Resident questions aldermen about hotel

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Chester resident Robert Platt spoke to the council at Monday night's meeting regarding the proposed Microtel.

Platt asked the four council members who voted for the hotel what their reasoning was.

"I've listened at several city council meetings. I've heard Mayor Eggemeyer say he needed more information before he could make up his mind. I've heard James Best say he would build a hotel with or without TIF?funding. I've heard Brad Reid explain that there would not be enough customers to support two hotel, although I do understand Brad has a vested interest in this matter..... I've heard the city council vote to spend almost $5,000 for a study to determine if there could be enough customers to support two hotels - a study firm recommended by your own TIF adviser. The study stated that there would not be enough usage for two hotels and that one or both hotels could fail," stated Platt. " Then, even though I couldn't believe it, I heard four aldermen and Mayor Eggemeyer vote to continue negotiating with the hotel group about TIF?funding. I don't understand why you would vote to continue to negotiate after such a negative finding from an independent study. So I would like to know why each one of you voted to continue to negotiate about using TIF?monies for the proposed new hotel.

Alderman Abernathy responded by saying she did not have the report in front of her.

"I am totally dissatisfied with the report," said Abernathy.

Alderman Richard Brueggemann responded by saying he was upset over an individual being evicted from the current hotel in town.

"So your voted for the hotel because your mad one incident?," asked Platt.

"Yes!," said Brueggemann.

He finished his answer by saying he believes there is a need for another hotel in town.

Alderman Donnie Clark was next to answer the question.

"My job is to get people to town not to turn them away," said Clark.

Alderman Kenny Dillman responded to the question stating there was conflicting things about the report.

The mayor was to the last to give his answer.

"Just because we're negotiating that doesn't mean we're giving them TIF monies. With the structure of TIF you still have to negotiate with them in good faith," said Eggemyer.

Resident Dan Geisen asked the mayor and council why did they even vote on it then.

"They could have turned around and filed suit if we didn't negotiate," said Eggemeyer.

Eggemeyer noted no negotiations have occurred with the developers at this time.

After the aldermen gave their responses Platt read the definitions of intelligence, integrity, honest and stupidity.

"My suggestions are that you should vote against any?TIF monies or any public monies for the proposed new hotel and that you resign from your postion so we can have a city council that will vote intelligently and with integrity and honesty," stated Platt.

The Herald Tribune spoke with Attorney Terry Bruckert regarding the negotiations and a possible lawsuit if the city did not negotiate in good faith.

" In no way are we legally obligated to negotiate," stated Bruckert. " We do have a responsibility to be fair and to listen to anybody doing business in town as a courtesy."

When asked what was the status on the negotiations Bruckert stated he is waiting on information from the developers. He said once the information is received from the developers a recommendation will be put forward to the Mayor and city attorney.

"The information the attorney in Belleville is requesting has nothing to do with the TIF Agreement he's been retained to negotiate," said hotel developer James Best.