Guy,

Again a plain outright attempt at intimidating someone into submission by throwing our their past records.   You know the best way to deflect being called up to muster is to throw a spot light on somebody else?

If Sam was such a bad seed in the neighborhood, why would Sammy (TWDC) offer up and try to insist that they sign a Storefront Renovation Project Loan?

How interesting is it that everytime TWDC finds themselves being challenged or opposed the only way they know how to slap people around is by posting their past records?  The cases are closed and ended, over and done with.

The actions taken by those in leadership positions when they get cornered say more about their character than the best written bios ever will.  

We all know that Sammy sent some kids over to paint your house a couple of weeks ago and did I not read on Realneo just a couple of weeks ago that Tom Cook had ask for your bio as a possible to be considered for the vacant board seat.  How long did  Sammy Catania threaten you with harassment charges for sending him e-mails?  Were you not the one that called me a couple of days ago at 1:00am in the morining  to tell me that I was your hero?    

People make mistakes, get caught up in things they shouldn't - but that does not make them all bad people.  Were you the one that posted my family's past history out there?   

You were ignored for how long by TWDC? 

I have enough faith and trust in people to believe that People will continue to support Sam.  I have never heard one single bad word about him.  He has help me and many many other less fortunate people in this neighborhood.  And that, will count for something. 

Even the BOZA agenda states that TWDC ask for the postponment to discuss plans with owners of the gas station.  If this had any real bearing on anything, the Long Range Planning Committee, Block Club, etc., would not be discussing a vote because Sam and John Gilotta will not give in to blackmail.

Norm,

You said it.  The most interesting aspect of this entire situation is that up until many of us wanted to support Sam, nobody mentioned anything about any of this stuff.  They (TWDC) and the committees were happy to deal with Sam and the Gilottas.  It was not until they did not agree to take the "Storefront Renovaton Loan"  that they came under attack. 

I have never seen any thing out of the ordinary either when he had the store or at the gas station.  His employees are always courteous, nice and helpful.  i shopped at the Brown's store and never had any complaints. 

It's plain to see that the gas station doe not fall in with the new look of things around here - but it has been a gas station and auto garage for decades.

Sam still has our support.

Debbie,

I am pretty sure that this was the work of someone behind Guy pulling the strings.  If you notice the postings from "tremontleaders" involves Sammy, Keith Suttton.  Sammy and Keith were partners in building the condos on West 6th Street.  I know Guy and he and Sammy have been at each other's throats for a long time.  He even refers to Sammy as being in the Mafia. 

Guy is one of the residents that our new organization mentioned trying to get someone to help paint his house - all of a sudden Sammy is over there with the youth group from the Merrick House and overnight Guy was singing Sammy's praises.   

Posting this information - because it looks worse than it is - is meant to create distrust.  Sue Coy is a member of the Board of Trustees at TWDC. 

The biggest factor in all this is that:

They were ALL behind and willing to write a letter of support and endorsement when they (TWDC, Long Range Planning Committee and the North of Literary Block Club) thought that they were going to be successful in getting Sam and John Gillotts to sign on for the Storefront Renovation Project Loan. 

Sammy is a member of the NOL Block Club.  Their meetings are held at Lago's - and made up of several members of the board, Sammy, and a few of the beautiful people (hoity toitys)  I do not believe that any of the regular everyday people attend.

I was present at the LRP meeting when Sammy Catania said that if they did not accept the "Loan" they were going to write a letter of non-support.  Of all the shit that has been pulled in this community, this is one of the most distasteful. 

If you notice the posting from Tremont leaders is dated August 17, the day it was made public that Sam would be given support  by the Old South Side Community Coalition.   Up until that point, nobody inside the organization had any issues with an old record or the quality of Sam's work.  Keith Sutton has his own issues in the neighborhood.  There's a big sign hanging at the top of a section of the Condos on University Hill complaining about the substandard construction of the development.  At one time, I remember someone posting a picture of the sign, it was either on the old Tremonter or Realneo, I don't recall which.

THE POSTING OF THIS RECORD NO DOUBT CAME FROM THE DIRECTIONS OF SOMEONE INSIDE TREMONT WEST DEVELOPMENT CORP. 

and it was a picture of a 20' long banner someone paid to be made and hung, posted here. It criticizes Sutton Builders for shoddy construction. The homeowners claim they have serious black mold issues because of it and Sutton is non-responsive.

That reminds me - they posted laminated fliers around the neighborhood as well. someone else immediately took them down, but I saw one the other day. I'll scan it and post it (and of course carefully replace it).

Jerleen, it was 8/17/06. Three years ago. Part of my needing clarification. 

here's the associated flier posted in Tremont:

I think these people are kinda pissed....