03.12.08 Wednesday Late Edition
Sorry, work came first this morning.
Former Plattsmouth resident Tina Murry was sent to the big house for 7 1/2 to 10 years for sexually assaulting a 13 year old daughter of a friend. Murry 28, assaulted the girl while they were watching tv together .
Zoo officials had their hands full when a 10 lb monkey escaped off an island in the Lied Jungle. Nobody was ever in any danger and the monkey returned back to the island after taking some guys lunch and giving Lee Simmons the finger. Who says nobody learns anything on school field trips.
The City Council passed a stiffer graffiti law that raises the penalty to 120 hours of community service and a possible 72 hours in jail. I liked the one guys idea of making them do some clean up in pink jumpsuits.
It also raised the fine for businesses who don’t properly secure their spray paint to prevent shoplifters, from 75 to $150 bucks.
7 Candidates have applied for the Chief of Police position. The Interim Chief, 3 Deputy Chiefs and 3 Captains have submitted their applications. Mayor Landow,Tom Mafisi (Human Resource Director) and William Moulder (Retired Des Moines Chief and Consultant) will review the applications then have Muppet Mike make the announcement in May pending recall.
Muppet Mike also said yesterday that many people were intimidated and did not speak because of the emotion displayed by the Save Rosenblatt contingency. Gee Muppet Mike I didn’t know that if you were against your plan that automatically put you in with the Save Rosenblatt group.
It is being said that if the City Council were to vote now the plan would not pass. The Council has been left out in the dark on the plan just like the rest of us.
An argument between several people leads to a person being shot near 42nd and Bedford around 5 p.m. yesterday. The man was a bystander who was hit in the leg after shots rang out. Nice weather heats up the No-K coral. It’s going to be a long summer .
That all for now, sorry for such a crappy report… More later
Bugs Manderson
impose all the fines u want u still gotta catch us
Comment by somegraffitiartist — March 12, 2008 @ 10:12 am
Did u c the OWH from last Fri? http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10277344. Some r being caught. Nope u can’t catch everyone but u can discpline those that r caught.
Comment by CheckThePaper — March 12, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Not that I am a fan of vigilante justice…but the only way to get through to someone like somegraffitiartist is a 2×4 to the head. As I look around my neighborhood and see the vandalism by some wantabe gangster on the sides of houses and buildings, I think, wouldn’t it be nice to see the owner discover the tagging in process as he places his 9 iron in the ass of the tagger. Yes, I think that would work.
Comment by Tommy 2 Cents — March 12, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Tommy TuTone (867-5309),
The Captain does not condone that type of unauthroized use of a golf club. I can see it now:
Husband: “Honey, I am going to go buy a new set of golf clubs.”
Wife: “What’s wrong with your old clubs?”
Husband: “Um, they are old and… um… crappy.”
No, this could disrupt mairtal bliss.
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 12, 2008 @ 10:39 am
After they are in their pink jumpsuits I think the property owners should be able to unload a paintball gun on them-at close range. Maybe that would help them lose their love of paint? I just hope they are as quick as asdf says they are because they better make it down the block faster than my dog can if I see one near my house!
Comment by InSoO — March 12, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Fast forward to June of 2011. A ballpark sits across the street from the zoo. People drive by it because it is such an historic spot. The stadium sits empty. The College World Series is being played that week in Oklahaoma City becasue the vocal minority in Omaha couldn’t part with their beloved Rosenblatt Stadium. As a matter of fact the stadium has been empty all year. The Royals moved their triple A team to Moline and Creighton built a brand new stadium that rivals Haymarket Park. Earlier this year Omaha’s property taxes were raised 10% to cover the lost income from the loss of the College World Series. There is talk of an increase in sales tax. People are complaining there is nothing to do in Omaha.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 12, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
Point well said 3 Dog, however this is still a boondoggle. The Royals are either posturing for some concessions from the city, or they legitimately do not like being displaced during the ‘prime’ of their season. Either way they don’t like the size of the stadium, so they end up moving anyway. The new stadium host Creighton – Nebraska games to crowds of 12,000 or more, but otherwise play to maybe 1,000 fans. Keno revenues may decrease after the smoking band goes into effect and more bars dump their machines because they are costly and take space.
I do see an up-side with more taxes from adjacent bars and restaurants, and from the likely development of the Rosenblatt property which becomes a year-round entertainment. Bottom line is we have to swallow the better pill, comply with the wises of the NCAA and preserve the “Road to Omaha.”
Comment by PuckSlotNet — March 12, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
PuckSlotNet,
Could you please tell me when the “prime” of the O-Royals season is. I have gone to a number of games the last few years and watched the standings. Anyone with a record as atrocious as that doesn’t have a “prime.” Bad product, bad marketing, and a bad parent club are not exactly keys for success.
I am not so sure that the NCAA is really working that hard to take the CWS away from Omaha. I think that the secrecy, and concealment of the facts speak louder than words do here. On the plus side, if the ballpark was empty and another monkey escaped across the road, imagine the fun he could have.
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 12, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
10% to cover the lost revenue? 10%? Sorry pal the CWS brings in about 70-100 bucks a resident. Rough numbers. The Zoo packs more bang for the buck.
That said, the CWS wasn’t even looking to shop elswhere. The gave the Mayor the dream list and Prince Charming want’s to make sure all their dreams come true under his watch.
The Stadium issue wouldn’t be an issue if they were not running around playing “I’ve got a secret”. If they would have laid out the goods at the begining the plan may have flown, but it started out bad. Now everyone suspects the “Ole Boys” are up to no good again.
And Captain there has been a Monkey loose and running wild for some time. Ever been on the 8th floor of the City County Building?
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 12, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
I say tear the fucker down and make the zoo bigger. Of course I hate baseball, so you know, whatever.
Comment by asdf — March 12, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
Bugs you got your head up your ass if you think that is all the CWS brings in per person.
The reason the Royals don’t draw more is Rosenblatt is a dump. Water leaking everywhere. The concorse looks like Folsum Prison.
Yes the NCAA said to dump more money into Rosenblatt or build a new stadium or the CWS would be moved. So we invest $60 million more into this dump and the project requires the Omaha Royals to play somehwere else. The Royals will not be back so we have this huge debt for a stadium that is used 2 weeks a year. Remember we have a debt on all the other “improvements” made to this dump already. Those previous loans will have to be paid while the stadium sits empty after both the CWS and Royals leave. Real good financial sense. Like I said you have your head up your ass. But Omaha has always been behind the times.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 6:49 am
Do the math. What does the CWS bring in to Omaha/Metro and divide it by the population (500,000 roughly). Tell me what you come up with.
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 7:03 am
500,000. Where do you get that number? There are not 500,000 tax payers in the metro area. There may be 500,000 people but not all pay taxes.
The benefit to Omaha should not just include the roughly $38 million dollars generated in a 2 week period. The ability to show the country that the city can manage an event like that helps bring other events to the city. A few examples: NCAA volleyball championship, NCAA basketball regional games, Olympic swim trials. I guarantee you that if Omaha lets the CWS go it will affect this city more thatn just the
$38 million dollars spent in this city during 2 weeks in June. And you better believe your taxes will go up because this event is lost. You have to make the money up somehow. What I can’t wait to see is if the CWS is lost you and people like you crying when your taxes go up.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 7:22 am
$38 million in revenue, not TAX revenue.
Try reading Dr. Ernie Goss’ study on the econpmic impact of the CWS on Omaha. And I never said taxpayers, I said residents of the Metro area. Define taxpayer? We didn’t fold up like a cheap table when Horse racing left AKSARBEN and that had more economic impact on the metro than the CWS.
Lets say there is 250,000 taxpayers then. $152 per taxpayer per year in revenue not TAX REVENUE. That number was around 2.3 in State and Local and lets say we divide that by oh a mere 100,000. 23 bucks a head. SO get your head out of your ass if you think this is some giant windfall. It is what it is and some tough choices have to be made.
Do we wish to see the CWS leave. Hell no, we are season ticket holders with a corporate box. Do we want straight answers on the possiblility of a new ballpark in Omaha. Yes. How about one that isn’t just Muppet Mike’s desire but that of the rest of the people. And one that faces the right direction.
Personally I wouldn’t care if they spent 200 million on one if they built it right and made it work like the Qwest. This plan was drawn up on a bar napkin and it’s Mike’s way or the highway.
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 7:37 am
I thought if I came over to this blog I wouldn’t have to read anything by asdf
Comment by F.O. asdf — March 13, 2008 @ 7:42 am
You’ll be one of the citizens crying when the CWS leaves. Get your head out of your ass or it will be gone. Aksarben just another example of the backward thinking by people like you. Let it close we don’t want it. Next time they wnat to raise taxes on Omaha by 23 bucks a head I don’t want to see you opposing it. That is an awfully low figure also. Put $60 million into a dump what do you have? A dump with no parking or facilities used 2 weeks out of the year. I hope you don’t run a business.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 7:51 am
wnat????
Comment by Spelling Teacher — March 13, 2008 @ 7:53 am
Like I said, read the economic impact study on the CWS. My Number is high compared to others.
And how did I get lumped into wanting to close AKSARBEN. I think it was the dumbest thing ever done around here. Talk about lost revenue, look across the river.
You better read back some more.
Oh and I do run a business and do it very well thank you. I will remember to give you a bigger tip next time your parking my car.
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 7:57 am
3 dog,
Per http://www.census.gov population of Omaha on July 1, 2006 was 419,515. Throw in Bellevue at 47594, Papillion at 21271, LaVista-11699, Ralston - 6314 and oh yeah Council Bluffs at 60217, I get a total “Metro Area” population of 566,610. As far as you comment that they do not all pay taxes, anyone spending their money in Omaha is certainly paying the percentage to the city for sales tax. Yes everyone isn’t paying property taxes but I don’t think that there are too many tax exempt sales going on at the CWS. The CWS takes in people spending their money from the entire metro area and not just Omaha proper.
What does your term “dollars generated” mean? Are you talking about gross spending, net profit, or tax profits? Where do you get your number? Your comment “the ability to manage an event like that” correct me if I am wrong but hasn’t Omaha shown that they can manage this even since like 1947? 61 years isn’t a good enough track record for you? I realize that there are things we can do to make it better.
One of the unique issues that Omaha has is that the downtown area of Omaha is on the far end of town. Of all the cities I mentioned earlier, the population of Council Bluffs is actually the closest population center to our downtown. I do understand that there are reasons to try and revitalize our downtown but spending tons of money to place an un-needed facility in a location that is a long way from most of the metro population base doesn’t sound like the answer to me. (also don’t let asdf see your typo “thatn” or he will let you know how superior his intellect is just before dropping an f-bomb and showing us all what a bitter angry person he really is)
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 13, 2008 @ 8:01 am
Park your car!!!! Now that’s funny. I’m surprised you don’t have a driver Don’t think that you are a great business man simply because you have a paper route.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 8:04 am
Fucken Eh Captain….
Sorry I could not resist that. I will go back to work now.
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 8:06 am
OK maybe I underestimated you Skippy. I will make sure to fill out the comment card and give you Kudo’s next time you deliver my pizza. Sorry my bad.
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 8:10 am
Your population figures include children Obvious. The sales tax revenue goes to Omaha not Ralsron, Bellevue CB. If I was running an event and I saw that Omaha lost an event they had for 61 years because they did not want to improve upon the event I would think twice about bringing my event here. Now you have focused on my money topics. Rosenblatt is a dump. Invest $60 million more in it and it is still a dump. While renovating the dump the Royals have to move to another venue. They will not be back I guarantee you. So you have invested $60 million in that dump and it is used 2 weeks out of the year if the CWS decides to stay here for at the most 5 years. Good investment? I think not. And you still have to pay for the original improvements to that dump. Your business reasoning do not make sense. Oh I will try not to finger fumble on the keyboard in the future!!!
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 8:14 am
Must be a big paper route you have if you can afford a car and pizza delivery. You gonna trust that I didn’t spit in your pizza?
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 8:16 am
Manderson I just figured out who you are and I have to admit that is some funny stuff. 8th Floor and Skippy gave it away.
Someone should warn 3 Dog Night that you have better information than what he watches on TV and reads in the World According to the Editors Pocketbook.
Comment by Been to the 8th Floor — March 13, 2008 @ 8:16 am
Does he work for the CIA? Maybe he is one of Bush’s underlings spying on me. I always know when someone tries to say they have more money so they are superior than others they really have no clue what they are talking about. You can try to belittle me all you want. Doesn’t change the way I feel about a new staiumd nor the way I feel about your closed minded views on it.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 8:22 am
3 dog must have been in the bottle of Jambala becasue he is missing the point.
We didn’t say Don’t build a new facility, nor did we say renovate Rosenblatt. We said every option needs to be looked at. If your going to build it then do it right not just rush into something. The NCAA was willing to work with us, the Mayor had made up his mind with out hearing from the people.
The point to the economic impact is this. Much is being made out of how much the CWS brings in, but be honest about what the numbers really mean. Lets use your population figures. Wait how much do we take off for the people that stay across the river in Council Bluffs and spend money there? You don’t want to include them in the numbers.
The economic impact is state and local taxes not just Omaha. It is Bellevue (people stay at motels down there) Ralston, Papillion, Council Bluffs. The spend all over town not just in you little cubicle.
Maybe it is to hard for you to read the report or maybe you want this facility so bad that you will say anything to get it. You don’t have strings attached to your arms and a hand up your ass making your mouth move do you?
Bugs Manderson
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 8:26 am
Where’s Spelling Teacher?
What’s a Staiumd?
Comment by eyeonomaha — March 13, 2008 @ 8:30 am
You have 2 choices. Build a new stadium or invest more money into Rosenblatt. Every major city in this country knows that to have a vibrant city you need a vibrant downtown. If you look around the country you will see that all major venues are built downtown. A recent example is the new arena in Kansas City. So what do you want? What option has not been explored? If I was an NCAA rep I would just say move it to a more progressive city.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 8:38 am
3 Dog. Yes those population figures do include children. Many of those same children go to the CWS and their parents spend money on them for entertainment at this event. The result is sales tax revenue. Try to think in a little broader sense on taxes. Kids do help the local area’s tax base because they are consumers through their parent’s income. Last time I bought a pair of jeans for Jr. Obvious, the clerk didn’t tell me that they were tax exempt because he was a kid. I have a bigger house because I have kids. The result is higher property taxes. Many people are employed in industries that support children. The result is business and personal income taxes. God knows I spend more on gas and hockey equiptment because I have kids. Children are an integral part of the local tax base whether you recognize it or not.
The vibrant city and vibrant downtown thing may not be the correct answer for a city with Omaha’s geographical layout. Yes it works for most cities but most cities are not laid out like we are. Our situation may just call for someone with an original thought and I don’t think that the current individuals involved in this stadium push are the right people.
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 13, 2008 @ 9:27 am
If you don’t build it they will go. Rosenblatt is simply not a viable option for the money. It would force the Royals to relocate and very likely never come back, not that they may play in the new park anyway. This option also limits potential zoo expansion too. What has developed around Rosenblatt in the last twenty years? One hotel on 13th Street. There is an expectation that a downtown stadium will foster more development in additional hotels, bars and restaurants.
Don’t get me wrong everyone, I’ve stated that it is a boondoggle, and I hate having to invest in such a limited use facility, but the potential for more development and opportunities from the NCAA and other events (think of the draw Louis Palou(sp?) created.
In the grand scheme of things, $140 M in and area where we have seen over $1B of development will be a big deal, and not just to the baseball crowd.
Comment by PuckSlotNet — March 13, 2008 @ 9:40 am
I’m here, there are so many I didn’t know where to start. My favorite is Ralsron and in that same paragraph saying I’ll try not to fumble the key pad.
Comment by Spelling Teacher — March 13, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
Spelling teacher you did such a poor job teaching me how to spell. How in the hell do you justify the wages you are making as a teacher? Maybe you should go join Mongo on his paper route. Might be a better fit for you.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
For the record, I look pretty hot in pink jumpsuits.
Comment by db — March 13, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
The teacher gig is just for eyeonomaha (ask Mongo how well it pays) as far as the paper route, I would gladly deliver papers from Mongos private jet, if he would let me. I’m not sure it would ever be in your trailer park.
Comment by Spelling Teacher — March 13, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
You couldn’t afford to be in my trailer park. Now go back to proofreading the messages here. That is about as constructive a job as you can handle.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Hot pink jump suit with synthetic red dreds?
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 13, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
I probably own your park, but no reason to brag. Mongo is not the one you have been fighting with, that’s Bugs. Mongo is in Milwaukee I think.
Comment by Spelling Teacher — March 13, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
Funny don’t see your name on the deed. But I hear Pizza Hut is looking for delivery drivers. You might be able to supllement your spelling teaching job and buy yourself something nice at Wal Mart.
Comment by 3 dog night — March 13, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
…and LEDs and neon wire and corrugated tubing and PVC cablewraps. Yeah, what of it?
We’re talking NEON pink, right?
Comment by db — March 13, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
I wish I could play longer, but my real job is calling, by the way only one l and you left out a p. Spelling is tough.
Comment by Spelling Teacher — March 13, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Wow, kind of industrial, techie, geek, sheik! Nothing “of it” really, I like uniqueness. Like a guy that wears a cape and a Speedo has any room to give someone crap about attire!
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 13, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
What’s a real job? Sounds awful.
Cap’n, I want pix. Nowplzthx.
Comment by db — March 13, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
OH NO YOU DON’T!
Comment by Captain Obvious — March 13, 2008 @ 9:19 pm