No Convention Center-City of Midland

We, the concerned citizens of the Permian Basin and especially of the City of Midland, ask the Midland City Council to NOT use taxpayer's money to construct the unofficially proposed $64.5 million convention center. We believe that ever mounting debt is a detriment to our community and long term financial stability. Since quotes from various members of the City Council and their paid consultants have admitted that this facility will incur operating losses every year ranging from approximately $500,000 to $750,000, this is a financial arrangement we are NOT willing to engage in. Since the city of Midland currently has approximately $96,488,551 of debt as of September 30, 2006 (City of Midland 2006-2007 budget) this will add approximately 67\% more debt! We love this community and want the best for it and its citizens. We want to see it prosper because it's citizens are prospering not because the City would become one of the largest employers or real estate developers.

Please consider the signatures below when discussing the possibility of this project or any other future "community enhancement" projects (i.e. bird watching park) as it appears that OUR voices are seldom heard.