By David Lundin
“Follow the money, and you will find your story.”
That was the advice Woodward and Bernstein received from Deep Throat, the source that gave the Washington Post a leg up during the Watergate scandal that ultimately forced the resignation of a president. Time has done nothing to diminish the wisdom of that wise counsel.
The structural and funding flaws of Balboa Park Celebration, Inc. [BPCI”] that contributed to failure have been presented previously.
However, even these foundational flaws could have been overcome by a smart, creative, motivated, ethical and honest board.
Intentionally formed by Mayor Sanders to be a private corporation that would assert immunity from public oversight, governed by the former mayor’s allies and supporters of the Jacobs Plan for Balboa Park, and staffed by former Sanders administration senior staff, the BPCI Board had the freedom to make wise and ethical choices.
They could have decided early in the process to engage in genuine community outreach. The board could have aggressively solicited creative and informed input from the San Diego History Center, SOHO, The Balboa Park Committee of 100, local Universities, and the public at large.
Board meetings could have been public. Financial statements and details of income and expenses could have been posted on-line. The board could have been enlarged by the addition of more diverse and more qualified members. None of these steps were taken.
Instead, the board met in private, failed to engage the great expertise available from a supportive community, couldn’t be bothered to enlist a large group of highly-qualified and energized volunteers, made critical decisions in isolation, maintained ideological homogeneity, and did their very best to avoid any forms of public scrutiny or oversight.
Why ?
The financial paper trail may shed some light on this issue.
Before the unproductive, wasteful, misdirected and at times comic expenditures are presented, a brief discussion of the function of a board of directors for a non-profit organization is in order. Whether that non-profit is a University, Museum, Opera or Hospital, a properly-functioning board’s duties are identical.
Briefly, the board should determine a clear mission and purpose, select a qualified chief executive, ensure effective planning, monitor and strengthen programs and services, ensure adequate financial resources, protect assets and provide proper financial oversight, build a competent board, ensure legal and ethical integrity and enhance the organization’s public standing.
In summary, focus on the Mission, raise money and do the right thing. [For more details, see here.] It’s obvious that they failed miserably in fulfilling any of these duties.
Many of the otherwise inexplicable expenditures listed below can be explained when one finally understands the BPCI board believed it could simply spend public funds to outsource the performance of its duties to third parties. That strategy unquestionably failed.
The board failed to clearly define its Mission. What would be the objectives of a Centennial year for the Park? To celebrate its past and to enhance its future? To define and privately fund “legacy” projects within the Park? To fill hotel rooms with tourists?
BPCI never had a Mission Statement, no clear sense of direction. Finances were a closely-guarded secret, and ethics ?— more on that later.
The list of payments made to third parties by BPCI tells the story of an organization with no rudder, no sails, no ability to navigate troubled waters of their own creation, and the absence of a moral or ethical compass.
This list is not all-inclusive, and is intentionally random in order of presentation:
- $467,189 paid to Autonomy, LLC of Los Angeles, an event and party planner. What did taxpayers receive in return? Lots of graphics, animations, and vague plans for parades and parties that will never happen. Almost half a million dollars spent with nothing salvageable;
- $7,832 paid to Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, a fine San Diego law firm. We don’t know why, what services were provided, or if any effort was made to locate a pro bono source for these legal services. We do know that Mitch Dubick, spouse of BPCI CEO Julie Dubick, is a partner of the law firm;
- $7,741 was paid to Ms. Blair T. Blum of La Jolla as a consultant. For doing what ? She is the Senior Vice President for External Relations [usually a fundraising position] for the Burnham Institute for Medical Research. What was she paid to do? What did she in fact do ? How was she selected? We don’t know. BPCI won’t tell us;
- Goodman Experiences was paid $24,000. For what ? The company says at its Website it is a “business coach”, specializing in “Ideation and implementation of optimal solutions….” [ “Ideation” ??? Really ????] Its principal, Ed Goodman, gives seminars on a number of New Age business topics, and is also a talented musician. Again, from the company website:
“Music…as a trumpet player, Ed has performed around the US and Canada, sharing the stage with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Tony Bennett, The Four Tops, Temptations, Natalie Cole, Olivia Newton John, Spyro Gyra, Pat Metheny, Tom Jones, Blood Sweat and Tears, Burt Bacharach, and Ray Charles.”
So did he perform before or after his $24,000 seminar ? Who selected this person? Who decided to pay him $24,000 from the City treasury? And what did he do?
- Lisa G. DeFino Enterprises was paid $16,000. The business name comes up on GOOGLE with an El Cajon address, but no descriptions of the business itself. What did she do that was of value to the taxpayers for her $16,000 fee ? Who selected her ? Why ? ;
- Departure Agency, Inc. was paid $64,881. An ad agency in downtown San Diego, their website [www.DPTR.co — that is NOT an error, it is “.co”. The www.DPTR.com domain is for sale currently–about $700. Too expensive, apparently.] has this stellar introduction:
“A hybrid agency that addresses business challenges through the medium of creative thought and the tools of technology. Clients range from international to startup. Industries range from biotech to fast food. Projects range from on-screen to on-paper. But we have only one belief: It works, or it doesn’t. Thanks for taking a look.”
One must objectively conclude, given BPCI’s total failure and collapse, Departure did not work so well. Again, what did they do? Who selected them? What value did San Diego receive for its $64,881? A lot of things in the Park could have been repaired and repainted for this sum.
- Hiroko Kusano was paid $12,350. She is a Los Angeles museum Web consultant. On her website, she says “…she lead the startup of a new non-profit called the Balboa Park Conservancy in San Diego….” Sources at the Conservancy, a corporation separate and apart from BPCI, say this “massively overstates the scope of Ms. Kusano’s work.” No idea what she did for BPCI, who selected her and who decided her services were a necessity. BPCI isn’t talking;
- J & S Silverman, a consultant to non-profits lead by one Jacqueline Silverman, was paid $131,540. BPCI won’t disclose what work was done, what value was received, or how Silverman was selected;
- Mark Germyn, the first CEO of BPCI, was paid $ 131,540 for less than one year on the job;
- Michael McDowell, the second of the three CEOs of BPCI, was paid $181,862 for less than a year of employment;
- Julie Dubick, the third CEO, was paid $15,000.00 a month. She resigned after a disastrous appearance before the Tourist Marketing District Board where she sought additional millions in public money, but she could not explain how the funds would be used;
- Marketing Partnership Solutions, AKA “BLEGS, Inc./Marketing Partnership” was paid $80,272 at a monthly rate of $10,000.00 for “fundraising consulting”. Barry Siegle is the sole owner. Neither he nor his company have any experience in large-scale non-profit fundraising. Mr. Siegle’s Facebook page lists BPCI Board co—chairs, Ben and Nikki Clay, and Board Member Patti Roscoe as “Friends”;
- Ms. Cynthia Polger was paid $3,040 to attend social events as “fundraising outreach.” BPCI has produced no documents showing any success in fundraising or professional qualifications as a fundraising consultant. Ms. Polger is a social friend of Julie Dubick;
- Departure Agency, Inc. was paid $64,881.00 for creative services, and logo and branding counsel. BPCI agonized over “Branding” of the Centennial, but not so much on the content of the event;
- Gerry Braun and Associates, the former Mayor Sanders PR flack who’s been dodging the press and the public, was paid $115,044 at the rate of $8,000.00 a month for not more than 20 hours a week of part-time work. He continues working for BPCI at an undisclosed salary to oversee the wind-down;
- Loma Media Partners was paid $463,799 at a rate of $37,500.00 a month for design, marketing video production and event consulting, work now having no salvage value; and
- M.W. Steele Group, Inc. architecture and planning company, was paid $8,320.00 for unknown services. BPCI board minutes for April 17, 2012 recite that Steven Silverman, whom we believe to be a principal at Steel Group, was hired at an hourly rate of $95.00 “to assist in day-to-day operations” of BPCI. They have not released records showing what work was performed or what value received by BPCI.
There are other unexplained expenses. However, this list does a fine job of illustrating a pattern of disarray, confusion, waste and the ever-present outsourcing of fundraising obligations by the board.
Creative agencies were hired, paid large sums to create some coherent themes that might generate financial support, then dismissed. New firms were hired, new concepts were presented, and they were in turn let go and replaced again. Friends and relatives of board members were retained and paid for no-bid, no competition contracts.
With out a coherent mission or fundraising plans tied to a compelling mission, they were doomed to failure from the start.
When asked to make BPCI records public, executive staff and board members all resisted making any significant voluntary public disclosures. They believed they had the right to take public funds and spend those funds as they saw fit in private, with no obligation to account to the public for their actions.
Patricia A. McQuarter is a member of the BPCI Board and experienced lawyer. In an email to her fellow board members dated February 25, 2014, she eloquently expressed their collective arrogance and conceit. She advocates a strategy of absolute non-disclosure of the damaging facts, coupled with partial disclosure of benign numbers in an orchestrated effort to lull the public, Mayor and City Council into inaction:
“I think it may be time for BPCI to get legal counsel to deal with Mr. Lundin. Clearly he is not going to go away and the mayor-elect seems to be siding with him (according to today‘s paper). I spoke with Ben [Clay] yesterday and suggested we…post some financial information on our website…. This will dispel the notion we are wasting money without waiving any right to not be subjected to the public records provisions.
Thanks,
Patricia”
It’s time for the Mayor and full City Council to tell BPCI, its executive staff and board members that deceit and non-disclosure, closed doors, private financial records, and playing “Hide and Seek” with the public’s money are not standard and acceptable practices for the City of San Diego.
In a reversal of roles, perhaps truly open and transparent government in San Diego will be the “legacy” Centennial gift the Park gives to all of us.
David Lundin is the President/Creative Director at Son Appareil Photography, and has filed numerous California Public Records Act requests seeking release of information about BPCI
Excellent Article.
Can you please list each of the board members along with their respective companies and roles?
The BPCI Team
Board Members
Ben Clay (co-chair)
Nikki Clay (co-chair)
Patti Roscoe (secretary), Founder, PRA Event Planning, Retired
Denise Carabet (treasurer), Business & Finance Journalist & Manager, Retired
Frank Urtasun, Regional Vice President, External Relations, SDG&E
Andy Fichthorn, President, SeaWorld San Diego, Retired
Mick Hager, President & CEO, San Diego Natural History Museum
Don Ings, President, Solar Turbines, Retired
Patricia McQuater, Legal Counsel, Solar Turbines, Retired
Stephen Russell, Associate Designer, Platt/Whitelaw Architects, and President of the Board, City Heights Community Development Corporation
Nancy Chase, Founder & Principal, The Chase Group, Public Policy Partners
Bill Walton, NBA player, retired, and NBA Sportscaster
Kris Michell, President & CEO, San Diego Downtown Partnership
Jorge D’Garay, President, D’Garay Public Relations
Grant Holm, CFO, Waxie Sanitary Supply
Stacy Rosenburg
Yehudi Gaffen, CEO, Gafcon, Inc.
Board Advisors
Stephen Hill, Senior Policy Advisor, Council District 3 Council President Todd Gloria
Deanna Spehn, Policy Director, State Assemblymember Toni Atkins
John Weil, Chief of Staff, Supervisor Dave Roberts
Carolyn Wormser, Director, Office of Special Events, City of San Diego
Peter Comiskey, Executive Director, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
The list of board members is a mixed bag. No one will ever be held accountable to the taxpayer! Kris Michell worked for Jerry Sanders too.
So sickening. It’s almost as bad as Damashek’s list. Lots of data ot mine. here is one tiny bit off the old Mobius strip chronicles:
The Silvermans profited doubly. It is Stephen (note spelling) H. Silverman who is listed in Zoom Info as Director of Policy Planning with the M. W. Steele Group Inc.
There aren’t too many public tax dollars that Mark Steele (and wife Dale, of Public Market fame in Barrio Logan) miss out on tapping.
Stephen is the “S” in J&S Silverman, the “J” being partner Jacqueline:
Zoom lists Stephen as a Principal at J&S Silverman, in addition to his Steele Group position. I could find no Cal Sec of State record for J&S Silverman Consulting. The Facebook page is so named, but devoid of content. Jacqueline was formerly the totally tied-in Jacqueline Anne Siegal; a bit of her bio is here:
http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/features/20061126-9999-1a26league.html
Excuse the typos, and pls correct Jacqueline Silverman’s previous name to “Siegel.”
Incest Update: Barry Siegle is the owner of Marketing Partnership Solutions, the company paid $10,000.00 a month to assist in BPCI fundraising. They had never done a task such as this before, and never raised a dime in donations. Siegle is the former spouse of Jacqueline Silverman, the principal of J&S Silverman Consulting, paid $131,540.00 for fundraising consulting. Also never raised a dime. Jacqueline Silverman is now married to Stephen H. Silverman, one of the Principals of M.W. Steele Group, Inc. Steele group was paid $8,320.00 for unidentified consulting work. Stephen H. Silverman was retained at $95.00 an hour “to assist in day-to-day operations” according to BPCI Board minutes of April 17, 2012.
Are your heads spinning yet ?
It gets worse! Gerry Braun just proudly announced his contract for shutting the BPCI down. $13,000 a month for three months plus expenses. Go here to read it for yourself (PDF)
We need to stop all arrests and prosecution of blue collar crimes until we start arresting and prosecuting white collar gang members also. As a board member of a Balboa Park Museum that could have put those pissed away dollars to first rate use, I’m mad. The Balboa Park non-profits are treasures, the Opera was a treasure. Our commonwealth should not be a honeypot for corruption to syphen off. In the 40+years I’ve lived in San Diego, it’s the same old story. This is just the flavor of the month in our long sordid saga of corruption.
Important to keep names/relationships accurate: Barry Russell Siegel (note spelling) was not the spouse of Jacqueline Siegel. It’s a common name.
Here is Barry Siegel’s self-posted Internet- Elance resume:
https://www.elance.com/s/brs1/resume/
I always find these Elance creations a bit sad and padded.
For the record, Barry Siegel was sued in 2012 for credit collection by AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION BANK (amt between $10,000 and $25,000) in SD Superior Court, which he settled.
Curiously, Barry Siegel has past ties to a person connected to Burnham Institute for Medical Research, one Robert H. Zaugg, this man:
http://web.archive.org/web/20131203085025/http://www.sanfordburnham.org:80/newsandpress/archive/Pages/NewsArchiveDetail.aspx?ItemId=153
The Siegels and the Zauggs apparently partnered to open a business (“I Sold It on EBAY”), as reported in the Dec 18 2005 U-T:
December 18, 2005:
“iSold It has opened a franchise in the Rancho Peñasquitos Towne Centre at 13223 Black Mountain Road, Rancho Peñasquitos. The national resale chain helps people sell items on the Internet Web site eBay. The owners are Barry and Laurie Siegel. Customers can drop off items they wish to sell. The company researches values, takes digital photographs, writes descriptions and posts advertisements on eBay.”
Didn’t work out, rather quickly: by Oct 30, 2006, Rancho Peñasquitos Towne Centre filed a lawsuit for breach of contract/warranty against BLEGS, the Siegals, and the Zauggs and their company, ZIGZAGZOG, Inc.
The bottom line is that many bottom feeders have connections to the sharks in the San Diego cesspool of Republican politics. Many of those little fish got a chance to nibble on the taxpayer cash that the sharks had at their disposal, courtesy of Jerry Sanders, his pals, and his councilmembers.
The “advisors” working for/reporting to Todd Gloria, Toni Atkins, Dave Roberts, and the City: let’s hear from you, please. What did you advise?
Isn’t Barry David Siegel’s brother? She (Jaqueline) was married to David…David is an interesting character in his own right.
No. All different Siegels.
No. All different Siegels. Jacqueline Anne Siegel came here from Palm Beach, Florida. Her partner there was Kermit Christman. They did Shakespeare productions and tapped the public coffer till it ran out. Barry Siegel did stuff in Tampa Bay. It’s like every marketeer in the universe sees San Diego as the final place to plunder after Florida dries up. Nancy Graham…
With respect to BPCI Board member Yehudi Gaffen, CEO, Gafcon, Inc., it’s interesting that his firm was involved in a debacle in Orange County regarding the Great Park concept there. Here’s 10 News’ recent report:
Note in the above article that the company contracts with the schools locally and according to 10 News: “Team 10 found Gafcon’s CEO is the secretary of the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District Foundation — a fundraising arm for the schools — while Gafcon was doing project management for the district. On Wednesday a district spokesperson said there was no conflict of interest to have Gafcon CEO Yehudi Gaffen on the foundation board, even as his company managed construction projects for the district. The spokesman said the district attorney checked before Gaffen got onto the board.”
Chris. do you have any idea who selected Mr. Gaffen’s company for the Management of the Bond Consturction Projects? It would seem to be a conflict, despite what an attorney might say, if the people selecting the contractors are all beholden to one of them. And it seems more than a little coincidental that his firm won the project, don’t you think?
Ms. Stevens: I have no personal knowledge regarding this particular situation. I would observe that school bonds in this community have a history of being milked by some behind the curtain players, with the victims being the taxpayer and schoolchildren. Bond money seems to be poorly overseen in general. The recent Sweetwater Union scandal and the wimpy treatment of participants by the District Attorney (despite all sorts of big talk at the outset), may provide some insight into the clubby behind the scenes activity going on. I do not know who appointed the Board of Directors of the BPCI, but the appointment of Mr. Gaffen mystifies. With apologies for pilfering and abusing this line: There are innumerable tawdry stories in the naked city. This is one of them.
And it must be noted that Blair Blum is on the Board at VoSD. I’m waiting for their insider, exclusive report on what Blum did.
Don’t think Voice is going to say a thing. If Ms. Blum is a substantial contributor, I don’t think they will chance getting her feathers ruffled.
Barbara you’re right! VOSD is beholding to those who donate and pay their salaries!
One specific donor does so only to sequester their immoralities! CASE IN POINT JH! Scott Lewis knows the truth!
It IS a bit odd: VoSD has barely covered this story. They aren’t even tweeting about it! It’s like it never happened, over there.
They did publish one “opinion” by one Nancy Carter, originally titled “Stop Blaming the Public.” That title was dutifully changed, after Braun posted a defensive comment, complaining, and told VoSD to remove that accusatory title (which was based on what Braun says was an incorrect interpretation of his KPBS interview). Well done, VoSD!
I can only fantasize the barrage of coverage, the fatuous fact-checking, and the insider investigation VoSD would undertake if only…BPCI’s small-time, inept, bottom-feeding beneficiaries of public money had profited thanks to an elite team of insiders appointed by Mayor Filner.
Gosh…this balboa park committee kinda sounds like the folks trying to start up a maintenance assessment district in pacific beach…