Edgewatered: “1. To approve a project by sweeping aside ordinances, plans and policies and by giving the developer a large financial incentive. 2. To employ favoritism and expedience. 3. To govern without consistency and predictability.” What’s Manaici got in store for us next? What kind of paybacks has she gotten? A lap top and some fancy fundraiser food, I wonder if they had steak? This stinks.
This is a great article by David Mollenhoff! Read it! He does a great job breaking down where things went wrong.
Want to know what the next “edgewatered” experience I expect? Take a look at Alder Bridget Maniaci’s campaign finance statements. It’s a tale of paybacks and expectations from the Chamber of Commerce and developers:
Here’s the next “Edgewatered” experience I expect.
Pre-Election Report –
$250 – 3/14 – Jeff Houden – no employment info listed, even tho required by law
$250 – 3/16 – Christopher Houden – no employment info listed, even tho required by law
Wanna know why? Well, they’re pushing a non-plan conforming project on Iota Court where they will tear down several buildings and they will benefit from the complete lack of regard for the neighborhood and laws and plans that was successful with the Edgewater. The project is called the Palisades.
Or maybe even the John Nolen project:
$50 -12/10 – Tim Metcalfe
Or what is the Chamber of Commerce conduit money for, East Washington development? Or is it payback for her work on the Edgewater?
She got $50 from each of the following on 12/10
Mark Bugher
Jac Garner
Jim Garner
Virginia Gilbert
Tim Metcalfe
Doug Nelson (M&I!)
James Riordan
Lon Sprecher
David Stark
Barbara Swan
Thomas Zimbrick
On on 3/6 she got more
Marsha Lindsay $50
Mark Bugher $50
Bill White $75
$725 from the Chamber . . . which yet again points out why conduits are a loophole for the business community to give more than they could through a PAC ($200)
And, while I’m at it, here’s the payback Bridget got for her work on the East Johnson development:
3/17 Helen Bradbury $250
The business community sure delivered for her, what will she have to do next? When will we be Edgewatered again?
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NOTE: Essentially, they paid for her laptop she bought ($537.53) and lots of food for fundraiser ($511.29 for one event where about a dozen people showed up), so at least the money wasn’t put to good use, but she did get her payback . . . I wonder if she ate salad, or steak?
Also, she did return $75 to Bill White . . . I wonder why? If she finally found her ethics, she better start writing out more checks!
Do you mean the fully occupied, award winning, affordable housing development on East Johnson Street? Why would any alder need to be paid to support that? Wouldn’t you have supported that project?
Well, details matter:
1. The project did not comply with the newly (less than a year) adopted neighborhood plan.
2. 11 houses that could have been saved were torn down, some of them with a lot of character and value.
3. The housing is not “affordable”, it is near market rate.
4. Neighbors had many concerns about the project . . . people who didn’t live near it were the major supporters. Much like the Edgewater.
So, as alder, you would have opposed that project as is?
I attended about a dozen meetings with the neighborhood when the project was being developed and worked hard to make the project comply with the neighborhood plans. Bridget did not attend one of those meetings. We got some concessions, but in the end, the project was not what it could have been for the neighborhood. There was no attempt to save the houses. The immediate neighbors continued to have many concerns while the project was supported by friends of the developer from Elizabeth and Sidney St. And legally, I don’t understand how projects that don’t comply with the comprehensive plan can be approved. I think ignoring the laws and plans put in place for developers to do whatever they want is not acceptable. I did not support the project at the time, I’m pretty sure my record was clear on that.
I completely disagree with your comments on the E. Johnson development. This project is beautiful and a huge savings for renters who don’t make enough to pay for decent housing in the downtown area. A friend of mine would have been able to get housing for about half of what he currently pays, for a much nicer and more energy efficient place. No project is perfect and neighbors are always upset with construction in their backyard, but I sincerely believe this was a great outcome for the district.
And what is 50 bucks? Do you really think that amount of money from one person sways their votes?
I don’t know you, but your criticisms come across as pretty harsh and slanted. Looking at the history, my guess is that you are still irritated with what happened two years ago. Give the girl a chance!
How much does he pay in rent for what size (how many bedrooms) apartment?