Colman Yards, another perspective
My career included ownership of both union and non-union companies as well as being a member of Teamsters Local 325.
During my 26 years in the trades (cabinet making), I served as a sub-contractor to all the major Rockford general contracting companies and many of those in Chicagoland and the greater Milwaukee area.
I hold the local and regional trades in high esteem. I saw good quality work from most of those I worked next to on job sites. I also saw some very sloppy, poor quality work from both union and non-union workers.
In general, the quality of work is controlled by the architect's specifications and the general contractor's desire to hold employees and sub-contractors to the standards they intend to achieve for their customers and communities.
The column Sunday, Aug. 20, by seven council members raised questions about how alderpersons complete research and participate in open debate. Their statements and my responses:
1. Council members: “Good alderpersons ask questions and make decisions they deem to be in the best interest of the broad mix of taxpayers they represent.”
At the council meetings, several of you said there were a lot of questions. No questions were raised by any of the aldermen who signed on to Sunday's article.
Only Ald. Kevin Frost asked any questions of substance. Your resulting vote for the PLA agreement was in the interest of a select few rather the broad mix.
2. Council members: “Concerns over bad process that resulted in a development “deal” with little to no room for council members to have input.”
First, the process is set by you. Staff works within those guidelines as they screen through project proposals.
You govern the process. If it is bad, you need to fix it. You are not on the outside looking in. You are part of the process.
It is widely known that many, if not all of you, had several meetings or the opportunity to meet with the developer and city staff as well as open public meetings conducted by Ald. Gabrielle Torina. You knew this was coming but didn't educate yourselves and ask your “questions.”
3. Council members: “a PLA would reduce taxpayer risk and help guarantee that jobs stay local, corners aren't cut and the project is delivered on time and on budget.”
A PLA does none of those things.
It does not protect the taxpayer. In fact, some estimate that a PLA could cost taxpayers 10-15% more. This would add $17 million to the project.
Contractors from anywhere can bid the job. Quality, timeliness and budget are all controlled by the developer and general contractor.
4. Council members: “Council members who supported a PLA made no requirements for what the PLA might contain.”
How can you insist on a document when you don't care or have any requirements for the content?
5. Council members: “What's invalid and weakminded is the argument that we “have never done this before.”
No, what's invalid and weak-minded is that you did not ask why we have never before put forth a mandatory Project Labor Agreement. Probably because it is a bad idea. Other cities throughout Illinois have apparently arrived at the same conclusion.
That you as a group, representing Rockford taxpayers, felt the need to write such a commentary in the newspaper belies your final paragraph where you state “We're heartened Jeffers LLC chose to invest in Rockford, and we'll strive to do our part to ensure a successful venture.”
You just poured more gas on the fire you started. I can't wait to see what you consider your part to ensure that Coleman Yards is a successful venture.
The entire community is counting on you to represent the broad mix of taxpayers which includes our minority citizens and the west side.
Kyle Bevers is a retired Rockford businessman. He started a cartage company for American Freight System in 1981 and bought cabinet company Midwest Display in 1988. He lives in downtown Rockford and is a founding member of the Friends of Ziock.