Mayor and Challenger Disagree on Augusta Trip
Patrick McGrady, who is running for mayor, contends that incumbert Michael Bennett violated ethical standards with the trip.
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Mayor Michael Bennett defended his actions for the second time in a week, claiming that his recent trip to Augusta, GA did not violate ethical standards.
Bennett told Patch Friday that he informed City Manager Doug Miller about the details of the trip before traveling to Georgia to discuss the city's relationship with Ripken Baseball.
Patrick McGrady, the lone challenger for the mayor's seat in the Nov. 8 municipal election, issued a release Friday stating that he filed an official complaint with the Aberdeen Ethics Commission.
McGrady contended "it is not clear if this is classified as a employment relationship, a gift, or a campaign contribution." McGrady's statement also said that the complaint "was initiated to get answers to serious questions about the Mayor’s behavior and relationship with the Ripken Group."
Bennett countered that McGrady's complaint is a campaign ploy.
"Nothing that I did even comes close to violating ethics," Bennett said. "This is a very desperate attempt by an individual who is running for office and is making every grasp he can at trying to find something wrong, rather than tell people what he's going to do to make the city better."
McGrady said: "It is up to the people to ensure that their elected officials are acting in an ethical and honest manner. It seems that Mayor Bennett not only had his trip paid for by the for-profit Ripken Baseball folks, but he also misled the audience in Augusta on this lobbying trip.”
Bennett described events involving the trip.
"I was contacted by Ripken Baseball and someone from Augusta to go down, if I'd be willing to go down, to talk about the relationship between Ripken Baseball and the City of Aberdeen," Bennett said.
McGrady contended that Bennett wasn't clear to those on hand at the meeting in Augusta about the situation between Aberdeen and the main tenants at Ripken Stadium.
"He's trying to blame Ripken Baseball for a bad debt that people in city government made over 10 years ago," Bennett said.
Bennett continued: "We have a debt. We have a loan, it costs us money, but that has nothing to do with our relationship with Ripken Baseball. We have a debt as a city."
In his statement, McGrady cites Ripken Stadium as a burden on the city, while asking for more clarity from Bennett.
"The people of Aberdeen deserve honesty from our elected officials," McGrady said in his statement. "The people of Aberdeen have been suffering under this Stadium deal for a long time, and it seems odd that Mayor Bennett would tell folks in Augusta otherwise. For the sake of the people of Aberdeen, I hope this isn’t true. With the problems with high taxes and high water bills in Aberdeen, the Mayor should be working for the people in Aberdeen, not lobbying for big corporations."
Bennett defended city government operations during his watch and took on some of the concerns McGrady raised early in his campaign.
Bennett said water rates have not increased in eight years, taxes have gone down three out of four years, and sewer rates have increased only due to the federally-mandated upgrades at waste water treatment facilities.
He also pointed to the news first reported by Patch that the city received positive feedback on it's bond assessment.
"I think the city just got recognized for extremely sound financial practices in a certain rating we just got," Bennett said. "We've got a rainy day fund, a balance, and the city is in fantastic shape."
This is the second time this week that the incumbent and challenger have clashed. On Monday, McGrady left the City Council chambers following an exchange with Bennett during the public comment period during a city council meeting.
McGrady attempted to introduce himself and his campaign, but was stopped and called out of order by Bennett, before returning to his seat for a moment and ultimately leaving City Hall.
Bennett addressed his trip to Augusta later in the meeting.
David Boyer
6:24 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
Go McGrady!
Rick Saffery
7:14 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
Fight the good fight Patrick McGrady!
Augusta Guy
11:31 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
As a citizen of Augusta, GA, I do not appreciate such lobbying attempts by your mayor. The majority has spoken in many polls, that we do not want or need this ballpark at the cost of the taxpayers. We are hurting financially in our city, and cannot properly supply our public service arms, such as police and fire service. Why your mayor feels it is necessary to meddle in the town several hundred miles away is beyond me. We have a perfectly good ballpark. I will be sending a contribution to McGrady in the name of all taxpayers of Augusta, GA.
Common sense, please
1:11 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Way to go, Patrick! You have my vote!
Proud Augustan
1:43 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Being very familiar with the situation in Augusta regarding the stadium proposal and with the financial history of the one in Aberdeen, it seemed very obvious to me and many others in Augusta who know the real facts of what really happened in Aberdeen that mayor Bennett was flown down here to purposefully white-wash the truth. Mayor Bennett even said that the city of Aberdeen had not lost money on the stadium. That is a flat out lie and he knows it. He was fully aware the city had a lopsided deal with Ripken and was losing money on the stadium annually. I simple review of city budgets show that Aberdeen was having to dip into their general fund on average of over $300,000 to pay debt on the stadium.. because revenues from the stadium were just not coming in to meet the debt. Facts are facts.. and Mr Bennett was trying to spin and misrepresent them in Augusta last week and we here do not appreciate that. Of course the lazy local media we have here in Augusta didn't bother to question Mr Bennett critically on the real facts or do any follow-ups. What is Mr Bennett's motivation for coming to Augusta to make a sales pitch for a stadium here that the people do not want and cannot afford, and why was he purposefully white-washing the facts? To lobby for Richmond Baseball so they could get another lop-sided financial deal here?
Proud Augustan
1:45 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Here is the truth that mayor Bennett was trying to white-wash on his trip to Augusta.
http://citystink.blogspot.com/2011/10/truth-is-funny-thing-in-aberdeen-md.html
Proud Augustan
1:48 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
I will also be sending a contribution to Mr McGrady on behalf of Augusta taxpayers. At least someone is looking out for us. If Mr McGrady is looking out for the interest of Augusta taxpayers on this issue, then I am sure he would be a very strong advocate for the taxpayers of Aberdeen.
The Truth
2:09 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Augusta Guy and Proud Augusta did you not read this? Bennett continued: "We have a debt. We have a loan, it costs us money, but that has nothing to do with our relationship with Ripken Baseball. We have a debt as a city." The stadium is good for the city and its not Ripkens fault the city has debt. You only read what you want to read. If there are more people in your city like you then Augusta has no future. You guys sound like trouble makers and trying to make a mane for yourself. I guess you dont get enough attention back home.
BEFO
9:20 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Truth, seems we did read it and that is not what he said when down in Augusta. he made it sould like the deal was great and that your city was REALLY not losing money on the stadium deal. I like your name, now try telling it please.
And we ARE trouble makers, we are the loud ones that raise the alarm when we (tax payers) are about to get it in the neck again. And we already are knnown as such in our towns, no need to make a name for ourselves, they (Ripken Baseball, Mayor Copenhaver, and the lot supporting this) know who we are.
By the way, the stadium they want here will cost us $40,000,000.00 and we are broke.
We cannot afford it and I do not appreciate your mayor coming down and 'misleading' folks to help the Ripken Group sell a rotten deal to us.
Paying attention
1:41 am on Monday, October 17, 2011
Well BEFO,
I am checking some of the comments out and it seems that a lot of them are not from Augusta at all, but McGrady supporters in MD. You however seem to have some real concerns. You should be glad that your officials invited someone with first hand knowledge about this issue down to ask questions, before making any decision. What do you call loosing money? The City of Aberdeen is paying its bills, they have a rainy day fund, and in tough economic times they have not cut services or laid off any employees. The stadium has had a tremendous economic impact on the City. It keeps guests in its hotels, paitrons in its resaurants, and shoppers in its stores. It is the #1 tourist attraction in the County. The stadium works for Aberdeen, Your officials and citizens will have to decide if it is a fit for Augusta. Good luck.
Proud Augustan
3:13 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Oh so are you saying that the city was not losing money annually on the stadium? So are the annual budgets just fabrications? The problem with the debt of the stadium is that the debt is more annually than the revenues the city gets out of it. That's why the city routinely has to dip into its general fund to service the debt on the stadium. Is that how the deal was represented to the taxpayers of Aberdeen in the beginning? Does mayor Bennett consider that a good deal for the taxpayers? Mayor Bennett is not to blame for the bad financial deal made by his predecessors. The best he can do now is stop the bleeding. But for him to go out of his way to travel to Augusta to lobby on behalf of Ripken Baseball for a new stadium here all the while white-washing the financial history of the one there is very questionable. No one here in Augusta has ever suggested that there is an acrimonious relationship between Aberdeen and Ripken Baseball. Ripken Baseball does a great job providing minor league baseball entertainment, no doubt. But the financial deal over the stadium was a bad one from the beginning for the taxpayers, and Mayor Bennett, upon assuming office knew that.. but then he comes to Augusta (on a trip paid for by Ripken Baseball,... conflict of interest?).. and acts like there were no problems. All we care about here in Augusta is the taxpayers not being suckered in on another bad deal. We don't want this city going into debt for a new stadium on false promises.
Paying attention
1:54 am on Monday, October 17, 2011
The Mayor did not make the deal, the deal was done 10 years ago, and did have a plan. The stadium paying for itself hinged on the commercial developement that was put together with the package. The commecial part did not happen. Now the commercial part of the package is being constructed. This does not mean that the stadium is bad for Aberdeen, only that they have had to pay for it in a different manner than they had originally planned. As for what the citizens of Aberdeen think of the stadium, It has been sold out every game for 10 years!
Mad Voter
5:15 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
I also live in Augusta and I can tell you that we are tired of hearing about this baseball stadium The one we have is fine. Most people here are totally against having the city help build a new stadium. But mayor Copenhaver and The GreenJackets owner are bound and determined to shove this down our throats without a vote. All we want them to do is put it on the ballot and let the voters decide. But our mayor wants to try to get around a vote with something he calls "creative financing." Why would your mayor come down here to Augusta and misrepresent the facts? What does he stand to gain from all of this? If your city has been losing so much money on your stadium, then that is something the people of Augusta deserve to know since the same folks who put the deal together up there are trying to get us to build them one down here.
BEFO
9:15 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
We have a wonderful ball park now (which is never sold out) and it is paid for.
I would question why a sitting mayor would come down here from Maryland and 'mislead' us about Aberdeen and the money situation with your Ripken stadium.
Seems like Ripken gets all the beenies and the tax payers get left holding the bag. Also, I would like to add your mayor never said that the Aberdeen stadium was "a bad debt that people in city government made over 10 years ago.." while he was here.
He made it sound like it was a great deal, a great relationship and he made it sound like it was NOT a money loser for the city.
Then when he is home he says McGrady's "trying to blame Ripken Baseball for a bad debt that people in city government made over 10 years ago?" Yeah, I am sure that Ripken baseball did NOTHING to encourage or sell this deal, it was just the city thrusting itself onto the helpless team. They are clean as a preachers sheets..YEAH RIGHT.
I think McGrady's statement that he "misled the audience in Augusta on this lobbying trip" is a gross understatment.
Why did he come to our town and 'mislead' us about the debt and burden? Why didn't he say it was a bad deal when speaking to us? Why did he spin it into non-answers?
Aberdeen should be very worried about having someone willing to 'mislead' folks to help stick them with a bad deal too and help someone who obviously repas the beenies on the tax payers backs.
On principle alone I hope McGrady wins.
Brad
Paying attention
2:05 am on Monday, October 17, 2011
BEFO,
Clean out your ears, your not listening! The Mayor did not make any deal on the stadium. And you are doing the same thing that you are acusing the Mayor of. You are giving an oppinion on something that is in another town, that you know nothing about. If you knew the facts about McGrady, you would not be making these comments.
Tony
11:42 am on Monday, October 17, 2011
Paying Attention: How about I have you build me a house on the shore. I will design it, you will pay for it, in fact you will have to restructure your family budget many times so that you can make sure that you pay the mortgage, fees, and upkeep. I will use the house as I see fit and from time to time I may rent it out and I'll give you 10% of what I get in rentals. Since Paying Attention will be paying for the house and since Paying Attention will be taking care of the upkeep, Paying Attention and Paying Attention's family can use the shore house anytime that they want as long as I say it's okay, so maybe a weekend or two during the winter. BTW, I'm thinking of having another shore house in Florida, I'd like to fly Paying Attention down to Florida so that Paying Attention can tell some poor sap that it would be great if they also built me a shore home and paid for it.
Tony
12:48 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
As long as Arthur and Steve said it was okay then it's okay, simple as that!
Joe McCarthy
1:42 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Maybe Pat needs to run in GA as he has lots of support there! Or BelAir,Churchville,or Baltimore! Do you get a discount on your rent when you write good things about Pat? I know maybe the tea baggers could rent apartments in town and support Pat with their money and their votes! Perhaps if ripken hired Pat that would change his mind.But enough about Pat and his tea baggerslets look at this great deal. The folks in GA seem to know what they want(if the people writing are indeed from GA and not a bunch of unethical Unamerican supporters of some fringe group) so why would you be so worried about an election in some small town 1000+ miles from your home just because the mayor of this town told you it would all work out for you? And who knows if you dont give up the farm like some(republican)past mayor did to us it could be a great deal! Just keep your eye on all slippery jokers trying to scam you and life will be good! The stadium has brought a lot of good to this town and if our partners had any compassion they would voluntarily rewrite the deal and make it more equitable.And by the same token if the town had any guts they would force the issue! I think just the bad press would be enough to make people think that tarnishing their star would bad business! But I have rambled enough,good luck to Mike and Pat,may the most reasonable man win!
george martin
7:24 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
I won't doubt that some folks from Augusta, GA chimed in on our (the taxpayers in Aberdeen) behalf but I didn't see just little bittie ol' "Y'all" in any of the postings. So I will. Before Y'all decide to build a new stadium, next Spring Y'all come up and see ours. And later on, when Y'all decide to build a new stadium, make sure your lawyer is as smart as the one on the other side of the table. Just to keep thing fair, Y'all.
Whewww, spent too many weeks TDY to USAMPS back in the day. I truly do miss the Magnolias by the town library. Sign me, George Martin, yhs.
Tony
1:40 pm on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Seems that Pat was right and Mikey was a little on the unethical side (just following in his handlers footsteps). So what's next, 10 lashes with a wet noodle or a very stern don't do that again reprimand? Maybe a public apology in written and spoken form admitting wrongdoing but something tells me the ego won't let that one happen.