BLRA meeting of 4/17: 12 million dollars, news about the Army & no new Executive Director

Who doesn’t like a nice surprise? The public, that’s who. Last night BLRA commissioner Fitch bemoaned being “pounded by questions” from the public. However, what can the good commissioner expect from the public when there appear to be surprises around every corner with the BLRA?
<p class="MsoNormal">Surprise #1: Congratulations, you just won $12million dollars! Well… not exactly. No doubt, in concert with the city, the BLRA decided that it was time to pay the city for the services that it has rendered. These services add up to about $14million according to last nights meeting. However, strangely enough, the BLRA was never billed for these prior to last night’s meeting. Suddenly, there they are. But there is a problem, because the BLRA can only pay $12million. So the city decides it will only bill $12million. But... what about the United States Army? Isn’t this against their edict to stop all transfers of money between the city &amp; BLRA until their investigation is complete? <span> </span>That leads us to…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surprise#2: The negotiations between the BLRA &amp; the Army. Many people, including this website, have been asking city officials about the status of the negotiations. However, we have gotten very little back, other than that the negotiations are ongoing. Suddenly Attorney Bowman decided to divulge at the meeting that he had in fact just come from the Pentagon that very day, and that low and behold the Army is aware of this money transfer. Or is it? There seemed to be doubt about the ability of Mr. Bowman to answer the question from some in the audience. We were certainly left with the impression the Army approves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surprise #3: The Jersey Journal decided to wake up from its slumber of inactivity and inability to cover local politics just long enough to report on the BLRA possibly picking a new Executive Director at last night’s meeting. Certainly there has been some buzz about Mr. Cliff Doll, currently with the school board, who is retiring, being a candidate for that position. This, in the Advocate’s opinion, would be a poor choice. Not only was there a news paper article on the subject of a new BLRA Executive Director, but there was also an agenda item on last nights meeting! However, surprise… the vote would not be taken last night. Does this mean the BLRA felt the heat coming on a possible Doll yes vote and decided to take a step back? One can only wonder.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I attempted, in vain it seems, to impress upon the BLRA member that they need only TELL us about these things BEFORE these meetings. Then perhaps it won’t be such a surprise to us poor misguided members of the public at these meetings. Then perhaps we won’t be so confused when we ask our questions, and perhaps Mr. Fitch can avoid the “pounding” that he obviously does not enjoy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Additionally, one of the repeated complaints from the good commissioner Mr. Fitch was that some of us in the public were “grandstanding” by asking questions. He said we ought to go down to the BLRA offices and ask our questions, or give Mr. Nichols advanced warning of our questions prior to the meeting so that he might be prepared to answer them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I agree with you Mr. Fitch, we SHOULD prepare Mr. Nichols prior to the meeting so that he can answer our question. We will start doing that just as soon as the BLRA releases their agenda items prior to their meetings. If the Council can caucus and decide on their agenda a week ahead of time, then the BLRA can make an agenda available 24 hours before their meeting. This should be made publicly available on the BLRA website.</p>