A Room With A View

by | Apr 19, 2023 | AT&T Stadium Arlington, City Council, Community Development Corp, Economic Development Corp, Jerry Jones, Mayor Jeff Cheney, Politics, Taxpayer Dollars

In real estate you will always hear buzz words which are words or phrases often used to impress or persuade the person reading it to act now.  Location, location, location is a common mantra used in real estate and the truth is location can be key to the value of some real estate.   When I was a kid we lived on the outskirts of the countryside overlooking a scenic vista of hills and vineyards.  One evening I saw my dad outside sitting on the deck smoking a cigar and I went outside and asked, “why do you always sit out here?”  In his deep Sean Connery voice  he said, “Son, one day this will be yours if you want it.  You will grow grapes that make wine on this land and that will feed your family.  At night after working, you will sit here like I do watching the sunset. As you gaze across this valley and those vineyards you will realize this view is spectacular and that will remind you how damn lucky you are.”   My brother still runs those vineyards today and when we get to go visit I enjoy sitting on that deck like my dad did and enjoying the view.   

So, what constitutes a view?  Well, depending on who you ask that varies and can mean different things.  One might like a view of a lake or ocean, mountains, or city skylines.  There is no doubt that a view will cost you more to buy but it is for your enjoyment or future investment.   If you asked Jerry Jones what he likes about his office at The Star I am pretty sure he will say it is the view of the new training facility and practice fields.   If you asked Jerry what he likes about his view from his suite at AT&T stadium we are pretty sure you will get a different answer. What if you found out that your tax dollars were paying for a room with a view? 

Before we answer that, let’s discuss The Development Corporation Act of 1979 which gives cities the ability to finance new and expand business enterprises in their local communities through Economic Development Corporations (EDCs).   Based on the Texas Comptrollers website, “Type A EDCs are typically created to fund industrial development projects such as business infrastructure, manufacturing, and research and development.  The Type B sales tax may be used for any project eligible under Type A rules and several other project types, including quality-of-life improvements like parks, museums, sports facilities, and affordable housing.  Type B corporations may pay for land, buildings, equipment, facilities, targeted infrastructure, and improvements.  One of the best things EDCs can do is increase tax revenues, add additional jobs to a community and supply opportunities for residents, and promote sustainable growth.   The Frisco EDC website says, “Frisco is Innovation Focused” and it says Frisco’s public-private partnerships exemplify why the city excels on every level of economic development and is highly competitive with major markets across the country and around the globe.  Its mission is the creation of jobs, increasing economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life for all Frisco residents and their families.

Simply put you must spend tax dollars to make money which brings important things to a city.  As a resident, I am okay with the concept to a point, but I was shocked when a reader sent us a link to a CBS 11 news article from 2015 that mentions city leaders were enjoying the lap of luxury in a season-long suite at AT&T stadium.   The article asks if city officials are taking advantage of the Cowboy’s relationship for personal enjoyment and how it is a slap in the face to taxpayers.   The article quotes Frisco resident Bret Sanders who said, “This is our money that they’re spending, and it doesn’t seem like they have any regard for how they are spending it.”  Then Frisco EDC President, Jim Gandy said, “It is our job to promote Frisco,” and “It was used for business prospects and allies that we work with on a regular basis.”   The article mentions it was sold as a recruiting tool but how was the suite a recruiting tool for businesses when AT&T Stadium is in Arlington?   

What do you think the Frisco EDC would pay for a room with a view?  The answer is 160,000.00!  The suite benefits per the license agreement states the licensee shall receive 18 admission tickets for the seats in the suite.  It also allows them to purchase 8 standing room tickets in the suite and it came with 5 parking passes for a preferred parking lot. The license agreement also states that the licensee will be provided with $1500 “hospitality allowance” towards food and beverage.  Yes, “We The Taxpayers” paid $160,000 for a suite for 8 games which means we spent $20,000 a game to wine and dine, I mean recruit business.  With the city contributing $130 Million to the construction of the new Dallas Cowboys headquarters in Frisco couldn’t Jerry have thrown in a suite. 

So who enjoyed the “Lap of Luxury” on the tax payers dime?  Well game 1 against the New York Giants included Dan Bollner and his wife (FEDC Board Member),  County Commissioner Hugh Coleman and his wife, Steve Bahl (Gearbox CEO/CFO) and his wife, Jim Gandy (FEDC Staff) and his wife, Dave Quinn (FEDC Staff), Gary Carley (FEDC Staff) and his wife, Tim Nelligan (The Hartford) and his wife and two guests.  It shows they enjoyed Texas Barbecue, peach blackberry cobbler, Deja Blue bottled water, soda and Unsweetened Iced Tea.

Game 2 against the Atlanta Falcons included Jim Gandy (FEDC staff) and his wife, John Bonnot (FEDC staff) and his wife,  City Councilmen  Bob Allen canceled but his guest Geneva attended and brought a plus one, Marla Roe (Visit Frisco) and her husband, Steve Ewing (Edge Realty) and his wife, George Galloway (Next Realty Mid Atlantic) and his wife, Amanda Kronk (SWA) and her husband, and Bennett Bark (Retail Connection) and his wife.    There are some special notes that Kevin Case with Thomas Land Development was sent 8 tickets and 2 parking passes for him to share with his clients.  While enjoying the game they dined on the Tex Mex Combo and the same drinks as in game 1. 

Game 3 against New England Patriots included Bob Allen (City Council) and his wife, Victor Almeida (President Interceramic – Prospect) and a guest, Jesse Pruitt (Somervell Commercial Realty), Chris Grottenthaler (True Health Diag) and his wife, John Harkey (CEO of CRO – Prospect), James Snell (EVP of CRO – Prospect and two guests, Jim Gandy (FEDC staff) and his wife, and David Quinn (FEDC staff) and his wife.   They dined on the Gridiron packaged.

Game 4 against the Seattle Seahawks included Jim Gandy & Dave Quinn (both FEDC staff) and their spouses, Bryan Dodson (FEDC staff) and his guest, Ed & Melina Cimler (Adaptive Biotechnologis), Zenobia Adi (WorldLink), Barjis Ghadially (WorldLink) and his wife, Bill and Brenda Sims (UNT), and J. Casey Wehr (CEO – PVP Live) and his wife.    The enjoyed the fine Texas BBQ and peach blackberry cobbler and drinks like game 1.

Game 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles  included Jim Gandy (FEDC staff) and his wife, Marla Roe (Visit Frisco) and her spouse, Project Turtle had 8 tickets, but no names listed, Rick Fletcher (FEDC staff) and his wife, Jason Young (Visit Frisco Board Member) and his wife, and Councilman Jeff Cheney and his wife.  They duplicated the game 2 Tex-Mex package for eats and treats.

Game 6 against the Carolina Panthers included Jim Gandy (FEDC staff) and his wife, Mark Thompson (Foundry Club) and his wife, 10 people from the Japan-American Society, and Taylor McQuestion, Shawn McQuestion, Caden McQuestion, and Quinn McQuestion (all listed with Schneider Optical).  They dined on assorted cheeses, veggie crudité, party mix, popcorn, artichoke ranch dip and seven-layer dip, sirloin beef sliders, apple pie, and beverages.

Game 7 included Harry Whalen (FEDC staff) and his guest, Paul Sheldon (FEDC Board) and his guest, Maureen Gutierrez (CVB Sales Manager) and her guest, Anne Keough, MPS and Andre Mathews with the Catholic Diocese, Terry Young (Dir of Mktg with Catalyst Corp Federal CU) and his wife Mike Williams (Pres & CEO Summit Conferences) and a guest, Jim Breitenfeld and Dan Spika (Brokers with Henry S Miller) and a guest,  Carlo Morando (Mktg Mgr with Ace Hardware) and two guests.  The Texas BBQ and peach blackberry cobbler were up for eats and treats this time.

Game 8  against the Washington Redskins included Jim Gandy (FEDC staff) and a guest, Harry Whalen (FEDC staff) and guest, Jim Riggert (NGKF – Prospect) plus 3 guests, and Moon Management (4 tickets) and Scott Lark (Prospect no company name)

Do you agree with the city spending $160,000 for a room with a view?  How much is too much?  Based on what Jim Gandy, President of Frisco EDC said in the article this was to recruit prospects or to retain important businesses that are considering leaving our city.   It appears we courted a lot of commercial real estate folks and some non-profits.  We also wined and dined Chris Grottenthaler the founder of True Health Diagnostics who was later one of the 21 charged in connection with multistate healthcare kickback fraud.  I have no issue spending $160,000 a year ($20,000 a game) for a suite on America’s Team if we are recruiting the likes of Amazon, Costco, Cigna, XTO Energy, Home Depot, Target, or any other Fortune 500 company.   That is not what happened here, I mean Jim Gandy, President of the Frisco EDC, and his wife enjoyed almost every game.  When you’re spending tax dollars and you are “working” as you call it then why are you bringing your spouse?  Why are we inviting county commissioners, do they pay sales tax in Frisco?   Why are we inviting non-profits and churches when they are exempt from franchise and sales taxes?    When it comes to citizens’ tax dollars I question a lot of what this city does when it comes to spending and incentives.  These are glaring red flags that citizens should be up and arms about but residents have given in to they have no say in our city.  I guess this is Frisco Innovation Focused at work.