Conflict of Interest Over Golf Course
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The outright brazenness of the Ventura City Council in considering the lease extension of the Olivas Park Golf Course is incredible.
Councilman Steve Bennett is quoted as saying, “If the council caves in and gives the contract to [Zeke] Avila, then the political payoffs Avila has made over the years will prove to be more profitable.”
But the real bombshell is the disclosure that Mayor Jack Tingstrom cannot participate in discussing the matter because he is a consultant to Avila. Does this mean that in Ventura an elected official can be a consultant to a company that does business with the city?
If I ever heard of a conflict of interest, this certainly must take first prize regardless of the Avila outcome.
FREDERICK A. GAGE
Ventura
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