May 31, 2008

The mystery of Heritage Financial

The developer that submitted the sole proposal for Bristol's downtown revitalization remains a mystery.
Florida's secretary of state lists dozens of "Heritage Financial" firms in the Sunshine State, but the only ones I could find for Jacksonville all seemed to be related to Ronald Legrand, listed as president. His address is listed as 5490 Greenland Rd., Jacksonville.
Here, for example, is a listing for Heritage Financial Group, Inc. of Jacksonville, with Legrand listed as the president.
Well, it appears that Legrand is this guy. Here's his MySpace page. Here's another website that says it's copyrighted by Heritage Financial, Ltd.
Legrand claims he's the "the nation's leading expert on making fast cash with quick turn real estate."
Is Legrand connected to the Heritage Financial Group that is seeking Bristol's business? I don't know.
The Los Angeles-based scout that pulled the plan together, Jaime Parker, wouldn't talk about Heritage Financial Group except to say that it's not selling mobile homes.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

What exactly is Bob's official city position here? Do we not have trained, appointed attorneys and other officials such as our City Planner who will no doubt delve into the background and the viability of any proposal?
Are we supposed to believe this guy Bob is our savior?
Give me a break!
Bob seems to think he's the only one with any brains in the whole city of Bristol. Obviously the proposal in somewhat ridiculous and the only ones "buying" it are Steve Collins and Bob (whatever his name is).
Why doesn't Bob go back to East Hartford and try and fix that pig-sty?

Steve Collins said...

What does this have to do with Bob?

Anonymous said...

You're the one "linking" us to his blog. You tell me?

Is Bob your new obsession to replace Ward and the Legion?

Anonymous said...

But good reporting anyway Steve.

Are you thinking that our city officlais with their limited sophistication and education (with the exception of the lawyers and bureaucrats) would "buy" into a "shady" proposal? Have they already?

Your question, "What does this have to do with Bob?". It sounds like you and he are the ones trying to make it about Bob, undoubtably in his mind for political reasons. Why would he not just let the proposal play out though the proper city channels rather than try and jump into it with his negative opinion?

Steve Collins said...

The city hasn't bought into it. The BDDC is going to review the proposal in coming weeks and then decide what it wants to do.

Anonymous said...

Anyone wondering why Carpenter, D'Amato disdn't submit, or Konover?

Should raise some questions.

Anonymous said...

Jaime wouldn't talk about Heritage Financial, his supposed developer, but the city is supposed to pick him?
Please.

Anonymous said...

Something tells me Steve isn't buying it, either.

Anonymous said...

The website and mySpace page scream: SCAM ARTIST. Thanks for the links, Steve.

Anonymous said...

Fast cash! Fast cash! Fast cash!

Anonymous said...

This is what happens when you let the same people who stagnated our city go ahead and get put in charge of the redevelopment effort. Leone, Frank Johnson, Lodovico, all clueless.

Anonymous said...

..and still we have a $6 million empty lot.

Obviously the BDDC is getting a little "antsy".

Anonymous said...

Nice work, Steve.
Looks like the BDDC came up empty.

Bob Merrick said...

11:47 am

I am not negative on the development of the mall site quite the contrary. I have been anxiously awaiting, along with many others in the city, to hear the various proposals for this site. Although the proposed plan has many positive features I am curious as to why large, local developers like Gilbane Building Company, http://www.gilbanebuilding.com/regions/dist_glastonbury.aspx (Connecticut Convention Center, Rentchler Stadium, and recently a green-powered Middletown High School), Northland Development Corporation http://www.northland.com/development/drawing_board.php (Goodwin Hotel) or Konover Development Corporation http://www.konover.com/projects/completed.shtml (Simsbury Commons) did not respond?


I’m confident that the BDDC will be providing us with more details in the near future.

Anonymous said...

It's sort of interesting to see on here how you go searching for information. It's given me a greater appreciation for what reporters do ----- at least what good reporters do. I appreciate that you didn't just tell us the name and move on without trying to dig further. This is fascinating.

Anonymous said...

Well, Steve, it's nothing compared to the intensive investigations that the Press has done of the Bristol Police Department, but hey, you can try.

Anonymous said...

SNAFU!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Steve.

Anonymous said...

Steve, I think you jumped the gun with your reporting. Even the article in today's press was misleading. It lends to the rumor that a trailer park company is interested in the property. A rumor you inadvertantly started.

You should have done more investigating before reporting.

Steve Collins said...

We're all eager to find out more about the developer. And rest assured that when we know more, it will be reported.

Anonymous said...

Hey Merrick . Why don't you ask them ?