ZippinZack wrote:
David is probably right on the $25,000 from NRP funds. His being a long time
member of the neighborhood group gives him the advantage of that knowledge
over me because at the time I was not active with the neighborhood group.
David Piehl writes:
Actually, I believe the year that the funds were distributed for that building -
1998, Zack was also a boardmember of CNIA. It's definately possible for
boardmembers not to know exactly where the funding went, but broad statements
proclaiming that $60K subsidy on 301 is all that Sabri ever received are clearly
unjustified.
In regards to the $800,000 for the motel:
Zachary Metoyer wrote:
What $800,000? Where was it coming from? I have talked to several people
about the possible sources of the fabricated $800,000 and none seems to know
where the funds where coming from. Does anyone know what funding sources
Brian was intending for use at the Hotel project? Was it MCDA? Or maybe NRP?
Was it going to be some kind of TIF funding? Or maybe he had connections at
the State level. Or maybe he was going to stand on the conner with a tin can
to raise the funds Who Knows? I think that the dollar amount was simply a
fabrication utilized to sweeten the pot in the attempt to intrigue Basim.
Brian had never assisted Basim with funding before so we cannot say that it
would be from sources utilized in the past. No, there was never any $800,000.
David Piehl writes:
This figure was part of the FBI-recorded conversations Basim had with Brian
Herron; the transcripts are hundreds of pages, and the primary source was
ostensibly the E Z funding - I believe Mr Metoyer had meetings with city staff
about the issue roughly one year ago. The $800,000 was never approved or
disbursed as the project never came to fruition, but the wheels toward acquiring
it were in motion when the FBI swooped in and spoiled the party.
David Piehl wrote:
Many Latino neighbors have indicated that there is broad dissatisfaction with
having Basim as a landlord, and the frequent rent increases. Many tenants
have
had their rents tripled. This was the case with Ben, an African immigrant who
rented from Basim (featured on KMSP) - Ben also spoke about having utility
bills
at other Sabri properties mysteriously appear in his name. Then there is the
case of Titilayo Bediako, the way Basim evicted her and her "We Win" program
for
African American youth, or the case where Basim tripled Judy Cooper Lyle's
rent....Hmmmmm, you're right, Basim has done a lot!
Zachary Metoyer writes:
(snip) Ben never had his rent tripled. This is a lie either by him or David.
I do not know what happened with Titilayo, (snip)
David Piehl writes:
Ben's story was featured on KMSP last summer (these are his claims) perhaps you
missed it.
As for Titilayo's story, she repeated it at the community meeting Brian called
last year - Mr. Metoyer was in attendance at that meeting. I consider
Titilayo's story to be accurate because the entire time I've known her, I've
always observed a high degree of integrity in her actions.
Zack Metoyer wrote:
Judy Cooper Lyle never had her rent increased from Sabri Properties. The
facts are that she rented from MCDA (I will not disclose the amount). Once
Sabri Properties bought the building she was located in, rent was set. There
was nothing regulating her rent per the transition of ownership. I do think
that she has a great program and wish her the best.
David Piehl writes:
Now this is really splitting hairs! Basim (as many of the other bidders for the
property) promised that Judy Cooper Lyle's theatre would remain in the building.
Upon the ownership transfer, rent was drastically increased and Judy could not
afford it. Basim even sued Judy for "damages" - Zack Metoyer and his wife
accompanied Basim in court (no damages were awarded). Judy's rent tripled with
Basim's acquisition of the building.
David Piehl
Central
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