I’ve been seeing a lot of these signs popping up in Gilbert over the last couple of days.
Looks like Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman has annoyed someone again.
Berman has a bit of a history with recall attempts (all unsuccessful to date), and public outcry. Outcry? Stories about providing tax incentives to a car dealership that then gave him a F-150 truck, some nonsense about a free custom $1200 suit he kept after appearing in a Dillard’s ad. More serious concerns about fire protection in “county islands”. So I was curious to see what the story was this time.
A little research found a video of the Mayor going off on a television reporter from Channel 15.
Some back-story may be necessary to get the full effect….
Recently a sports park, Big League Dreams, was opened in Gilbert near Power and Elliot roads (see my post on Big League Dreams here).
I knew there were cost over runs on this project (originally projected at $22.7 million with a final estimated cost of $40 million). But the latest turmoil seems to surround how the bids were conducted to award the contract to build and manage the complex.
According to some reports, the Town of Gilbert paid Big League Dreams $90,000 to conduct a feasibility study in order to help them prepare a “Request For Proposals’ (RFP). The RFP is then submitted to companies for bids where they will hopefully receive Town Council approval and a contract for the project.
The problem is, it is against both State of Arizona and Town of Gilbert statutes for a contract to be awarded to a company that participates in preparation of the RFP. There appears to be no question that Big League Dreams prepared a feasibility study. Town Manager George Pettit has said he wrote the RFP. The RFP references the Big League Dreams study. Now the question is, does the preparation of a feasibility study constitute preparation of the RFP to an extent that violates state and town statute? The Town says no. Others seem to disagree. I suspect the state Attorney General will decide.
Here is the Channel 15 Video of Mayor Steve Berman going ballistic on ABC-15 reporter Josh Bernstein.
Is this any way for an elected official to act? I’ll let you be the judge.
Local reports of the Big League Dreams RFP / Recall / CH 15 Interview situations:
Tribune Editorial: Gilbert officials must face music on Big League costs
Berman: Mayor defends Big League Dreams
Skousen: We chose best option for park
Watson: Berman’s actions have become too much
Ripley: Where does the buck stop in Gilbert?
Gilbert mayor spews expletives at recall backer
Gilbert: Awarding of park bid was legal
The comments on some of these stories are priceless.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Check out this site dedicated to uncovering the corruption in Gilbert.
http://www.thegilbertreport.com
You know, I don’t expect this comment to be posted. However, I do expect the lame web master of this website to at least proof read this email before deleting it. You are a moron Mr. Realestate guy. The least you can do is put some current events on your web site. Instead why not design a web site with ancient events. You need to get a girl friend Mr. Realestate guy. Maybe then you’ll have something or someone else to obsess yourself over. Some people enjoy stalking or trying to get attention from those they really like through creating garbage like this. As if your little web site gets much attention. I just heard of this site because your name got thrown out there for being obsessed over the Mayor of Gilbert. Then I come and read all this bull crap myself and find out the rumor is a true one. Get a life! Get a girl friend! Get off the internet! You bum! If you were so successful as a realestate guy you sure wouldn’t be consuming your time with this opinionated bull crap. When was the last time you got laid? I tell you what, come down to my families restaurant and I’ll find you a date with one of our staff. You are desperate and I can see that.
Alicia Sorano
Sorano’s
Whoa! Someone’s off their meds!