Bad News, Bad Moves, and Bad Money May Spell Insolvency
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
Is it even remotely possible the City of Arcata could go bankrupt by tomorrow?
Kevin Hoover of the Arcata Eye has the stunning story of the
day, and perhaps week, in his feature article, “Arcata Ordered
to Pay Back $2.4 Million by Friday– December 20, 2012.”
And however the fiscal chips may fall, Arcata’s affordable housing program is kaput– and the State wants their money back, pronto.
Mr. Hoover writes:
Imagine the City of Arcata bankrupt and its top staff, plus the City Council, all in jail.
Those dire consequences could result from a decision made last week by the state’s Department of Finance (DOF). More immediately, the City has to pay an unexpected bill in the millions of dollars…
The Golden State isn’t looking so golden anymore. For the rest of the story, we suggest you pick up a copy of the Arcata Eye.
If you can’t wait, you can find the details in Mr. Hoover’s article here.
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Thank you for your fine reporting, Kevin.
(Posted by Skippy Massey)
Not to mention kickbacks, maybe bribes, between ROP (Dan Hauser is on their board of directors, former Arcata council member and state elected official) and the City of Arcata. Reminds HOJ a bit of the movie “Shawshank Redemption” and how the prison’s “warden” was corruptive in power.
Ironic that shane Brinton is the mayor on watch over this issue. Somehow, that credit card ticket purchase he made without available funds in order to see Obama and the other young elected officials in Washington DC is ironically bad mojo as karma catches-up with people who greedily spend money they really don’t have. This looks really, really bad. Hope this is what gets Hauser out of the community! – HOJ
larry O. does not have proper education to be running the city, ask for his resume, the city council is being told bad information, and the public has been telling the council that, but they dont seem to want to listen, maybe now they will.
http://www.arcataeye.com/2012/12/kash-boodjeh-oversight-board-creating-alternate-realities-december-20-2012/
So, isnt willfully misappropriating funds is a felony…
Many cities are protesting the rule changes, but not all took the missteps that obligated this city. Affordable housing is a very worthy goal. Loans and grants are passed through to the city or granted, almost wholly based on past and current performance. It is essential for future funding that Arcata develop and maintain the highest confidence of all of the lenders involved.
This related letter from Kash Boodjeh concerning the deliberate selections of potentially bias members to the oversight entity is far more disturbing than a mistaken interpretation of process. The letter appears to be an allegation of a carefully considered set of actions designed to retain control over an intended independent entity charged with maintaining transparency and public oversight.
http://www.arcataeye.com/2012/12/kash-boodjeh-oversight-board-creating-alternate-realities-december-20-2012/
For interested readers, the Times-Standard has a followup article, “Oversight Board Voices Support of Arcata’s Sandpiper Park Project“ at: http://www.times-standard.com/ci_22306942
and another, “Redevelopment Frustration“ at: http://www.times-standard.com/ci_22309876