The PNJ popped up on its website yesterday a “breaking news” article about the county settling with its jail contractor – a story that I published on Sept. 8.
The once-daily newspaper asserted yesterday that the settlement was for more than $5.5 million – the actual settlement was to release $3.4 million (that was already budgeted) owed under the contract and $995,000 to cover the interest earned on the money while the county withheld the funds.
Where the reporter got confused was the $2 million paid to the county’s outside law firm to handle the cases with the contractor Whitesell-Green/Caddell and its owner’s representative DLR Group. The article in print this morning clarifies the legal fees, deleting its earlier claim that the county was paying the contractor’s legal fees.
The Sept. 8 settlement let the Whitesell-Green/Caddell pay its subcontractors and set up a process for the contractor to fix the numerous problems with the new jail. It also lets the county focus on DLR Group, which allegedly failed to properly supervise the construction. DLR Group has the insurance to cover the county’s legal fees and more.
Please note the PNJ didn’t quote anyone from the county or its law firm, Cole, Scott & Kissane, in its article – it’s based on documents the County Clerk Pam Childers gave the newspaper and her narrative. Commissioner Robert Bender will be my guest on WCOA this morning.
A note to the note, the PNJ failed to mention in its “could be” article that the broadband installation in the north end of the county is nearly complete, ahead of schedule. It looks like the commissioners hired the right contractor.
SEC Soccer
Arkansas will take on Georgia in the SEC Soccer Championship on Sunday at 1 p.m.
2-seed Georgia advances to the SEC Soccer Tournament Championship with 3-2 back-and-forth victory over the 6-seed Texas A&M. Read more.