Pima County Dems call on ‘Rio Nuevo’ Rick Grinnell to explain Rio Nuevo Board finances

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Apparently I was not the only one who noticed this report in the Arizona Daily Star on Monday. Tucson City Council, Rio Nuevo at odds on TCC fixes. The Pima County Democratic Party wants answers on Rio Nuevo Board finances from Tea-Publican "Hail Mary pass" write-in candidate for mayor of Tucson, lobbyist "Rio Nuevo" Rick Grinnell:

Pima Democratic Chair Calls On Rio Nuevo’s Rick Grinnell To Inform Public On Rio Nuevo Finances.

In the wake of yesterday’s Arizona Daily Star article detailing the financial confusion at the Rio Nuevo Board, Pima County Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Rogers called on Republican mayoral candidate Rick Grinnell, who sits on the board, to inform the public about how much money the board has under its control.

Former Republican lawmaker and board member Jonathan Paton was quoted in Monday’s Arizona Daily Star, saying that he doesn't know how much money the board has under its control or how the money can be spent. Grinnell should be able to fill him in, having been on the Legislature's board since 2010 and having served on the Rio Nuevo advisory board since 2008.

“Rio Nuevo board member Rick Grinnell owes it to the public to share what he has learned after all these years involved in the project–especially if he wants to be trusted to oversee the city budget,” Rogers said, pointing out that Grinnell has been on the city’s Rio Nuevo advisory board dating back to 2008. “Since Grinnell has been involved with Rio Nuevo since 2008 he should be able to explain to the public how much money has been spent, what it has been spent on, and how much money is left.”

Paton cited the board's fiscal ignorance as a factor in the hold-up on doing the TCC repairs. After initially agreeing to sign an agreement with the City in 2010, board members were told by the state legislature not to sign the agreement. Since then, work has remained idle for nearly a year.

“Rick Grinnell can explain to the people of Tucson exactly what the current financial situation over at Rio Nuevo is,” Rogers said. “Especially since he has put himself forward as a candidate for Tucson Mayor, Grinnell has an obligation to tell exactly what he knows about Rio Nuevo finances, and how the board plans to end the hold-up at the Tucson Convention Center, and start repairs.”