BOZA SIDES WITH JBS: GOOD JOB!

I have had a problem for a long time with this whole JBS situation which seemed to really catch fire when an outsider to our area came here 18 months ago by the name of Jon Salomon. The NIMBY folks have gotten away with so much that it is a wonder anything gets accomplished and we have jobs at all.

Take the Butchertown area for example. It did not get its name because it smelled of flowers. It got its name because of the Stockyards and meat packaging operations that were so prevalent in our history. Though I will often times side with the argument that sometimes historical buildings may outlast their usefulness and it would be better for the community to demolish it so they can move ahead, in this case I do not agree.

JBS, formerly Swift and a whole host of other names, has been an integral business in the Butchertown community for 100 years. It has not been a building that sat idly by and deteriorated it has provided jobs for the community and taxes for the City. While I will not say they have been the perfect example of cooperation, in some instances, I will say this what gives?

Jon Salomon graduated high school in Lexington, went to college in St. Louis, got his law degree in New York where he practiced at Cleary Gottlieb Steen Hamilton. Jon began practice as a litigation associate where he represented major financial institutions and public corporations (including three of the Fortune 10 companies) in a variety of matters including securities and business litigation, International Chamber of Commerce arbitrations, and investigations conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and various United States Attorneys' Offices. He represented banks, insurers and other clients in a wide variety of business litigation matters.

Jon's practice focuses on complex and multidistrict litigation, and he represents financial institutions in matters involving lender liability, employment discrimination, non-compete provisions and real estate disputes.

This info was gotten from his current law office bio.

So what gives? Why would a successful New York attorney with no roots or ties to Louisville move here and practically immediately decide to go after the area's most prominent employer?

Consider some things. What would be the real estate value of the Swift property if they were gone. Who would benefit?

According to a LEO article the land is considered prime real estate.Meatpacked Louisville's Alt-Weekly LEO Weekly so it seems a logical conclusion that something stinks and it isn't just the odor from JBS.

I mean River Park, museums, restaurants, the new downtown arena, 4th Street Live, Slugger Stadium, all are righ there.

Think about this. In June of 2008 ( less than 18 months ago) Salomon and Keturah Gray bought 1426 E Washington Street for $465,000.00. A 132 yr old, roughly 2400 square foot condo.

Think JBS being in close proximity may hurt the resell? Perhaps with JBS gone the value goes up as does the surrounding homes in the area? Ever see the movie Wall Street? Michael Douglas , as Gordon Gekko, makes a speech at a shareholders meeting and states "Greed is good."

Take a guy with no ties to the area, learns his law in New York the overinflated real estate capitol of the world, who then moves to a new yuppie condo in a working class neghborhood and immediately goes after the working class business.

Add in the fact that our good pal Abramson has been going to New York on "business" and would love nothing better than to see JBS get moved, without having to take the political heat for it, so that real estate can be taken over by the City, and probably given away to Cordish or someone else he gains from, what do you have?

Some will call me a conspiracy theorist for this article admittedly. But based on history with the shady dealings that go on with those who think they are the power elite in this town, one has to wonder.

Sorry, pardon the expression, but this pig just won't fly.

So what gives?

Sadly for them I want to know that answer.

Stay tuned..............