The answer is "NO". They know it, but...

Once again it just proves that this council does NOT listen to it's constituents!! If they had put this to a vote, they know it would not pass, so instead, spent money we don't have on something we don't need!! I for one will not vote for one of these guys when election time comes up again!!!

This is nothing more than outright theft of the taxpayers hard earned money. Elect a few hoity, toity. "I want to make a name for myself" council people who think they know what is best and this is what happens.

The council did right for the ice arena and for all the kids involved in youth hockey. A kid on ice is seldom in hot water.....

Really, we had to open up another blog on this? Why, because there wasn't enough information in the 110 comments on the actual story!

Economics 101: You can't always have what you want.

They cannot plow the streets but can build and ice area? The 40 million should be returned to the tax payers period, People are getting so upset with govt in general regardless of party.

Although I am weary of the investment, I do have to say that I am thrilled that it's going to be on the South side...I feel that that area of our city has been neglected for far too long.

NO! If the hockey fans want it so damn bad let them pay for it...tag an extra fee on the tickets if its that popular! People are on unemployment, one income, or even less and now we have to help pay for something that really is not necessary at this time. A referendum would have been the way to go here...

Next act to this saga: "anonymous" donor puts up $1 million. Haven't we seen this movie before?

No Janesville is in for the hard lesson learned by Flint Michigan by spending money on frills as their largest employer left instead of dropping taxes to promote future investment.
**Bye Bye Janesville. I believe Mike Moore coined the the statement. In Flint there are more rats that reside in (Janesville)Flint than People.
I should come up with a documentary similar to Rodger, and Me by Mike Moore
** It will be called. Eric Levitt, and Me as we plunder Janesville. By ShotgunWillie

One question:

What happens to the old arena and the property?

I agree with Woody. They may have done right by the ice arena, but they did not do right by the tax payer. This is a major project that will not only require up front funding, but will require operational expenses as well. This issue should have been put to a referendum. That way, everyone would have the opportunity to vote.

swisschick...1.5 million each was only the beginning...now they are fast tracking to 5 million...money grows on trees don't you know...

I had heard on the radio news that it was $1,500,000.00 each.??? (For a total of $3,000,000.00). This article says five mil. Huh.

Did the council do right by the tax payer? NO

Yes they did.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

bobb....

....not sure what you mean by "how long" until the current ice arena is an eyesore...it has been that for years

I can't quote exactly, but at one point during the discussion, Steeber talked about what HE thought was best, and how HE thinks the location should be east......I hate to remind him, and the rest of the Council, but this isn't about you, and that is what you are forgetting. We need a better way to get public input for decisions.

As I said elsewhere...

...the council can pat themselves on the back for this one...

...in the very broadest sense of the term, they just had sex with every taxpayer in this city.

I'm sure that they are so proud of themselves.

<sarcasm mode off now>

A drain from the start,the one they have now has proven that!! NNNNNNNNNNNN___OOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

No.

The city is just like the state & federal government, spend money they don't have.