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| City Attorney Mark Sossi Pockets a Smooth Five Grand Whether Board Shows or Not |
A city staffer had appeared at 12:03 PM and I filled out the form for public comment.
At 12:07 PM City Attorney Mark Sossi strolled in, placing a yellow legal pad on his desk. Sossi is on retainer to the GBIC for $5,000 per month, $60,000 per year, whether they meet or not and likely mumbled "Merry Christmas to me" under his breath. Easy, easy money!
Nena and I left the room at 12:30 PM, running into BEDC Vice-President Gilbert Salinas in the hallway. The BEDC was actually on the agenda with an economic report, but his tardiness spoke to the obvious fact that a meeting would not be held.
"They(the GBIC) couldn't get a quorum," Salinas stated, as he continued toward the City Commission chambers, at least to make an appearance.
No one told the 15 or so of us onlookers the meeting had been cancelled, although 3 City Commissioner "free" parking spaces were occupied when we first entered the building.
The GBIC board, with the weighty responsibility of dispersing about $5,000,000 in taxpayer monies annually to promote "economic development," needs 5 new, serious adult board members.
It's not just the absenteeism, but, the meetings, when actually held, feature almost zero discussion of funded agenda items, a real disservice to the hardworking taxpayers.
The current board features three city commissioners; Jessica Tetreau, Debbie Portillo and Cesar de Leon plus John Cowen, Jr. and David Betancourt.
The original intention of separating 4A funds from the general fund was to remove political influence from their dispersal. The makeup of the current board, with a majority being City Commissioners, violates the spirit behind such separation of funds.
All need to be removed but of course they won't be and that's the sad part about it all.
ReplyDeleteWhy you crying Jim. Your BFF Jessica T. Kalifa was shopping at all the high end stores buying gifts for herself and then herself. You only post Mark Picture why haven't you gotten one of Jessica? Oh that is right...she is the one that feeds you mushroom information that you gladly eat.
ReplyDeleteJessica is the president of GBIC. She should have been there waiting or unless she is just a puppet for Carlos Marin and Oscar Garcia? Since there was no money being given to them on this agenda why even go.
When will you actually ask her how she could afford staying at the condo of Mike Hernandez at SPI Bridge Point Condos? How she got her new found wealth after self appointing herself to the GBIC board and the airport board?
You go after the ones that protect her but never really ask the real questions.
You are as guilty as them Jim. You protect those that protect you. You are being used and you don't care.
Still butthurt, Sergio? The voters rejected your ass. Get over it. Jess has the job as long as she cares to run for it.
DeleteAll elected officials do the same thing. Let them enjoy the moment.
DeleteButt hurt? Like we don't know who anonned in with that one.
DeleteBTW, was that DP-M with Hernandez on the island the other day? @ DIRTY AL'S, too!
ReplyDeleteHis trip to Colorado was a diversion? Genius!
DeleteIs it legal for a city employee to wish you a Merry Christmas?
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
DeleteShouldn't be have been fired when he contacted me to secretly meet him somewhere with files I needed. He knew I had an attorney and that he was supposed to be going through him. I put up for all to see.
ReplyDeleteRalph Tipton.
Damn' lol busted
DeleteFor historical reference and the wisdom behind the action we took when we formed the GBIC Board back in 1991. Since it was a new board, it was created with 5 commissioners on the board, but soon after it was created we chose to abdicate and appoint business people to replace us. We did this to do all we could to protect the board from the politics and self dealing. This was done on behalf of the city's best interest. If, I recall right we appointed people like Rey Lopez, Vince Crixell, and other CIVIC minded professionals whose agenda was the city. Unfortunately, this board has been infiltrated and used by political opportunist for their own self serving agenda. Those were the days when people cared about our city.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Board attorney at the time was an honest attorney who billed by the hour for attending the meetings.
Delete