Trump's Aberdeen Episode

[Rory Connaughton]

This quote from Trump's agent was of particular interest in the link pasted by Bob:

George Sorial, head of international development at Trump Organisation.

"He was unable to handle the role and we did what was necessary to protect the project.

He was unable to handle the role because as an honest hard working superintendent he didn't realize the role would be to try to drive people off their land.

At the time of the termination Trump was attempting to coerce the local authorities into seizing neighboring properties through eminent domain, not because they were crucial to the project (which would be bad enough) but because he didn't like the way the looked and thought they disrupted his "views".  My understanding is that that effort was not bearing fruit so Trump decided to destroy their views by dumping loads of fill on the border between the properties as an intimidation tactic (so much for honoring the people of his mother's homeland).

My understanding from reading some of the reports is that Mr. O'Connor refused to participate. Based on the fact that Mr. O'Connor has an outstanding reputation and will likely be sought after for other big jobs in GB&I, I am not surprised at all that he declined to participate, he has to live there.  Secondarily, Mr. O'Connor is a Cork man. Most people I know from that part of Ireland do not tend to take the side of the large landowner bully for obvious cultural reasons.

That show and the selective editing was a disgrace. Of course its a Trump vehicle and I am sure it fooled some people but O'Connor clearly knows what he is doing and is probably one of the few involved in this thing that left dignity and self respect intact.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Robert Thompson,

I don't think Trump is given to "random acts".  I think he's quite measured in his decision making processes.

As to the firing, the newspaper article, when read carefully, if full of unconfirmed third party references.

What's clear is that Trump took Paul aside and told him that everyone else on the "team" was having a hard time getting along with him.

I don't know how many people you've hired, but resumes and references don't tell the entire story, and, like a marriage, it's only when you couple the parties and have them interact with each other, that you know if the chemistry is right.  And in this instance, it appears that Paul was alienating everyone, the entire team.

You also seem to conveniently forget, that Trump was just visiting for a brief time.
He wasn't on site for months, hence, his information was the product of those on site, those working with Paul.
So, it wasn't due to his interaction with Donald, rather his interaction with the development team.

But, since you appear to be so familiar with the situation, why don't you tell us why Trump fired Paul.

As I mentioned to you, when I've questioned employees who have worked for him, at different sites, everyone of them had positive responses, despite my prodding.  Is that a universal endorsement ?  No, but I was surprised by the general positive tone of all those I spoke to.

You don't like the guy.
At times I didn't like the guy.
But, you have to give the devil his due.
He produces quality products.  He puts his money where his mouth is.
And, he's risking his money on golf courses at a time when everyone else is running for the hills.

As to the editing, you would have us believe that the show didn't depict what really happened, so tell us, what really happened.

It's one thing to know what really happened, and it's another to pretend that you know what really happened based on speculation and a dislike of the principle character.

As to the editing, "Donald J. Trump's Fabulous World of Golf" is produced by GOLF CHANNEL in conjunction with The WorkShop, LLC, an independent multi-media production company based in Bryn Mawr, Penn, NOT BY DONALD TRUMP

[Patrick_Mucci]

Adam Clayman,

Has he been successful at promoting his projects ?

Does he produce a quality product ?

If the answer is "yes", then like it or not, his method has worked for him.

[Adam Clayman]

And, he's risking his money on golf courses at a time when everyone else is running for the hills.

Do you know it's "his money" as a fact?

[jeffwarne]

Tom Doak,

I think the difference is that Mike Keiser had a luxury that Trump doesn't have, local support and a permitting process that might not be conducive to future courses.

The "local support" Mr. Keiser had was not a granted luxury, but rather something he earned by acting and treating the locals with respect, trust, and dignity.
He spent a lot of time navigating the permitting process as well.
I'm confident Mr. Keiser wouldn't "berm up" a neighbor's property nor seek to have them forcibly removed.
No matter how "great" Trump's course is, it will never approach the success of the Bandon project. (and he's the one who drew the comparison)
I personally don't see anything good about Trump for golf (other than gathering all the like minded individuals in one place), but that's just my opinion.
Hopefully the people of Aberdeen reap an economic benefit worth the "noise" that seems to come with it.

Adam,
It's his money-unless he loses it-then it's someone else's

[Rory Connaughton]

No one involved in the project got along with O'Connor because he refused to play ball the Trump way.

[Patrick_Mucci]

This quote from Trump's agent was of particular interest in the link pasted by Bob:

George Sorial, head of international development at Trump Organisation.

"He was unable to handle the role and we did what was necessary to protect the project.

He was unable to handle the role because as an honest hard working superintendent he didn't realize the role would be to try to drive people off their land.

So, his inability to get along with everyone else on the project had nothing to do with his dismissal ?

His inability to state that he could concoct the proper dosage to kill the weeds will sparing the desirable grasses had nothing to do with his dismissal.

If, according to you, his failure to follow out an order to create a berm to block what Trump considered an "off property" eyesore had nothing to do with his dismissal ?

Collectivized, that sounds like grounds for dismissal to me.  UNLESS you're a Peter Sellers fan and liked the movie, "I'm allright Jack"
When Sellars, a Union Shop Steward, confronts management with the line, "Since when is incompetence grounds for dismissal ?"[/b]

At the time of the termination Trump was attempting to coerce the local authorities into seizing neighboring properties through eminent domain, not because they were crucial to the project (which would be bad enough) but because he didn't like the way the looked and thought they disrupted his "views".  

COERCE ?
Exactly how was he trying to COERCE the local authorities ?
Did he file a petition ?[/b]

My understanding is that that effort was not bearing fruit so Trump decided to destroy their views by dumping loads of fill on the border between the properties as an intimidation tactic (so much for honoring the people of his mother's homeland).

If Donald Trump didn't sell those people their home/property, why do you assume that he's responsible for their views ?
Berming property lines to screen out what lies beyond those property lines is a common practice at golf courses.
Why is it suddenly bad for Trump to do it for his golf course ?[/b]

My understanding from reading some of the reports is that Mr. O'Connor refused to participate.


OH, so you don't have any first hand knowledge, you're just parroting some of what you've read.
I don't have first hand knowledge either, so we're even on that account.[/b]

Based on the fact that Mr. O'Connor has an outstanding reputation and will likely be sought after for other big jobs in GB&I, I am not surprised at all that he declined to participate, he has to live there.  Secondarily, Mr. O'Connor is a Cork man. Most people I know from that part of Ireland do not tend to take the side of the large landowner bully for obvious cultural reasons.

"Large landowner bully"  Interesting.

What about all the jobs and boost to the economy that that "large landowner bully" is going to create for the local residents ?[/b]

That show and the selective editing was a disgrace. Of course its a Trump vehicle and I am sure it fooled some people but O'Connor clearly knows what he is doing and is probably one of the few involved in this thing that left dignity and self respect intact.

"Selective editing"  How do you know what was and wasn't edited ?  It is NOT a Trump vehicle.
 "Donald J. Trump's Fabulous World of Golf" is produced by GOLF CHANNEL in conjunction with The WorkShop, LLC, an independent multi-media production company based in Bryn Mawr, Penn, NOT BY DONALD TRUMP

[Patrick_Mucci]

And, he's risking his money on golf courses at a time when everyone else is running for the hills.

Do you know it's "his money" as a fact?

YES, he has money at risk.

Now what ?

[Patrick_Mucci]

No one involved in the project got along with O'Connor because he refused to play ball the Trump way.

That's PURE BS.

Trump wasn't even there.

Trump was never on site.

He couldn't get along with anyone on the development team.

What is the "Trump way" ?

And, how EXACTLY did he not play ball ?

Remind me again, what was Paul's job title and function ?

He wasn't the construction manager was he ?
The Project manager ?
The Architect ?

I thought he was the GREEN SUPERINTENDENT.
An agronomic specialist, charged with MAINTAINING the golf course.

Am I wrong ?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tom Doak,

I don't want to argue either.

But, I'm confused.

If you and Jack both agreed that it should be a demanding par 4,
why is it a softer par 5 ?

[Michael Whitaker]

No one involved in the project got along with O'Connor because he refused to play ball the Trump way.

That's PURE BS.

Trump wasn't even there.

Trump was never on site.

He couldn't get along with anyone on the development team.

What is the "Trump way" ?

And, how EXACTLY did he not play ball ?

Remind me again, what was Paul's job title and function ?

He wasn't the construction manager was he ?
The Project manager ?
The Architect ?

I thought he was the GREEN SUPERINTENDENT.
An agronomic specialist, charged with MAINTAINING the golf course.

Am I wrong ?

Patrick - Mr. O'Connor has requested a tribunal hearing on his dismissal. This will all be played out in public. You obviously have a fondness for Mr. Trump and feel obliged for some reason to defend him. You really should back off a bit because employment laws are very different in the UK than in the States and this issue will be hashed out in a public forum, not dispensed with behind closed doors as usually happens here. If Mr. O'Connor was wrongfully dismissed he will get his due. If not, Mr. Trump will have another opportunity to beat his chest.

[Rory Connaughton]

Pat

Not sure how I could have been more clear in my previous post.  The you draw attention to the fact that he is just a superintendent makes my point.  At the time he was fired, they weren't even at the grow in stage yet. There was no grass growing or maintenance to be done. Hawtree and the contractors were on site moving earth and remained involved in the design process.  O'Connor was being asked to carry out tasks unrelated to being a superintendent (ie the intimidation of neighboring land owners in an attempt to drive them off).  He wouldn't participate in that game which is why the real estate people wanted him off the project.  

A little off topic but . . . even if an independent media company is producing the show, I would venture to guess that the Donald was smart enough to ensure that he has control over the content of each episode.  Why on earth would he agree to any production where he didn't? (I do not know this but I wouldn't be surprised if he commissioned them to create what is essentially an infomercial for the Trump brand disguised as a television program . . but, again, I do not know this to be the case).

[Adam Clayman]

Patrick,
 Nothing now.

I ask earlier if he was using his own money, and no one responded or knew. You seem to know.

You asked earlier about his quality of product and history. If we leave out the Casino business, I suppose you're right. He's Ugelly successful.

Did you happen to see him the other morning on CNBC? It was during the piece on the new Taylor Made driver. The R 11.

Michael Whitaker,
 In the first golf channel piece they had several comments from DJT's lawyer, browbeating, saying that if this project gets denied, let it be known far and wide that Aberdeen is not interested in doing business. It's that type of odious hyperbole I believe Mr. Huntley was referring.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Pat

Not sure how I could have been more clear in my previous post.  The you draw attention to the fact that he is just a superintendent makes my point.  At the time he was fired, they weren't even at the grow in stage yet. There was no grass growing or maintenance to be done. Hawtree and the contractors were on site moving earth and remained involved in the design process.  O'Connor was being asked to carry out tasks unrelated to being a superintendent (ie the intimidation of neighboring land owners in an attempt to drive them off).  


Would you cite exactly how he was going to do doing this ?
Or, would you cite exactly how he was told to do this, and by whom ?
You keep making allegations that you seem unable to support with facts.
Is your dislike of the man causing you to exagerate and be intellectually dishonest ?[/b]

He wouldn't participate in that game which is why the real estate people wanted him off the project.  

A little off topic but . . . even if an independent media company is producing the show, I would venture to guess that the Donald was smart enough to ensure that he has control over the content of each episode.  

Do you know that for a fact ?
Or, is that what you want to believe, what you have to believe in order to validate your position ?

Why on earth would he agree to any production where he didn't? (I do not know this but I wouldn't be surprised if he commissioned them to create what is essentially an infomercial for the Trump brand disguised as a television program . . but, again, I do not know this to be the case).

I cited who is producing the show.
Why do you seek to change the facts for your own purpose ?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Patrick - Mr. O'Connor has requested a tribunal hearing on his dismissal.

That's NOT TRUE.
Mr. O'Connor hasn't requested a tribunal, he's considering a request.
Here's the quote from the article.[/b]

The Irish greenkeeper hired by Donald Trump to take care of the links course at the billionaire's £750m resort at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire is considering a claim for wrongful dismissal according to his solicitor.

[/i]

This will all be played out in public. You obviously have a fondness for Mr. Trump and feel obliged for some reason to defend him.

Do you mean defend him and his project against unfounded criticisms of the golf course when the golf course hasn't even been built.
Then yes, I'm defending him.
Tom Doak and C&C go to build a golf course and before there's a shovel in the ground the cretins on this site are claiming it'll be one of the greatest courses in the world.  Now Tom's and C&C's body of work has been outstanding, but, that's no guarantee that the future project will be spectacular.
Trump's course hasn't been built and it's being criticized.  How fair is that ?[/b]

You really should back off a bit because employment laws are very different in the UK than in the States and this issue will be hashed out in a public forum, not dispensed with behind closed doors as usually happens here.


So, civil court cases in the U.S. are "dispensed with behind closed doors as usually happens here" ?
That's a moronic, disrespectful, ignorant statement.
You show a complete lack of understanding on the adjudication of civil court cases.
Let's see, I'm going to file a civil action against Bernie Madoff, and it's going to be "dispensed with behind closed doors"
The judge, jury and defendent's lawyers will meet without my attorney' and my knowledge and dispense justice ?  ?  ?
Is that how it works ?
Is that how all those civil actions are being handled ?  Behind closed doors ?
What do you think that the Wilpons think of your remark ?
[/b]

If Mr. O'Connor was wrongfully dismissed he will get his due. If not, Mr. Trump will have another opportunity to beat his chest.

If Trump wins, according to you, in court, in a public forum, then, isn't Trump 100 % correct ? 
Isn't he vindicated ?
Why would you characterize the prevailing of his position as an opportunity for Trump to beat his chest ?
Answer:  Because, like the other morons judging a golf course that hasn't been built, you've pre-judged Trump without knowing the facts.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Tom Doak,

I think the difference is that Mike Keiser had a luxury that Trump doesn't have, local support and a permitting process that might not be conducive to future courses.

The "local support" Mr. Keiser had was not a granted luxury, but rather something he earned by acting and treating the locals with respect, trust, and dignity.

Jeff, you don't know what you're talking about.
The locals had NEVER heard of Mike Keiser at the start of the project.
Secondly, Mike Keiser wasn't the point man.
Read the book on Bandon, then get back to us.
You're off base on this.[/b]

He spent a lot of time navigating the permitting process as well.

Read the book, then get back to us.[/b]

I'm confident Mr. Keiser wouldn't "berm up" a neighbor's property nor seek to have them forcibly removed.

Would YOU tell us how Donald Trump sought to have neighbors forcibly removed ?
Please, to you other idiots, I"ve asked Jeff the question, let him answer the question without assistance, direct or indirect.
Those answering for him will confirm their title as "idiots"

As to the berming of property, how can you pretend to speak for Mike Keiser on a project specific basis.
If artificial berms were created at Friar's Head for screening purposes would that turn Ken Bakst into Donald Trump or would he remain a visionary who pursued his dream and protected his golf course as best he could.

If instead of a house it was a factory, would you still decry the creation of a berm ?

If YOU were a project manager, and something unsightly was off your property, would you attempt to screen it off.

How about the commercial buildings at Sandpines, would you attempt to screen them off or leave them as an eyesore.

How about Steve Wynn and Shadow Creek, when he bermed the entire golf course to screen it out from outside influences, factories/commercial buildings and the like ?

Be HONEST, all of you,  If YOU were a project manager and an unsightly feature beyond my property line created an eyesore, why wouldn't you berm it ? [/b]

No matter how "great" Trump's course is, it will never approach the success of the Bandon project. (and he's the one who drew the comparison)


So what ?
He's promoting HIS project.
Should he say, The course at Aberdeen will be INFERIOR to Bandon, INFERIOR to Pinehurst.

GEEEZ, get with the program, he's promoting his product.[/b]

I personally don't see anything good about Trump for golf (other than gathering all the assholes in one place), but that's just my opinion.


A dear, dear friend of mine is a member of a Trump course.
He's been very successful.
He's incredibly charitable.
He's smart, funny and good to be with.
A nicer guy you couldn't meet.
He's humble.
He's a good husband and father.
And yet, you call him an "asshole", and, you've never met him.

Don't you see the absurdity of your position ?
The universal condemnation of Trump, his projects and the individual members who belong to his courses ?
That's foolish at the very least.
[/b]

Hopefully the people of Aberdeen reap an economic benefit worth the "noise" that seems to come with it.

Adam,
It's his money-unless he loses it-then it's someone else's

That's not true and is just another absurd, resentful declaration on your part.

Does this mean that you won't be donating to his campaign for President ?[/b]

[Rory Connaughton]

Pat, the berming issue is what I am referring to.  At one time, I followed this story pretty closely and the reports relate the termination directly to the berming issue.  I don't maintain a file on this and I'm not inclined to spend my day finding old articles to prove a point. I participate in this DG to pick up some fact, be entertained by a lot of opinion, and participate in some banter just like we are doing now.

 You have a perspective that differs from mine and no one is going to make or lose money or anything else on the basis of either perspective. I certainly don't have a hard on for Trump or event the project.  I do not like, however, to see people belittled in the manner that O'Connor was on the show and I suspect that if you came to Lancaster and had occasion to see me speak to a highly qualified and hard working professional superintendent (or any other member of the staff for that matter) in the way DT spoke to O' Connor on the show, you would be unimpressed, uncomfortable and think less of me than perhaps you already do. :-)

As for whether I know it for a fact?  No, I was not on site but the reports from the time of the termination and O'Connor himself identified this as the basis for the termination.  

As for whether Trump has control of the content, I do not know this for a fact. I can say, however, that in my experience representing clients that are in the media's eye and dealing with PR people, giving up control of content/message is a good way to lose the public even when all of the facts are in your favor so I would be amazed if someone as media savvy and sophisticated at DT would ever consent to give up control.

My view of the show as an infomercial is totally subjective. I am not trying to change the facts. I've been a professional advocate for long enough to know when a presentation is less than objective though.  if you disagree, fine with me. I don't need to convince you.

In any event O'Connor is better off without DT and vice versa.

[jeffwarne]

Tom Doak,

I think the difference is that Mike Keiser had a luxury that Trump doesn't have, local support and a permitting process that might not be conducive to future courses.

The "local support" Mr. Keiser had was not a granted luxury, but rather something he earned by acting and treating the locals with respect, trust, and dignity.

Jeff, you don't know what you're talking about.
The locals had NEVER heard of Mike Keiser at the start of the project.
Secondly, Mike Keiser wasn't the point man.
Read the book on Bandon, then get back to us.
You're off base on this.[/b]

He spent a lot of time navigating the permitting process as well.

Read the book, then get back to us.[/b]

I'm confident Mr. Keiser wouldn't "berm up" a neighbor's property nor seek to have them forcibly removed.

Would YOU tell us how Donald Trump sought to have neighbors forcibly removed ?
Please, to you other idiots, I"ve asked Jeff the question, let him answer the question without assistance, direct or indirect.
Those answering for him will confirm their title as "idiots"

As to the berming of property, how can you pretend to speak for Mike Keiser on a project specific basis.
If artificial berms were created at Friar's Head for screening purposes would that turn Ken Bakst into Donald Trump or would he remain a visionary who pursued his dream and protected his golf course as best he could.

If instead of a house it was a factory, would you still decry the creation of a berm ?

If YOU were a project manager, and something unsightly was off your property, would you attempt to screen it off.

How about the commercial buildings at Sandpines, would you attempt to screen them off or leave them as an eyesore.

How about Steve Wynn and Shadow Creek, when he bermed the entire golf course to screen it out from outside influences, factories/commercial buildings and the like ?

Be HONEST, all of you,  If YOU were a project manager and an unsightly feature beyond my property line created an eyesore, why wouldn't you berm it ? [/b]

No matter how "great" Trump's course is, it will never approach the success of the Bandon project. (and he's the one who drew the comparison)


So what ?
He's promoting HIS project.
Should he say, The course at Aberdeen will be INFERIOR to Bandon, INFERIOR to Pinehurst.

GEEEZ, get with the program, he's promoting his product.[/b]

I personally don't see anything good about Trump for golf (other than gathering all the assholes in one place), but that's just my opinion.


A dear, dear friend of mine is a member of a Trump course.
He's been very successful.
He's incredibly charitable.
He's smart, funny and good to be with.
A nicer guy you couldn't meet.
He's humble.
He's a good husband and father.
And yet, you call him an "asshole", and, you've never met him.

Don't you see the absurdity of your position ?
The universal condemnation of Trump, his projects and the individual members who belong to his courses ?
That's foolish at the very least.
[/b]

Hopefully the people of Aberdeen reap an economic benefit worth the "noise" that seems to come with it.

Adam,
It's his money-unless he loses it-then it's someone else's

That's not true and is just another absurd, resentful declaration on your part.

Does this mean that you won't be donating to his campaign for President ?[/b]

Patrick,
My apologies to your friend. I've amended my post.

I've read the book, and I've spoken to Mr. Keiser about it as well.
I still disagree; but then you know more about the design of the 18th hole at Sebonack than the co-architect-because you read the book.

Trump drew the comparisons-he didn't need to say it was inferior to bandon-he simply didn't need to bring it up.
If he wanted to promote his project, he doesn't need to do it at the expense of other projects.

Mr. Bakst remains a visionary and it would take a lot more than the judgement of a poorly placed berm to pull him down into such company.

as far as money at stake, no doubt many of his former creditors may disagree with you.
Unless you want to apologise for his multiple bankruptcy filings as well.

I have no "resentment" of Mr. Trump, just the black eye he puts on American business, golf and Americans abroad.
Do you really feel good about him as the face of golf and business in America and New York?

and actually he may be perfect for President as he and Congress would be a good match for each other.
just think how many waterfalls and golf courses you could build with trillions of dollars that never had to be paid back.

[Niall C]

I'm confident Mr. Keiser wouldn't "berm up" a neighbor's property nor seek to have them forcibly removed.

Would YOU tell us how Donald Trump sought to have neighbors forcibly removed ?
Please, to you other idiots, I"ve asked Jeff the question, let him answer the question without assistance, direct or indirect.
Those answering for him will confirm their title as "idiots"


Patrick,

You asked Jeff the question and he would seem to have declined the opportunity to answer it directly either because he doesn't have an answer or because he is unsure of the procedures surrounding removing the rightful owner off their property. At the risk of being termed an idiot let me have a go at answering the question, which is a good one BTW, as it might explain a lot of the hostility in Scotland towards Mr Trump.

From the outset Trump has gone about this project by smoozing with the top politicians in Scotland as well as the ,ocal ones that counted. First he started with Jack McConnell when he was First Minister and then later it was Alex Salmond when he became first Minister. All along he and his team have had unprecidented political support for a development of this type, and certainly one that is controversial. The development is basically a housing development, leisure facility and hotel, all of which go through planning and get built in Scotland every day. Trump has made the politicians believe that what he is building is of national significance (when Trump was going for planning their was at least 4 hotel schemes in Glasgow in for planning permission that were as big as Trumps and none of them were deemed nationally significant, similarly housing schemes and even golf courses).

That has made the possibility of the local authorities using their Compulsory Purchase powers to acquire neighbouring properties to allow the scheme to go ahead. Compulsory Purchase can be used where the local authority deem it necessary to allow a significant project to proceed. As a consequence Trumps neighbours have been living with the threat of being trufed off their land hanging ove r their heads. It has been clear from the public comments from Trump and his team that they have been angling for this to happen but it is only recently that they have said they don't need the Council to use their powers. That suggests to me that they have been told privately that it won't happen.

Niall

[jeffwarne]

I'm confident Mr. Keiser wouldn't "berm up" a neighbor's property nor seek to have them forcibly removed.

Would YOU tell us how Donald Trump sought to have neighbors forcibly removed ?
Please, to you other idiots, I"ve asked Jeff the question, let him answer the question without assistance, direct or indirect.
Those answering for him will confirm their title as "idiots"


Patrick,

You asked Jeff the question and he would seem to have declined the opportunity to answer it directly either because he doesn't have an answer or because he is unsure of the procedures surrounding removing the rightful owner off their property. At the risk of being termed an idiot let me have a go at answering the question, which is a good one BTW, as it might explain a lot of the hostility in Scotland towards Mr Trump.

From the outset Trump has gone about this project by smoozing with the top politicians in Scotland as well as the ,ocal ones that counted. First he started with Jack McConnell when he was First Minister and then later it was Alex Salmond when he became first Minister. All along he and his team have had unprecidented political support for a development of this type, and certainly one that is controversial. The development is basically a housing development, leisure facility and hotel, all of which go through planning and get built in Scotland every day. Trump has made the politicians believe that what he is building is of national significance (when Trump was going for planning their was at least 4 hotel schemes in Glasgow in for planning permission that were as big as Trumps and none of them were deemed nationally significant, similarly housing schemes and even golf courses).

That has made the possibility of the local authorities using their Compulsory Purchase powers to acquire neighbouring properties to allow the scheme to go ahead. Compulsory Purchase can be used where the local authority deem it necessary to allow a significant project to proceed. As a consequence Trumps neighbours have been living with the threat of being trufed off their land hanging ove r their heads. It has been clear from the public comments from Trump and his team that they have been angling for this to happen but it is only recently that they have said they don't need the Council to use their powers. That suggests to me that they have been told privately that it won't happen.

Niall

Nial,
Thanks for that concise explanation.
I was waiting for the book to come out before I answered.
Regards,
Jeff

[George Pazin]

Niall, welcome to the New American Way - and believe me when I say it makes me want to vomit.

[Tim Pitner]

Trump is the anti-Local Hero.

Pat,

First, you asked us to discount Trump's overbearing manner and general jackassness because he was just mugging for the camera, playing a role.  Now, having seen the program, you tell us his actions are sincere and reflect genius.  Which is it?

Have you seen the program where, while playing Royal Aberdeen with the head pro I believe, he announces that Royal Aberdeen is okay as it goes, but his course will be superior because it will have 18, instead of just 9, great holes?  His egotism and lack of tact is no act.  You say it's all brilliant marketing.  I say at some point, even if you're a "celebrity," you have to act like a decent person. 

[Rory Connaughton]

It was reported in September of 2009 that the authorities had made known that the votes were not there for the use of compulsory purchase orders despite the request of DT's development group that they be used as a last resort.  
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1418930?UserKey=

Draw your own conclusions.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Trump is the anti-Local Hero.

Pat,

First, you asked us to discount Trump's overbearing manner and general jackassness because he was just mugging for the camera, playing a role.  Now, having seen the program, you tell us his actions are sincere and reflect genius.  Which is it?

My first response was based upon information relayed to me by others who had seen the show.

My second response was based upon me seeing the show.

Therefore, my second response is the one of record.

What's amazing is how everyone has conveniently chosen to ignore how gracious he was to the University that bestowed the honor on him.
He couldn't have spoken kinder words.[/b]

Have you seen the program where, while playing Royal Aberdeen with the head pro I believe, he announces that Royal Aberdeen is okay as it goes, but his course will be superior because it will have 18, instead of just 9, great holes?  His egotism and lack of tact is no act.  You say it's all brilliant marketing.  I say at some point, even if you're a "celebrity," you have to act like a decent person. 

I didn't see the show.
He's a promoter of his products, that's his persona.
Should he say that his new course will be worse than Royal Aberdeen ??  Equal to ?  Or better ?
Before you answer the question, remember, he's on camera and his every word is recorded.[/b]

[Tim Pitner]

Pat,

In the words of Ricky Gervais, "are you having a laugh?"

Trump shows up at the university in a convoy of black SUVs worthy of any 3rd world despot/drug kingpin, looking generally bored, and tells the audience that he went to Wharton, the #1 ranked business school in the world (the Business Week rankings I just searched had Chicago and Harvard ranked higher) and that, because this university bestowed an honor upon him, he won't say any other business school, including Wharton, is better.  That's the graciousness of which you speak?

I would expect that, while playing Royal Aberdeen, you would be considerate of your hosts and probably not make any comparison at all.  Maybe you'd even say that you hope your new course will stand alongside the grand old links of Scotland someday (or something to that effect).  There was no need to insult the course . . . while playing it . . . with the head pro . . . on television.