DEAR EDITOR:
What would you think if it was discovered that the company hired
to underwrite Gilroy’s $69,000,000 in school bonds gave a gift of
$12,500.00 in cash to our school superintendent, a gift of $12,500
in cash to our school board president, and a gift of $12,500 in
cash to a school board member.
DEAR EDITOR:
What would you think if it was discovered that the company hired to underwrite Gilroy’s $69,000,000 in school bonds gave a gift of $12,500.00 in cash to our school superintendent, a gift of $12,500 in cash to our school board president, and a gift of $12,500 in cash to a school board member.
Or, suppose that instead of cash the company agreed to make a payment to reduce the principal by $12,500 on the superintendent’s, the school board president’s, and the school board member’s real estate loans. Or, help to reduce any other personal obligation of their choosing by $12,500.00.
It appears that a gift is made whenever the $65,000.00 personal obligation of Edwin Diaz, Jim Rogers, and Bob Kraemer owed to Tramutola Public Mobilization, “a renowned political consulting firm” is reduced by money paid through the Yes on Measure I Campaign.
George K. Baum & Company, as part of doing business with the school district makes $37,500 in “contributions” and they should know that this money is personally benefiting three decision makers of the Gilroy school district.
As Senior Vice President Charles Youtlz of Baum & Company is quoted as saying “This is a pretty sound business investment for us. It’s not that unusual.”
Now we understand why we read the protest: “That their relationship does not amount to “pay-to-play.”
Why these three men would personally oblige themselves for $65,000 is beyond me. Did they have some promises that their obligation would be taken care of for them? Why didn’t the bond committee contract with Tramutola Public Mobilization?
Could these revelations outlined in the recent Dispatch story headlines: “$11,500 short school bond campaign bill” stand the scrutiny of a Grand Jury investigation? I think not!
Any and all money paid through Better Schools for Children Committee by persons or companies doing business with the Gilroy School District for the benefit of decision makers of he district should be returned. Or, they should be precluded from doing business with the school district.
A closing thought: What would you think if Cingular, the cell phone company, suddenly gives a contribution of $11,500 to the Yes on Measure I Campaign? They have a contract with the school district that seems to have hit a snag.
Robert Behrens, Gilroy
Submitted Friday, Dec. 6 to ed****@ga****.com
