AUBURN - Just minutes into addressing city council Thursday night, Auburn-Cayuga Development Corp. President David Colegrove turned to the audience and asked fellow corporation members to stand and represent.
Eleven members, in unison, rose to their feet and stood for a few seconds in silence as Colegrove outlined the group's mission.
"We're not a public organization," Colegrove said. "We are a loosely organized group of 50 or so individuals who are devoted to the economic turnaround of Auburn and Cayuga County."
A-CDC's presence at the meeting was a show-of-force response to recent inquiries made by councilman Robert Hunter concerning Mayor Tim Lattimore's involvement in the not-for-profit group and economic development. Hunter believes the mayor's attempt to secure state funds for A-CDC could be a conflict of interest because those same dollars could be awarded to the city.
"I want to know if there was a conflict. I'd like to pursue that issue," he said.
The issue has also brought in question the role of A-CDC, an organization corporation counsel Tom Leone said was one of the most secretive groups he's ever come across.
Colegrove said the mayor has not had any role in A-CDC's actions since he removed himself from the board in February 2004. He said that due to the competitive nature of economic development, the group has remained silent about its projects and who exactly they are.
"Successful economic development happens quietly," Colegrove said. "The work precedes the publicity."
Colegrove went on to cite Syracuse's Destiny USA and other economic development projects as examples of what not to do -thrilling the public too early in the project.
Colegrove said securing energy independence for area residents and businesses is the group's ultimate goal. He said every project undertaken will have some connection to energy.
A-CDC is made up of volunteers and retirees from different businesses across Central New York who have donated their time and money to brainstorming and networking for the sake of economic development.
Some members who appeared Thursday night were: John Montone, of Auburn's Power Task Force and of Solvay Electric; Dave Smith, general manager of NUCOR; Pamela Kirkwood, former business leader and president of the Cayuga Community College board of trustees; and Chuck Bouley, owner of Bouley Associates.
Lattimore said he is proud to work with such a diverse group of people. He apologized to them for "politics" getting in the way of progress. He later turned to Hunter and asked him if he had any questions for A-CDC members.
Hunter said his question was not concerning the group's motives.
"My question is about your involvement as mayor," he said.
Leone said he was "pleased" to have heard from Colegrove and fellow members, but when asked by Lattimore if he had determined if there was a conflict, Leone responded that he could not issue an opinion. Leone said he will be meeting with Colegrove next week to learn more about the corporation.
Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net
"We're not a public organization," Colegrove said. "We are a loosely organized group of 50 or so individuals who are devoted to the economic turnaround of Auburn and Cayuga County."
A-CDC's presence at the meeting was a show-of-force response to recent inquiries made by councilman Robert Hunter concerning Mayor Tim Lattimore's involvement in the not-for-profit group and economic development. Hunter believes the mayor's attempt to secure state funds for A-CDC could be a conflict of interest because those same dollars could be awarded to the city.
"I want to know if there was a conflict. I'd like to pursue that issue," he said.
The issue has also brought in question the role of A-CDC, an organization corporation counsel Tom Leone said was one of the most secretive groups he's ever come across.
Colegrove said the mayor has not had any role in A-CDC's actions since he removed himself from the board in February 2004. He said that due to the competitive nature of economic development, the group has remained silent about its projects and who exactly they are.
"Successful economic development happens quietly," Colegrove said. "The work precedes the publicity."
Colegrove went on to cite Syracuse's Destiny USA and other economic development projects as examples of what not to do -thrilling the public too early in the project.
Colegrove said securing energy independence for area residents and businesses is the group's ultimate goal. He said every project undertaken will have some connection to energy.
A-CDC is made up of volunteers and retirees from different businesses across Central New York who have donated their time and money to brainstorming and networking for the sake of economic development.
Some members who appeared Thursday night were: John Montone, of Auburn's Power Task Force and of Solvay Electric; Dave Smith, general manager of NUCOR; Pamela Kirkwood, former business leader and president of the Cayuga Community College board of trustees; and Chuck Bouley, owner of Bouley Associates.
Lattimore said he is proud to work with such a diverse group of people. He apologized to them for "politics" getting in the way of progress. He later turned to Hunter and asked him if he had any questions for A-CDC members.
Hunter said his question was not concerning the group's motives.
"My question is about your involvement as mayor," he said.
Leone said he was "pleased" to have heard from Colegrove and fellow members, but when asked by Lattimore if he had determined if there was a conflict, Leone responded that he could not issue an opinion. Leone said he will be meeting with Colegrove next week to learn more about the corporation.
Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net
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