Lennar opposes new ship facility at M.I.

Vallejo desperately needs something like this folks, let's get behind it!

shrew wrote:

I am all for kicking Lennar to the curb, and every other developerthat wants to "mooch" on the City's dime. Recently a shipbuilding company submitted an offer to use Mare Island and I say make sure they don't come in asking the taxpayers to foot the bill so that they can make a profit. We already got screwed in the automall deal by forgoing tax revenue to subsidize their contruction and move. If our shipbuilder businesses expect anyone to take them serously THEY need to foot the bill for dredging, retrofitting, and moving onto Mare Island. Please do not put forth empty promises of the Feds or anyone else picking up the tab for such activities please come here with money to spend not BS.

Both companies that want to use the drydocks have committed to fund sediment sampling, dredging, caisson overhaul and facilities improvements. Also, neither of them has filed for bankruptcy.

I agree with many of the reader comments that noted the discrepancy between the headline and the article. Nothing in this article supports " Lennar opposes new ship facility at M.I. " Apparently, the Times-Herald editors feel that it goes without saying that Lennar would automatically oppose this attempt. And, they may well be right. But, in the interests of at least trying for some fair journalism, perhaps you could include something to support your position.

they changed the title of the article to something more appropriate.

My question is this. How is this shipbuilding company going to get material into the yard if the tracks are being QUIETLY PULLED UP? I think it is time to go to city council and ask, demand, or something to the effect, Goodbye Lennar, Hello City of Vallejo as control of Mare Island.

David, John D, Casual Observer, Wanglow, Step Up Your Game, XMI, anyone else & everyone else reading this.

Please, join me and make your feelings known to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council on Tuesday July 8th at 8:00 PM at the Vallejo City Council meeting.

Fill out a speakers card and have your say.

Remember, this is your chance to jump off these blogs and jump start Vallejo's economy.

Make your presence known. Step up to the plate and hit a home run for Vallejo's future.

Happy 4th of July.

As Far as I know no Tracks have been pulled up on Mare island yet.

XMI wrote:

<quoted text>Both companies that want to use the drydocks have committed to fund sediment sampling, dredging, caisson overhaul and facilities improvements. Also, neither of them has filed for bankruptcy.

Excellent, I can't wait to read the specific proposals. We have had too many moochers come to town so excuse many of us that are skeptical. Also be aware that if any of these companies asks for a penny of a handout most feelings here will ask that they be kicked off of MI like Lennar should.

Shrew,

Please come to the Tuesday July 8th Vallejo City Council meeting.
Fill out a speakers card and voice your support.

These companies are bona fide operatuions and do not nedd or want a "hand out".

Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 10:05 PM

> To:'mayor@ci.vallejo.ca.us'; 'juliae@ci.vallejo.ca.us';
> 'cityatty@ci.vallejo.ca.us'; 'gwest@ci.vallejo.ca.us';
> 'sgomes@ci.vallejo.ca.us'; 'jschivley@ci.vallejo.ca.us';
> 'tbartee@ci.vallejo.ca.us'; 'hsunga@ci.vallejo.ca.us';
> 'mwilson@ci.vallejo.ca.us'; 'ehannigan@ci.vallejo.ca.us'

> Subject: Be prepared to answer the publics questions and take action concerning Lennar and the reuse of Mare Island's dry docks on Tuesday July 8th

Greetings,

I have invited interested members of the Vallejo community, to address the Council on Tuesday July 8th, concerning the removal of Lennar as the primary decision maker on Mare Island, particularly relating to the reuse of the dry docks and maritime infrastructure there.

As you are aware, presently, there are two companies interested in leasing the dry docks.

In light of the increasing public interest and popularity in seeing
these dry docks reused as the foundation of Vallejo's economic revitalization, it is time for the Mayor, City Manager and City Council members to become more actively involved in seeing this come to fruition.

The scheduling of a study session was proposed by Council Member Gomes. This has not occurred to date.

Please be prepared to listen to our concerns and take appropriate and immediate action.

Thank you.


Sincerely,

Sam Kurshan

The MI drydocks do not need any remedial action as far as contamination issues. They are clean and ready to use.

This issue should settle once and for all the question of competence of our city staff and elected officials. Vallejo has marine assets that are capable of generating revenue and solving an environmental disaster at the same time. If Gil Hollingsworth and his partner lennar are allowed to block this deal then the PSU’s claim that incompetent government has been the root of Vallejo’s problems will be validated. In a previous article on this subject the report wrote that Gil Hollingsworth was contacted to comment on the dry dock leases but he said he had been out of the office and on vacation. This is the exact same response I got from his department when I emailed and telephoned 6 months ago. I’m telling you folks, something is not right in the economic development department. I believe somehow this Hollingsworth fellow is working lennar’s side of the street and thwarting the best interests of Vallejo citizens. What good is an economic development director whose standard response to revenue generating opportunities is ‘no comment, I’ve been on vacation’?

I was talking to family that live in Benicia last night, telling them of this latest news and they were very excited because the Moth Ball fleet has become an eyesore to those who can see it.

And they are all very aware of the toxins that the fleet if producing an the need to dismantle...

I have to say it's nice to see so many of us in support of the same thing, all agreeing on getting Lennar out.

Bill wrote:

This issue should settle once and for all the question of competence of our city staff and elected officials. Vallejo has marine assets that are capable of generating revenue and solving an environmental disaster at the same time. If Gil Hollingsworth and his partner lennar are allowed to block this deal then the PSU’s claim that incompetent government has been the root of Vallejo’s problems will be validated. In a previous article on this subject the report wrote that Gil Hollingsworth was contacted to comment on the dry dock leases but he said he had been out of the office and on vacation. This is the exact same response I got from his department when I emailed and telephoned 6 months ago. I’m telling you folks, something is not right in the economic development department. I believe somehow this Hollingsworth fellow is working lennar’s side of the street and thwarting the best interests of Vallejo citizens. What good is an economic development director whose standard response to revenue generating opportunities is ‘no comment, I’ve been on vacation’?

This has been my observation as well. Who's side is Hollingworth on? The last guy that wanted to build ships was subjected to a host of contrived "concerns" until he got fed up and left. I understand he is still interested as well, so the city needs to remove Lennar authority from the drydocks and cut Hollingsworth's office out of the budget drain, since Vallejo does not need a 100+ manager to negotiate a lease with two prospective tentants.
The position was originally the Mare Island Conversion Division, but after 12 years what have we got?

It's time for vallejo to kick Lennar and their spokesperson Jason Keadjian to the curb.

Please join me at the Tuesday July 8th Vallejo City Council Meeting at 7PM.

Fill out a speakers card and make your feelings known to the Mayor, City Manager and City Council, that you want Lennar removed as sole decision maker for the development of Mare Island and that you want the dry docks and other maritime infrastructure leased to any serious business that will operate them in a way that will bring economic prosperity back to Vallejo.

These facilities were once the economic life blood of Vallejo. They can be once again.

Your voice and your support will make the difference.

Thank you.

About 2 years ago Lennar had to bring 10 additional staff to Mare Island due to its own incomptence.And what has Lennars staff done--take out the railroad tracks and bring in a few inconsequential businesses. On the other hand look at what Touro did.

If City Council had their way nothing would have happened as they wanted Touro to partner with Lennar--Lennar would have found a way to screw it up.

City Council continues to pass the buck and says the Economic Development Commission should be more involved with Mare Island.And what has the Commission done other than have Lennar provide worthless quarterly updates--nothing.

The Citizens of Vallejo need to start to raise hell at every City Council until real pressure is applied to Lennar and possibly taking MI from them.

Please come to the meeting and be on of those to "raise hell".

Just getting up to speed and wanted to know from wanglow what the homosexual agenda is? All for leasing out the dry docks, just not sure how I can help get that to happen as a gay Vallejoan. Is there some role you had in mind?

This should be interesting...

No pardon yet,

Please accept my sincere invitation to participate in this matter.

I have asked Lou Bordisso to attend as he is a (Gay) Mare island resident who is for this plans inception too.

This concerns all members of the community.

Wanglow wrote:

"Words and comments are one thing; reality is another. As the TH continues to try and ram homosexual agenda (pardon me.........) down our throats they proceed to conceal some of the most important and vital developments on Mare Island. The railroad tracks ARE QUIETLY BEING REMOVED by Lennar. Every member of the city council and Mayor Davis knows that this is happening yet not one person has stood up and brought focus on this extremely important issue."

Wanglow needs to learn to separate his personal feelings concerning homosexuality from the issue or else he can remain behind with the doubters and ne'er do wells and homophobes.

My concern is that Vallejo will screw around and waste time trying to figure out what to do about Lennar and the drydocks and the State or Feds will step in and take them and then we'll be stuck with all those wrecks from the mothball fleet on our waterfront. I plan to attend to show support at the meeting.