Mr. Yvarra’s Campaign: Even More Deceptive Than Before

I’ve written previously about the contested race in Whitewater’s Fourth Council District, an election choice between Lynn Binnie and Paul Yvarra. See, on this topic, On Whitewater’s 4th District Council Race, and (about the Yvarra campaign) A Dodgy and Deceptive Campaign.

In a statement to the Gazette, for their comprehensive election series, Paul Yvarra has now offered the single worst, most false and deceptive claim anyone has made in Whitewater’s recent political history.

(In my prior posts, from a position of independent commentary, I wrote in support of Lynn Binnie’s re-election. Occasional policy differences that we’ve had don’t change in the slightest my view that he’s well-deserving of re-election. Considering how his opponent has campaigned, that’s more true than ever.)

Even a few days ago, one might have supposed that Paul Yvarra wouldn’t be able to issue any more false, deceptive, or error-riddled statements than he already had. As it turns out, that would have both underestimated and overestimated Mr. Yvarra.

I’ll offer Mr. Yvarra’s beyond-the-pale statement, and then debunk it.

The Gazette asked both candidates to answer the question, “How important is the development and growth of downtown Whitewater to you? How would you address this?”

Here’s the published answer from Mr. Yvarra:

Yvarra: Downtown development is crucial to a vibrant Whitewater. Unfortunately, one of the major tools for funding development in Whitewater is tax increment financing, which is declared stressed. TIF No. 4 helped subsidize a development cost for my opponent’s employer. As my opponent and his employer did not meet their promises, this is one of the reasons for the distress classification. In January 2011, my opponent testified before the Community Development Authority for the distress designation. As a result, the developer’s promises were not met. I would work to make sure that such promises would be kept.

Mr. Yvarra’s claim is false and blatant in its deception.

As readers will see in the Gazette story (subscription required), Lynn Binnie works as administrator of operations at Fairhaven Senior Services.

I’ve written about and against tax incremental financing for years, and yet as a sincere critic I can write – honestly and confidently – that

(1) Mr. Binnie was not responsible for the distressed status of Tax Incremental District 4,

(2) Fairhaven was not responsible for the distressed status of TID 4,

(3) There’s no truth to the claim that Fairhaven, of all places, hasn’t made proper payments or kept promises over TID 4, and

(4) every knowledgeable person in this town knows that TID 4’s shortfall absolutely, positively was not because of Fairhaven.

On the contrary, as every reasonable person in Whitewater does know, Fairhaven represents an economic gain to the community. Our city benefits by its presence and its work.

(Quick note – as I have no professional or social connection to either candidate in this race, so I also have no connection to Fairhaven.)

Candidate Yvarra plainly doesn’t understand even the most simple aspects of tax incremental financing. Many people talked about what to do when it was clear that TID 4 was struggling, and how to react to that situation, but that doesn’t mean they were responsible for the situation, for goodness’ sake.

Paul Yvarra’s contentions in this regard are not just false, not just deceptive, but strangely and bizarrely distant from the truth. (It’s inescapable, too, that Mr. Yvarra’s flyers and candidate statement to the Gazette are also littered with jumbled terminology & malapropisms usually indicative of someone who has neither read nor thought with comprehension about a topic.)

For years I have argued for – and for many more years to come I will argue for – a respect for facts, data, and sound reasoning in politics, economics, and fiscal policy.

Paul Yvarra’s campaign demonstrates a reckless disregard of facts and sound analysis that’s beyond anything we’ve likely seen in town politics.

It’s an embarrassment to this city; thousands of smart, sharp residents deserve better – much better – than this.

Want to see what better looks like? Here’s Lynn Binnie’s answer to the Gazette‘s question about caring for Whitewater’s downtown:

Binnie: Downtown’s vitality is important. I supported the $20,000 contribution to downtown Whitewater in the 2014 budget. Additionally, we provide in-kind support for events. The city can’t do much more. As business owners support their organization and citizens patronize the businesses and donate to downtown Whitewater, progress will continue to be made.

Well said.

That strikes me as profoundly right – contributions and efforts from different sources (municipal, private businesses, patrons) can together help our downtown’s economy. It’s a combined effort.

Whitewater may be watching the worst campaign in memory from Paul Yvarra, but fortunately the 4th District also has a reasonable and sound option in Lynn Binnie.

Tomorrow: Positive Perspectives for Local Politics.