Mayoral challenger questions Antioch business incentive
From left, Stacy Ellis, Scott Gartner and Larry Hanson are running for mayor in Antioch.
Posted2/19/2021 5:30 AM
The three candidates for mayor in Antioch agree incentives are necessary to attract business, but one challenger says the deal for a key project downtown raises eyebrows.
Longtime incumbent Larry Hanson defended the incentive package for Rivalry Alehouse after challenger Scott Gartner described it as controversial because of the involvement of sitting Trustee Jerry Johnson.
"If there's no public relations around it or no communication, then people just assume something nefarious is going on," Gartner said.
Hanson bristled at the suggestion, saying two other potential developments for the former Flo's Family Hair Care on the southern gateway to downtown fell through before Johnson and two local partners came to the table.