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OPA submits report on marina audit to Senate today
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Posted on Aug 23 2000
In what appears to be a move that would help pacify controversies surrounding the Outer Cove Marina, the Office of the Public Auditor is submitting a report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate today.
Public Auditor Leo LaMotte said OPA has prepared a testimony for the Senate hearing on the issues of Outer Cove Marina scheduled next week. He said the report will be delivered to the Senate today.
The Marine Revitalization Corporation, which owns and operates the Outer Cove Marina, and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources will also be furnished a copy of the OPA report, said Mr. LaMotte.
Mr. LaMotte refused to discuss details of the audit report pending its submission to the Senate.
Citing bankruptcy and the apparent partnership agreement it struck with the DLNR, MRC has been proposing that the government takes over the Outer Cove Marina in order to resolve the dispute that has reached intolerable proportion in recent weeks.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority was even previously asked to take control of the $4.3 million Outer Cove Marina. CPA, however, rejected the proposal.
Under the takeover proposal, CPA would assume all liabilities of MRC including the payment for the $4.3 million loans from various commercial banks which were used to develop the marina.
Control of the Outer Cove Marina would have been transferred to the ports authority in 11 years, according to the existing contract. It also stated that MRC would build and operate the facility during which period.
But MRC President Anthony Pellegrino has argued it would be more practical to transfer the facility’s control earlier than the date stipulated under the contract, especially with the opposition from operators to move their boats in to the Outer Cove Marina.
