County legislator tees up golf contract
I'm not a golfer — I'd end up wrapping one or more clubs around a tree or another inanimate object — but if you are, you might have played one or more of the three public golf clubs owned by Monroe County: Churchville, Durand Eastman and Genesee Valley.
If you have, two former and current Monroe County legislators have you in mind.
In December, outgoing County Legislator Stephanie Aldersley and her successor, legislator-elect Vincent Esposito, sent a letter to the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli requesting that his office audit the contract to manage the three golf courses between the county and a private company.
In 1997, the county inked a deal with Jack Tindale Inc. for the courses' management services. In 2003, the deal was extended through 2017.
But Esposito, who also works as deputy chief of staff for state Assemblyman Joe Morelle, said this week that he has received numerous complaints, through the County Lej and Morelle's office, that the three courses are being poorly managed and operated.
"Our concern is that, for the last several years, the contract terms are not being met and that there has not been adequate improvements and investment into the courses," Esposito told me.
Esposito said that in the past, at least three county legislators have asked the county administrataion for information on the Tindale contract, but to no avail. In addition, several citizens have filed Freedom of Information Law requests for info but have likewise been dissatisfied with the county's response.
Hence his and Aldersley's letter to the state comptroller.
"Before making any accusations, I want to understand the nature of the contract and whether it is being lived up to," he said.
"I intend to myself do whatever investigation I can to make sure the needs of the taxpayers and the users of the golf courses are being met," he added.
He added that the contract's length requires periodic review by the County Lej, review that isn't happening now.
"It's a long contract not to have repeated oversight," he said.
Esposito and Aldersley (and Morelle) are all Democrats. County Executive Maggie Brooks, many county administrators and the majority of the County Legislature are all Republicans.
The legislature's Democratic minority and other critics of the county administration have complained for years that the county administration has shrouded itself in secrecy and consistently shut out the public from its operations. Esposito said that perceived trend of secrecy definitely applies to the golf-course contract.
"The whole issue of information and transparency is something a lot of us are concerned about," he said. "That's why I decided to run for the County Legislature."
Last week I e-mailed and called the county communications department seeking comment from a county administrator, but neither communication has been returned. I also e-mailed and called the Tindale offices for a comment and have not heard back from them either.
Jack Tindale Inc. has given a fair amount of campaign contributions to local Republicans. In 2007, the firm gave $3,000 to Brooks' coffers and $600 to the Monroe County Republican Committee. That's just what's in the state Board of Elections on-line database; there might be more reported for earlier years in paper documents.
While Esposito said the idea of trading campaign donations for contracts "is obviously something we're concerned about," he added that, in this case, he doesn't want to make any accusations until he has "proof of quid pro quo" arrangements.
Esposito said he was told by the comptroller's office last week that the OSC will reach a decision on his request by the end of February.
If you have, two former and current Monroe County legislators have you in mind.
In December, outgoing County Legislator Stephanie Aldersley and her successor, legislator-elect Vincent Esposito, sent a letter to the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli requesting that his office audit the contract to manage the three golf courses between the county and a private company.
In 1997, the county inked a deal with Jack Tindale Inc. for the courses' management services. In 2003, the deal was extended through 2017.
But Esposito, who also works as deputy chief of staff for state Assemblyman Joe Morelle, said this week that he has received numerous complaints, through the County Lej and Morelle's office, that the three courses are being poorly managed and operated.
"Our concern is that, for the last several years, the contract terms are not being met and that there has not been adequate improvements and investment into the courses," Esposito told me.
Esposito said that in the past, at least three county legislators have asked the county administrataion for information on the Tindale contract, but to no avail. In addition, several citizens have filed Freedom of Information Law requests for info but have likewise been dissatisfied with the county's response.
Hence his and Aldersley's letter to the state comptroller.
"Before making any accusations, I want to understand the nature of the contract and whether it is being lived up to," he said.
"I intend to myself do whatever investigation I can to make sure the needs of the taxpayers and the users of the golf courses are being met," he added.
He added that the contract's length requires periodic review by the County Lej, review that isn't happening now.
"It's a long contract not to have repeated oversight," he said.
Esposito and Aldersley (and Morelle) are all Democrats. County Executive Maggie Brooks, many county administrators and the majority of the County Legislature are all Republicans.
The legislature's Democratic minority and other critics of the county administration have complained for years that the county administration has shrouded itself in secrecy and consistently shut out the public from its operations. Esposito said that perceived trend of secrecy definitely applies to the golf-course contract.
"The whole issue of information and transparency is something a lot of us are concerned about," he said. "That's why I decided to run for the County Legislature."
Last week I e-mailed and called the county communications department seeking comment from a county administrator, but neither communication has been returned. I also e-mailed and called the Tindale offices for a comment and have not heard back from them either.
Jack Tindale Inc. has given a fair amount of campaign contributions to local Republicans. In 2007, the firm gave $3,000 to Brooks' coffers and $600 to the Monroe County Republican Committee. That's just what's in the state Board of Elections on-line database; there might be more reported for earlier years in paper documents.
While Esposito said the idea of trading campaign donations for contracts "is obviously something we're concerned about," he added that, in this case, he doesn't want to make any accusations until he has "proof of quid pro quo" arrangements.
Esposito said he was told by the comptroller's office last week that the OSC will reach a decision on his request by the end of February.
posted by Ryan Whirty at
3:34 PM
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