City Manager Schwab: Smoke and Mirrors

The City Council and Citizens of Grand Terrace were once again provided an interesting show by City Manager Tom Schwab.

He has in the past stated that "We have Letters of Intent", from Staters and Lowes.

At the Council Meeting he justified his not having, or not making these letters available as the Developer Jacobsen Family Holdings has not provided them to the city.

Now, it is reasonable to ask... Who is the "WE" he is representing. Is he a member of Jacobsen Family Holdings? If the City is not the "WE" he was speaking for, it must be Jacobsen Family Holdings the only other party making such claims.

Now, at the Public City Council meeting he tried to explain away these prior statements and offers of proof, and hype, by saying he has been personally present where the documents were, he had seen them, and been involved in discussions where the lesser and Lessee were having discussions... Was this an authorized level of participation for the City Manager, or the Redevelopment Agency Director.?

Now, he says that the documents would disclose the financial aspects of the deal which Jacobsen Family Holdings may not want to share with the public. This is also a diversionary statement. IF he had the documents and there were issues about the release of financial data, that data could be redacted from the document, and the letters of intent could be reviewed by the public.

Why is it a Public Issue, and why does the Public have a right to know. The Town Center is being Developed in coordination some would say collusion with the GT Redevelopment Agency. It is not a Private Development. It requires a higher level of public disclosure and scrutiny.

City Manager, Redevelopment Agency Director Tom Schwab representing the "WE" of the Jacobsen Family Holdings and promoting their interest and making representations can have serious consequences for himself and others.

Yes, there is an issue here.

In addition, there is a big difference between an open letter of intent, and a transferable lease. One would think that a lease would not be signed unless the Land to be Developed had been fully secured. We know this hasn't happened yet, or HAS IT?

Hasn't Mr. Tom Schwab embarassed GT enough? Hasn't he created enough problems in the City? How much more must the City be subjected to untill he is removed from his throne?