(OK to publish with my real name)
I basically agree with the points Mr. Gleiberman makes in his well thought out letter, with one important exception. I still attend every LCCCA board and committee meeting that I can, and I’ve become as familiar with the project as any ordinary citizen can. I’ve seen Kevin Molloy in action, heard his reports, and seen the consequences of what he does. I can say without hesitation that Kevin Molloy is worth every penny he is paid.
Why? Because all too often, Kevin Molloy and his business manager, Mary Ellen Davis (the only two paid employees of the LCCCA) are the ONLY defense that taxpayers have in dealing with Interstate Hotels and Resorts, the joint manager of both the hotel and convention center. (The volunteer LCCCA board also does what it can, and chairman Kevin Fry spends a lot of his own time assisting the paid staff.) Kevin Molloy and Mary Ellen Davis spend a LOT of time and effort to make certain that IHR (representing the Penn Square Partners) receives no more than their share of tax dollars as dictated by the agreements which bind this “integrated facility”. Kevin Molly is quite intelligent, and knows the convention and hospitality industry very well – exactly what is needed to be able to deal with the “private partners”.
It would be no exaggeration to say that Kevin Molloy saves taxpayers much more than the cost of his salary.
Randolph Carney
If I understand Mr. Carney correctly, he is suggesting that I should be happy the LCCCA only has two paid employees. The LCCCA is charged with operating a convention center. Rather than do it themselves, they have given that responsibility over to a third party…probably a good idea except what 3rd party and with whose interest does the 3rd party represent first and foremost?
In this case, the LCCCA took whomever PSP brought to them. That would be the same PSP that value engineered the appropriate infrastructure (separate electric meters and a on site transformers that would have greatly reduced long term costs) right out of the project to the detriment of the LCCCA.
They LCCCA is virtually powerless and from where I sit, has little or no responsibility. They expect IHR to run the place and the PDCVB to market it.
In answer to your suggestion Mr. Carney, I am not pleased. One person, part-time, could open the mail and arrange their totally worthless public meetings.