Web Posted: 11/29/2008 12:00 CST

House controversy soiling Hollywood Park's image

A putrid aroma is wafting from Hollywood Park.

On the scale of bad political moves, the Hollywood Park house controversy isn't the worst of the year, but it certainly isn't helping the North Side suburb's reputation.

The Express-News reported that the city bought a $229,000 house next door to the fire station and is renting it to the president of its economic development corporation at a bargain price.

City Councilwoman Ellen Alkire, who voted against the lease, told the Express-News that the city could have rented the house for two or three times more than the $500 per month it now receives.

And the newspaper reported that Mayor Richard McIlveen, showing a hands-on approach to government, set up the initial lease agreement, with David Ballard, who also happens to be the son of Mayor Pro-Tem Ken Ballard. The city reportedly plans to eventually expand the fire department facilities.

Timothy McCallum, president of the Hollywood Park Homeowners Association, has raised several troubling questions about the lease and purchase of the house.

“That deal stinks so much you begin to wonder what else is happening,” McCallum said.

And that's the problem with boneheaded political moves that give the appearance of favoritism.

Hollywood Park should clean up the unseemly mess, or the municipality will have to live with festering feelings of distrust in government.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/House_controversy_soiling_Hollywood_Parks_image.html