WELCOME TO THE SABATINO REPORT

October 24, 2006

THE “ ZAGARIS SHACKS” ON SCENIC DRIVE ARE GONE THANKS TO A  $236,000 TAXPAYER CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPER MIKE ZAGARIS

‘Slow growth” Keating , obedient servant to developer Mike Zagaris, fought Mayor Sabatino to reject the purchase of a six acre park for $1million and  purchase one acre of adjacent Zagaris property for $700,000

The Scenic complex along Dry Creek is a most welcome addition, according t o the Modessto Bee.  According to Zagaris, "Over the years there were a lot of ugly uses on the land." 

After 20 years of profitable blight Zagaris has decided to move forward.  As long as Zagaris was collecting rent, the use of the property was beautiful.

Former Mayor, Carmen Sabatino, insisted that the "Zagaris Shacks" be torn down and was met with great resistance.  The former head of the Building Industry Association cautioned the Mayor, "not to hold your breath", waiting for the destruction of the blight.

The wait was shortened when the Mayor agreed to $263,000 in Redevelopment money for street side improvements along the length of the Zagaris property.  This was the taxpayer contribution to this private investment.

The Modesto Bee public relations piece of April 21, 2004 made the following statement.

"Until last year, the purchase of the eastern portion of the property was being considered for a Modesto city park. That plan fell through after objections were raised by former Mayor Carmen Sabatino."

The real story is that Mayor Sabatino exposed the sham one acre property purchase and Keating and Zagaris backed out..  City staff was pushing the useless one acre purchase as an unnecessary "trail head" for the new park.  It also provided driveway access to the Zagaris property which he is now providing for himself since we did not buy the property.

Despite great resistance, Mayor Sabatino was able to get the Council to purchase the six acres of land to the east of the Zagaris property for the new Monterossa Park. The property was appraised for $1.5 million.  It was purchased for $1 million with the agreement that it would be called the Pamela Monterossa.   Former City Attorney violated the spirit of that agreement. And the property won’t be named Monterossa Park until it is developed.