By Antonio D. French
Filed Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 2:34 PM
PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE Labels: Comptroller, Exclusive, Mayor, Parks
An exchange between Ald. Lyda Krewson and Ivy Neyland-Pinkston, deputy comptroller, at yesterday's meeting of the Forest Park Lease Review Committee highlighted tensions between Comptroller Darlene Green's Office and the office of Mayor Francis Slay.
The committee is made up of five people selected by Slay to "independently" review the financial terms of the proposed lease, a duty usually reserved for the Comptroller.
Alderman Fred Wessels questioned Jim Garavaglia, the city asset manager from the Comptroller's Office, about why another appraisal wasn't done sooner.
Krewson also asked Garavaglia why some of the Comptroller's concerns were not addressed earlier.
Ald. Freeman Bosley, Sr. said his focus was on minority participation in future construction projects related to the Barnes lease and the longterm plans the hospital may have for that area.
Committee member Tom Reeves, president of Pulaski Bank and former head of Downtown Now, questioned whether the lease amount shouldn't be discounted since that land is currently under lease by Barnes for several more decades and the city can't get any more revenure from the land other than from Barnes.
Alderman Bosley said the longer the committee "fools with" this lease agreement, the more public scrutiny will come. "It's like stirring mess," said Bosley. "If it crusts over it don't stink so bad. But the more your turn it, the worse it's gone stink."
After the meeting, one committee member was overheard saying, "He (Garavaglia) fucked up. That's why he was so nervous."
5 Comments:
I guess I'm lost here. Is the comptroller's office expected to take the lead in the deal with Barnes? They are responsible for watching out for the fiscal health of the City, and I gather that's what they're trying to do by getting an up-to-date appraisal. But if they aren't the lead agency in the deal, where did they "f*&k" up?
5/22/2006 10:17 AM
Bosley is not a senior statesman.
He is a bumbling clown.
So funny to watch him cozy with Slay and Wahby after his near-defeat last year.
Integrity? Not for the Boz Senior. All he cares about is staying in office until he dies.
5/22/2006 10:38 AM
I don't think the Comptroller's Office "messed" up at all. What it did do is express concern over the deal to lease part of Forest Park put together by the mayor's office.
I think the Comptroller is just doing her job, and doing it well I might add.
The whole thing looks like sour grapes and embarrassment from the mayor's office for putting together such a bad deal.
5/22/2006 11:41 AM
To the Anony #3, The Comptroller has had someone represent her at every meeting and now they want to express a concern. It is more like trying to make Slay look bad. I would trade $150,000 for $1.5 million anyday. Do the deal and move on.
5/24/2006 8:21 PM
I dont think Jim Garavaglia "F#$%@#$ up" at all here. He was simply backing the comptroller office's opinion on that matter. I honestly believe that Wessel is an asshat, Lyda is moron and Bosley has the IQ of a ball of hair. Thank you
1/11/2007 10:05 PM
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