The long-time critic of the Community Maritime Park, C.C. Elebash, is trying to quiet one of the strongest voices for getting the park built, Council member Maren DeWeese.
He is claiming on several blogs and forums that she has a conflict of interest should not vote on issues that involve the CMP.
Why? “Ms. DeWeese’s husband, Jeff DeWeese, was the executive director of the park promoters campaign during the 2006 referendum. He is a partner in the O’Sullivan Creel accounting and financial consulting firm. This firm is a consultant to both the owners of the baseball team and the Community Maritime Park Trustees.”
It’s true that Jeff DeWeese was one of the leaders of the Friends of the Waterfront Park – PAC that worked to pass the referendum that Elebash opposed. He was not the executive director. He was a volunteer.
He is a partner in O’Sullivan Creel. The firm does handle the taxes for the Studers and their business interests. Mort O’Sullivan, managing partner of OSC, volunteers his time to the CMPA board.
There is no conflict for Maren DeWeese to vote on any matters regarding the park, except maybe the lease between the Pelicans and the City for use of the stadium and the ground lease for Studer’s $12 million office building.
Maren DeWeese has no conflict on the bond issue or the master developer agreement.
It’s sad the Elebash would rather personally attack his opponents than focus on the issues.