THE Way to Go!


In response to my recent update on Les Bois Park, someone wrote:

“Way to go… The Green group was willing to pay the same lease rate as Capitol racing. Now that it will be out to an RFP, and what if the highest bid is way less than that lease rate. How does that help Ada county residents.”

First of all, to my knowledge, the “Green Group” never made an offer to the Board of Ada County Commissioners with regard to leasing the facilities at Les Bois Park, so we have no idea how much they would or would not be willing to pay and whether they are even qualified to run the operation.

Second, nothing precludes the “Green Group” from submitting a response to the Request for Proposals to be reviewed along with any and all other submissions.

Third, my colleagues and I believe in fairness and competition. I have spent years fighting against “Good Ol’ Boys” government — special privileges granted to the few. In this situation, Ada County serves as the landlord. By putting the Les Bois Park contract out for competitive bid, we ensure ALL Ada County residents that we will secure the best possible tenant.

Fourth, the people who HAVE contacted the Board of Ada County Commissioners with regard to the “Green Group” are the same people who, back in 2002, pushed to have Lariat Productions take over the lease at Les Bois Park.

They got what they wanted: Lariat Productions had the opportunity to run Les Bois Park, use the County’s liquor license, and hold live and simulcast racing, despite the proprietor’s lengthy criminal record and abysmal business history. When things began to go wrong, it took the County three years to evict Lariat Productions.

My Commission colleagues and I will not repeat mistakes made by previous Commissions. You probably know the old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” By putting the Les Bois Park lease out for bid, we are ensuring fairness and competition in an effort to secure the best possible tenant.

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