Loaded Questions from Armstrong Mirror Reflection of News-Press Standard Practice

An email exchange between Caruso Affiliated of the Miramar project and News-Press editor Travis Armstrong has been published on Craig Smith's blog.

The email asked Caruso's government affairs representative a few questions...my favorites were the following:

5) Is it policy of your company to personally attack or intimidate critics as many believe you have done here on the South Coast? Or is that just your practice?

6) How much money has your company offered local groups?

7) Besides the private parties and free lunches, what else has your company or Mr. Caruso offered, hinted at or given to project supporters?

As Craig points out -- one has to wonder what Marty Blum, Helene Schneider and Brian Barnwell would have to say about number five. Yet again, editorial opinion is being masqueraded as hard news. When will TKA learn? Dude, send a reporter!

Caruso's VP of Government Relations Matt Middlebrook answered the questions in a straightforward fashion by saying "This question is insulting and absurd. We are very proud of the relationship we have with communities where our projects are located".

Despite my opposition to the current proposal for the Miramar I have to say I don't blame Middlebrook for giving that kind of answer. Then again, unlike most of his attacks, at least Armstrong took the time to ask Middlebrook's point of view. Thank goodness for small favors.

Truth About the Miramar

The Internet is a beautiful thing...how would this kind of information have gotten out so easily even ten years ago? Like TV, however, you don't have to turn it on. If you want to -- there's a new site about the Miramar Hotel at truthaboutmiramar.com

Caruso Loses Bet in Santa Anita

This from Barney Brantingham at The Indy:

Caruso’s Other Project: Rick Caruso, who is trying mightily to avoid a full environmental impact report on his Miramar project, has suffered a blow to his Santa Anita racetrack area mall. Reason: An L.A. judge has ruled that the mall’s impact report must be revised. The judge found 11 points of contention, ranging from air quality to traffic.

Sound familiar? I guess this guy has something against environmental impacts...

Miramar Pulled from MABR Agenda

Last week, I questioned why Rick Caruso got special treatment in being able to table for his cause in the County Administration Building parking lot. The Planning Commission hearing that day was continued to the 6th of August.

One of the things that the Planning Commission asked for was that the Miramar Project be sent to the Montecito Architectural Board of Review to get questions answered related to the size and scope of the project. An agenda for next week's meeting was made and yet the item has been pulled and the hearing will not be held in favor of an audiotape of an older hearing being sent to planning commissioners.

Not quite the opportunity for public review and consideration I would have hoped for. Apparently, some of Caruso's team didn't think they could attend the meeting on such short notice and didn't feel they were prepared. That's hard to believe when this is the kind of answers they should have been prepared for at the recent Planning Commission hearing.

What I haven't heard is who actually got to make that decision to pull the item? Does this decision serve the public? What about the size, scale and bulk issues around the Miramar Project? I also have to wonder if average applicants have the same ability to pull themselves off a public agenda. More questions than answers here....

Got a Miramar Now! Button? Cool, You Can Have Your Scone and Eat It Too.

A table just outside the back door of the County Administration Building replete with Jeannine's employees and their wares graced the Miramar hearing yesterday. I've heard reports that one had to "sign in" at a second Caruso table to get a cup of coffee or pastry at the table. Does this not amount to electioneering on county government property? At the very least it shows a bias in that the County should not be allowing such a display at a public hearing that is supposed to be objective. I don't remember tabling ever being allowed in the past -- is this a new policy? If it is -- they better be ready for every group in town to want to take part in the fun.

If that wasn't enough, Caruso was allowed to interrupt the public hearing numerous times yesterday to whine about time given opponents. A very expensive video was shown with 3D modeling as well -- unfortunately, it also had a series of interviews with proponents of the project. Testimony that is professionally produced like a television commercial should not be allowed in the hearing room as far as I am concerned. Also, for the first time that I can remember, a speaker's position on the project was announced prior to being given time to speak -- apparently to let the supporter counters in the room do their work.

What's going on over there? It's one thing to give everyone a fair hearing -- it's another to pave the way with scones, coffee and a professionally directed video.

Caruso/Miramar Project Emails Released

The enclosed PDF was released to the media late last week by the law firm representing community groups opposed to the current Miramar project. It represents a series of email communications between County staff, employees and officials -- as well as emails from the applicant in a drama which continues to unfold.

Decide for yourself -- but this project looks like it was fast-tracked on an unrealistic timeline. These emails also give us a view of the circumstances around two project managers who had issues with the process and the ethics surrounding the County's approach.

Rick Caruso's Ultimatum Party: The Event of the Season!

I spent a few minutes last night going through my closet, trying to figure out what in the world I was going to wear to Rick Caruso's party next week. OMG! I have six days to get my ensemble together, my hair done done at Walter's and new shoes from Nordie's to match my Vera Wang dress. I'm sure Occhiali has the right glasses to match. I don't need them -- but I think Caruso wanted us to look smart and like, you know, we know what we are doing? The July 15th event is at Birnham Wood Golf Course and you just never know who might be there!

Now that I've written this bit of sarcasm, however, I might end up in the same spot as her man at De la Guerra, Travis Armstrong. This from an opinion piece last week:

The company wants to replace the Miramar with a new 202-room hotel, along with restaurants, shops, employee facilities and convention and banquet rooms.

I've been told I'll be turned away at Birnam Wood's gate.

Matt Middlebrook of Caruso Affiliated says he has no idea how much his company will spend on the reception. The company also will provide lunch and refreshments as incentives for people to attend the commission hearing on July 16.

Politics sure does make strange bedfellows in that I never imagined Armstrong naming someone to his cabal and then getting cold-shouldered by someone of the likes of Caruso. I'll even go so far as saying I've generally been in agreement with TKA's op-ed pieces on the Miramar project. Planners have quit, ultimatums have been made -- it's really been a circus over there. And, is the public so tired of seeing an empty Miramar that they will do anything to get something?

I think just about anyone can see the arrogance inherent in telling the County of Santa Barbara that he will just pull up and leave if he doesn't get his own way. EIR's and the community be damned!

Miramar Project Shows Intrigue

Over at The Indy web site, there's an interesting article on the Miramar Hotel. Intrigue, whistleblowing, histrionics and arrogance are all present in this modern day EIR mystery of a hotel owner that doesn't want to go through the same process as everyone else.