Now we learn that the downtown hotel project-- apparently to be subsidized with federal stimulus funds-- might relocate closer to the center of downtown. And guess who would be the broker on the sale of the land for this project? Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston, who also has been a principal in the Simkins PAC.
The city council might need to vote on this matter; and also might need to decide if local tax dollars will help build a parking deck for this hotel.
Any council members endorsed by the Simkins PAC during the most recent election cycle should recuse themselves from any vote on this hotel or the parking lot as long as Skip Alston is involved. That includes Robbie Perkins, Nancy Vaughan, Jim Kee, Zack Matheny and Trudy Wade. It would be improper to have received an endorsement from this group, and then help shower brokerage fees on Mr. Alston.
Update: Sam Hieb has more.
Update II: Doug Clark has additional concerns about Alston's role, but perhaps for different reasons.
Thangs is gittin' curiouser and curiouser.
Posted by: Ken Hill | December 28, 2009 at 09:55 PM
Indeed, they are Ken. There will more to say about this proposal over the next couple of days. But in the meantime, there is a major conflict of interest staring everyone in the face.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | December 28, 2009 at 10:11 PM
How stupid do they think we are? Do they honestly believe no one will find out who's benefited from the Simkins PAC funds? Do they think us too dumb to recognize conflict of interest and political corruption when we see it? Why do our "representatives" treat us like 6-year olds? How soon can we get rid of those who've betrayed our trust?
Posted by: jaycee | December 28, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Pretty stupid, jaycee. The con men in Greensboro keep getting away with it, so why not think that people are stupid?
Posted by: Stormy | December 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Jaycee, in response to your questions;
1. Very stupid
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Because they can get by with it
5. 2011
Posted by: Joe Guarino | December 28, 2009 at 10:43 PM
now we can understand why Chairman Skip Alston recused himself on december 10, 2009 during the guilford county board of commissioners meeting on this agenda item below,
Pursuant to a Resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners on 11/19/09 designating Guilford County as a Recovery Zone for purposes of the Recovery Zone Act of 2009, the following developers have submitted Notice of Intent statements requesting financing authority through the Recovery Zone Economic Development & Recovery Zone Facility Bond provisions of the American and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for projects located in Guilford County:
The Shoppes at Pyramids Village, LLC - $9,000,000; the Shoppes at Pyramids Village, LLC- $10,000,000;
Summerfield Veterinary Hospital - $340,000;
Ole Asheboro Hotel - $4,000,000. (The projects have been reviewed by the Guilford County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority. ( Brenda Fox, Mark Payne, Betty Garrett)
DING DING DING, i think we need to start a new section of our blogs called the recusal report.
Posted by: triadwatch | December 28, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Come'on Ben, pay to play backscratching is the nature of Greensboro politics.
Posted by: hugh | December 29, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Indeed, it sometimes appears that way, Hugh.
Keith, a Recusal Report might be a great new local blog. But it might turn out to be all-consuming.:)
Seriously, it is interesting that we did not know about Mr. Alston's possible involvement until last night. And yes, now that recusal you cite makes sense.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | December 29, 2009 at 09:59 AM