Comments on: Jeff Buster on Port Authority financed construction

By: lmcshane

lmcshane — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:25:44 +0000

We should all heed Anne Frank’s sage words and re-create. Thanks for the timely reminders and the link to I.F. Stone.

By: Ed Morrison

Ed Morrison — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:11:24 +0000

Maybe you should invite these people to simply go outside and gaze — for a few moment — at the sky.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

Anne Frank

By: Susan Miller

Susan Miller — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:51:05 +0000

Having journeyed with Jeff on some of these “investigations”, I can tell you, it is not fun, and many of the folks we meet are not what you would call friendly.

What we often find is an undertone of anxiety and fear about questions asked. There’s a nervousness in NEO. It’s palpable. I’m not sure what is causing it, but these guys in University Heights are sure having a tough time putting their mits on an occupancy permit.

By: Ed Morrison

Ed Morrison — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:55:51 +0000

Jeff,

You’re moving ahead with all the inspiration of I.F. Stone!

By: Jeff Buster

Jeff Buster — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:08:26 +0000

And there is a third item which the University Square Plaza’s garage is illuminating:

SELF DEALING AT THE PORT

Dennis R. Wilcox, a partner at Climaco Lefkowitz Peca Wilcox & Garofoli Co., LPA worked as legal counsel for Starwood Wasserman (the Rhode Island developer of the University Square Plaza) at the time Starwood Wasserman obtained the 40.5 million dollar parking garage loan from the Port, and Mr. Wilcox is now working as counsel for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority in efforts to repair the structural failures of the garage.

How much of this type of legally unethical dealing from both sides of the table has gone on at the Port? Does the University Square Plaza/ Port Bonding deal represent an anomaly, or business as usual in Cuyahoga County?

By: Jeff Buster

Jeff Buster — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:47:12 +0000

The structural failures of the pre-stressed concrete double T beams at the University Square Plaza Parking garage merely provide a topic for an investigative window into
1. the present safety of the garage and
2. into the operation of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority and the Port’s oft repeated claim that their dry-land lending beneficially spurs our economy county- wide.

What if the Port’s claim that their lending spurs the local economy is false? Or, what if the Port’s lending actually damages our local economy?

Could it be that the Port’s lending to build/own parking structures for retail malls actually creates a multi-decade long detriment for the local economy, and especially for the hapless municipality where the tax exempt development is placed?

Last week I requested the University Square payroll tax records from Arman R Ochoa (University Heights Director of Finance). The payroll taxes (from employees working at the mall) are the only ongoing revenue that UH will receive from the University Square development for the term of the 30 year TIF.

Mr. Ochoa replied last week: “ I am having trouble logging into the RITA system, our collection agency for income taxes. I have requested the information from them and will forward once I have it.”

I have emailed Mr. Ochoa again, but have had no response from him. Does that mean he still can’t log into RITA?