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Mayor wants ARA head ousted
Top Headlines The ARA board would have to ask for the resignation because Milanoski works for it. Dumas took the action before the city council Tuesday in the wake of a report issued last week by a special committee he formed to investigate the financial failures of the ARA. The industrial business park project is $4.2 million in debt and, according to the special committee, there is no way for it to become solvent. Dumas said the cash crisis is the result of mismanagement by Milanoski, although he never mentioned him by name in the four-page statement. He referred to Milanoski only as the executive director. He said Milanoski failed to provide information needed by the board for proper oversight. "The decisions of a board of directors are only as good as the information they have been provided with," Dumas said. The lack of communication of crucial information should lead to Milanoski's resignation, he said. "I cannot escape the fact that the financial stability of the ARA and particularly the IBP project have suffered greatly, perhaps irretrievably, under the management of this executive director," Dumas said. "Therefore this evening I am calling on the ARA board of directors to demand the immediate resignation of its executive director." Dumas said he would hire an economic development director who would also serve as the ARA executive director and would open discussions with creditors to find a way to settle the debts. ARA Chairman Benton Keene III said the board as a group will decide what to do. But he seemed to be leaning toward a change. "It's a tough situation, but if a change is needed it's usually the top person who is sacrificed," he said. "It's unfortunate it's come to this." Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the ARA board issued a statement rejecting the conclusions of the task force report, which criticized Milanoski. In a seven-page news release the ARA found fault with the committee's financial analysis. "We the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority board of directors find the report flawed beyond a reasonable doubt and unanimously reject its conclusions," it said. Milanoski declined to comment until he has read the mayor's statement.
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splumb wrote on Dec 2, 2008 4:56 PM:
He announced his plans to raise suspicions about the figures reported, just as he is doing, several weeks ago.
You are dealing with a man who intentionally violated the terms of HUD grants, which as a result, had to be paid back. He and he alone is responsible for their insolvency.
I didn't say he was dumb as a stump, just a con-artist. His MO has always been to divide the residents from each other, as well as from their freely elected officials.
Don't let him succeed. "
been there wrote on Dec 2, 2008 12:23 PM:
How did you make out? "
ricknkim wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:06 AM:
i-vote wrote on Dec 2, 2008 8:01 AM:
I independently reviewed as much information as I have been able to find. I have to say I was surprised to verify a few of the overstated numbers in the Task Force report. Why were they overstated when there was a CPA on the committee, what was the purpose of this error? How does overstating some, any, or just one of the numbers help me as a taxpayer and voter? What about trust? The Mayor promised with his speech this week that he would bring transparency, accountability, and credibility! Was the Mayor hoodwinked by the Task Force authors?
The last time a CEO was hoodwinked, it was our very own George Bush by his decision maker Dick Cheney. He led us into war based on bogus and deceptive information in Iraq and killed thousands of US men and women.
The first draft of the Task Force Report was written by Jack Jacobi and Berry LaCasse. I hope these two are not Attleboros version of Cheney. "
splumb wrote on Dec 1, 2008 12:23 PM:
I wonder how many people actually wrote McGovern to express concern for his continued support for the IBP?
If he doesn't hear from us, the ARA has card blanche, leaving our elected officials powerless. "
richardm wrote on Dec 1, 2008 12:18 PM:
If the recent op-ed page letter by Mr. Voltera is any indication, the mayor may be in for a battle with the ARA and a more "error-free" report by the panel would have suited his cause better. "
ricknkim wrote on Dec 1, 2008 10:02 AM:
With that said, I think more blame should be put on those who originally thought of and approved this project. The profitability and projections should have been much more highly scrutinized with contingencies agreed upon long ago, not now that it is failing. And of course, the ARA management has been less than forthcoming of accurate data and out to lunch on true project management. Just my opinion of course. "
splumb wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:15 AM:
Unless I'm wrong the mayor and council are powerless against tis board.
We really stepped in it back when the city (Mayor Robbins) asked for their services. "
ricknkim wrote on Nov 30, 2008 7:41 PM:
splumb wrote on Nov 27, 2008 1:10 PM:
We can all use a break.
God Bless all. "
margo wrote on Nov 27, 2008 12:44 PM:
Splumb, I don't know much about the former mayor. Sorry. "
mike wrote on Nov 27, 2008 12:12 PM:
splumb wrote on Nov 27, 2008 12:08 PM:
splumb wrote on Nov 27, 2008 11:58 AM:
bear wrote on Nov 27, 2008 11:24 AM:
margo wrote on Nov 27, 2008 10:38 AM:
attleboro's own wrote on Nov 27, 2008 10:11 AM:
Milanoski is the fall guy and not without justification. But the ARA board, the mayor and the city council all share culpability here.
The basic premise of the park was the fuzzy notion that if we build it businesses will come. That false premise is still being put forward as we see from Max Volterra's recent guest column. There is no demand. There are vacancies in the old industrial park, the Northeast Industrial Park and in North Attleboro. Lots of vacant factory buildings and lots of easily buildable industrial land. Until these are occupied, let's not spend another penny on the IBP.
We're all bearing witness to the fundamental flaw in government. The impetus to do something always trumps doing nothing; and, often, doing nothing is the best thing. "
kim allard wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:18 PM:
Sorry the link won't highlight but here it is again. "
kim allard wrote on Nov 26, 2008 6:06 PM:
Check out Kimberly Allard Attleboro City Councilor's Page's profile
Link to online forum
Profile link:
Kimberly Allard Attleboro City Councilor's Page "
joehall wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:59 PM:
joehall wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:57 PM:
splumb wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:16 PM:
Thanks! "
splumb wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:14 PM:
If he tells you things are under control, there is some reason to believe him, unless you've had the good fortune of seeing the dark side of this individual, as some residents have. "
splumb wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:04 PM:
"I'm a supporter of the industrial park and I want it to work," McGovern said, although he added he does not want to "micromanage" the city.
This had to be done delicately, as it appears McGovern put a lot on the line to make this work.
I hate to repeat, but a US congressional representative, trumps a city mayor. Suppose he digs his heels in, then what?
It may be best if he hears from us directly, so we become part of the solution, and the mayor isnt left out in the cold.
McGovern can be reached through his website http://mcgovern.house.gov/ "
kim allard wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:38 PM:
attlebrockton wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:17 PM:
margo wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:03 PM:
richardm wrote on Nov 26, 2008 3:51 PM:
I received a copy of the ARA's response to the panel's findings and posted a copy of it in the Community Forum blogs under Attleboro/Revitalization for all to review. It seems to me that we may be in for a good olde power struggle. I love the smell of dirty politics in the morning. "
kevin h. wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:40 PM:
"The commitee thinks the ARA was insolvent to the degree of approximately $355.000 in the spring of 2007. In May 2007 the ARA entered into a settlement and a purchase and sale with DJT realty for $1,950,000.00 which brought the deficit to $2,305,000.00 at that time."
The commitee also said that Milanowski did not submit written financial statement to the ARA board at regular meetings.
Many in Attleboro and here at comment board knew the project was underwater long,long ago. The mayor was MIA. Remember politics begins at home. "
splumb wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:31 PM:
This is not a done deal by any means, so keep those cards and letters flowing to Rep McGovern, as well as the state reps. "
ricknkim wrote on Nov 26, 2008 1:59 PM:
He's far from perfect but I the mayor is doing okay on this. "
mike wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:04 AM:
The mayor did this the right way. He's using a scalpel not a hatchet. That is how I want my leader to act! "
splumb wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:48 AM:
This is a huge Thanksgiving victory, and one of the many things we have to be thankful for on this holiday.
Thank you mayor for walking this tightrope for us, and leaving us with some hope for the Christmas season. Nice job. "
kevin h. wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:32 AM:
November 19, 2008
"However, the Commitee concludes the ARA board, and its managers, did not adequately plan for reasonably forseeable contingencies. They also had unresonably optimistic expectations about lot sales and other sources of revenue."
Where have you been Mayor Dumas???? Your oversight amounts to non-feasance. "
mike wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:07 AM:
doug wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:06 AM:
LsoOfficer wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:58 AM:
Michael Milanoski
Name: Michael Milanoski
Title: Executive Director
Company: Attleboro Redevelopment Authority
Location: Attleboro, Mass.
Birthplace and year: Annapolis, Maryland - 1969
Family: Wife, Jenny; children, Michael Robert, 6 and Madeline Belle, 3
College: University of Massachusetts, major in architecture environmental and design;
Masters in Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
First job unrelated to your current field: Carpenter
First job in current field: Economic Development Planner for Town of Weymouth
What your firm does now and its plans for the future: The Attleboro Redevelopment
Authority is dedicated to improving the economic well-being of the City of Attleboro, and
continues to encourage the economic, physical and transportation growth through new
projects designed to ensure that Attleboro is a premier business location for years into the
future.
Hobbies: Woodworking and restoring historic 1790s home
Favorite book: "The Autobiogaphy of Benjamin Franklin"
Favorite movie: "Gone With The Wind"
Person you admire (outside of family): Warren Buffet
Keys to success: Taking bold actions and creating collaborative partnerships, while
focused on the objectives.
If you had to choose a different profession, what would it be? An inventor
Better to go back and try inventing more excuses. "
splumb wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:41 AM:
Its true that many of us have been warning of the issues surrounding Mr. Milanoskis actions for years, but lets be practical. Any reactions, which appear to be against a US congressional representatives wishes, may have made the situation much worse, leaving the ARA untouchable.
Take the small victories, and see how they work out. "
scooterlibby wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:10 AM:
LsoOfficer wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:26 AM:
attlebrockton wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:06 AM:
Reason wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:06 AM:
attman63 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:51 AM:
HARRY HINDSIGHT wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:31 AM:
chartley-sam wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:10 AM:
chartley-sam wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:02 AM:
attlebrockton wrote on Nov 26, 2008 5:58 AM: