The early review seems promising. The Comet acknowledged some initial concerns -- lack of planning experience, lack of a public interview -- but ignored a more serious issue with respect to Mr. Burkley's appointment. Plus, anyone chosen by the boy mayor is assigned two strikes before approaching the batter's box.
From a sketchy beginning, however, Mr. Burkley is reported to have acquitted himself smartly -- engaged, sensible, inquisitive -- during the commission meeting. I have found no report of whether the conflict issue regarding Mr. Burkley's vote on a Rooney-Continental development application -- his spouse is employed by the Rooney law firm -- was mentioned, let alone reasoned, publicly. Then again, I still have not found any report, from the P-G or any source, acknowledging that the mayor, after cleaning house because a land giveaway involving the Rooneys and a sign giveaway favoring another campaign contributor were not rubber-stamped, appointed two people whose households depend on the Rooney law firm for funding.
Educated, articulate, energetic, inquisitive . . . it is hard to figure what the city administ
ration liked about Mr. Burkley. Setting aside the submerged tie to a well-connected entity that regularly seeks favors from the city, Mr. Burkley has generated hope that he will be a good addition to the Planning Commission. I therefore feel somewhat bad about the first hit on a Google images search for "Kirk Burkley," so I am temporarily retiring the original photo and using another.UPDATE: A comment indicates that Mr. Burkley has been a member of the Planning Commission for a year, and that his recent appointment was to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The city website indicates Mr. Burkley's current membership on both panels. I
UPPERDATE: Why Mr. Burkley is so favored by the mayor -- we were informed that the administration received a stack of impressive resumes, yet Mr. Burkley snags one of two open spots at Zoning while keeping his Planning position, and another Rooney-connected lawyer gets the second seat -- strikes me as worthy of exploration. Plus, I am still wondering why Mr. Burkley's wife was spotted by Bob Mayo inexplicably scurrying through service corridors (shepherded by the mayor's Director of Policy) to avoid questions when she was a member of the Ethics Board. Plus plus, so far there is no evidence that anyone acknowledged, let alone resolved, the issue of whether Mr. Burkley should vote on a seven- or eight-figure proposal advanced by a group led by a name partner at the law firm that issues paychecks that fund his household. I want to believe Mr. Burkley is something better than just another warm bulb in the mayor's indictment incubator, and The Comet's report generates hope, but I believe more information is needed to reach a reliable conclusion. I'm not reaching for that puppet picture yet, but I am keeping it within reach. Perhaps one of the Bernstein Law Firm or Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney employees who visit this site could provide insight?
3 comments:
I ignored what you had discovered mostly to be generous. I do think it's "newsworthy" to report his ties to the Rooney org. in the context of controversial business being conducted with the Rooneys. Perhaps if no one else does, I'll broach the subject with him one of these days.
Also, from what I understand, Burkley is a "community guy" who was very active with his North Side neighborhood group (one of the 16 which comprise the North Side Leadership Conference). What this means is that he has a strong sense of parochial concerns which can both inform his votes and, if necessary, influence them.
Infy,
I must issue one correction to your coverage of Mr. Burkley...
He has been a member of the Planning Commission for over a year already.
He was just recently confirmed as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Shit. Really?
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