To The Reader’s Forum:

What is going on at the JLDC is ethically wrong and taxpayers should be paying attention. The JLDC is an opaque entity in Jamestown that gives out millions and millions of dollars in taxpayer money. It is made up of nine members. Some are elected officials, some are dubious community members. The JLDC is not transparent as Tony Dolce would tell you. The press has had to FOIL information from the JLDC about this matter because the JLDC has not made it available to the public. Basic information, like how much they are giving out and who is getting it. It should all be in the minutes, yet it is not.

The current unseemly situation is simple. The nine members are voting to give each other money. Lots of it. This is against the bylaws of the JLDC, and for good reason. We, as taxpaying public, need to know that our money is not being misused. I believe it is. The JLDC attorney has suggested changing the rules so it’s easier for them to give money to each other.

In the meantime, the solution is simple. You cannot be on the board and get money, so leave the board. We can find someone to replace you. The board’s tortured response was embarrassing to watch. These members, or their immediate family members, own businesses. The JLDC cannot, under their own bylaws, give money to other board members. Yet, the Mayor and the board are STILL insisting nothing wrong was done. It was.

If the members of the JLDC do not understand the bylaws, or will not follow them, they should leave the JLDC Board. The whole JLDC bylaws need updating…not to make this easier for the board to do, but to make it more difficult.

Jamestown