There's the Right Way to get something done -- and then there's the Jersey Way ...
Take David Samson's law firm as an example of an efficient get-er-done operation.
Wolff & Samson
Real Estate, Development and Land Use
Today’s complex real estate market is more demanding than ever. The stakes are higher and the risks are greater, but so are the potential rewards.
Wolff & Samson’s Real Estate, Development and Land Use Group combines experience, creativity and business acumen to skillfully navigate clients through the multitude of real estate and regulatory issues involved in the acquisition, financing, development, redevelopment, leasing and management of property. Our results-driven, transaction-oriented practice is equipped to take on the full spectrum of real estate matters facing our clients at every phase of the real estate cycle, from acquisition and financing, to large-scale development, to dispute resolution.
[...]
Does that full spectrum, include
playing hard-ball with politicians,
against the "best interests" of their citizens, General Samson?
Inquiring Investigators, will want to know.
Now take this example where Wolff & Samson's interests intersect with local Hurricane Sandy recovery/redevelopment interests.
Stuff still needs to get done ... but who's interests will end up being served?
Hoboken Mayor Alleges That Christie Administration Held Sandy Relief Funds 'Hostage' To Pressure Her
by Brett LoGiurato, businessinsider.com -- 1/18/14
[...]
Zimmer [Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer (D)] told Kornacki that she requested about $127 million in Sandy relief aid. She has only received less than $350,000 in aid -- less than 1% of what she requested. Hoboken was one of the hardest-hit areas by Sandy, with more than 80% of the city underwater at one point.
Hoboken received a grant from the Port Authority to study real-estate development area in 2010. The consultant, which the Port Authority chose, determined that only three of 19 blocks -- blocks owned by the Rockefeller Group -- were suitable for development.
Zimmer did not support those development plans, even in the face of pressure from Grifa [Lori Griffa is representing Rockefeller Group]. Kornacki relayed another meeting in May between Zimmer and Constable [Richard Constable, Christie's commissioner of community affairs], which Zimmer detailed in her diary:
"We are mic’ed up with other panelists all around us and probably the sound team is listening. And he says, 'I hear you are against the Rockefeller project.' I reply, 'I am not against the Rockefeller project; in fact I want more commercial development in Hoboken.' 'Oh really? Everyone in the State House believes you are against it -- the buzz is that you are against it. If you move that forward, the money would start flowing to you,' he tells me."
Meet:
Quid pro Quo. {"
This for That."}
Christie camp held Sandy relief money hostage, mayor alleges (with Videos)
Up With Steve Kornacki, msnbc.com -- 1/18/14
Mayor: I was told to expedite project to get more Sandy aid.
Top officials in Chris Christie's administration appear to be linked to an effort to use Sandy relief funds to force the city of Hoboken to expedite ...
[...]
“The bottom line is, it’s not fair for the governor to hold Sandy funds hostage for the City of Hoboken because he wants me to give back to one private developer,” she said [Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer] Saturday on UP w/ Steve Kornacki. “… I know it’s very complicated for the public to really understand all of this, but I have a legal obligation to follow the law, to bring balanced development to Hoboken.”
There's the
Right Way to get something done -- and then
there's the Jersey Way ...
Most of us think the right way is better. And generally speaking, holding back much-needed Sandy Relief Funds in exchange for Land Development Project approval, of keen interest to Wolff & Samson -- is just not Right!