Monday, February 24, 2020

TJ Luna Continues to Direct All District Business to Captan Auto when He Never Sought Prices from Anyone Else…




For anyone that was following board meetings last year, TJ Luna was directing all district business to whoever he wanted without ever soliciting or receiving any prices from anyone else.  This applied to landscaping, snow removal, vehicle maintenance and everything else having to do with building and grounds.  TJ Luna wanted to pay “someone that Capizzi always used” $30,000 to paint Roosevelt School without getting prices from anyone else.


Everyone that TJ Luna chose in his noncompetitive manner just happened to be the same people that were all over the borough bills when Tony Luna was borough manager.  That's some coincidence.


Initially, Robert Brown lied to cover up the fact that no prices were solicited from any other businesses.  I received an email from him stating that two or three prices were received for each item.  When I asked him to produce them, I received a follow up email stating that no prices were ever sought or received.  Next, Robert Brown claimed he would address the issue.  That never happened.  Robert Brown was too busy scheduling his cruise during work hours and submitting additional invoices beyond his $625/day.


I am not saying anything negative about Captan Auto.  I am saying that TJ Luna should not be handing out district contracts to those associated with the Luna patronage system without getting prices and proposals from anyone else.  Its public funds and district business should be conducted in a fair and competitive manner. 


TJ Luna engages in very bad business practices and unfair hiring procedures.  There should be some oversight.  Best practices should be implemented.


Link to BOE addendum and agenda for February 26, 2020.