Yesterday began an analysis of the results of Freedom of Information Act requests to the Village of Lakewood concerning documents about the proposed SportsPlex and the Tax Increment Financing District.

Much information was not provided because it was in “draft” form.  That is one of the exemptions from the FOIA.

Especially important is the proposed agreement between the Village Board and the SportsPlex.  According to the emails received, it is now in its 21st revision.

Below continues yesterday’s article:

Gene Furey

Trustee Gene Furey responded to a March 5th email from Village Administrator Catherine Peterson in which she wrote that consideration would be postponed until the March 24th meeting by saying,

“Electrical aggregation is no longer your masterpiece.

“The RDA [document which spells out the agreement between the Village and the SportsPlex, which is still secret] is the new one.

“I will make an apt with you after I can digest it all.

“I kind of know what it says, I just want to be able to defend our decisions at open meetings.”

Ken Santowski

That same day SportsPlex spokesman Lou Tenore sent Peterson agreement documents for review.  She replied,

“My only concern based on a cursory review.

“Not going to be much TIF increment/incentive available since I have committed so much to your project.”  [Emphasis added.]

Tenore sent the following back:

“At the time we do it….we will show you all the examples we have found.

“You have plenty of opportunity for incentives. [Emphasis added.]

“I planned that from the beginning.

“I need those incentives to bring people in sooner.

“One of my prime focuses will be to make sure phase 2 goes….and fast.

“We will work with you on the rfp.

“If you agree, you do it, if now we work to how you feel comfortable.”

Another intervening email from Trustee Ken Santowski on March 9th, said,

“I have many questions regarding the agreement; I don’t want to jump to any conclusions so I am trying to figure out the best course of action so we can all get the facts straight.

“Can we possibly (and legally) talk about the agreement tomorrow evening?

“My number 1 priority is that the taxpayers (both in Lakewood and surrounding areas) are not on the hood for ANY money. [Emphasis added.]

“Also since Trustee Iden will not be in attendance for the March 24th meeting I think we need to figure a way to have him attend via phone or delay the vote until we have a full board.”

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More tomorrow.