I must admit, I have come full circle, like the roundabouts in our fine city. I started out as an anti-Mayor Jim Brainard fan, thinking that the city was headed in the wrong direction.

I then watched as a great city started to sprout; innovative and attractive buildings being financed by tax increment finance dollars that came from future tax revenues. Parks were starting to rise, and the strange new roundabouts were really convenient. I began to change my mind about our mayor.

Well, I have come full circle with the latest spending binges. While I agree that $140 million still makes sense for the Keystone Avenue project, it is one of the first indications that our mayor thinks he is King Midas.

Then we get the added bonus of an arts center that is going to cost this city an additional $46 million. What happened to all of the private donations that were promised?

I am counting on the City Council to put the reins on this behavior. Change orders for upgrades and other nonessential expenses need to be controlled. Projects need to be properly budgeted.

Especially in these uncertain times, send a message to the King that he has lost his golden touch.

--- Mike Kedanis, Carmel