“Sandstorm Scholar” L. Scott Mann Discusses Issues Around the NELCDC [Audio]

On the Thursday edition of Lubbock's First News, Scott Mann, "Sandstorm Scholar," discussed recent controversies about the North and East Lubbock Community Development Corporation (NELCDC).

Mann said that after doing some searches and requesting information, he came to understand that a non-profit, city-funded, corporation--the NELCDC--owns a building through a for profit partnership. He said that a city employee, Tom Harris is running the leasing operations. He also observed that nearly all the corporation is tax funded. Since Harris is a city employee, he is being paid by the city; Mann says this is in addition to the $30,000 a year he receives from the NELCDC for working on city time.

Mann also found that David Langston's law firm, partner to Latrelle Joy, is being paid by the NELCDC for legal work. Although Joy voted for funds to go to the NELCDC, she said she was unaware of the connection to the law firm.

Mann said, regarding all information found, that "The issues here are the appearance of impropriety, transparency, and how they are spending the money." The NELCDC is refusing to release its financial records. Thus, Mann is calling for greater transparency because they are funded by taxes. Get more details on the conversation by listening to the interview below.

Mann is the publisher and editor of the Sandstorm Scholar website.

Listen to the full interview: