In much of the promotion, all I continue to hear is that ‘this will make Baton Rouge the next great American city.’ As much as I want Baton Rouge to be a great American city, I disagree that this is the way we get there.

We don’t get there by taking a chance that another arts/entertainment venue will help spark a downtown revival, we get there by adding competitive jobs, industry and careers for our residents inside of our city/parish. I’ve often heard the argument that ‘we need arts/entertainment before industry will come here’ and I agree to that statement, but where I disagree is that arts come first. Industry has to be drawn and fostered first then lets compliment it where I can get a glass of wine and an art gallery.

I would still be inclined to vote for the proposal sans ‘Alive’ – we do need the infrastructure improvements and that is an investment we can afford. It is a crying shame that this has to be a package deal, even if it would shave years off the bond payback, according to projections.

I am not wholeheartedly against taxes and completely understand the idea that we need to take ownership in our future, I get that. What I will not take sitting down is what I consider a bad proposal, coupled with bad assumptions and unattainable projections that has a fancy catch phrase and an endorsement from every name and organization ‘in the know.’

You know where I stand, and I don’t expect to change your mind. I only hope I have provided a dissenting opinion that makes sense, unlike some of the other dissent I’ve heard.

GEAUX BATON ROUGE!

Disclaimers::
-I do like Kip Holden as mayor, think he’s done a great job. I just happen to disagree w/him on this one issue.
-Baton Rouge is a great capitol city and college(s) city, one of the best. However, we’ve become a commuter city because of it. Only industry and career-jobs place enough permanence in our area to maintain. Our economy does not need to be based on tourism, instead a willing commitment to reward those who live and work (therefore contributing) here.

Thinking to the future reminded me of the past. I kept up a blog called ‘The Heisman Run’ for about two years (05-07) and took a couple minutes to enjoy some of the things I’ve written in the past. I’m glad to share, if you’d like to listen.

I used to blog…

about my obsessive hatred for ‘buzzword nasty’ writing
http://heismanrun.blogspot.com/2006/02/thinking-outside-of-loosing-my-mind.html

about my initial discovery of my psoriatic arthritis
http://heismanrun.blogspot.com/2006/01/this-time-its-personal.html

about the first time I tried to adjust to contacts (so far, attempt #2 has been more successful)
http://heismanrun.blogspot.com/2005/07/contact-lenses-vision-update-i-dont.html

about great concerts I had attended at that point
http://heismanrun.blogspot.com/2006/03/groovin-my-time-away.html

about my reflections on the first time I heard Mitch Hedberg
http://heismanrun.blogspot.com/2005/07/contact-lenses-vision-update-i-dont.html

about my utter disgust with Brittany Spears’ lack of financial support for South Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina
http://heismanrun.blogspot.com/2005/09/namin-names.html

Here’s hoping there will be a successful return to blogging -

-d-