See, some folks just make TOO many excuses....
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1515817532/Fixing-MetroCentre-may-require-total-revamp
"...The oversight panel began a detailed study of the downtown arena’s finances and operational model Friday. City Administrator Jim Ryan, a member of the panel, said the city and the MetroCentre Authority owe it to the public to conduct the examination of MetroCentre finances.

“There is a short-term cash-flow crunch, and we are looking at the long-term operations and seeing how we can make sure not only is the MetroCentre sustainable now, but how it can thrive in the long run,” Ryan said. “(Major operational changes are) definitely a possibility. Everything is going to be on the table....”
BUT,BUT....
http://www.wrex.com/global/story.asp?s=10302396
You Paid For It: MetroCentre books in error

By Bob Schaper

ROCKFORD (WREX) - By now Everybody knows that the MetroCentre is flat broke. But where did all the money go?

That's hard to say, because the latest financial statements approved by the MetroCentre's Board of Authority is riddled with mistakes.

For example, almost $12,000 is listed under "meals/entertainment." MetroCentre Chairman Rita Pirrello Epperson says that money is for business travel.

"And typically it's been only one person who's gone, and that's been "Brian Luther," she said.

But General Manager Corey Pearson said the number was actually a mistake, and half of it turned out to be a ticket giveaway and an overdue membership fee.

"For whatever reason they did end up getting categorized in that line," he said. "So that equated to about $6,000 of that $12,000."

There were similar mix ups in the "travel (mileage)" category -- which more than doubled last year. Then there's the $72,000 listed under parking expenses. At first Pearson said it was related to the MetroCentre's parking garage, until he was reminded the city bought that garage last year.

"That's right," he said. "I'd have to double-check what that parking expense is. I don't have that."

The last time the arena needed a bailout Rockford aldermen asked city budget director Andres Sammul to attend all MetroCentre board meetings, something that hasn't happened.

If Sammul had bothered to attend, chances are he wouldn't have left hungry. That's because the MetroCentre board orders a buffet for itself every month.

When asked if buffets are a wise use of the facility's resources, Pirrello Epperson said, "No. We have discussed different ways to handle that."

Now Mayor Larry Morrissey wants to spend another $350,000 of your tax dollars to get the MetroCentre through the rest of the year. If you have an opinion on this, give him a call at (815) 987-5590 and tell him what you think.

After all... you paid for it.

Heck,yeah,bet the farm on this bunch,huh?....and oh yeah,that newspaper story?

"...Committee members are Ald. Carl Wasco, D-4, Democratic caucus chairman, and Ald. Frank Beach, R-10, Republican caucus chairman; MetroCentre Authority Board members Brian Peterson and Matt Provenzano; City Administrator Jim Ryan and City Finance Director Andres Sammul; and financial experts Rich Wolf of Suby, Von Haden & Associates and John Phelps of the Rockford Local Development Corp.

..."
Yup,one LarryBoy's BIG supporters(read:SupplyCore)...same family as...
http://www.businessrockford.com/biznews/x679400865/IBM-snub-can-guide-Rockford-s-rebirth
...“I’m so upset. Wake up, Rockford,” said Provenzano, CEO of SupplyCore, a government procurement firm in downtown Rockford....There are other things the city must do immediately, he said.

EXCELLENCE EVERYWHERE!!!!!