Delco OKs $17.7 Million No-Bid Contract For Prison Project –Delaware County Council, last night, June 18, unanimously approved a $17.7 million dollar no-bid contract to install new HVAC at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and fix its roof.
Getting this peach was Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. of Ohio.
And this drew the ire of the crowd.
Charles Alexander of Marple, a general contractor, said he couldn’t find square footage mentioned on the contract. This was peculiar, he said. He also questioned that no bids were sought as he said bidding was the norm for projects of this size.
Alexander also wondered why one of the many Delco contractors wasn’t picked.
“I assure you would have gotten a way cheaper price if you hired locally,” he said.
Good question, Charlie.
Charlie’s father, Howard, also of Marple, noted the price should be at least 30 percent less and also wondered why it didn’t go out for bids.
Robert Mancini of Marple blasted the council’s strange indifference to fiscal matters.
“You people are spending way too much money,” he said. “I’d say you are spending money like a drunken sailor but that would be unfair to drunken sailors.”
Kathy from Haverford also expressed concern about the project.
After this initial round of public comments, Councilwoman Christine A. Reuther said the project was not put out to bid because Pennsylvania says they didn’t have to as long as they picked from a list of approved vendors.
She said the prison work would be a “turnkey” project.
She said that making it a “turnkey” project takes stress off the county’s poor, overworked staff.
We’re sure your constituent labor force understands.
That was sarcasm.
Round 2
In round 2 of public comments, Charlie Alexander brought up the swarm of tax-siphoning lawsuits entangling the county. He noted Delco’s use of prominent Philadelphia law firm Ballard Spahr and said it was appreciating the taxpayer dollars.
Ballard Spahr is chaired by Mark Stewart who is the husband of Delco’s congresswoman, Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5).
Michael Straw, the Media GOP chairman, said Councilwoman Reuther claimed, last meeting, that Delco won’t get a 19-percent tax hike and this contradicts what she told the Delaware County Daily Times in April.
He said a huge tax hike is inevitable due to the county’s fiscal incompetence. He cited its use of rainy day money and temporary federal grants to create permanent programs.
Joe Finio of Marple said he was familiar with the concept of pre-approved vendors from his printing business. He said it wasn’t automatically a good thing.
Delco OKs $17.7 Million No-Bid Contract For Prison Project
These people are habitual liars. I can’t stand them.