Tim Lee Hired Off-the-Books Attorney for Braves Stadium Deal (Atlanta: home, tax)

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Because there are procedures for doing so and sneaking around in the bushes just makes it look MORE like there is something to hide

I guess it depends on your point of view.

I didn't see it as sneaking around at all. People consult with their friends, lawyers and advisers all the time -- as they should.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, is the argument that Tim Lee should have just flown by the seat of his pants?

Nope. Should have kept the process open to the public and other commissioners all along. This should not have been a Tim Lee decision. It should have been a Cobb decision.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I guess it depends on your point of view.

I didn't see it as sneaking around at all. People consult with their friends, lawyers and advisers all the time -- as they should.

This wasn't the commissioner picking up the phone and running an idea by his buddy, this was a major, involved process where the off-the-books lawyer was apparently deeply involved.

[erick295]

Originally Posted by arjay57

What were your thoughts on the city's bond financing for the Yoo apartment tower in Midtown?* The new hotel on Luckie Street downtown?* The relocation of Carters HQ to Buckhead?

Sometimes private developers get public money that was set aside for them from the beginning. Other times, they conduct months-long backroom deals to covertly siphon it from property taxes intended for schools and public services. See the difference?

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by arjay57

And yet you feel like you've been kept abreast and given ample opportunity to weigh in before the fact on COA's dealings with the Falcons, Braves, the Beltline and the many real estate developers who are pitching deals with the ADA?

What were your thoughts on the city's bond financing for the Yoo apartment tower in Midtown? The new hotel on Luckie Street downtown? The relocation of Carters HQ to Buckhead?

We're those deals strategically done in secret then rushed through an approval process with virtually no opportunity for public input? I can tell you the Falcons deal certainly wasn't.

The difference is I gladly question the city's leadership. Go check out the current thread on Ft. Mac and Tyler Perry.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by erick295

Sometimes private developers get public money that was set aside for them from the beginning. Other times, they conduct months-long backroom deals to covertly siphon it from property taxes intended for schools and public services. See the difference?

I don't recall hearing anything about the deals for the hotel, the apartment building and the HQ move until after the fact. Did you know the terms that were being worked out or have a chance to weigh in?

And remember they are the tip of the iceberg.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Nope. Should have kept the process open to the public and other commissioners all along. This should not have been a Tim Lee decision. It should have been a Cobb decision.

Well, of course the Cobb commission had a series of public forums and Braves opponents thoroughly vented their opinions. So it's hardly as if this were done under cover of darkness.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by arjay57

So it's hardly as if this were done under cover of darkness.

"I couldn't be more proud of a group of senior executives than our group for getting this* done in the manner we got it done and keeping it contained and completely confidential," Schuerholz said. "They worked tirelessly to get a process that ordinarily takes three or more years done in months without it becoming public."

* this = $400 million in taxpayer money

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, of course the Cobb commission had a series of public forums and Braves opponents thoroughly vented their opinions.

Ah, yes the ones that were held after the decision was made and no one opposed to the project was allowed to speak?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

* this = $400 million in taxpayer money

To paraphrase the immortal Sir Winston, "Never have so many hollered so long about something that affects them so little."

If Cobb wants to get rid of the Braves and or Tim Lee I'm sure they will do just that.