Mayor Meeker, in reference to the dramatically increasing costs of the new convention and hotel complex in Raleigh, said this in Sunday’s N&O: “Why shouldn’t we have really good design and good materials? Next year’s fire station doesn’t have to look like last year’s fire station. The extra cost if there is some – 5 or 10 percent – isn’t the end of the world. It’s something we can handle.”

Of course Mayor, cost overruns really don’t matter when it’s someone else’s money!!

Let’s keep in mind that we’re not 5-10 percent over, we’re now $35 million over the 2004 projected cost in taxes.

That would be more like 18-20 percent Mayor!