Who do you believe: the developer, or the lobbyist?

Paradox posted by Barry Parr on Aug 08, 2008 at 01:36 pm in  Government
4 comments • Click to email this story

From the Half Moon Bay Review, Aug 6:

Keenan confirmed Wednesday that he has been paying $20,000 to help get AB 1991 passed, along with providing attorneys to help draft AB 1991.

We helped pay the city’s lobbying bill,” Keenan said. “Also AB 1991 involves some technical land-use issues so we gave them guidance on that.”

From Capitol Weekly, Aug 8:

[California Strategies’ Jason] Kinney said it was inaccurate to say that Keenan was paying the city’s lobbying bills.  He also said that both sides were were aware of the lobbying and consulting operations surrounding the issue.

“I understand the confusion, because the early media report mischaracterized the nature of these separate agreements,” Kinney said.

I’m willing to bet that Chop Keenan knows exactly what he’s paying for. I’m also willing to bet California Strategies knows exactly who’s paying them to do what.

Comments

Comment 1 by Ric Lohman  on  Aug 08  at  4:49pm  •  All my comments • 

As the big gamble taken by the current pro-development council begins to look like it might not succeed, what do we see happening???? Why “THE BLAME GAME”, of course. Some of these folks are attacking Leland Yee for not agreeing to gut all California Environmental law to bail out 4 bad-guessing Council Members. Others are blaming earlier councils who stood up for the rule of law. Some, like Mary Ascher, a local realtor, pity Chop Keenan, and think we should “make him whole” for the bad way we treated him. How about if we have a “Chop Aid” concert and donate the profits to him? Funny how the old guard types want you to forget that 4/5 of the current council walked away from a solid appeal of a bad decision and decided to risk the entire community’s financial health to push their pro-development, anti-Coastal Commission agenda. But Shush, let’s not discuss those who signed the poison pill. Let’s find someone else to blame.

Comment 2 by Barry Parr  on  Aug 08  at  5:17pm  •  All my comments • 

The Review posted an update this afternoon:

California Strategies says it was a consulting contract, but…

In interviews on Wednesday and Thursday, Keenan did not distinguish between the city’s lobbying contract and his consulting contract with California Strategies, saying that he and the city “collectively” hired the firm.

According to Keenan, he had no control over the firm’s activities. He said he would occasionally receive feedback on the legislative proceedings in Sacramento.

Sound like Keenan didn’t get much consulting for his $20,000 per month.

Comment 3 by Jonathan Lundell  on  Aug 08  at  6:21pm  •  All my comments • 

I’d call it a contradiction, not a paradox. As for how much consulting Keenan got, it’s clear from his quote that he was paying to be consulted, to “give guidance”, not to consult.

Comment 4 by Cid Young  on  Aug 11  at  8:16am  •  All my comments • 

I hear a large flushing sound……Money going down the toilet.


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