Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Why the change of heart on Harbor Park?


A group of rightfully concerned citizens gathered last night to discuss how to derail the agreement for the city of Middletown to extend the lease of Harbor Park with current lessee Frank Marotta.

While much of the concern is with the sweetheart deal about to be handed, again, to Marotta, who has proven not to be a thoughtful neighbor, others are wondering why Mayor Sebastian Giuliano has had a change of heart about the property.

Some have said that as late as this March, the mayor was adamant that the lease would not be extended, only to be surprised when it was, a few months later, in preliminary negotiations.

Why the flip-flop?

Insiders have told me that the mayor, who thought he had the support of council members and political leaders in town to end the deal, was approached by those same leaders and council members to "back off" and extend the deal.

The same people tell me that with enough public groundswell, the mayor could be convinced to return to his original stance. It appears with a bit more support, the anti-lease group may very well allow the town to reclaim the "jewel of the waterfront."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"It appears with a bit more support, the anti-lease group may very well allow the town to reclaim the "jewel of the waterfront.'"

Which nonetheless has locked-up restrooms in the park-area.