Monthly Meeting Minutes – January 20, 2010
Welcome: Noell Krughoff encouraged the group to bravely defend our Democratic ideals. If people truly understood what we believe they would realize they agree with our commitment to the common good. The group received a handout titled, “What it means to be a Democrat.”
Minutes from 12/16/10 approved as written: Motion Bob Williams, Second Ronnie Coy
Team Leader Reports:
* Community Outreach – Bob Williams: The team developed and distributed a community/election year calendar. Noell will send it to Democrats via email and Trent will put it on the website. Upcoming activities include the Golf Outing at Bear Chase on May 8th and preparations for the County Fair.
* Membership – Cheryl Etherton: The team continues to seek precinct committee chairs.
* Young Democrats – Carrie Ridgeway: No report
* Fundraising: Phil Brown had to resign as leader. Dee Bonner is developing a fundraising letter.
Election 2010:
* Dr. Hanna, candidate for 5th Congressional District, will be at Headquarters on Tuesday, 1/26 at 2:30 PM for a reception. He is announcing his candidacy that day and will visit the Shelbyville News beforehand. The Central Committee will send invitations via letter and email to local people who might be interested in meeting Dr. Hanna in person.
* Candidate recruitment: A candidate search committee continues to work with potential candidates. They welcome suggestions of others who might be interested in running for an office in the 2010 election.
* Precinct committee chairs and State Convention Delegates must file at the Clerk’s office by noon on February 19th.
Education & Outreach – Kate Smith:
The team provided a handout explaining what tax abatements are and how they should be structured if they are going to serve as an effective economic development tool. Discussion included the following:
* Tax abatements are offered only on new improvements. Existing taxes aren’t changed.
* Are current tax abatements being used to improve economically distressed areas as required by State law?
* Ideally the Plan Commission’s Comprehensive Plan and local zoning ordinances should be used when deciding if tax abatements are appropriate. Is this happening now? The process appears more arbitrary to the average citizen.
* Are the companies that receive tax abatement held accountable to their promises of employment and/or other community benefits?
* Communities use tax abatements to compete against each other, so businesses have a position of power when making agreements.
* Is it true that a downtown law firm received a tax abatement and interest-free loan to move to Intelliplex Park? If so this doesn’t seem to fit the requirement of developing an area needing economic revitalization.
* One company in Shelbyville received 15 tax abatements in a twelve-month period. Is this appropriate?
* We would like to see a list of the current abatements. The education committee will find out how to get this list.
Open Discussion: Dean McNamara thanked Chris Hext, Building Inspector, for listening to and acting upon concerns that were raised over environmental issues at the closed Meridian plant.
Next meeting is February 17, 7:00 PM at Democrat Headquarters.
Paid for by the Shelby County Democratic Party, www.shelbydems.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Museo Font by Jos Buivenga .
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