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" Great job...now Normal (through the citizen taxpayers) and Heartland (through the citizen taxpayers) can help enrich Mike Veck. Wonder why they can't look at the experience Bloomington is going through and come to the conclusion that if the ownership group really wanted to bring (unaffiliated...few potential major leaguers on any teams) minor league baseball to the twin cities they would pay for the venue themselves? As it is now, just like it is and was in Bloomington, a rosy picture is being painted of the potential upside while the taxpayers get ready once again to open their wallets and enrich another team owner. "

" Meh, that is because of the additional taxing bodies here in Bloomington-Normal. In Tazewell you probably do not have the airport authority taxes, the library district taxes, the Heartland Community College Taxes, or the municipal taxes (or at least a smaller municipality). But we tend to think of all that going to the city or the county when their cut of it is actually pretty low. "

" Charlemagne, sure doesn't feel that way. My parents' home in the Cook County is assessed at 3x what mine is and they pay only 2x the taxes. And my new house over in Tazewell county is significantly more expensive than my current Bloomington property and the taxes are the same, if not a little less. "

" Why isn't HCC concerned with education anymore? One article about the new Workforce Center, and how many about the baseball field and other athletics? HCC was formed for a low-cost alternative for education. It is one of the more expensive now compared to comparable institutions. "

" I HOPE somebody publishes the real costs to the taxpayers for this Palace of Baseball that HCC Board will spend countless hours reviewing, supporting, and building (While spending little time talking about something like, oh, I don't know..maybe EDUCATION!)

This Heartland Board reached into our taxpayer pockets last year and no doubt has not problems doing it again. Be vigilant! "

" "When a name like Veeck wants to come to your community, you tend to pay attention." Yes, indeed. And I'd suggest that a starry eyed Mr. Sender pick up and read a copy of young Bill's fathers' biography: " Veeck: As In Wreck". Just to see if this apple has fallen far from the tree. Young Bill will have Mr. Sender and the rest of the locals believing that this team will be in a World Series within three years. And all our names will be on Broadway in gas lights. Caveat Emptor, fellow baseball fans.

"

" to Meh...
Umm, no we don't. Back up your claims with facts. We have LOWER property taxes than other cities our size in Illinois. Normal is the lowest with 7.08% of assessed value (aprox 1/3 the value of the property) and Bloomington is the 2nd lowest with 7.3%. For comparsion Peoria is 7.94%, Champaign is 7.66% and Decatur is 8.67%. We are the lowest in the state, and we have a higher quality of life. Good Job Bloomington-Normal for getting the most for our dollar. "

" And we wonder why the citizens of McLean county pay the highest property tax rate in the state. "

" Well, this all sounds so nice. How much is the Town of Normal going to have to spend to further HCCs' empire building? Citizens of Normal, these are YOUR tax dollars being spent once again to facilitate a private enterprise. Why do we continue to fund these projects at taxpayer expense? Just wondering........... "

" Thank you to Alan Sender, Jon Astroth, Mike Veeck and all of the people working to make this happen for the community. Your efforts are very much appreciated. "

" Good deal. But here comes the naysayers...... "

" Sounds awsome! Looking foward to it! "