Comments on: Mayor’s Office Recommends Highest Bidders, Campaign Donors for Lobbyist Contracts…Again

By: Joe Moye

Joe Moye — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 02:14:17 +0000

One only needs to look at investigative journalism, such as this, which is no longer being printed in the Democrat to see why their subscriptions are plummeting.

By: DavidB

DavidB — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 18:29:34 +0000

In reply to Stanley Sims. You can start with the Democrats associated with City Management.

By: DavidB

DavidB — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 18:28:48 +0000

In reply to Stanley Sims. List them, Stan.

By: DavidB

DavidB — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 18:28:05 +0000

In reply to Stanley Sims.

The only “Blackness” in this articles was to highlight how “… Ronald Book P.A., which bested the Gunster law firm on a point system, but was higher in price.”

YOU took racist slant all on your own. YOU stated “We have a BLACK mayor, a Black Vendor (Lobbyist) who was awarded the contract because he was Black, works with another well known Black businessman. Wow!!! That’s just too much BLACKNESS.” There’s more in your three lines then ANYWHERE in the article above.

Your full of it Stan. Your part of the problem, not the solution. You shout “FIRE” in a crowded theater. Chip on your shoulder there, Stanley?

By: Cassidy

Cassidy — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 17:56:01 +0000

The first comment by Mr. Sims was to deflect the real subject matter here. Don’t fall for it or comment on his response, but excellent punctuation he does have.

By: Dean

Dean — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:46:02 +0000

Please, someone correct me if I’m wrong….if the approval of these contracts are commission approved, should the Mayor and commissioners NOT vote (abstain) for reasons of personal involvement if they personally/campaigns have received donations from said parties?

Would this not create the air of favoritism, which would be an ethics violation?

By: Preston Scott

Preston Scott — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 18:59:31 +0000

In reply to Stanley Sims.

Free pass from what exactly? An anonymous notebook which has led to nothing…no charges…nothing. BTW: There is no such thing as “black” or “white” corruption. There is corruption. You really ought to take some time and read through the archives of TR and look at the documented stories questioning the ethical conduct of local leaders. Then, write an apology because your version of “keeping it real” is baseless rhetoric and I know you are an intelligent guy. You are better than what you have been posting.

By: Thomas C. Hooker

Thomas C. Hooker — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 14:32:07 +0000

Thanks TR fro reporting what the local paper, news stations, and local public radio will not report.

I don’t know why anyone would be surprised at the good old boy system here. After the past newspaper editor openly fawned over Scott Maddox, Mayor Marks, Anita Favors, Gillum, and ran cover for them all this should be no surprise. The degrees of separation are almost nil. As an example, Gerald Ensley’s daughter has worked for Sean Pittman’s wife for years at COCA (a favorite recipient of tax dollars). Why would the local paper be critical? Why would they even make an efforts?

By: Elaine Atwoid

Elaine Atwoid — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 11:43:09 +0000

Doesn’t the city have purchasing/procurement laws to follow? Bottom line, the City has trained purchasing staff for the purchase of services such as lobbying, by conducting open and competivetive purchasing processes like RFPs or ITNs to select vendors/contractors in a fair and unbiased method. That’s what needs to be looked at. If the Mayor has discretion in the final decision and he used that discretion appropriately, well, the comments are just speculation. If done in the sprirt of best business practices following the city procurement guidelines, the decision is Ok. The firms not selected should have rights and an ability to legally question the decision through a formal protest. If that’s not part of the procurement process, it’s time to review the City’s guidelines and rules for purchasing.

By: Preston Scott

Preston Scott — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:23:07 +0000

If we want to realize the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we will no longer assign “points” to one’s color whether it be black, white, or any other. We will judge people and businesses on the merits and quality of work, along with their bid (remember this is taxpayer money) and let the chips fall where they may. The comment above is not “keeping it real” – it is dropping the race card where it does not exist. “Republicans” are not even part of the article. I’d like to recommend Mr. Sims take some time and look up Project 21 and make a call or two to members. As others point out – Whether Adam Corey (white) or Sean Pittman (black) – anyone connected to Andrew Gillum are insiders who get sweetheart deals others do not get. This article is the latest evidence directly from the records of City Hall.