[Pictured: Goober's last name was "Lindsey," too.]
I guess I should like Gina Marie because she told Villaraigosa's IBEW to go pound sand over their less than competitive bid for the LAX runway light contract and she gave it to an other than IBEW union. The mayor needed treatment for third degree burns to his face, he was, and still is, so steaming mad. Almost have to have sympathy for the mayor, things are going so badly for him.
BUT, there is still the issue of cahootism over the LAX expansion, and although the City gave itself an "A-o.k." regarding the controversy in her awarding the Tom Bradley Food Court Expansion to Fentress Architects, rather than a company inside L.A., Zuma Dogg's phone didn't just ring over this matter, to mention it to me for nothing.
And when I read some of this, it's just par for Vilaraigosa's commission appointment course.
I WONDER HOW THIS COMPANY GOT THE CONTRACT? I WONDER HOW COMPETITIVE OTHER BIDS WERE? I AM CERTAIN THAT NO ONE PROFITED OR BENEFITED FINANCIALLY BY THE DECISION TO AWARD THE LAX EXPANSION PROJECT TO DENVER'S "IMPROPERLY PROCURED" FINEST? (Right?)
Gina Marie Lindsey, the former Seattle-Tacoma International Airport aviation director and key figure in the controversial $3 billion third runway and airport renovation project, is on the hot seat in LA this week: Director of LAX for the past year, she'll be asked to explain why she awarded lucrative airport contracts to two of her former companies. (See, Villar is liking her already!)
Reports the LA Times:
Lindsey has been dogged by accusations that she manipulated the contracting process in order to hire two companies that she previously worked with — DMJM Aviation Inc. of Florida, and Fentress Architects of Denver. The companies were awarded project management and architecture contracts worth almost $67 million, although other companies were initially preferred during the selection process.From May 6, 2008
Former Port of Seattle aviation director accused of manipulating LAX contracts
The Los Angeles Times has reported that the Port of Seattle's former aviation director Gina Marie Lindsey has gotten into some hot water down in Los Angeles, where she is director of LAX and three other airports.
The story credits Lindsey for pushing through some big projects at the aging LAX facilities. But the Los Angeles Times also described how Lindsey -- who oversaw SeaTac Airport during the period when the Washington state auditors found $97.3 million in wasteful spending and pervasive violations of state law and port policy in the improper award of contracts to favored companies - is accused of steering two LAX construction contracts worth $67 million to firms she had worked with in the past.
From the L.A. Times:
In the last two months, Lindsey has managed to get through the board of airport commissioners more than $106 million in engineering, architectural and project management contracts related to the modernization projects.
...
Lindsey has been dogged by accusations that she manipulated the contracting process in order to hire two companies that she previously worked with -- DMJM Aviation Inc. of Florida, and Fentress Architects of Denver. The companies were awarded project management and architecture contracts worth almost $67 million, although other companies were initially preferred during the selection process.
While Lindsey was at SeaTac Airport, she helped usher in a $3-billion capital improvement project, including the construction of the Third Runway, demolition and reconstruction of a concourse, and major refurbishments. The international arrivals hall was named the Gina Marie Lindsey Arrivals Hall in her honor.
Lindsey was at the Port of Seattle from 1993 to August 2004, during which time many of the improper procurements found by the state's auditors occurred. After Lindsey left the Port of Seattle, she went to work for McBee Strategic Consulting, a D.C.-based lobbying firm which subsequently received $600,000 in consulting contracts from the Port of Seattle.
SO WHAT DOES ANTONIO VILLARAIOGSA DO...HE APPOINTS HER COMMISSIONER!
And this is old news to some, but HELLO, GINA MARIE SHADY-VILLARAIGOSA-COMMISSIONER-APPOINTMENT LINDSEY. ZD's cell phone just rang to start warming me up on this story. SO I GUESS IT AIN'T OLD NEWS, YET!
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