What the hell is this?
Has Mayor Fred Hammett had meetings with Ritz-Carlton / Marriott representatives behind the scenes? According to an email from one of their employees, the answer is yes.
What makes this new revelation so odd is that prior city statements have denied the possibility of such meetings. Take, for instance, City Manager Marty Black's statement made during the April 10, 2007 city council meeting:
"Actually there have been no negotiations whatsoever and the only thing we have done is schedule the workshop for council to hear from all of the interested parties... We are not inclined and city council's direction was not to have all of these folks come in and present their background and experience in some closed door meetings. It was preferable to bring that to the community and let the community hear the expertise and the financial abilities of all these companies and individuals... We thought it was best to bring that information to the public so that everyone has the availability to consider what is presented."
-- City Manager Marty Black, in open council meeting of 04/10/07
Then comes this missive, in direct contradiction to Black's above statement:
From: "Kearns, Nick" <Nick.Kearns@ritzcarlton.com>
To: Fred Hammett <fhammett.ci.venice.fl.us>
Date: Saturday - April 28, 2007 9:27 PM
Subject: Venice Airport / Golf Course Development
Good Evening Mr. Hammett,
Since being a Ritz-Carlton / Marriott employee for last two years, this project has become extremely intriguing. I have been somewhat hesitant to contact you regarding the possible airport and golf course project. My wife Kerry told me about the conversation you had over Easter and have been keeping up with all of the newspaper articles.
During the course of the The Ritz-Carlton Member's Golf Club's construction, I have met and continue to keep in contact with several of the Corporate Marriott Golf Development Team Members whom I believe you have met. If and when this project takes place, I know that Marriott would provide the best quality product, as I have seen it first hand during my tenure with The Ritz-Carlton.
If possible, I would like an opportunity to meet with you and hear your thoughts on the progress of this development project. I can be contacted at any of the numbers listed below or at 650-0550. I appreciate your time and look forward to speaking with you in regards to this project.
Regards,
Nick Kearns
Assistant Superintendent of Golf Grounds
The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club
14605 70th Terrace East
Bradenton, FL 34202
Direct: 941-915-2206
Office: 941-309-2912
Fax: 941-309-2771
Email: nick.kearns@ritzcarlton.com
Smoking gun
I think that this is referred to in journalistic terms as a "smoking gun."
This leaves the mayor and the city manager with an incredibly difficult task before them -- how to spin this.
Best viable spin options would include the truth, but this is Venice, so that ain't gonna happen. That leaves the pair with possible pleas of insanity, alien abduction, or the "Fred's evil twin" ploy. It's either that or they go at each other's throat with a "I didn't want to but Marty made me do it" defense.
Most likely response: Those meetings never happened. Go ahead, folks, give it a shot. Nothing else has worked so far, but you might as well remain consistent. You know we'll believe you.
John Patten is the editor and publisher of Venice Florida! dot com and had previously worked in broadcasting for over 12 years. He can also be incredibly rude at times.
