The Forum's Sunday, Oct. 16 editorial seems to suggest that Fargo City Commissioner John Cosgriff has single-handedly derailed a development project in downtown Fargo. The commissioner stated that the project numbers do not add up and the risk is too high for the taxpayers. On 970 WDAY's Hot Talk with Scott Hennen, Cosgriff said that this is a workable project, with some changes, and hopes the developer will resubmit the proposal.
Because of his comments, you have portrayed Cosgriff as being against the project with no valid reasons. Specifically you say, "the negative attitude of a veteran city commissioner is not helpful." Throughout your commentary you recommend Cosgriff should "be more flexible" "be more supportive," and "expand his horizons."
I find it interesting that the first paragraph of the editorial states that the "project was put on hold a few days ago when the developer received bids 15 percent over expectations and the city Finance Committee voted against a tax increment finance district." Yet, you lay the blame solely on Cosgriff for asking appropriate questions as to the spending of taxpayer dollars.
I worked side by side with Cosgriff during my four years on the Fargo City Commission. He gets charged with asking the tough fiscal questions. He formulates decisions based on number crunching and information gathering. When it comes to municipal finance, the other commissioners turn to him and say, "Well, John, how do we handle this one?" If you don't believe me, watch the replay of the last commission meeting; it happened at least twice. Of course, those meetings have recently stretched into five-hour affairs so I can't say I always stick to the end.
Other commissioners get to come up with the fun ideas like riverfront development, libraries, public TV broadcasting studios and free, citywide, wireless Internet. When taxpayers are already screaming about high special assessments, excessive school taxes and inflated property values, Cosgriff gets the end question, "How do we pay for it?"
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He is a tireless supporter of downtown Fargo. Chances are you haven't seen him up front at the ribbon-cuttings, gala events or press conferences, but that is because he is behind the scenes, doing the city's due-diligence, making sure that the taxpayers are getting their bang for the buck.
The Forum has portrayed Commissioner Cosgriff as being the obstructionist to this project. I disagree and respond accordingly. Even gentle criticism of the other commissioners usually generates an obligatory four column rebuttal letter from said commissioners (complete with picture!). Rather than that, I suspect that representing the taxpayer and asking the appropriate questions is exactly where Cosgriff will continue to expend his energies.
Lynch is a former Fargo city commissioner, former downtown restaurant owner and current general manager and development director of the Fargo Horse Park. E-mail FDogHousek@aol.com
