My Favorite Project Makes the News

By: Mr. Wilson on February 16, 2011
It has been a while since I've heard anybody mention it, but I'll take what I can get. Lincoln's long-awaited but all-but-dead South Beltway got a mention in yesterday's mayoral debate. Unfortunately it wasn't mentioned in the context of "Huzzah! I've figured out how to get it built!" On the "we need to get this thing built" side is Tammy Buffington; on the "I'd love to build it; show me the money" side is Mayor Chris Beutler. Neither one has a good plan for getting it done. Ms. Buffington, for example, hilariously proposed using "budget efficiencies" to fund the project. Lincoln's budget is nowhere near large enough that a snip snip here and a snip snip there will uncover enough money to pay for something as huge as the South Beltway. Especially after years of cutting to the bone. There's just not much, if any, fat left in the City budget. Nor would not building the arena have helped, as Ms. Buffington suggested. That is, unless Ms. Buffington would have redirected all the taxes directly to the Beltway. That's possible, but she doesn't strike me as the tax increase type. I could be wrong. Personally, I could really dig a tax to pay for the South Beltway. Of Antelope Valley, the arena, and the South Beltway, the latter is by far the most important to Lincoln's future. The never-talked-about East Beltway is right up there, too. But I digress. If yesterday's debate is any indication, it looks like the mayoral race is going to be lively. That could be a good thing -- lively political races force candidates to address difficult topics. On the other hand, sometimes lively means dirty. That's not something we need right now. Here's hoping the two candidates can stick to the issues that matter to Lincoln.

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Fletch
February 16, 2011 at 3:52PM

If yesterday’s sound bites are any indication, I plan to just refer to her as Ms. Buffoon. Seriously, this is the best person that could be found to run against the mayor? I am sure she may be a nice person, but she strikes me as being way - way - in over her head.

beerorkid
February 16, 2011 at 4:59PM

I loved when she would get that OH MAN I SO GOT YOU grin on her face after spouting off one of her few meaningless quips and then Beutler would get that I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAVE TO RESPOND TO THIS NOOB face.

She is a one trick pony.  Repealing the arena is not an answer to every issue.

Fletch
February 16, 2011 at 7:03PM

Wow. I just listened to the snippits of the debate that KLIN posted on Facebook, with the Deena “Roger and Me” Winter interview (would that be a Winterview?)...

Ms. Buffoon was worse than I imagined. The idea of picking up some spare change and inefficiencies to pay for a beltway? I can’t stop laughing. I weep for our future.

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