tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8590883734977116505..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: KUOW Pottergate Backstory, Part IIMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49211046244648119202011-03-15T20:36:10.564-07:002011-03-15T20:36:10.564-07:00Braessae said, yes, I agree that Ron English did n...Braessae said, yes, I agree that Ron English did not present himself as an innocent lawyer just doing his job during any of the process of leasing or selling schools. He presented himself as a player. <br />edited correct:<br />I posted on the MLK thread, but I do believe that the question about why state money was added to the pot, and who in the 37th should take credit for that now are all necessary questions. In the beginning all the 37th District Legislators took credit or mentioned as something good they did for the community. ugh joannaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73985068517721597502011-03-15T20:30:11.203-07:002011-03-15T20:30:11.203-07:00I posted on the MLK thread, but I do believe that ...I posted on the MLK thread, but I do believe that the question about why state money was added to the pot, and who in the 37th should take credit for that now. In the beginning all the 37th District Legislators took credit or mentioned as something good they did for the community. ugh joannaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6266423270319597552011-03-15T16:45:23.244-07:002011-03-15T16:45:23.244-07:00As I said (or meant to say) whether it's a don...As I said (or meant to say) whether it's a done deal is not as important to me as whether it was done properly. The district, at the very least, should take better measures to avoid the appearance of impropriety. <br /><br />That the issue has many of the same players as Pottergate is interesting/troubling. Ron English, Fred Stephens, Sharon Tomiko-Santos, all these people appear to have a hand in this deal.<br /><br />I think the Auditor may likely review the deal.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39151072796267050612011-03-15T16:32:45.675-07:002011-03-15T16:32:45.675-07:00Stu, WenD and Mel -
Check out the assessors office...Stu, WenD and Mel -<br />Check out the assessors office website. I posted the recording numbers recently(don't remember which thread), but the short story is that MLK is now in the possession of the nonprofit that FAME apparently put together to run the show. Ron English signed the deed over from the district to FAME (mid February this year), and the pastor of FAME signed a quit claim deed over to the nonprofit(within a couple of days after FAME obtained the property). <br /><br />OompahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-129207265075928092011-03-15T15:53:47.444-07:002011-03-15T15:53:47.444-07:00Stu, Mel: In a previous thread, someone posted tha...Stu, Mel: In a previous thread, someone posted that FAME had the keys to the building and completed a quit claim, last month if I recall correctly. Not sure what this means for legal challenges.WenDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754473793580185814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85946969860563006422011-03-15T15:50:06.424-07:002011-03-15T15:50:06.424-07:00Wouldn't you most of all wonder why a news org...<i>Wouldn't you most of all wonder why a news organization was running a story about it and why would there be follow-up media calls if this was a story of a PR nature?" </i><br />Well, perhaps they did and they don't want to admit to having been snowed by poor information from "staff" - If I were up for re-election within a year, I'm not sure I'd want to admit I was naive enough to believe someone who told me, in this kind of situation, that there was nothing to worry about. But then, I am suspicious by nature and will always always do my own fact checking. <br />And if you link up the time commitments outlined in the Board retreat thread - perhaps they just let something that "seemed" minor slide only to have it return and bite them, and are reluctant to admit that now. <br />I'd have more respect for them if they did admit a lack of attention, but I won't hold my breath...someonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38622652908720458812011-03-15T15:03:26.199-07:002011-03-15T15:03:26.199-07:00On a related topic, I hope a news organization loo...On a related topic, I hope a news organization looks at how Seattle Housing Authority and the Port of Seattle etc. carried on similar programs with, once again, GC-CM contractors (namely Absher) handing out subcontracts to Leajak Construction etc. Absher's gotten alot of GC-CM work and kowtowing may have been part of the reason.<br /><br />grumpyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31877720370192977452011-03-15T14:57:37.185-07:002011-03-15T14:57:37.185-07:00Stu, I don't think it is quite a done deal. S...Stu, I don't think it is quite a done deal. See my new thread about this but I think if the State Auditor finds something wrong, then it would be misuse of public funds. <br /><br />The contract has no ability to be severed but I think a smart lawyer could figure something out.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72805048038043397222011-03-15T14:47:15.702-07:002011-03-15T14:47:15.702-07:00I bit off topic -- don't want to hijack the th...I bit off topic -- don't want to hijack the thread -- but is the MLK Sale a done deal? If they wanted to, COULD they revisit it or have papers been signed?<br /><br />I was always amazed that a district, with such financial woes, would sell to the lowest bidder.<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82744228510867987472011-03-15T13:57:00.691-07:002011-03-15T13:57:00.691-07:00Me too. I just wish that they -- or someone -- wo...Me too. I just wish that they -- or someone -- would look further into the story of how the District ended up recommending the worst (lowest price, least community involvement) sale of the ML King school to FAME -- instead of either the Madison Valley community group or Bush (highest bidder). The ("over" in my opinion) involvement of Ron English and (maybe?) Fred Stephens in this transaction sure seems like a conflict of interest to me!Braessaenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72896877446282236252011-03-15T13:06:39.816-07:002011-03-15T13:06:39.816-07:00Really glad KUOW is sticking with this story.Really glad KUOW is sticking with this story.Po3noreply@blogger.com