By Curmudgeon
The Standard Examiner has done it again! It has printed yet another "Godfrey announces that he expects to announce" story:
• Ogden River Project Moves AheadAfter having been burned by such stories so often in the past, you'd think the paper would learn its lesson. But no, apparently not.
This time, the story [politely so called] is that Hizzonah Mayor Godfrey has announced that he expects to announce, in just a few days, that a developer for the River Project [who of course he cannot now name] will submit to him a plan for developing Ogden's River Project. Since the announcement he has announced that he expects to announce is but days off, what possible reason could there be for running this non-story now, rather than a real story about he actual submission of the plan later this week? I've heard of slow news days when papers have to print filler, but this is ridiculous.
Oh, but wait.... isn't most of the River Project property owned by the former developer chosen by the Godfrey Administration, the much troubled Mr. Gaddi Leshem, or at least by the people the unfortunate Mr. Leshem now represents? Why, yes, that is so, says Ogden City business development czar Tom Christopolous. Mr. Leshem's associates own 60% of the River Project properties, he reports, and the rest belongs to "the city or other individuals." Well, then maybe the news in this story is that the new developer chosen by the Godfrey administration after its previous disastrous choice has arranged to acquire the properties held by Mr. Leshem and associates?
That would be news if it had happened. But it seems it has not. "It hasn't been determined," Mr. Christopolous says, how the new developer will acquire the 60% of the project properties owned by Mr. Leshem and his associates. Imagine that.
The final line of the story is, of course, our old familiar friend: "Leshem could not be reached for comment."
There was news here. But the Standard Examiner buried it. And so this morning the SE's subscribers will not be reading the headline and and story the paper should have presented them:
"LESHAM GROUP OUT AS RIVER PROJECT DEVELOPER; NEW DEVELOPER TO BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK."
9 comments:
Godfrey, man of empty promises.
Since Godfrey has offered the project to an out-of-state developer, we can conclude that his local contractors are not perceived as being the source of campaign cash they once were.
Godfrey needs a new source of kickbacks. The project will still languish, but Godfrey will have a fresh source of money for himself. The Godfrey-based economy will roll on.
Godfrey regards the in area contractors the same as his employees. Nothing but a liability.
Well, now, let's not be too judgmental. The most recent "I am announcing that I will soon announce something" does show that someone in Hizzonah's entourage has learned something.
For example, Ogden City Development
Czar Christopolous was careful to note that this time, as opposed to last time, the Administration has sought out a developer who has actual experience in developing urban multi-use projects. Recall in the palmy bygone days how earnestly Hizzonah assured us that his first chosen developer, Mr. Lesham, had the ability to pull it off despite his lack of experience.
And Czar Christopolous also made a point of noting that this time, as opposed to last time, the administration has looked into whether the developer has the financing in place to make it happen. As Mr. Lesham did not. As the developers of he Ernshaw Building did not. As the developer of the much announced but quickly abandoned five star downtown hotel did not.
Looking for an experienced developer with solid financial backing this time, it seems. See? Even Godfreyistas can learn by experience it seems. Too bad the taxpayers of Ogden have had to pay the tuition for their education.
Geez Curm,
After all this time, even you cannot tell the difference between what the Godfrey Administration says and what is fact. Instead, you equate the two.
You say Godfrey has learned, because from what his man says, he has learned.
Yet YOU have not learned that what Godfrey or his people say is meaningless. Therefore, the only thing one can conclude from their statements, is nothing.
Danny:
Sorry, Danny, but it seemed to me worth noting that the Administration this time made a point of saying they've selected [as they did not last time] a developer with experience in mixed-use urban developments. When Hizzonah condescends to tell us who that developer is, we will know quickly whether he has the experience claimed or not.
I've written often about Hizzonah's "Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" tendencies, but not even he is obtuse enough to claim the new developer is experienced in these kinds of projects just days [presumably] before he's going to make the name public. [Is he?]
As for the developer having sufficient financial backing this time: again, we'll have to see. But I found it interesting that the Administration is making a point now [as it did not in so many projects it touted before] of the developers having sufficient financing in place being a criterion for selection. Didn't much as talk about it previously. This time they are. That's progress. Not much maybe, but some, and so worth noting.
It is possible, D, that in his [relatively] new Development head, Hizzonah has managed for a change to find adult leadership. We'll have to see. Too early to draw conclusions. We'll know more when Hizzonah actually announces what he announced yesterday that he intends to announce. If in fact he does announce it.
Curm,
We're on the same page. Just funnin' ya.
And who says this new developer has the experience? ... Matthew Godfrey, that's who ...
Hmmm
js,
BB
Yea well, take a look at this web site:
Renaissance Village
Seems there is more Ogden Utah corporate activity in California than there is in Utah
There is this mystery Ogden city plaza:
OGDEN CITY PLAZA ASSOCIATES, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
And a few that are less mysterious
OGDEN ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT CO., INC.
The above is the same address as CoverAll
OGDEN DEVELOPMENT CO., L.P.
OGDEN RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CO., L.P.
SW OGDEN, UTAH 2008 LP
A small set of mysteries – note the filing date!
OGDEN DEVELOPMENT I, LLC
OGDEN DEVELOPMENT II, LLC
OGDEN DEVELOPMENT III, LLC
OGDEN DEVELOPMENT IV, LLC
Rubin M Turner is a Beverly Hills Lawyer, who would seem to be about 60 or 70 years old if he was admitted in 1961
ANDY PEAY – could this be the same Andy mentioned regarding the Windsor hotel project? Or with the Peay Vinyards?
Mori Leshem
Keepin' it all in the family
Flunked:
By god, you've got it! That's it! The Hollywood plan brought to Ogden. Huge white letters spelling "OGDEN" high up on the mountain, visible for miles! That's the new plan, I bet it is! Can't fail.
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