I agree with the editorial published March 31 about the futility of the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth continuing to claim it is a private entity not subject to the state Public Authorities Accountability Act of 2005.
If the CRG is a private real-estate development company, as it claims, why is it not subject to property taxes like any other private business in the county? They pay a much lower payment in lieu of taxes on their properties. Why is the county government subsidizing a private business with $75,000 in taxpayer funds annually and spending an additional $40,000 to cover its legal fees related to a bonus scandal? How is it not a conflict of interest for three supervisors to sit on a Board of Directors of a private company and then vote as public officials on public subsidies to that company?
The CRG is trying to play both sides of the fence. It wants all the benefits of a public entity with none of the responsibilities or restrictions. It was created with public funds and it manages public funds. It should comply with the Public Authority Accountability Act.
FRANK DeSANTIS
Gloversville
