In his letter to the Editor today, LCDC Executive Director Tony Berns explains why there is a footprint on his tongue.
Tony is so smooth when it comes to bending facts and obfuscating words. He’s obviously upset that I used his own words against him in my original letter to the editor. In that letter, I cite City Council meeting minutes (2/5/2008) where Tony is quoted as follows:
In regard to job creation and retention, Mr. Berns stated that LCDC had helped to create
almost 1,200 new jobs and retained approximately 266 jobs in 2007.
The 266 figure I quoted in my letter to the editor. Bern’s mentions the “almost” 1,200 figure in his letter today. But there is a major difference between jobs created and jobs retained; what’s the point of creating a job if you can’t keep it? Berns seems to be proud of that for some reason.
Also, the US Bank Call Center was brought in by Jobs Plus. Nighthawk Radiation was already here when the LCDC was formed. And the Kroc Center and Riverstone were not jobs-creation projects. Again, we get half truths and misdirection from Berns.
Regardless of his confusing words and the undertone of anger, Berns forgot to write one key thing: The D in LCDC is for development. LCDC is not a jobs creation tool. Period.
Remember that Tony has a very, very highly paid job to protect–his own.
Comment by mary — November 16, 2008 @ 11:53 am
What are the criteria for determining that the LCDC “helped” do anything? Seriously, how does LCDC verifiably measure it helps do anything?
If someone from LCDC attends a meeting with Jobs Plus, is that considered helping create jobs?
If someone from LCDC on the way to Capones or Crickets drives by a Habitat for Humanity build and waves at the people actually doing something, is that considered helping with homelessness?
We can apply the but-for test here and say, “But for the LCDC there is one job that would not have been created — Tony Berns job.” Yep, LCDC deserves full credit for creating one full-time, retained job in Coeur d’Alene.
Comment by Bill — November 16, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
bill this is potemkin village stuff. berns needs the band to keep playing so his check keeps cashing. ditto stone. there is a dance that developers do, a quick step. some do it well some do not. when the margin calls hit, the music stops. unless government bails you out. only the very best dancers survive the music stops. stone may win or stone may lose but taxes are forever.
Comment by TheWiz — November 16, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Since Pac-West has been advising LCDC, Berns and Co. have been much more active in responding to criticism of the LCDC. Do you think Bales is writing this stuff for the group? How can I get a list of the companies who hired these people? I would like to share this information with some of the over six percent unemployed in Kootenai County.
Comment by doubleseetripleeye — November 17, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Ms. Bale’s contract was up either end of September or early October.
Comment by Dan — November 17, 2008 @ 2:32 pm