February 15, 2010

More Rosenthal emails to Matthews

Here are a few emails from last week's exchange between Jonathan Rosenthal, the city's economic development director, and city Councilor Kate Matthews that I didn't have on Friday:


From Rosenthal to Matthews
8:24 on 2/11

Subject: Fwd: Re: BDA issue re Tom Read 151 High Street Grant/Lien
Perhaps you might consider that I am following instructions of the mayor. [Emphasis in the original.]
Again i might suggest that this might have transpired a bit more smoothly if it had begun with a personal phone call to me.  I am actually a friendly and helpful person but I also have rules and orders to follow.  I would ask that you please give that some consideration in your judgment of me.


From Rosenthal to Matthews
12:05 on 2/11

I REPEAT that I did exactly as instructed by the Mayor.
I responded to you the way I was told to. [Emphasis in the original.]
Following instructions is the way I typically carry out the duties of my position.
I regret that my following instructions would be interpreted as being impolite, negative or worse.
I have absolutely nothing to gain by ticking you off.  I agree that it is unfortunate.
I would ask that you consider for just a moment that I am actually stuck in the middle?
Perhaps we can start over.  May I suggest that we start our communications with a phone call when you need something from this department.  My direct number is 860-584-6185.  May also suggest that emails not be broadcast to the entire Council unless there is a particular reason to do so?  Perhaps you can appreciate that when the email is sent out to everyone in the first place that I might wish to communicate my version to those same people.
I would like to start over.  How about meeting face to face at your convenience? OR a phone call?
Jonathan


From Rosenthal to Matthews:
12:28 on 2/11

Subject: Fwd: Re: BDA issue re Tom Read 151 High Street Grant/Lien
The information given to the Mayor.  (The same information that the Mayor said he wanted to provide to you.)
Mr. Read came in Monday morning at the about the time I received your email.
Mr. Read became threatening.
I called an attorney in to look at his request.
Mr. Read upon questioning said that signing the grant agreement was his free act and deed.
While the agreement may or may not constitute a "lien" it is an "encumbrance."
The attorney, after listening to Mr. Read's explanations for more than an hour said the bank is not legally prohibited from giving Mr. Read a second mortgage loan because of the grant agreement.
We wrote a "To Whom it May Concern" letter for the benefit of his lender explaining that he was in compliance and the terms under which the encumbrance is forgiven on an annual basis along with the schedule.
It was also explained once again that Mr. Read could ask for a waiver from the BDA Board on February 22, 2010 and provide them with reasons sufficient to determine his cause for release.  (This is by no means guaranteed.)
If the bank insists that the encumbrance be removed , he also has the option of paying off the encumbrance today at $3,250.
In the future I will insist to the Mayor that I be allowed to share the information desired.
It is my continuing desire to be forthcoming whenever possible.

By the way, I edited one of the emails to remove Rosenthal's direct line at City Hall and put his office phone line instead.

*******

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Betcha Ward lets Rosenthal off the hook, just like Couture did.

Anonymous said...

Who can prove how threatening this elderly man was? Because he was a cncerned, upset citizen that makes him a threat?

Anonymous said...

This is tawdry, "dog bites man!" pseudo-journalism.

Anonymous said...

So this whole thing comes down to whether the BDA puts a "lien" as opposed to an "encumberance" on the title.

Steve, are we really betting informed now that you have rubbed our face in the fact that our elected leaders and professional staff are human beings trying to do their best in an imperfect world? This was not your finest moment as a journalist.

Anonymous said...

So from reading Rosenthal's emails, it is pretty clear that it is WARD trying to keep Matthews in the dark on the issue. Why is he trying to hide this? What else is being hidden by the Mayor??

Steve Collins said...

3:28 -- Wow, you really don't get it.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Rosenthal really threw Ward under the bus.

Anonymous said...

5:54

Right on!!

But where is the loyal opposition?

Anonymous said...

7:04

But Ward doesn't realize it!

Anonymous said...

And Ward wants a four year term???

He is the biggest argument for not doing it!

nothing can be less than nothing said...

rosenthal deserves every thing that he gets, he has no allegiance to anyone or anything,
throw ward under the bus, he would back over ward or anyone else who got in his way of doing nothing to earm a living.
his reputation in city hall is that of a pompous spoiled fat brat who only wants to be out of the office so no one can check on his fat butt.
a waste of humanity and an abuse as a department head, his peers should be running his ass out of the city of bristol because he is an embarassment to each and every one of those who are doing their job.

Anonymous said...

"Why is he trying to hide this? What else is being hidden by the Mayor??"
______________________________

OMG!!! Aliens? Elvis? Leprechauns?

Nice try though!

Anonymous said...

This would not have happened if Stortz was mayor.

Anonymous said...

You are right, I really don't get it. If this inane little "he said she said" exchange is truly newsworthy, can I assume you will be giving us some analysis of it in a newspaper article?

Anonymous said...

"he also has the option of paying off the encumbrance today at $3,250"

now there's an ide

ps good story steve. keep it up .

Anonymous said...

stortz would have giving Rosenthal a raise he did not have a clue what to do. The rest of the town leaders arent smart enought to chalenge him. We have no one to blame but our selves the way bristol is run.Wait till our taxes go up because this group of leaders cant figure out how to make cuts. Just keep giving raises to the dept heads.

Anonymous said...

8:42 (aka Stortz) Why don't you take a break..some hot tea?

Anonymous said...

Matthews a total abuse of power.
Rosenthal in a no win situation.
Ward has better things to do in this economy.

Anonymous said...

Hear that not only did Rosenthal throw Artie under the bus, so did his lawyers who let him approve an illegal Charter Revision Committee.

Artie must be bruised and battered

Anonymous said...

1:05, You heard that did you? Well I heard from Betty that Susie likes you (takes you back to 5th grade, doesn't it?). Never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see (BTW, I heard you're wrong).

Anonymous said...

I like Mr. Ward.

He promises nothing and keeps his word.

Anonymous said...

4:11 PM - Real mature.

Anonymous said...

Nothing wrong with this city that a good election wouldn't cure.

Anonymous said...

6:16 hit a nerve did we? Rosenthal kisses Ward's butt and its just what he likes. Mayor has no Ba@*s to get rid of him.

Anonymous said...

9:37 AM, Would having no b@#$s mean like someone who posts insults anonymously???

Phil said...

10:47am - see you used your real name. Jerk.

Anonymous said...

Yo Phil, I'm not the testicularly challenged dork who's anonymously bashing elected officials. I'm merely responding to another anonymous jerk (that'd be you).

Anonymous said...

This city is brig the orst out in everybody. Wait till the taxesgo up and no cuts are made.

Anonymous said...

Why is the GOP so quiet on this??