After digging around through some news articles, it seems the 2nd penny (and zoned snow removal) came to fruition in 1983 due to the efforts of the first female elected city commissioner Loila Hunking, who was in charge of public works. The 2nd penny was supposed to be ‘temporary’.
While Hunking was re-elected in 1986 to the commission, she was defeated in 1989, and in that short 6 years, the 2nd penny already became permanent, and one of it’s first projects that wasn’t dedicated to streets was cleaning up Falls Park.
I have not seen Loila in years. I first met her in 1992Â while working for late state legislator Pat Pilcher at her print shop downtown in the former Lewis Drug.
Loila is an amazing person. Many of my political opinions about abortion and women’s fair pay were shaped around listening to Pat and Loila chew the fat.
Maybe someone needs to hook up a DaCola interview with her?
I remember Loila. She had a small greenhouse thing after her time in office. Spoke with her and liked her then. Didn’t agree with some of her city actions. What I miss is the old commissioners government. They had the power to keep the mayor from frolics into tennis, concerts, bath houses, and real estate speculation.
Hard to believe but there was a time when citizens had due process, the city attorney represented the city not just the mayor, ethics hearings were serious, contracts were awarded by competitive bid, the city used 5 banks (not just First Premier), etc.. Today city government resembles Germany pre WW2. Except it’s Huether, not Hitler. He calls himself mayor but (realistically) is Chancelor if not dictator.
The use and direction of the second penny has evolved over the years. You are correct in your story about it’s beginnings. At one point is was 100% for streets, then at one time (if memory serves me correct) it was mandated that 80% went to streets and 20% other projects. Some time after that the percentages were dropped all together and it was allocated on an ‘as needed’ basis. Over the years efforts were made in the legislature to loosen the uses 2nd penny (debt service, leases, major items such as fire trucks etc). Not all efforts to broaden the use of the tax were successful but many were. Over the years the philosphy of the tax also changed – for example at one time upsizing of water mains to meet firefighting flow rates were paid out of 2nd penny funds (no idea if it is still that way). Certainly it has to a degree kept property taxes from rising more than they already have, but like so many, I am concerned about the amount of debt service that is being placed on the 2nd penny.
Best political blog in the stae, keep up the good work.