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| HUMOR: Corleone Incentive Plan Approved |
| Alistair Archuleta | 1/15/10 |
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| Back to the News Summaries |
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“Mayor Aragon, and Town Councilors, I am happy to report that our economic development efforts have finally paid off,” Town Manager David Mitchem reported at last night’s Town Council economic development work session.
“Our ship has come in, so to speak, and it has come from Italy!”
Mitchem detailed the agreement between the Town and Genco Importing of Long Beach, New York. An agreement which promises hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for locals, and the payment of millions in sales and property taxes into Town coffers. In return the Town has offered to set aside sections of its criminal and civil code and construct two bocce ball courts next to the horseshoe pits at South Pagosa Park. Continued...
Pagosa Springs Town Manager David Mitchem, center, listens closely to an offer made by New York businessman Don Vito Corleone (holding a cat recently adopted from the Pagosa Humane Society). Apparently, the offer is one the Town is unable to refuse. |
Genco Importing is an international conglomerate specializing in the import and worldwide export of olive oil and pharmaceuticals, and the development of vacation and gaming properties throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
Mitchem announced that three hundred full-time Genco employees, and over one hundred part-time Genco 'contractors', would be relocated to Archuleta County over the next three years.
According to Genco general counsel Tom Hagen, the Corleone family and Genco have a long history of economic development in the American West.
“We own and operate a number of businesses in the state of Nevada. Also, many of our ex-employees who have gone to work for the government have been relocated to this area.
"We would certainly enjoy the chance to see those old family members again and giving them a big kiss.”
“Mr. Corleone,” Council member Jerry Jackson commented warmly, “that love and concern for former employees is really touching. We certainly need more of that love and concern for employees in Pagosa.”
Hagen then highlighted the problems facing Town development that the Genco deal will solve. “First, look at the huge infrastructure costs you face, particularly Dry Gulch reservoir. Well, the Corleone would be happy to build up the 3 million cubic yard dam over the next thirty years as our other business commitments dictate, and would only ask for some privacy and respect for our property rights on the ranch as we construct the dam. When complete, we will donate the dam to the water conservancy and only ask to maintain water skiing and fishing rights on the lake.”
“Second, this Town suffers from two critical problems: retail leakage and inability to win important public works contracts in Pagosa and throughout the region. Well, the Corleone family knows how to protect the local business market and our track record in winning concrete and asphalt projects is second to none.”
At this point, mayor Aragon, with a broad smile, interrupted. “I liked what Mr. Don said about winning contracts for Pagosa companies, even for the big projects in Durango and Cortez: ‘I make them an offer, they don’t refuse.’ That’s the confidence we need. ‘I make them an offer, they don’t refuse.’ I really like that.”
According to Mitchem, the economic benefits have already begun. “Incoming Genco employees have already purchased two hundred homes in the County. Already we are seeing sales tax benefits. Sales of concrete garden statues and wrought iron have been astronomical. Terry can’t keep up. And just within the past two weeks, ‘Take the Cannoli’ bakery and Louis’s Restaurant have opened on Lewis Street. They are both packed until midnight. Getting a table after Church on Sunday," Mitchem paused and then added with a laugh, "fuggedaboutit."
“And that’s not the whole show, so to speak,” Mitchem noted, looking thankfully at Corleone. Don Corleone spoke in gravelly, but not unkind, voice. “My godson Johnny Fontaine, the famous actor and singer, has agreed to an exclusive eight-week contract for the next five summers. Johnny has promised me he will talk to his Hollywood friends about doing the same.”
Hagen revealed some details of the contract, which calls for Fontaine to perform for one month at the Sky Ute Casino and for one month with the Music Boosters. Next year’s production of ‘Nuns and Dolls’ — which recasts the wacky sisters in the lead roles of a charity performance of ‘Chicago’ — could really benefit from Fontaine’s demonstrated showmanship.
Council member Mark Weiler was the only board member to express reservations about the incentive package, which surprised veteran Town Hall observers used to Weiler’s vocal support for most economic development initiatives.
Weiler questioned Corleone closely. “I can appreciate the economic value of an export industry for Archuleta County. And I can appreciate the value of actually winning million dollar government contracts in other towns rather paying their firms to complete our projects. But let me be candid. I am the president of a large local company here in Pagosa. We are the horse whispering people.
"And I have a problem with whispering sweet nothings into a horse’s head in my bed, frankly.”
Hagen interrupted passionately, “Mr Weiler, this is all fabrication from some Hollywood mob-run studios and corrupt union bosses. That never happened.”
Aragon tried to calm the outburst: “It sounds to me like more of that anti-business California talk we listened to for ten years.”
Hagen thanked the Mayor and added up the employment and sales and property taxes that Genco Importing would bring to the community, concluding, “With the Corleone family and Genco Importing, you won’t need to bring in any Big Box stores to pay the bills.
"Have you ever tasted Chinese olive oil, by the way?”
The most seemingly controversial aspect of the development deal with Genco is the suspension of much of the Town and County criminal codes for Genco employees when operating in a professional capacity — and the elimination of most civil penalties for restraint of trade and racketeering.
Town Council member Darrel Cotton was commonsensical and matter-of-fact.
“Business is business and adding more unenforceable laws makes no sense. Businesses operate the way the market tells those businesses to operate, not the government. These folks are very successful and have a pretty good track record of knowing how to take advantage of the free market and the Second Amendment.
"To me, this is a no-brainer.” |
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Lee Riley
GRI, CRS
2001 REALTOR OF THE YEAR
Phone (970) 731-4065
Fax (970) 731-4068
Cell (970) 946-3856
Toll Free (800)-953-5578
Email: Click Here |
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