Conflicted consultants is councilman?’s fear
Business recruiters for nearby village, township seek work in Pickerington
By Kirk D . Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
A Pickerington city councilman is questioning the wisdom of hiring the same consultants for economic development that neighboring Canal Winchester and Violet Township use.
Councilman Michael Sabatino contends that Michael Arcari and John McGory could face competing interests. If a business was interested in locating in the area, which community would be their priority?
''When it comes to economic development, we need someone working for the city of Pickerington?’s interests exclusively,'' Sabatino said.
Councilman Ted Hackworth is leaning toward accepting the contractors short term to help Pickerington attract commercial development, but he said he understands the concerns.
''If an opportunity occurs that could help Pickerington, would they be more likely to help us out?'' Hackworth said. ''Or would their loyalties also lie with the township and Canal? ''
Arcari has a contract with Canal Winchester and McGory has one with Violet Township. The two frequently work together and share compensation.
Pickerington City Manager Judy Gilleland has used Arcari and McGory on a monthly basis, but the two asked for a yearlong contract. That requires City Council approval.
Council President Brian Wisniewski said he understands his colleague?’s concerns but said McGory has agreed to take the lead on Pickerington issues. Arcari would be a backup but focus more on Canal Winchester.
The $54,970 contract would be retroactive to Jan. 6 and run through the end of the year, said municipal clerk Lynda Yartin.
''Mike and I consult together and we help each other out,'' McGory said. ''I don?’t see any conflict.''
Ultimately, it would be up to a company to decide whether to set up in the city, village or township, McGory said.
''The more that communities can work together to promote commercial growth, the more benefits you have for the entire area,'' he said.
Arcari, a former Canal Winchester development director, was out of town and unavailable for comment.
Wisniewski said the consultants are experienced and are offering a good deal. He said the council likely would seek someone focused solely on Pickerington if the city eventually entered into an agreement with the village and township to cooperate on economic development and share income taxes.
''It?’s a strange situation because we?’re kind of competing with Canal and the township, but we also want to cooperate,'' Wisniewski said.
Hackworth is urging caution.
''When we employ them we have to keep in mind that they work for others,'' Hackworth said. ''Our internal staff has to be careful about sharing some of our strategies with them. There is a risk, but sometimes you have to take a risk.''
Canal Winchester Mayor Jeffrey Miller sees no problem.
''People can all gain if you stop looking at competition and look at mutual benefits,'' Miller said.
''You can scare away a lot of business if they can smell a conflict.''
Sabatino said he hopes the council will hire a full-time development employee next year. Economic development director Susan Crotty left in April to take a job with Columbus Urban Growth Corp.
krichards@dispatch.com
Business recruiters for nearby village, township seek work in Pickerington
By Kirk D . Richards THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
A Pickerington city councilman is questioning the wisdom of hiring the same consultants for economic development that neighboring Canal Winchester and Violet Township use.
Councilman Michael Sabatino contends that Michael Arcari and John McGory could face competing interests. If a business was interested in locating in the area, which community would be their priority?
''When it comes to economic development, we need someone working for the city of Pickerington?’s interests exclusively,'' Sabatino said.
Councilman Ted Hackworth is leaning toward accepting the contractors short term to help Pickerington attract commercial development, but he said he understands the concerns.
''If an opportunity occurs that could help Pickerington, would they be more likely to help us out?'' Hackworth said. ''Or would their loyalties also lie with the township and Canal? ''
Arcari has a contract with Canal Winchester and McGory has one with Violet Township. The two frequently work together and share compensation.
Pickerington City Manager Judy Gilleland has used Arcari and McGory on a monthly basis, but the two asked for a yearlong contract. That requires City Council approval.
Council President Brian Wisniewski said he understands his colleague?’s concerns but said McGory has agreed to take the lead on Pickerington issues. Arcari would be a backup but focus more on Canal Winchester.
The $54,970 contract would be retroactive to Jan. 6 and run through the end of the year, said municipal clerk Lynda Yartin.
''Mike and I consult together and we help each other out,'' McGory said. ''I don?’t see any conflict.''
Ultimately, it would be up to a company to decide whether to set up in the city, village or township, McGory said.
''The more that communities can work together to promote commercial growth, the more benefits you have for the entire area,'' he said.
Arcari, a former Canal Winchester development director, was out of town and unavailable for comment.
Wisniewski said the consultants are experienced and are offering a good deal. He said the council likely would seek someone focused solely on Pickerington if the city eventually entered into an agreement with the village and township to cooperate on economic development and share income taxes.
''It?’s a strange situation because we?’re kind of competing with Canal and the township, but we also want to cooperate,'' Wisniewski said.
Hackworth is urging caution.
''When we employ them we have to keep in mind that they work for others,'' Hackworth said. ''Our internal staff has to be careful about sharing some of our strategies with them. There is a risk, but sometimes you have to take a risk.''
Canal Winchester Mayor Jeffrey Miller sees no problem.
''People can all gain if you stop looking at competition and look at mutual benefits,'' Miller said.
''You can scare away a lot of business if they can smell a conflict.''
Sabatino said he hopes the council will hire a full-time development employee next year. Economic development director Susan Crotty left in April to take a job with Columbus Urban Growth Corp.
krichards@dispatch.com
