05/28/02  Palladium Vote:

I was supposed to be second on the agenda to speak against the Victory/Palladium group on Wednesday; however, the Mayor decided to take people as they were lined up in the front of the chamber.  Allen Guinn and I were at the last so we were not heard. 
My speech was to be as follows:

I am confused! Greatly confused! The deal with Palladium does not compute!  Last Wednesday, I heard (as did you) Mr. Wong say, "the reason Palladium left San Jose was not the competition but the ECONOMY!"  

For 2 1/2 years, I have been hearing gloom and doom from the City Manager and Council concerning the Dallas economy. 

You laid off people last year, and you say you are going to lay off more this year because of the ECONOMY. 

I guess I am missing something. 

In mass, the Council went against the 17% fire and police raise and told the citizens, Dallas could not afford it.  But you can give an extended TIF to Victory/Palladium?

I assure you, my information says a great number of police have their applications in other places.  Therefore your actions are going to cost a great deal more than the $60 million you opposed for their raise. 

You also told the citizens "we will have to raise your taxes".  That will happen anyway.

Some of you have said, "This is the first time any company (Palladium) has been scrutinized so extensively."  I say, it's about time.  You have a fiduciary responsibility but some of you have forgotten that.

SAY NO TO THE TIF FOR VICTORY/PALLADIUM AND LET THEM BUILD IT WITH THEIR MONEY.