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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Connolly bankruptcy: Deer-in-the-headlights not an option for City




With a big chunk of David Connolly's Plainfield properties sliding into bankruptcy, one thing is clear: a deer-in-the-headlights reaction is not an option for City.

The Courier's Mark Spivey reports today on the latest round of woes for the city's largest landlord (see here).

Anyone with half a brain could have seen this coming (I wrote to Council members about it over a month ago -- see here).

Hundreds of tenants will be worried about their future as Connolly tenants as a result of reading or hearing today's news.

It behooves Mayor Robinson-Briggs and her Administration to grasp the seriousness of the situation, get in touch with the principal players, and determine what can be done to reassure the tenants and prevent the buildings' fates becoming another difficulty for the City.

Some questions that come to the fore are --
  • What happens to Connolly's responsiblity for correcting violations now?

  • With huge unpaid fuel and utility bills on these properties, what becomes of the tenants now that we are heading into heating season?

  • Is there any likelihood of property tax delinquencies as a result of the new situation?
Now is the time for firm, proactive leadership, not deer-in-the-headlights hesitation.


-- Dan Damon

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2 comments:

active citizen said...

I live in a Connolly apartment building that is not owned by him. I wonder why the city has not contacted the owners or the LLC that owns them so find out why they have not fired Connolly and hired a responsible management company. The management company we had at 606 Crescent Ave. when I moved in five years ago was great, especially compared to David Connolly.

I'm sure our city government is not ready for this and I know several people told the mayor and city council members to plan for this current problem. Man, we need to get rid of these goobers and find people who will do a good job.

If Plainfield is rid of David Connolly, then good riddance to bad trash. I hope our city government starts to become more proactive and less reactive, but I'm not holding my breath. If anyone with half a brain runs against out mayor, vote them in, they can't be worse.

Anonymous said...

This happens all the time in business. They are going to get a reprieve from paying creditors until the court approves a payment plan and/or wipes out the debts currently due. This does not put off the repair orders or the fines that can be issued as a result. Business can continue as usual. The tenants should not have to worry any more than they do now. It can actually be a good thing for them. He will possibly start selling off some or all of the properties to pay down some of the debt.