Measure J Fans, Foes Demonstrate - Revisited
Committee for No on Measure
J
VoteNOonMeasureJ.org
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
News
ReleaseVoteNOonMeasureJ.org
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
For information:
Contact: Bond Shands
Email: pstaxpayer@gmail.com
"Measure J fans, foes demonstrate" headline's the story in today's edition of The Desert Sun regarding yesterday's planned demonstration activities by the Committee for No on Measure J. Developer John Wessman's Yes on J campaign and the Chamber of Commerce urged their supporters to arrive an hour in advance of the announced No on Measure J movement's planned protest. Wessman's Yes on J Campaign also imported construction workers and equipment from neighboring cities to bolster their activities. Using bullhorns and other noisy sounds, the obvious goal was to outshout and otherwise silence a legitimate protest demonstration by No on Measure J supporters.
The Yes on J campaign claims the sidewalk in front of the vacant old B of A building on Palm Canyon and Tahquitz qualifies as their headquarters. They use the sidewalk because the interior of the building is unsafe and it has no telephone, lighting or other utilities. Their "headquarters" claim is questionable and is only made in order to hang a huge campaign banner on the front of the building. The Palm Springs sign code ordinance permits large signs on campaign headquarters, but it does not state that empty buildings qualify for that exemption.
The Committee for No on Measure J views exploitation of the sign code ordinance by the Yes on J committee as inappropriate and worthy of legitimate protest. Setting up a table outside a vacant building should not qualify it as a "headquarters" for sign code ordinance purposes. City Manager David Ready supports Measure J. He is looking the other way and refusing to act by requiring that only an occupied building qualify as a campaign headquarters. It is for that reason a demonstration was held to draw attention to the apparent sign code violation. It is one part of the greater movement in opposition to the proposed sales tax hike that passage of Measure J would impose on Palm Springs residents.
The Measure J Sales Tax Hike is a misguided proposal to tax residents and raise funds for a taxpayer bailout of developer John Wessman's Desert Fashion Plaza partial renovation. The bailout represents a gift of public funds for it does not require repayment. The measure is misguided for the following reasons.
(a) The tax would be used to raise $83 million in new 20 year revenue bonds so that money would be available for immediate spending.
(b) Anticipated bond repayments, including interest and other financing costs, are expected to total $160 million over 20 years. Financing costs will leave little more than half of the tax monies available for public use.
(c) Developer John Wessman will receive a $43 million bailout from the new taxpayer funds that he will not be required to repay. Financing expenses related to the $43 million will bring taxpayer total costs for the Wessman bailout to more than $75 million.
(d) The City of Palm Springs will assume huge annual maintenance costs for new streets it will build on developer John Wessman's property; for the Desert Fashion Plaza's decrepit above and below ground parking facilities it will take over, renovate, and maintain for the benefit of the developer and his future patrons; and for the new restroom facilities it will maintain on his plaza property.
Measure J is a poorly structured city ordinance that should be turned down by voters at the polls. Renovation of the Desert Fashion Plaza, if done using taxpayer funds, must include provisions for repayment or other financial return of equivalent value.
The "Committee for No on Measure J" Leadership Team
Andy Hirsch - Voter Outreach
Bob Richmond - Campaign Strategy and Voter Outreach
Bond Shands - Media Spokesman
Elise Richmond - Finance & Fundraising
Jack Webster - Campaign Strategy and Voter Outreach
Kelly Eustis - Campaign Consultant
Renee DeVolt - Treasurer (Finance & Fundraising)
Sue Ferguson - Recording Secretary
______________________________________________________
Committee for No on Measure
J
Renee DeVolt,
Treasurer | Committee ID #1341720
1111 Tahquitz Canyon Way - Suite
111
Palm Springs, Ca.
92262
pstaxpayer@gmail.com | www.VoteNoOnMeasureJ.org
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Posted by Desert Observer at 11/2/2011 5:10 AM 
Categories: Politics, The Desert Sun, Desert Fashion Plaza
Tags: Wessman Development John Wessman Desert Fashion Plaza Measure J No on J
Categories: Politics, The Desert Sun, Desert Fashion Plaza
Tags: Wessman Development John Wessman Desert Fashion Plaza Measure J No on J
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