “gift” from the Ownership to the Fans of the St. Louis Cardinals. But, it seems like it was not the case. Now, the Fans and Taxpayers of St. Louis City and the State of Missouri will be paying a part of the development cost.
This, I believe is not a good use of our limited resources. The Ballpark Village is not a “public good” that requires tax monies for development or maintenance. Such things like highways and bridges are “public goods” because individuals or groups of people cannot finance them and need to be financed through taxes. This Ballpark Village does not benefit All Citizens of the State of Missouri because not all Citizens will be able to enjoy its usage.
I hope you will reconsider any future requests of Private Ownerships who require tax monies for private development

Let's not forget the impending budget woes of MoDot, the poor conditions of area schools and, oh yeah, those who can't afford health care.
Never mind the Environmental Causes like a statewide recycling program or clean air act. 30 million dollars is better spent on a little round ball and a bunch of tree stumps (the players not the bats) Shame on the legislature. Why did this not go to public vote? When did baseball become a state run game? Does the State supply the steroids too?

Rather than getting a tax welfare handout, they should have had this property taken from them and given to the highest bidder. That would be the right "free enterprise" way to develop it.

The more we understand BOTH side of this issue, the more "horrendous" (thank you, becker!) and outrageous this insulting mis-use of our tax dollars is.

Let me know if you need a stamp for that letter, mrmgrady! And thank you! Thanks to a lot of people like you, remember they won't be able to do this anymore in the city because of the law passed last year!

Old Bill DeWitt is just doing what he and his buddy George W. Bush did down in Texas.
Next they will be selling the Cardinals and make a killing off a taxpayer funded development.

i sure hope you do hear from both of them. mrmgrady. that was a beautifully intelligient letter that covered all the things that were necessary.
nechany, i sure hope you get a piece of that action also.