The $32m. NASCAR Hall of Fame Exhibitgate says Charlotte city council exists merely to rubber-stamp the decisions city staff makes. Back last September staff told the council that they wanted to spend more — much more — than $13m. on exhibits in the $163m. building. They were looking for “corporate sponsors” to fund the extra spending.
Well, that has not happened. Surprise. So back to the taxpayers they come. Double surprise. And Mayor Pat McCrory and couple council members act shocked and dismayed. Trifecta. We’ve seen this movie before. Bottomline, Charlotte will build a $200m. NASCAR Hall cum Convention Center expansion because that is what city staff wants to do. Then we will subsidize and subsidize it because that is what city staff wants to do.
In fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Staff is only getting the pushback it is getting on this project because Mayor McCrory is running for governor. The Uptown crowd does not want Pat to look soft and irresponsible on fiscal matters so we get this little kabuki theater from John Lassiter and Ed Peacock playing the heavies, standing up to staff. You are not fooling anyone, folks.
