I’ve already made peace with the fact that the Oshkosh Common Council will vote tonight to formally offer to sell Lakeshore Golf Course to the Oshkosh Corporation for their new world headquarters. But what I want to see tonight is some consistency from Councillors in their messages as they explain their votes. Councilmember Jake Krause works for Oshkosh Corp, so he is recusing himself from tonight’s vote–but here is what everyone else should say:
Mayor Steve Cummings should use his favorite phrase “The City is being held hostage” by its largest employer, as it only will consider some of the limited parkland in Oshkosh for its new location. He should also complain that Oshkosh Corp will likely come back someday with the “dark store loophole” argument that it’s new headquarters should be assessed at the same rate as its vacant old headquarters to get out of paying as much in property taxes.
Councillor Tom Pech, Jr needs to bemoan the fact that the State Legislature is phasing out the Personal Property Tax–meaning the city won’t be able to levy taxes on all of the furnishings, computers and fixtures in the new headquarters building in the future.
Councilmember Deb Allison-Aasby should cheer the precedent that the City is setting for incentive packages that will be provided to future development–especially for the company for which she works.
I predict Councillor Lori Palmeri will be the star of tonight’s debate. She will come armed with arguments against “Corporate Welfare”, like Oshkosh’s 94-million dollars in net income for the 4th quarter of the fiscal year alone–and profits of 286-million for the entire year–and wonder why Oshkosh taxpayers have to provide any assistance at all when they can clearly afford to build without it?
Councilmember Caroline Panske needs to remind us of the environmental impact. A tear should be shed for the beautiful old oak trees that will have to be cut down–no longer providing homes for cute squirrels and chipmunks. And let’s not forget about the ponds that will no longer be home to fuzzy ducklings and goslings every spring. Plus, her favorite–grass–will be covered up by more ugly concrete and blacktop. But then, she also has to explain the inner turmoil, as golf is a sport played only by rich, white men–so why should she vote to keep their “personal playground”?
And finally, Councillor Steve Herman should provide the lone perspective on what Oshkosh will be giving up in this deal by recalling the great memories of beautiful sunny days on the fairways with friends, the great competitions held on those grounds for more than a century and the chances for kids to take part in a game based on respect for your opponent–in a safe environment that provides real life lessons.
So the Council can go ahead and approve the Lakeshore offer tonight because you know you have to–but just don’t pretend it’s something you actually support.
