Yet another very simple coincidence
####
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton says he had nothing to do with former city administrator and Leighton ally J.J. Murphy landing a lucrative $300-per-hour consulting job with the city Parking Authority.
Sure, Murphy is conducting research to determine if the authority should lease its garages and parking meters to a private firm - a study Murphy recommended to Leighton last winter.
Just coincidence.
And the fact that Murphy touted his brother's law firm, Fox Rothschild, to oversee the study?
Come on, it's a coincidence.
So Leighton reportedly pressures the semi-autonomous authority to hire Fox Rothschild, which turns around and hires Murphy?
Just quit with the crazy conspiracy theories already.
Leighton would never play such political games to benefit his political allies.
And he'd do everything out in the open just to ensure there's no funny business.
Like the time he hired his kids and all those other nice kids from his neighborhood in South Wilkes-Barre for city summer jobs without advertising them. The state Ethics Commission said that was OK because he had an underling do the actual hiring.
Or the time he spent more than $14,000 in city money to install high-tech security systems at his house and Murphy's without any public disclosure. The state Attorney General's Office said no harm, no foul, and you know the city can be a dangerous place.
Or the time he bought three fire engines with $860,000 from an anonymous donor, but told the press and public the money came from the general fund, community development money and the city's emergency services tax. Well, nobody's been able to figure that one out, but those engines are still protecting you and your property, so don't be ungrateful.
Anyway, leasing the garages and meters to a for-profit entity might be good for Wilkes-Barre's bottom line. And it would be awfully mean to suggest that the thousands of dollars in campaign cash Leighton got from Fox Rothschild would play any role in his, uh, urging the parking authority to hire the firm.
Don't be such a cynic.
(I put the whole article in because, well, WOW)
####
Hey, TML, It’s J.J. Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick
####
Interesting, isn’t it, that a nationally-known parking consultant is initially working for $250 per hour while J.J. Murphy, who’s neither nationally-known nor a parking expert, is being paid $300.
####
And
####
When TL Staff Writer Bill O’Boyle asked J.J. why he didn’t disclose that he was a consultant on this project when he discussed it last week, smooth-talking J.J. said, “You didn’t ask.”
####
You might be a Weasel if!
I don't even know where to start here. Just read it.
Cost of study about leasing W-B parking sites draws questions
####
Katarsky said the study being done – an assessment of the condition and potential revenue production of the city’s parking assets – could have cost the authority $175,000 but now appears that it may cost more than $300,000.
“And just for a damn study,” he said.
####
and here it is AGAIN
####
Asked why he did not disclose his consulting role when discussing the project earlier this week, Murphy said Friday, “You didn’t ask.”
####
After the 'Kids for Cash' scandal ANY above the board administration would force FULL disclosure.
Attorney, firm backed Leighton ahead of contract
####
Fox Rothschild attorney Alan Wohlstetter and his firm contributed more than $6,000 toward Mayor Tom Leighton's campaign before the firm in January received a no-bid contract to help the city lease its parking assets, campaign records show.
Leighton strongly advocated the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority hire Fox Rothschild - one board member said he felt pressured - and bids were not open to other law firms. Fox Rothschild is expected to receive about $175,000 for less than a year's work.
####
No conflict of interest here, move along.
Parking consultant raises eyebrows in W-B
####
Leighton denied responsibility for the law firm hiring Murphy as a consultant, saying the Parking Authority ultimately approved hiring Fox Rothschild. But one Parking Authority board member pointed the finger at Leighton.
####
The dictator has a LONG history of blaming anyone but himself.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
My take on this fiasco is: Leighton assured Fox Rothchild that they would get the contract, conditionally IF they retained J.J. as a "consultant". Leighton then goes on an arm twisting mode to coerce the Board to give Fox Rothchild the contract. They all should have said NO without more particulars. There is a notioal organization of parking lot managers who would have chimed in with advice IF ASKED. That's how I interpret this issue. However, now that J.J. has come into some funds, how about him paying the City for the security system? And
ReplyDeleteif the Parking authority goes over the $175,000 figure for this "exploratory venture", they better exhibit more backbone if they are approached for more funding.
I think Fox Rothchild was hired conditionally if J.J. got a job. That's why Leighton "bullied" the Board into hiring FR? Question, IS J.J. working (I use the word loosely) FR, or the Board? If he is working for the Board, why can't they fire him?
ReplyDeleteIf not, the question becomes , will the Board hold the line on the the $175,000 or will they try to go for the cost overruns for which this administration is famous??? jus askin..........