Sorry that I have been off the blogs for a while. I have been pretty occupied with work and school so there is little time to spend typing about stuff with little or no impact.
A few weeks ago Akcess development backed out of the Riverfront project and attempted to hand the reigns to the Dumke group. I understand why they did that. Akcess was on the hook and would be held responsible for the development of that property. They signed an agreement with the city to have a certain dollar value on that property by the end of the year. They knew that they could not get it done so they looked for someone that could take over and relieve them of the responsibility. Makes perfect sense.
Here is the interesting part... What if there is another interested party? Shouldn't the city explore other options? During a subsequent RDA meeting, Mr. Esslinger mentioned that he was contacted by another interested party and requested that the decision to hand the project over to another developer be delayed in order to give this person a chance to come forward. We later found out that it is the owner of the Sweetwater development between Main St and Oregon on the south side of the river. He was out of town the week of the RDA meeting so he called Mr. Esslinger to speak on his behalf and give him the chance to talk with the RDA himself.
Now we move ahead a week. Mr. Lindemann has withdrawn his proposal with the city. It seems that he has met with the Dumke group and may work with them on developing the property. Sounds like a good idea, right? Maybe not.
My question is this... Why doesn't the city put out and RFP for this project? It has gone through 2 developers without one and now appears to be on a 3rd. Does anything seem off the mark on this or is it just me? I am not an attorney but I cannot imagine that this is normal operating procedure for a community to favor developers with public owned property. Maybe I'm off base but it may be worth asking the questions anyway.
On another related note, it seems that once again the matter is turned personal for another local blogger. She has focused on the fact that Mr. Esslinger stepped forward at an RDA meeting to give Jason Lindemann an opportunity that he would not have had. When will it end? When will she finally let it go and just get on with life? This should not be personal.
Just a thought.
KM
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7 comments:
Kent, looks like you got some attention from Hentz again. Seems like she didn't take kindly to your comment about Esslinger. You should take a look when you get a chance.
Who cares about Hentz? She's a pathetic person. She's got a terrible show and all she knows what to do is hate people. She needs to get over herself.
Kent, Thank you for mentioning the comments made by Ms. Hentz. It is all too obvious that she lack the understanding of what a representative form of government means, and how the elected SHOULD behave. You are correct that her constant personal attacks have grown tiresome and lack the even hand a journalist should exhibit. But here in Oshkosh we are all too familar with that, just look what the local paper does.
A new RFP should be put forth, further this council should also deny that TIF for these same developers(Dumke's) for the Shopko deal. Did you see that they (Dumke's) had a full page colored ad in today's paper about how we the taxpayers should support the Shopko TIF? My question is; if they have enough money to spend on the propaganda campaign let them spend it on Shopko...this is shameful!
Kind of like Monte not taking kindly to her comment about Esslinger, huh?
Esslinger was foolish for bringing Mr. Lindemann forward? Really?!
So a council member knows of a reputable person that has an idea for the riverfront, the developer asks said council member to go and ask a board for some time so he can gather his ideas and this council member is foolish? Hmmmmm.
Yea, why would the city of Oshkosh want MORE ideas for the riverfront? Let’s just stay with one idea and a bad one at that.
It’s unfortunate that Lindemann eventually pulled out, but what has that got to do with Esslinger? All Esslinger did was bring someone forward. He certainly doesn’t tell Lindemann what to do with his business or money!
Hentz is just a wanna bee journalist. She has no credibility and shouldn’t even be given the time of day. There are only four people that watch her stupid little show; her, Rylance and their egos.
So, let’s let Cheryl have her 15 minutes of fame. Let’s just hope that 14:59 has already been used!
I edited the last comment for content that didn't need to be posted. I agree with all of you except one. And it isn't that I don't take kindly to her comments, it is that she is defending her comments by telling us that it isn't personal.
This is why I think it is... She opens the post writing just over a paragraph about Mr. Lindemann pulling his proposal out of the project and then well over 2 paragraphs ranting about Esslinger. What are we supposed to think? And then when I put a comment to it at the end of my post, she posts a rant about me. I will give her credit though she is good at ranting.
I am not a writer. I don't make a living doing this. I also don't have a lot of time to defend myself from her either so please stop the comments about her. There has been enough said and she doesn't deserve anymore attention than she already received.
Thanks and have a great evening.
KM
Kent, you once said you wouldn't mention Hentz again but you keep doing so. Then you turn around and complain about the extra attention she's getting. You're a confused person.
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