Sunday, February 24, 2019

The Jeff Gahan Money Machine, Part 3: Eight-year donor Terry Ginkins and a consistency of beak-wetting.


Previously: The Jeff Gahan Money Machine, Part 2: Of fire stations, amphitheater studies and Axis Architecture and Interiors of Indianapolis.

Some people watch ballgames for fun, but during the coming weeks we'll be plucking highlights from eight years of the Committee to Elect Gahan's CFA-4 campaign finance reports. Strap in, folks -- and don't forget those air(head) sickness bags.

From 2011 through 2018 Terry Ginkins (T.A. Ginkins Construction Company LLC) contributed $8,525 to Jeff Gahan's campaign finance larder. He's one of the few Gahan "old reliables" to have maintained a perfect record, donating all eight years.

Coincidentally Ginkins has gotten contracts from numerous city departments. In 2014, Redevelopment Commission minutes show these two projects; curiously, T.A. Ginkins was the only bidder. Another coincidence?

The Binford Park work was part of the $19.6 million parks buildout/TIF bonanza.


And Board of Works claims in 2014 and 2015.


And two 2017 entries from the Sewer Board claims docket.



Back to the Board of Works in 2017. These "subdivision entry" upgrades were a pet project of then-redevelopment chieftain Duggins, presumably to be pre-determined at the Roadhouse over a light lunch before approval at BOW.

Apr 11 2017: "The (Board of Works) approved a $29,000 contract for T.A. Ginkins Co. to replace the Watkins Prairie entrance way. The city will continue to replace subdivision markers this year.
January 10 2018: "The New Albany Board of Public Works & Safety approved a proposal from T.A. Ginkins Company LLC Tuesday to improve the median landscape and lighting on Shelby Place. The plan, which is for $39,447, calls for the removal of existing trees and shrubs which already has taken place and to install new landscaping."

Well, we know what they say about icebergs. It's probably reasonable to suggest that Ginkins' specialty over the years has been to put his company in place for smaller projects like these, presumably ones (a) easier to rig, or just as likely (b) far under the radar for those larger contractors with economies of scale, eyeing bigger paydays. 

Let's close by conceding this much: at least in Terry Ginkins' instance, the business is indisputably local, and not one located in Indy or Lexington KY.

For Deaf Gahan, that's a rarity. He really believes these special interests love him for who he is -- as opposed for what he allows them to take.

Rebuttals are welcome and will be published unaltered -- so don't forget spellcheck. If you have supplementary information to offer about any of this, please let us know and we'll update the page. The preceding was gleaned entirely from public records, with the addresses of "individuals" removed.

Next: The Jeff Gahan Money Machine, Part 4: The Estopinol Group and Cripe Architects are just two facets of River Run Waterpark's fertilizing effect.

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