Candidate for District 4, Rene Varela talking with Commissioner Dave VespoThis second Forum (South Palm Park) was much more interesting. Perhaps it was because of the questions (not prepared in advance but taken from the floor) and the candidates had one under their belt. There was no microphone but it worked well in a room where just about every seat was filled.
Dave Vespo had a startling comment on the casino proposed by Greater Bay when he said, “It’s not much bigger than what’s there right now.” Dave! I have Doubts about Dave.
Failed Commissioner responsibility?
1. The Commission, consisting of Dave Vespo, never met with then City Manager Paul Boyer or outside consultant Corey O’Gorman to give them direction in the negotiations with Greater Bay and its attorneys.
2. Although Commissioner Vespo ran on fiscal responsibility, he failed to ask for an independent financial projection for the Greater Bay project.
3. Commissioner Vespo agreed to the “Agreed Upon Business Terms” and never made an attempt to any counter proposal favorable to the City.
4. Commissioner Vespo allowed Paul Boyer to negotiate a “revenue-neutral” deal on the beach even though we will lose millions of dollars over the term of the lease.
5. Commissioner Vespo allowed an assignable lease. The developer can “flip” it or sell the project on a project that is clearly over 20 years.
6. Commissioner Vespo allowed the zoning to be changed at the beach from Public Recreation Open Space to BAC, a commercial zoning. This zoning was changed to accommodate the developer.
7. Commissioner Vespo voted to sue the citizens rather then allow the residents of Lake Worth to vote on this zoning change at their beach.
8. Dave Vespo now, in his opening remark on the beach last night said, “The casino will be demolished by April 1.”
9. Commissioner Vespo, still to this day, does not believe that the citizens have a right to vote on their beach and wants to knock down a building that has not been declared structurally unsound by any engineer.
10. Four candidates out of six say that the Greater Bay project is a bad deal for the City, and I agree.
DO YOU HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT DAVE?
