COMIDA: Begging questions
But of course County short on answers
“God bless the USA, so large, so friendly, and so rich.” – W.H. Auden
Have you ever attempted to contact a Monroe County governmental agency with a question in hope of getting an answer which you assume would be readily available? The WBP has and the result is always the same: a stupified County employee (being paid with your tax dollars) who brushes the caller aside and takes down name and number stating that someone will be in contact eventually. Rarely is that return call received.
Nonetheless, I was moved to action following the latest announcement from County Exec Maggie Brooks regarding the most recent incentives supplied to area businesses via the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA).
Perusing the list I saw the usual smattering of incentives not given to businesses, rather, passed along to the owners of facilities in which respective businesses would be expanding. The provision of benefits to the following companies, alongside those given to the likes of Adecco, Inc. USA and Datrose, Inc., caught my eye since they were organizations I had never heard of: Scannell Properties #46, LLC (a previous recipient of COMIDA benefits), Erie Station West Henrietta, LLC and 250 Science Parkway, LLC.
The LLCs seem to be named for nothing more than the general location of the building in question. LLC requirements are loose but there must be at least one actual person associated with the LLC in the state.
Who are the individuals that formed these LLCs? Are these actual, in-state, private entities investing in our community or are they quasi-governmental groups like the UTC and others operating as shadow fronts for the County awarding contracts to the highest bidder?
LLC stands for limited liability company. The classification began in 1977 becoming increasingly popular in the 90’s and is nicely summed up as follows:
The limited liability protection afforded to an LLC is identical to that of a corporation. The main advantages are that it separates the owners of the LLC from the debts and legal obligations of the LLC.
Calling the number listed on the COMIDA website in order to inquire about who formed the LLCs from the press release I reached Monroe County Planning & Development and – wait for it – was connected with someone who promptly took my name and number.
Am I breathless with anticipation of an answer? Not really.
I completely agree. I know my blog is more personal in nature, but if you peruse through some of my handlings of the local agencies, you will find the same thing. Things don’t change, however I would like to point out that if you have evidence of these wrongdoings, they tend to bend slightly.
I am still waiting for Maggie Brook’s email reply from something I asked for about 1 1/2 months ago. When I called in a few weeks later, some lady gave an almost scoffing laugh. Apparently its a joke to the office staff when someone emails Maggie Brooks. I asked her why she was laughing, she replied “someone that handles the email will get back to you.” I guess Maggie’s emails go in the same bin as my Santa Claus letters.
Oh if anyone sees this, if you happen to use Asterisk or are a network engineer, if you would like to install a voice recorder on my phone I would be happy to include a nice mp3 file of my conversations in the future. It’s a great way to play back files on Maggie’s voicemail or to broadcast them to voters on election day via my prerecorded messaging service (sorry for the shameless plug).
Most staff workers feel that they can treat an ordinary citizen any way they please, but then have a press release about a particular issue and say that they are working hard or going above and beyond expectations. When you catch them in the act, they pretty much do what you want them to. Ask Mayor Duffy what he did for me on Friday…