How many suits does it take for Highlands to persuade anyone that what they are doing it good and for everyone's benefit?
Well more than what showed up at the Melancthon Council meeting on January 12, 2012.
The general consensus is Melancthon Council asked all the right questions.
The answers provided by Highlands were more of the same old, same old.
Lowndes did, however, state that HE and Baupost were the ONLY investors in the project.
That's not quite what he said. Paraphrasing, Lowndes' answer to the question- Who is Highlands?- asked by councillor Malek was- It's me, Baupost and the 50 others already referred to in a previous question. Mayor Hill then leapt in with (and effectively ended any chance for follow up and elaboration)- so you're the Canadians (referring to Lowndes, Scherer and Izhakoff) and Baupost are the Americans. To which Lowndes (of course) agreed. Clearly, this is not true as Scherer (Ohio) and Izhakoff (Florida) are both part of Nationsrent (Florida) bought up by Baupost in a distress sale and who's value has been propped up by the Baupost brand. A more clear and specific question about the structure of 3191574 N.S. Co. and Highlands and the relationship with Baupost had been asked of council during public question period (and because it was made in writing should show up in council's minutes eventually). Mayor Hill considered it redundant to council's agenda but at the end of the delegation's time offered to give the question to the delegates without the author's permission. The entire exercise of holding this delegation, the answers to pre-prepared questions and lack of tough follow up to the answers was pathetic. Council could use some training in higher order questioning skills. Sadly, but maybe fortunately, council's inadequacy makes the proponents' attempts to placate the public that much more obvious.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the point in directing questions at Lowndes and company. They will say whatever they need to say to placate the public and have proven themselves to be efficient liars with no conscience. We need to assume that anything that comes out of their mouths is bull corn and continue doing whatever must be done to shut them down. ASAP.
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