A Lie can't live forever

Leo Morris writes,

By maintaining secrecy, the city avoided paying highly inflated prices for the properties. And eminent domain was not necessary.

Mark Brown writes

In terms of assessments, we found almost a systematic inconsistency,” said Mark Brown, the institute’s research director and author of the equalization report. “There were some homeowners with assessed valuations as little as 65 to 75 percent of market value, others with 130 to 135 percent of market value.”

Tremendous inconsistencies were found between the state and counties. Within counties, assessors and auditors often used different data procedures and systems, resulting in the flawed values. Because a property owner’s tax levy is determined by the total of a taxing district’s assessed valuation, under-assessed or over-assessed properties skew the base figure and, in turn, the tax rate. Under-assessed properties result in a higher tax rate and higher tax bills.

Even more troubling, the inconsistencies occurred within and across townships, even those townships in the same county!

The Indiana Constitution declares,Article X, Section 1 that

“[t]he General Assembly [to] provide, by law, for a uniform and equal rate of property assessment and taxation and [to] prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, both real and personal.” IND. CONST. ART. 10, § 1(a). This provision has long been held to require: (1) uniformity and equality in assessment, (2) uniformity and equality as to the rate of taxation, and (3) a just valuation for taxation of all property.

The Indiana Tax Court, declares that is the law, not secrecy to steal from its citizen. No surprise white collar criminals are supported by mainstream. It's the other criminals we want to throw under the jail and yell we fight crime. yeah right.

Consolidation vs gerrymandering

Consolidation goes after Democrats 6th District representative Glynn Hines. The Journal-Gazette reports that democratic packed district will have a Republican challenger, Joe Smith.

Property tax again-the primaries are a coming

This article by the Journal Gazette on over and under assessing of property value.

In terms of assessments, we found almost a systematic inconsistency,” said Mark Brown, the institute’s research director and author of the equalization report. “There were some homeowners with assessed valuations as little as 65 to 75 percent of market value, others with 130 to 135 percent of market value.”

Tremendous inconsistencies were found between the state and counties. Within counties, assessors and auditors often used different data procedures and systems, resulting in the flawed values. Because a property owner’s tax levy is determined by the total of a taxing district’s assessed valuation, under-assessed or over-assessed properties skew the base figure and, in turn, the tax rate. Under-assessed properties result in a higher tax rate and higher tax bills.

Even more troubling, the inconsistencies occurred within and across townships, even those townships in the same county!

Sounds like some more suing needs to be taking place and some appealing of the property assessment of some property. Hint: especially in the downtown area. Hat tip to Indiana Law blog for the links to the study.

Select investors buying up low-income property

In October 2006, the Community Housing Concepts, Inc. was seeking the consent from the City of Fort Wayne Indiana to acquire property located in the core of the city. The Community Housing Concepts, Inc. is requesting economic development revenue bonds in the amount of $5,000,000. The group would receive a low interest rate and the interest would be tax exempt alway approved by Council Commission.

The Community Housing Concepts, Inc. group will purchase two low-income, section 8 apartments, East Central Apartments and Centennial Apartments. The group suggest they will spend between $200,000 to $250,000 each for improvements to the apartments.
Allen County would have the authority to monitor whether or not the improvement were made by the group. It is suggested that the deal is to insure that low-income apartment will not be taken over by market rate apartment developers.

I'll give you time to recover from falling down laughing rolling on the floor.

Tiger Wins Again

Jack Nicholas may be the man to beat in golf, but Tiger Woods has pulled off his 55th consecutive win. Woods becamethe winner of the PGA Buick Invitational. The seventh PGA tour win for Woods

Fort Wayne's Toll Road-650 Miles of Downtown Property

No wonder our Mayor Dick was rewarded with a raise. The Journal Gazette reports about Harrison Square and I blogged about early here. The Mayor calls it a catalyst, I call it a "My Man Mitch Pitch." Governor Mitch Daniels catalyst for the revitalization of Indiana was the toll road, and Mayor Graham Richard catalyst for revitalizing downtown Fort Wayne is a stadium. According to the Journal-Gazette,

We had a plan to develop a catalyst, and all of a sudden the Wizards get bought, not just by a baseball owner but by a developer used to taking risks specifically in downtown areas,” Richard said. “They said, ‘Here’s an opportunity to invest not just in a ball team, but in a dynamic rebirth of a downtown.’

Daniels rented or sold the toll road to a private company to raise money, Richard is offering property tax money which can be allocated to special taxing district. The special taxing district will use the increase in taxes from the increase in property values during a reassessment to pay for projects. This property tax increase is called TIF for short.

TIF is the diverting of revenue from the payment of property tax funds after a property value increases. If there is a the property increase more than likely so will the property tax increase. The City will keep the old amount for budget purpose and keep the difference from the increase in property tax to place into a general funds to be spent in the special district only.

But I thought the property tax was for schools, housing, you say. Yeah, but the legislators established authority to set up a commission to be responsible for directing any redevelopment commission to designate any area as a blighted area that can be developed through the ordinary operations of private enterprise including non-blighted areas for economic development. Where were you when Belmont was fighting this thing? Or the scheme of ripping off the owners' value in the Southtown Property to be used later by the public-private sector of Fort Wayne that went all the way to the Indiana Supreme Court?

Is this not the same as the families who lived in the Harrison Square area. TIF is supposed to be for the temporary allocation of redevelopment or economic district of the citizens property taxes to be used for a variety of purposes to improve the areas.

Municipal bonds are then issued to finance the public improvements. Bonds payable from TIF may be used to finance the cost of redevelopment and the construction of public improvement in the redevelopment area or for projects that directly serve or benefit that area. Once the bonds have been paid off, the taxes collected from the allocated area are distributed to the remaining taxing districts, such as schools.

TIF districts are to encourage developers to invest in dying business areas or in land banked industrial sites. Some requirements are for developers to diversify development beyond retail, connect to downtown with transportation, help existing business grow and expand, and foster economic development by assisting entrepreneurs in the area with start up and strengthen the economic base in the area.

Harrison square is sold as the public benefit and all the improvement as the catalyst attempting to duplicate Atlanta's popular Georgia Aquarium, billed as the largest as well as a museum dedicated to a soft drink company, according to the article.

Within four years, the $2 billion Allen Plaza is planned to have five other buildings in adjacent blocks that would house offices, apartments, condos, retail outlets and another hotel, all built by Barry or in partnership with Atlanta apartment landlord Post Properties.

Helping spark this revival, across from the park, is the year-old, hugely popular Georgia Aquarium, billed as the world’s largest,
and the new World of Coca-Cola, a museum under construction dedicated to the soft drink.

One City Council member, Tom Smith does not oppose the stadium being built downtown, but questions the private developers mere $5 million contribution. But Smith does not go deep enough, the public-private dollars are more like, the property owners would pay with their property taxes, $82 millions and the private owners $43 millions for the entire project.

There is nothing complicated about understanding TIF dollars. The question is where does TIF dollars come from? Answer, TIF comes from property tax after a reassessment. If you were paying $90 in property tax dollars on your property in 2001 and your property taxes increases to $270 in 2003 there is a difference. Well, the City will freeze their portion at $90 and put the remaining $180 into a general fund. The $180 is marked off as TIF to be spent just in that special district. But as the Journal-Gazette points out the success of Apple Glen and Jefferson Point as TIF and used the money from those special district to give some downtown project some of the money. But that is not how it works. This is not too much different from when the county borrowed from Hersey company and gave to General Motors abatement issues.

Wait you need to know some of these TIF special districts? Let's see:

Jefferson Pointe area, Midtown Crossing, Baer Field Economic Development Area(EDA), Centennial Park, Jefferson/Illinois EDA, Maysville Stellhorn Road EDA, Summit Industrial Park. And lets not forget the Bluffton Road area that includes General Motors, Fort Wayne Assembly. Do you understand why downtown looks like a desolate valley?

Why siphon away parts of property taxes and place into a general funds because your tax dollars can helps improve selected area instead of amenities that makes for a better quality life for all of Fort Wayne citizens. The money would pay for schools, library, housing in our city. But, tax payers don't want to subsides the lives of the poor while they giving handouts to the rich in the amount of $83 million. So, the millions of dollar that are collected in the General Motors area benefits that area not the whole city. Jefferson Pointe taxes benefit that area only not the whole city. But we offer these businesses abatements and other stuff. So what is the city doing with your property tax dollars if not paying to improve schools, giving it to developers to encourage them to take a risk in big ticket items in our city. So why is the City saying it's not increasing property taxes to build the stadium. Because it sounds good.

Now imagine this community of dreamers if you didn't have a special project where would the money go that's in the general funds? It would go toward the schools that the city is telling you that will cost billions of dollars to fix up? What do you think developers should invest in first, building for educating people rather than buildings for recreation?

Are you still with me? The City is saying it will have to raise taxes to fix schools, but.......(you need a moment to digest this)....the tax dollars from the new increase will still go into the general funds and the schools will get some of the property tax increase. That's right the new increases will benefit the special projects and not much to the schools. You elected these folks, while your children suffer. And why the Mayor is enjoying his new $130,000 salary. It's your money

Family Values-Freedom of Choice or Right to Life

The Renewed Library-Allen County Main Public Library

If you hadn't heard, the Main downtown library has opened its doors again. The first day, brought out the public officials for a photo op. And the people came to see, what was all the fuss, (over $64 millions) about over a library.

Well the fuss was found in the children section, with a big screen television where teenagers could be found playing a video game. Little children were found with their parents in the play area of the children section. Or with little ones demanding their parents to get the little fishes out of the aquariums.

Young adults could be found in the arts and music sections, and hooking up their laptops. Other adults could be found using the library's computers throughout the library. Or walking through the art gallery where they could find artwork on display by various artists. And if you truly love a piece of art you could contact the artist later to purchase the piece.

The library was noisy, noisy, seeing friends. Folks discussing the renewed library and all it had to offer. Yes spending millions of dollar of tax payers dollars should create enough attractions to bring out the city to see what they purchased. and it did. And if you needed to go to the cafeteria they had that too..it's a one stop place.

2007 Australian Open Winner- no gagarooney for Serena

David Gray/Reuters

She did it!!! Serena Williams is the she. The it is winning the 2007 Australian Open. Williams is the United States winner in the 2003, 2005 and now the 2007 Australian Open. Williams beats Maria Sharapova again. And silenced critics who decides she didn't have a bat out of hell chance to even compete, won her eighth grand slam.

Williams believed that she was getting better at her game as the tournament advanced. Williams proved that when she took the championship from the top seeded Sharapova in two sets only.

Oprah's Book Club-The Measure of a Man

Well Well Oprah Book Club has announced that they will be reading Sidney Poitier, The Measure of A Man. I was told about this book a few months ago after I wrote about the measure of a man, here and here.

Iraq vs Superbowl

Fort Wayne has to have something to believe in. At this moment it is the Superbowl. Matter of fact, a rally will be held downtown to cheer for a win in Miami on February 4, 2007. The folks will purchase blue jerseys with a number to represent a player on the Colts team.

But rarely see the hype for a rally for the troops fighting in Iraq. Yes we in Fort Wayne have our priority straight. We want something to celebrate, if it means just winning a game, forget about bringing our troops safely home. This probably why President Bush thinks nothing about giving 10 billions dollars to Afghanistan.


Coach Tony Dungy gets it, when he tells the media, the game is just business. More important than who wins or loses is the amount of money that the sponsors will make. As the troops on the ground wonder when do they get to come home and play with their children or sit and watch a ball game.

When Dungy jested about playing the Superbowl in Fort Wayne, the business machine sent trinkets to the coach. I wonder if the host of the Sunday news program receive such trinkets when he mentions Fort Wayne after announcing a soldier's city who was killed in action. Probably not...

The Rooms for Dreams Allen County Public Library

Finally, the Allen County Public Library will reopen at its permanent station. The library went through a four year renovation. The renovation of the museum like library was over $64 million dollars. It's staff more than likely would have preferred an increase in their salary. But, Fort Wayne is not interested in the local people.

The City misses the point because it likes to appeal to out of towners that its got it going on. Visitors come from all over the world to visit the library genealogy department. The genealogy department is one of the largest in the United States. People its the people who make the visitors welcomed.


Because the staff is limited and underpaid, most visits by the local folks is self-directed. The research staff is general working with a select few patrons who are either knowledgeable about the resource or has patiently made an appointment for a later day. And with computer literacy, some patrons would think that part of those millions would have created a more technical user friendly website.


Nevertheless the library will expand it use by reaching out to nonusers who do not utilize the library to read or do research but could use the traditional quiet spaces, for a cafe, theatre, and meeting rooms room. The cafe will even have extended hours beyond the library hours. At least, it will do better than the grand Grand Wayne Center huge building.

The public library has used the public space to enter the private sector with tax payers dollars. This marriage should prove to be very interesting, as local tax payers moves about in its newly renovated public and private library.

Centlivre Apartment-inspection gone blind

Indiana News Center exclusive written & edited by Nicole Pence's report states that not only were there rodents taking over the complex after the city inspection crew declared it was minor. The reporter goes back in for a closer look and find that the inspectors overlooked mold. How did this happen?

How did this happen, Mayor Graham, city inspectors how did this happen?

It's important to remind you that Neighborhood Code Enforcement inspected three buildings last week. Thirty-two violations were filed, but none were serious enough to condemn the buildings, and there isn't a violation listed on any on these documents that deals with mold or mildew. However, officers only toured common areas and certain apartment units, and not the rooms you just saw.

It appears that Wayne township Trustee Rick Stevenson uncovered a much bigger problem impacting old school way of not dealing with a problem.

2007 Mayoral race: Media's Rules of Engagement

Matthew Kelty was first to sign up for the May primary election. Kelty is campaigning as a Republican candidate against one of his fellow Republicans, Nelson Peters. Kelty was flanked by family, friends and supporters while Nelson held a press conference flanked by uncontested appointed officials and colleagues from his party.
Republicans like to present a unified front even at a time when some of its leadership is under scrutiny for questionable and inappropriate behavior.


But the picture of party's klannishness get skewed with Kelty entering the primary race. Kelty's as an alternative provides an opportunity to question loyalty by value conscious republicans on their corrupt political leaning practices. However, the media is attempting to muzzle the lively debate by suggesting ground rules for Kelty if he is to get coverage in his run from the partisan local print media, to me it seems.

The Journal Gazette suggestion to Kelty or other candidates that is not wise to raise the issue of irresponsibility by the City Government for using tax dollars( even if the tax dollars are property tax dollars (TIF) for investment in Harrison Square that could be used elsewhere or on other things to improve the city. Who cares as long as the city can market the logo of Rooms for Dreams on key rings.

Second warning, if Kelty or the unknown Democratic candidate or candidates(more about this later) should dare speak out against the field of hope, Kelty or the other candidate better have an alternative for improving the dying downtown. If not, they better just zip it, suggest the article.

Third, because there is the need for the county dollars for this field of mission impossible, consolidation is a mandate during this campaign. Well maybe not the newspaper exact wording, but I am sure the meaning is consolidation is a must by the county. Even going so far as to suggest that the candidates "should have specific plans to improve communications and seek efficiencies."

Fourth, a property tax control board is inevitable, but the candidate should at least parrot outrage at the possible abuse in favor of the county government. But, who cares the county is running the show.

Fifth, remember that no matter your belief, just remember, the County Council will ultimately make the decision skewed toward their constituents, not the elected Mayor.

Sixth, the voters are unimportant and have the least say about who gets elected or what is best for Fort Wayne Indiana, we just need their tax dollars.

And last but not least, the Democrats don't have a rat's behind of a change for finding a viable candidate among their constituents. Sounds a little arrogant to me, but I'm just reading the paper. And if the Dems do field a candidate or two,it is just some inactive window dressing puppet or puppets pulled out pretending to give the public a two party system in Fort Wayne. Sad huh, for the second largest city in Indiana.

Geez, and all this time, I thought the Democrats was a rainbow coalition. It must have been the National Democratic Party tha's an inclusive party and our local democratic party was mimicking we are the world theme, just to siphon off votes. Wow, I am so looking forward to Campaign 2007 according to the newspaper rules of engagement.

Tennis Star Serena Williams Surge into the finals

David Gray/Reuters

Serena Williams unseeded came to Australia to plant her feet in on the tennis court for cultivating an eighth Grand Slam win. Williams is clearly in a position after reaching the finals by plowing down the young Nicole Vaidisova . The win places her against the top-seeded Maria Sharapova.


Williams ranked 81th at the beginning of the tournament has battled to reached this chance to compete against Sharapova. The media has focused on Williams inability to win because of her physical appearance. How fitting for the unseeded Williams to stand with the top-seeded Sharapova in the final. In spite of the press predictions of Williams improbabilities in reaching the finals,

Williams has swapped away at their predictions by qualifying for the finals during a time when she is not at her physical best. But it is obvious that Williams is mentally in the heads of her younger physical fit contenders.

The fact that the media is more focus on Williams' physical conditioning rather than on what she is actually able to do in spite of her physical appearance is not surprising.

The media focus on Williams' appearance is an attempt at negating her self worth as the seven time grand slam winner. This attack on Williams is what some young girls experience almost every day based on some perceived flaw in their appearances. Williams being an athlete and competing in top competition highlights the intolerance for young women who are not viewed as media beauties. The media has decided that Williams appearance deems her as unworthy to represent the ideal of a female athlete or the image of America's desirable female.

The media commentators speaks about the flowing white mini peek a boo skirts, the silky, long plaited hair, and the slim agile leggy form of the graceful female tennis players. This exclude Williams who represents the commitment, the hard work, the sheer determination to participate in something that you love. Attributes in which almost all young girls can aspire toward instead of fitting into the image of a "media glam athlete".

It is not surprising that both Williams sister became designers. Designing themselves out of the white uniforms of traditional tennis into the self-defining tennis gear expressing their style of play. Designing outfits that demand attentions from the media while at the same time demand attention to their accomplishment on tennis courts were media just wish they would go away. The Williams's sister broke the media mold.

Serena is still sending a message of confidence to young girls about their self-worth based on how they define themselves instead of allowing the media to create unattainable images for them to emulate. A media that encourages young girls to seek a mature looks while young and innocent. A mixed messages to young girls to pretend to be an adult because when you become an adult you will be too old and unfit to be deemed a beauty.

While the media rips away at a seven time grand slam winner as physical unfit and too old to partake in the game of tennis, she sends a message to the media that young girls do not have to settle for ending up in movie as a sexually exploited character to command attention.

Can I borrow a cigarette?

Fort Wayne City Council bans cigarette smoking in pubic.
Dr. John Crawford campaign to protect citizens from second hand smoke. Can we take the protest seriously, when people voluntarily decide to go into these places?

When you go to a resturant, you can choose to go on the smoking or nonsmoking side. And if you don't like those choices you can choose to leave and go elsewhere. Sure it's not like the personal choice of putting the cigarette to your mouth and inhaling. But when you enter a place where there is smoking you should know that you're at risk for inhaling secondhand smoke.

So, why punish small business owners for others personal choice?

Serena Williams Muscling her way to another win

David Gray/Reuters

Serena Williams volleys to the semifinals of the Australian Open, after battling with Shahar Peer of Israel 3-6, 6-2, 8-6. Muscling her way to the young set, her opponent Nicole Vaidisova of Czecho Republic is all of 17 years old.

The Colts- Lifts as Anthony Kevin Dungy climbs

The above Tony Dungy picture is protected by copyright and/or trademark. The use of this low-resolution image to illustrate Tony Dungy on this website, hosted on servers in the United States, qualifies as fair use under United States copyright law. Use of the picture here does not imply endorsement of Tony Dungy to this site, nor does it imply endorsement of this site by Tony Dungy.

"Oh ye of little faith" was the text message I received from my grandson, when the Colts were behind the Patriots. No way did I believe that the Colts would be a comeback team after being down at halftime 21-3. But the Colts did. I can only imagine what Coach Anthony Kevin Dungy said to his players to motivate them to stay the course. Tony Dungy this man of extraordinary faith. Dungy coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001 fired. This was after Dungy built the Buccaneers and steered them toward four playoff appearances. The team went on to win Superbowl XXXVII, but without Dungy. Dungy instead ended up in Indiana, not far from his birthplace, Jackson, Michigan, with a new defense team to build.

Dungy in almost the same amount of years has coached the Indiana's team toward the Superbowl twice. This time the Colts made it. But some fans who are not loyal to Dungy but to the quarterback, were calling for the firing of this man of faith. No matter,to the fans ,that this Indianapolis Colts head football coach led two teams to the Super Bowl playoffs.

Dungy lost at St. Louis in the 1999 NFC championship game and the Colts lost at New England in the 2003 AFC title game. Tampa Bay at St. Louis in 1999, and with the Colts at New England in 2003. According to Ben Carson Scholars Fund website,

He is the NFL’s winning-ness head coach from 1999-2004 and he joins Ted Marchibroda as the only coaches in club history to produce 10-plus victories and playoff berths in the first three seasons with the team. Dungy has earned widespread respect both on and off the field because of his high personal standards of ethics and behavior. He is very active in many community service organizations in Indianapolis as well as other cities in which he has coached

My grandson remained loyal to "his" Colts, and I am sure he has picked up some great attributes from Peyton Manning and Manning's overcoming obstacles. But even more important is the message from Coach Dungy what it means to believe in something beyond the game.

The last text message, "Granny the Colts going to make you a believer." No grandson, It's Dungy. Thank God for his faith, because this coach has achieved another lifetime goal in his professional career by getting a team to the Superbowl. What a fate. Not only will Dungy arrive at the Superbowl in the Dolphin arena in Miami, so will a friend, a former coach under Dungy, Lovie Lee Smith of the Chicago Bears.

Dungy quietly continues his legacy as another coach a Michael Tomlin, former Viking defensive coordinator takes on a new position as head coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No-Name Calling Week

Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington is working with the Gay, Lesbian to warn others about having loose lips. Washington met with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to discuss ways to educate the public about the harm of name calling. According to an article by Lynn Elber, AP Television Writer,

He seemed very sincere in his interest in working with us in an ongoing basis," Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. "We emphasized that this is not a one-shot deal, but an ongoing thing. He was very open to doing this."

The star of the hit ABC medical drama met with Jennings, who spoke after the private meeting, and Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. A call to Washington's publicist for comment was not immediately returned Monday.

Yet name calling, I think I've been blogging about this for a minute...

Imagine Creative Retreats 2007-Joyce Wilson and Emily Connolly

Joyce Wilson, a photographic artist lectured at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne on Monday, Jan. 22 from 6—8 p.m. Jim Gabbard, IPFW Continuing Photography Lecturer was the host to Joyce Wilson and graphic designer, Emily Connolly.
Workshops are availabe by both artists, to inspire and massage one's passion and imagination for photography. The two co-authored together and created a book called Imagine, which is "photographic images [that]captures the transformational power of photography, and is an inspiring addition to photography lovers' libraries."

While raising her children, Wilson was able to establish herself in the portrait and commercial world. Wilson's work can be found in the International Hall of Fame.

Connolly, a poet, artist, writer and graphic designer offers traditional and digital photo enhancement, as well as digital work product to photographers. Another type of service to photographers and artists by Connolly includes archival printing. Connolly creates and designs greeting, holiday, and note cards, as well as custom designed wedding albums.

IPFW's Community was able to enjoy Wilson's lecture free, thanks to IPFW Department of Visual Communication and Designs. According to the press release,

Wilson is one of the most beloved and respected instructors in the profession and fees to attend to her workshops often range from $1,200—$3,000. Joyce Wilson’s remarkable career and reputation as a top portrait photographer and foremost educator of the visual arts places her in an exclusive circle of working photographers today. Featured for years as a member of the Fuji Talent Team and recently showcased in a Mamiya ad, she holds the PPA Master/Craftsman degrees, is a Fellow of the American Society of Photographers, and was awarded an honorary Master of Science from Brooks Institute.

A proud recipient of the Professional Photographers of America 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award, and the International Photographic Council Leadership Award presented at the United Nations in June, 2003, places Joyce Wilson in the upper echelons of her field. You can find out more about her work at www.joycewilson.com.

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