The following contribution was submitted to me today by Pseudonymous Logica, whose name translates to Common Sense.
As with any issue, the Pavilion project currently under construction on Union Square has it’s supporters as well as it’s critics - as it should be. And time will be the ultimate judge.
Whether you agree or disagree with THAT it’s being done, my main concern is HOW it’s being done.
It’s agreed that:
- this is a $285,000+ project (annual maintenance costs must be taken into account)
- no specific vote was taken regarding the appropriation of these funds
- no public hearing was held
- citizen comments/concerns were never heard/considered regarding this issue
Why is all of this important? Some believe that this will be the best thing that’s happened to Union Square in years; that it’s just what downtown needs; that it’s a long overdue addition. While all of this may be true, one FACT that I left out is that:
The Zagaroli's, who own Zagaroli Construction, the company the City awarded the construction rights, filed for BANKRUPTCY in October of 2011.
Back when the Hound first began covering this issue I commented that my suspicion was that this amounted to nothing more than a BAILOUT to a local insider who was experiencing a “slump”.
Is helping out a local company a good thing? Yes, without question. But again, this isn’t a matter of THAT it was done. It’s about HOW it was done. Is Zagaroli the only local business in a slump - no. Yet, this project was rushed through Council with the claim of urgency. What would it have hurt to open this matter to public comment; to have held a public hearing?
It may have come out that Zagaroli had filed for bankruptcy - probably not exactly the news that they would want current clients or potential clients to know about. So, luckily, “friends” with the City were able to circumvent the taxpayers RIGHT TO KNOW, and simply hand Zagaroli this GIFT. Most would agree that it would be nice to have those that were responsible for the construction to be around for any potential future problems that may arise or to carry out the maintenance that will surely be required - but will Zagaroli be around to meet these needs/obligations?
One last thing. This one I can’t quite wrap my head around. From everything I’ve read, seen, and researched on my own, a large component of this Pavilion project is made up of a canvass-type material, an “awning” as the HDR accurately reported. The City/City Council has demonstrated a nearly uncontrollable desire to help out a local business. Does this willingness only extend to Zagaroli? It would certainly appear so. You see, exactly 1 mile away from the construction site (less than 2 minutes by car) is located Annas Awning. The name alone suggests the possibility that it might be interested in contributing to this Pavilion project. It’s location would easily qualify it as a local business. Admittedly, there is the possibility that they could not meet the needs related to this project. But, that my friends, is something we will never know - remember, the public was not invited to participate in the discussion of this very public project.
The Hound: I am sure that I will be attacked for publishing this contribution. It is what this Community does best. I harbor no ill will towards the Zagaroli's. I have quite often shown an appreciation of Pete Zagaroli's vision. One example happened four years ago when I wrote a contribution in the Hickory Daily Record entitled Let Him Build It. In that Article, I point to the City's micromanagement of development in our community and how it has stifled the growth in our community. That micromanagement cuts both ways folks. In layman's terms it means that Hickory City Government is picking winners and losers, instead of allowing the marketplace to do so.
I am sorry that the Zagaroli family is being outed about financial difficulties. I truly do feel for them. We are in a Real Estate Depression and everyone associated with that line of work is feeling the anxiety associated with that sector of the economy. It isn't only the Real Estate sector, we have a lot of families that are suffering as a result of the lack of economic activity in our area. The problem I believe that Pseudonymous has is the same one that I have had for a long, long time and anyone can objectively see it. The Hickory City Government is not consistent and they make the rules up as they go. They put the Cart before the Horse. They determine the outcome before the process has even begun. And a fair question to ask is how much has this cost the citizens of this community?
In the end this project is not going to make or break the Zagaroli's, but it definitely shows manipulation by the City. We saw manipulation of the process related to the Swimming Pool issue and we have seen it with the Airport and we saw it with the City keeping the Cercil Brothers from opening a Club in Downtown. It is my contention that in each of these examples we have seen less than satisfactory objectives, which in my opinion led to less than satisfactory results. The general public doesn't understand how this has affected them, because they are for the most part comatose. But, if you ever wonder why things just don't seem to feel right or add up, then maybe it is time to start challenging the "All of One Mind" ... "Business as Usual" Status Quo scenario that keeps on a keepin' on in Good Ole Hick'Ree.
$285,000+ : Bang for the Buck???
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of December 20, 2011 -- Addendum on Union Square's largest Awning yet - $285,000
No Public Hearing for the Big Tent on Union Square
Hickory Farmer's Market questions the Big Tent on Union Square - March 17, 2012
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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7 comments:
This gives new meaning to TARP bailout!
Mr. Shell, excellent reporting as always. Here are the Articles of Dissolution if anyone else wants to take a look.
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=4641748
Do a land search for Mr. Zagaroli's properties on Catawba's GIS. Don't be surprised if the city takes a sudden interest in purchasing an overpriced parcel of land belonging to him as part of the city's "strategic vision looking forward".
http://gis.catawbacountync.gov/parcel/
If I had known that the parking fund was really a slush fund to bail out one of Sally Fox's friends I would never have paid my parking tickets. I have no proof but I'd bet money that Mr. Zagaroli has worked on at least one city council member's house or business in the past for a sweetheart deal. I wish the City of Hickory posted building permits on their website so it would be easier to connect the dots.
An unlicensed contractor sells an erector set and tarp from New Zealand to the city for the farmers market, this tarp has holes in the roof every few feet so the farmers and their produce get wet, and the farmers don't want it since they weren't consulted, their produce will get wet and they know that the city went about this all wrong, then a subcontractor does 25% of the building while the city does the other 75% of the work. I see why the city didn't want public debate on this misguided plan.
What company in New Zealand was the tarp purchased from? I'd happily solicit a quote from the company to estimate how much money the city put in their friend's pocket.
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slush_fund
A slush fund, colloquially, is an auxiliary monetary account or a reserve fund. However, in the context of corrupt dealings, such as those by governments or large corporations, a slush fund can have particular connotations of illegality, illegitimacy, or secrecy in regard to the use of this money and the means by which the funds were acquired.
Political dealings with slush funds tend to create suspicions of quid pro quo (buying political favors), and can be viewed on the surface as corrupt and subversive of the democratic process.
On the other hand; they did not do another "consultants study"...they finally did something in the grass and brick void called "The Commons".
10 years or so ago DPZ did a $140000.00 study...that basically said tear down the john and put a main street back. We don't know how but you are doing business in spite of yourself...but we do know in 10 years if not sooner your down town will be nothing but night life, offices, and niche biz (wife's subsidized by husbands or other sources.
Less than 5 years later another consultant was paid $40000.00 to basically say we don't think you need to spend the type money DPZ says...and most def do not bring a street with parking back to the store fronts...how will you hide downtown by doing this?And by the way...what was the final decision on the consultants big question in the late 80's or early 90's...is it "uptown" or "downtown".
Zagaroli was local which is wonderful...but what about Annis? New Zealand is playing Walmart's roll and taking the money out of town.Sad BUT at least some one did something besides pay consultants!
Good reporting as usual. It's still a mystery to me that the public doesn't get fed up with the clowns on City council.
My suggestion for the name of the tent is the "Wright Memorial". Because one day a good, high wind will blow that thing higher than the first flight a Kitty Hawk did.
Well Razor, if you keep spending money, you'll eventually get the quantified opinion you want to match the decision you have made and now need to justify. This way, there always a fall guy in the guise of a consulting firm that poor decision making can be blamed on. And in the next election cycle, they will win again.
Zagaroli construction was not awarded this contract. Pete and I were hired to present a design idea. Zagaroli Construction was dissolved and the bankruptcy is not even for Petes company. Our family name has been used unaccurately to promote negativity regarding a much larger issue out of our control. I'd say that it is personal. The sails are computer engineered and fabricated PVC under great tension attached to large steel poles. Most wont understand or maybe care about the complexity behind the structure. Love it or hate it. Thanks!Charlie Zagaroli
Really? "unaccurately"?!?! I'd say that is an inaccurate use of the word!
And for future reference - when you lay with the dogs, you're very likely to end up with fleas yourself!
Let's not worry about being grammar police. I know that I am far from perfect. Sometimes it is the speech recognition program (Dragon) that I use and then sometimes it is just me. Let's cut everyone slack on grammar and composition.
I appreciate Charles Zagaroli coming on here and saying anything. I tried to point out that this wasn't personal. The negative part that was pointed out is part of the public record that was brought to me and I sourced it. I don't think the questions asked were irrelevant and/or malicious.
All anyone wants to understand is the process by which a public project was kept from being a public process and without a public hearing. I feel that we have been consistent about our concerns.
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