March 29, 2013

Regarding the 10-year tax moratorium for the south side of Century, what "deal" was made that they could have that significant property in a way that left the rest of us dealing with broken-down roads, traffic not unlike the 405 freeway, and unsychronized traffic lights on intersections laden with red-light cameras that fire incorrectly? Just a few minutes ago you said that "the guy who really made the money was the builder. He made a deal with [the now-number one stores] to come here, because they [weren't] gonna come without a deal."

Here;s how Dotson explains all that money-making that has left the rest of us holding the bill:

Dotson: OK, they had to do that, to get 'em in here. You see, when nobody knows about you and your capabilities, you have to give a little to get a little.

"Now they all know; there's no reason to give up [any]thing—especially when Madison Square Garden get[s] going.

"I'll tell you what happened: When [the Forum] was [purchased], Hollywood Park Tomorrow was broke. They were going to have to just pull outta here and that development would have never been done.

"But when the contract was signed for MSG, they got $188 million of foreign investment for Hollywood Park."

Q: That's just for the casino, right?"

Dotson: "No, that was to start the development."

Q: "For the housing development?"

Dotson: "No, for the commercial development. The housing will come later. You see, you wanna make sure you have a chance to make sure you make money, and, housing, was so down, that they were afraid to put housing in right away."

 

So why are Inglewood residents left holding the property tax bill for the MSG-leased properties on West 102nd Street—as well as having been forced to give an $18 million loan to this "billion-dollar company," which your friend and campaign supporter James T. Butts calls them— while "the guy" makes off with all the profits?

Or is what "they all know" is that the Butts administration, enabled by a Dotson-led planning commission, will give them whatever they want for nothing, and pay them with residents' money for the privilege?

March 29, 2013    |  By Teka-Lark Fleming

Inglewood Planning Commissioner Chairman George Dotson made an unusual stop at the monthly 5th Avenue Block meeting on Thursday, March 21. He started with an apology for being late, alluding to having just come from the Chamber of Commerce’s Centinela Hospital-based “Meet the Candidates” mixer and networking event.

Many topics of keen interest were explained, among them Block Clubs, the IPD’s attitude problem, real estate development, commerce, the attitude of city hall personnel and quite a bit more.

Dotson sought to set the record straight when it came to who started the 4th Avenue Block Club. “I started the 4th Avenue Block club in 1975.” He also expressed concerns regarding the way the Inglewood Police Department is run. “The way our police ride through our neighborhoods now, they ride like they’re mad at everybody. As far as I’m concerned, we pay your salary. [IPD officers] ride through neighborhoods of the people who pay [them].

Regarding the Century Boulevard Forum and Hollywood Park developments, he offered a number of choice disclosures. “I can tell you: over on Century Boulevard, every one of those businesses are number one in their chain. Chili’s is number one, Red Lobster is number one, In-and-Out are number one. They didn’t even wanna come here!”

Without mentioning why such “number one” businesses in national chains fail to contribute to street maintenance and traffic mitigation, Dotson continued. “Well they found out different. The guy who really made the money was the builder. He made a deal with [the now-number one stores] to come here, because they [weren’t] gonna come without a deal.”

When asked why the “number one” businesses were granted a 10-year moratorium on taxes to the City of Inglewood, Dotson hesitated only momentarily.

“OK, they had to do that, to get ‘em in here. You see, when nobody knows about you and your capabilities, you have to give a little to get a little. Now they all know; there’s no reason to give up [any]thing—especially when MSG get[s] going. Nevertheless, Inglewood did give up “something” when it granted Madison Square Garden a massive set of parcels along and between West 102nd and Century Boulevard for a below- market lease rate and with the property taxes being paid for by the residents of Inglewood.

Dotson explained it away for the moment. “I’ll tell you what happened: When [the Forum] was [purchased], Hollywood Park Tomorrow was broke. They were going to have to just pull outta here and that development would have never been done.”

When it comes to how things can be and are done at Inglewood city hall, Dotson underscored a primary problem. “I know for a fact that the City of Inglewood does not give customer service.

Anytime that people go down there and have a bad experience at city hall, that’s a reflection on the city.”

On the nature of relations between politicians and bureaucrats at One Man, he disclosed that “A councilman] can meet with a [dept. head] any time he wants. [He] just has to call up and say, ‘I’m councilman so-and-so and I wanna meet with you’—and that’s gonna happen.”

Regarding the future of our beautiful city, Dotson did not hesitate, “The city’s going to be redone. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen it but, the drawings on it are absolutely beautiful. I wish I could have brought a rendering.”

He did not elaborate on who proposed such plans nor who approved them nor even when—if ever—such renderings would be made available. But he did offer that there re- main some problems.

“Our lights are not synchronized, and we’re not synchronized with L.A...We’re stopping’ people when they need to be goin.”

And lest anyone think otherwise, Dotson did make one thing clear: “I’ve never been a dictator.

March 29, 2013

March 29, 2013

"We have a great business environment here in Inglewood."

If Inglewood has a 'great business environment,' why was the city recently downgraded by Moody's, and why is every city council meeting marked by the mayor's complaint that the city needs money?


"I can tell you: over on Century Boulevard, every one of those businesses are number one in their chain. Chili's is number one, Red Lobster is number one, In-and-Out are number one. They didn't even wanna come here!"

If they are number one in the national chain, why then is Century Blvd in such remarkably poor condition? After all, all of those 'number one' stores gain revenue by people in cars, and those people drive on Century Blvd, and Century Blvd is and for years has been an absolute mess.


"Everybody believes (sic) they can't make any money here.

"Well they found out different.

"The guy who really made the money was the builder. He made a deal with [the now-number one stores] to come here, because they [weren't] gonna come without a deal."

As the planning commish, why did you fail to help Inglewood go to the bank every day too? Why did you approve these projects if they would only contribute to the wear-and-tear of Inglewood's streets, multiply pollution, traffic and revenue flowing out of the city?

March 23, 2013

"I started the 4th Avenue Block club in 1975."



"Every major development that has come to the City of Inglewood has come to me first."