Blackwater's relief effort wins praise of project foe (Potrero)

[sabra]

Source: UNION-TRIBUNE

As Potrero planning group member Jan Hedlun tries to help her community recover from the Harris fire, she's found an unlikely ally providing assistance: Blackwater USA Vice President Brian Bonfiglio.
Even though Hedlun opposes Blackwater's plans for a training camp, she's been impressed that Bonfiglio has stopped by the fire station every day to drop off donated food and supplies.

Hedlun has thanked him for his help.

“I don't agree with the Blackwater facility, but they were one of the first ones here,” Hedlun said. “All they said was, 'What can we do?' ”

Hedlun is the only person on the nine-member planning group who opposes the training camp for military and law enforcement proposed for the backcountry community along state Route 94.

...

Raymond Lutz, an El Cajon-area resident who runs an anti-Blackwater Web site, is skeptical of the company's motives. He said he believes Blackwater is helping Potrero residents to sway public opinion.

“They're trying to win the hearts and minds of the community through their money,” Lutz said. “When you've got a really bad reputation, I guess you try to fix it with money.”


Read more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071030-9999-1m30potrero.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Gee ya think.... (re: the member "skeptical of their motives..."

a little food, some water, maybe some fresh flowers, and HEY, "let's have a mercenary training camp in our back yard..." Yeah! :eyes:

[gratuitous]

2. So instead of bribing politicians

They're bribing the citizen activists. Probably cheaper, but I hope that Hedlun isn't fooled by some timely gifts. As Wille Brown said, if you can't take their money and turn around and screw 'em, you have no business in politics. So take their food and water, then vote against them anyway. Just because they show a shred of humanity (when you were convinced they didn't have even that) doesn't mean they're suddenly swell guys.