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FEB 2� <br />JP, <br />,RU0K60 F 9,E 63U <br />County Administrator James Chandler to address those points. <br />County Administrator James Chandler explained that the review <br />of the bids for the golf course construction contract followed the <br />same procedure as any other large construction project. It began <br />by Engineer Terry Thompson and Golf Course Director Bob Romarinetz <br />checking the figures and backgrounds and was expanded to include <br />Assistant County Attorney Terry O'Brien and Purchasing Manager Fran <br />Boynton and himself. Staff followed the same process that is <br />followed on all bids. He pointed out that at no point in this <br />review was he aware of anyone on staff being lobbied by any of the <br />commissioners for any of the bidders, from the low bidders all the <br />way to the top bidders. From staff's perspective the review was <br />done as we always do, and the recommendation that was indicated was <br />staff's recommendation. <br />Commissioner Scurlock readdressed the subject of Guettler's <br />proposal to the City of Ocoee and stated that was the only time he <br />was associated with Guettler. They did not get the job, and he has <br />not had any business relationship or business dealings with <br />Guettler since that time. He denied being an officer of Guettler <br />& Sons and asked for confirmation of that point by a representative <br />of Guettler & Sons. <br />Eugene O'Neill of the firm of Gould Cooksey Fennell Barkett <br />O'Neill & Marine, attorney for Guettler & Sons for over six years, <br />came before the Board and confirmed that Commissioner Scurlock is <br />not and has never been an officer, director or shareholder of that <br />corporation. He pointed out that anyone can check to see who the <br />officers of a Florida corporation are by calling Tallahassee. That <br />is public information. Attorney O'Neill explained that Guettler & <br />Sons is a family corporation and no outsiders are allowed in the <br />corporation. He described the proposal to the City of Ocoee and <br />suggested that the plaintiff used a sales tool to establish a <br />relationship when there never was a relationship. He stated there <br />has never been any financial exchange between these parties. <br />Chairman Eggert suggested Commissioner Scurlock elaborate on <br />his inquiries about the background of Prince Contracting Company <br />following a newspaper article that appeared in the Tampa Tribune. <br />Commissioner Scurlock pointed out that it was separate from <br />any inquiries by staff and involved an article written by Francis <br />Turbin in the Tampa Tribune's Bradenton office. The article <br />related to kickbacks from Prince Construction to Ron Garles and <br />when he inquired about a followup story, the writer told him that <br />he could consider Garles and Prince as a team. Commissioner <br />Scurlock stressed this was the only inquiry he made and it created_ <br />suspicion in his mind. After expressing his concerns at his <br />38 <br />� � r <br />