To the Editor: Former BG city council member Ng questions methods for demolitions

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According to the Sentinel-Tribune of 2/19/13, it is deja vu that Midwest Environmental Control, Inc. (the
Contractor) is doing it again with the blessing of B.G. City Administration and City Council, avoiding
the common practice of bidding process for governmental projects.
Just like the demolition of the B.G. Junior High School in 2012 (the Contractor) will pay $1.00 to the
City for B.G. Ridge School property.
Thus, it becomes privately owned. After the building is demolished, it will sell the empty ground back to
the City for an amount within the City estimate. Whether this is legal and OK with the State Auditor or
not, it is a deceptive and underhanded attempt to circumvent bidding which it may not get the job unless
it is the low bidder. By doing it this way, its job is guaranteed.
I don’t understand why B.G. City Council condones this kind of practice. Or, is the City in cahoots with
the contractor? An estimate is just an estimate. The exact saving of taxpayers’ money is unknown without
a cost comparison with other bidders. Remember this is not a cheap endeavor initiated by Councilmen Dan
Gordon and John Zanfardino. To be fair for everyone, let’s bid out the job like any other city
project… no short cuts.
Patrick Ng
Bowling Green
(Editor’s note: Patrick Ng is a former BG City Council member from the Second Ward.)According to the
Sentinel-Tribune of 2/19/13, it is deja vu that Midwest Environmental Control, Inc. (the Contractor) is
doing it again with the blessing of B.G. City Administration and City Council, avoiding the common
practice of bidding process for governmental projects.
Just like the demolition of the B.G. Junior High School in 2012 (the Contractor) will pay $1.00 to the
City for B.G. Ridge School property.
Thus, it becomes privately owned. After the building is demolished, it will sell the empty ground back to
the City for an amount within the City estimate. Whether this is legal and OK with the State Auditor or
not, it is a deceptive and underhanded attempt to circumvent bidding which it may not get the job unless
it is the low bidder. By doing it this way, its job is guaranteed.
I don’t understand why B.G. City Council condones this kind of practice. Or, is the City in cahoots with
the contractor? An estimate is just an estimate. The exact saving of taxpayers’ money is unknown without
a cost comparison with other bidders. Remember this is not a cheap endeavor initiated by Councilmen Dan
Gordon and John Zanfardino. To be fair for everyone, let’s bid out the job like any other city
project… no short cuts.
Patrick Ng
Bowling Green
(Editor’s note: Patrick Ng is a former BG City Council member from the Second Ward.)

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