Not only does Mr. Foley not have a campaign platform, as witnessed by the lack of new topics to talk about in his latest article, but he doesn’t seem to have a clue about redevelopment.
Mr. Foley, a retired teacher knows all too well you need to show up to class in order to pass the test. Redevelopment class is the second Tuesday of the month. I have been Chairman for 3 1/2 years and I have yet to see Mr. Foley step through the door. I believe I run a very open and honest process and our board members are more than willing to hear from the public and to share their ideas with the members of the public.
What discussion has Mr. Foley had with the Board regarding redevelopment?
Who has he met with in order to determine that “his plan” is better than the current one?
What is his plan?
Regardless of Mr. Foley’s apparent lack of insight into the redevelopment project, we don’t consider the downtown redevelopment project to be a campaign issue. It is a priority project for our Board and for Mayor Staffieri. It is a project that will move forward towards completion. The developer, according to the contract, moves at a pace that allows him to line up his tenants and financing without holding back the City. If he doesn’t perform, he doesn’t continue with the project. There is no urgency to make an announcement. Every step has been outlined and agreed upon. If, and this is highly unlikely, the developer does not hit a benchmark, the agreement will be terminated.
If I was the teacher, I would give Mr. Foley an incomplete for his failure to attend redevelopment meetings. Perhaps Mr. Foley keeps repeating himself because there is nothing to talk about. Good news for Derby residents, not so good news for Mr. Foley.
Thank You.
Joe Bomba
Chairman, Derby Redevelopement Agency
