Jim Graham wonders: "Can it be possible that the Mayor and some Council Members are unaware that this same Sabri will be facing a Federal Judge in late November for a crime that was observed on television by the entire Twin Cities? Is it possible they are unaware that the bribe was to gain access to NRP and City funds as well as favorable treatment in development schemes? Did they not hear Brian Herron told by this same Sabri that he (Sabri) would be Herron's retirement"?"
Vicky adds: Not only did Minneapolis give Sabri the development, they also gave him a $150,000 gift from the Minneapolis taxpayers: From the article...."[Schiff] said the city paid $275,000 to acquire and prepare the site, sold it to Sabri for $125,000 on the expectation that he develop it for industrial use and then saw the deal change." Is it corruption, incompetence, or complete moral bankruptcy? Whatever it is, there is a pattern of it in Minneapolis. I've posted numerous examples over the years..... MCDA Director Yanisch gets $63 million for Ryan's Target project, then goes to work for Ryan Construction. [Note: The Federal government is prosecuting two former employees who did the same thing and then went to work for Boeing] Brookfield Development gets a $37.5 million 2ND MORTGAGE on property worth $7.5 million, then defaults. Ryan wins the "competitive" bid for the Sear's site, adds George Sherman for residential development, suddenly costs increase $59 million. Stimpson building gets over $6 million of public money, City sells it for "market value" of $2.8 million. MCDA sells Orpheum Theater bonds, Yanisch's father and husband buy the bonds yielding 9% tax free. MCDA pays $50 per foot to condemn Target land, simultaneously claims that riverfront land for the Guthrie has a market value of $6 per foot. $178 million of "loans to developers" on MCDA books - still unaccounted for. $20 million 2ND MORTGAGE to the Radisson Hotel - still unaccounted for. These are just a few examples that come to mind. What amazes me is that there haven't been more prosecutions; or at least an attempt to run the scoundrels out of town. Nope, the citizens of Minneapolis prefer to blame Bush and Pawlenty for their financial woes. It's a lot easier to blame others than look in the mirror. Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
