The Hyde Administration, Corruption and the Genesee

[Danno]

Back a few years ago horrendous things were taking place at the Genesee Theater. As time goes by I'm more and more convinced that the Genesee Theater project served the Hyde administration first and foremost as a funnel to fill the pockets of some corrupt individuals. First of all it was a perfect front for such an undertaking. It was very hard to gain support for a critical analysis of the project because most everyone was so gaa gaa over it. For instance, the (Ray Shepardson coined) "Grande" chandelier was a huge con job rip off yet everyone ooohed and aaaahed over it to the point that no one cared how much taxpayer money was supposedly wasted on it. All in all the chandelier purchase served as the perfect lead to set the tone for the type of project that could eventually facilitate the funneling of millions of taxpayer dollars into some corrupt pockets. No one dared criticize this savior of Waukegan's future. Steve Kolber was a frequent "yes man" defender of the project who time and time again supported the "expansion" of the project. Pickus has moved on. Shepardson has moved on. Steve is still here. I often wonder what he knows.

It's not that I am or was against the idea of a restored Genesee Theater. They just spent waaay too much taxpayer money on it. I had pretty much forgotten all this crap until yesterday when I was walking past the theater. Several things on the exterior of the building jumped out at me that told a story of lies and deceit. The peeling paint on the old windows. Wait a minute... $23 million dollars and they didn't put new windows in the building? Hell, they didn't even do a decent paint job that would last a few years. Then there was the missing mortar in the terracotta. Say what? They spent $23 million on the place and didn't tuckpoint the terracotta. How could that be possible? Then there is the entryway floor that looks like they put less than $5 into the restoration of it. More cut corners. Cut corner + cut corner + cut corner = $23,000,000.00 = only one thing.... fraud and corruption. What does Hyde know. What does Kolber know? How about you Vukie?

[freedomisntfree]

I applaud your efforts to call attention to potential corruption. Are you going to form a group to audit the finances in detail?

[Danno]

I applaud your efforts to call attention to potential corruption. Are you going to form a group to audit the finances in detail?

It's pretty much already been done. I don't think a conclusion of corruption or fraud was the result though.

Some of the newcomers might not know it but the TOWN organization once did an awsome job of local government watchdog. One of the earliest investigations was what became known as Tiregate. That involved overpriced non-bid tire purchases from a business owned by the son of the Director of Governmental Services. Here's a link to the TOWN report on the Genesee Project:
http://www.waukegan.org/Features/Genesee/page1.asp

[freedomisntfree]

I read everything at the link you provided. More questions than answers.

[marshmellow]

Danno, I appreciate you're tenacity regarding this white elephant.

We still have no idea of how contracts were awarded. There is nothing to indicate that real competitive bidding was done. We still have no explanation of why insiders were given contracts, which by law should have been competitively bid on. Who authorized the expensive 'change orders' throughout the project, and why was there no City oversight?

What is the purpose of the Genesee Board? They have done nothing since the place opened, except throw themselves a 'fund-raising' party...once. What decisions do they make regarding the running and maintenance of the theatre? If SMG is in complete charge, how can they authorize the spending of city dollars on the theatre? Who gave them this authority?

The theatre has been losing money since its opening, yet we were assured that it would pay for itself. How was this determined? What is the exact state of the theatre finances at this time, and what are the projections for the next 5 years (and what are these projections based on?)

This isn't just 'chicken feed' we are talking about. Remember, the parking garage was built to accommodate the theatre. Revolution Partners was given extraordinary assistance in obtaining prime downtown properties...which we were assured would bring in businesses which would support the theatre.

We are speaking of millions of dollars in bonds which have to be paid. These are things that Hyde & Co need to be held accountable for, and should be thrown out of office for their unethical and incompetent stewardship of our tax dollars.

[Danno]

Danno, I appreciate you're tenacity regarding this white elephant.

We still have no idea of how contracts were awarded. There is nothing to indicate that real competitive bidding was done. We still have no explanation of why insiders were given contracts, which by law should have been competitively bid on. Who authorized the expensive 'change orders' throughout the project, and why was there no City oversight?

What is the purpose of the Genesee Board? They have done nothing since the place opened, except throw themselves a 'fund-raising' party...once. What decisions do they make regarding the running and maintenance of the theatre? If SMG is in complete charge, how can they authorize the spending of city dollars on the theatre? Who gave them this authority?

The theatre has been losing money since its opening, yet we were assured that it would pay for itself. How was this determined? What is the exact state of the theatre finances at this time, and what are the projections for the next 5 years (and what are these projections based on?)

This isn't just 'chicken feed' we are talking about. Remember, the parking garage was built to accommodate the theatre. Revolution Partners was given extraordinary assistance in obtaining prime downtown properties...which we were assured would bring in businesses which would support the theatre.

We are speaking of millions of dollars in bonds which have to be paid. These are things that Hyde & Co need to be held accountable for, and should be thrown out of office for their unethical and incompetent stewardship of our tax dollars.

Yes! Very well put Marshmellow! Now is the time for Hydem to be held accountable for this. If other will join me I will picket city hall for answers and maybe bring media attention to the issue. Will anyone join me? Here is my email address. Please contact me. <!-- e --><a href="mailto:danteeqs@sbcglobal.net">danteeqs@sbcglobal.net</a><!-- e -->

[Danno]

Come on fellow Waukeganites. Are there no brave citizens left? Protesting is your Constitutional Right. Use it or lose it. I'll even make the signs.

Mayor Hydem... Taxpayers Demand Answers On Genesee Theater Coverup!

[freedomisntfree]

I'll picket with you and you attend a school board meeting for me. Will that work for you?

[Danno]

I'll picket with you and you attend a school board meeting for me. Will that work for you?

Thanks for the offer but one protest is enough for me for now. You are still welcome to join. I'll update with specifics later in the week.