Westfield Mayor Cook calls Indy Star article “inaccurate, misleading, blatantly unethical”

On Tuesday, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook issued a response on social media to an Indianapolis Star article that raised concerns over the Mayor’s ethics regarding Westfield purchasing real estate from family members of Cook.

Cook

The article reported Cook’s family members allegedly profited from a real estate purchase and sale that is now a portion of Westfield’s $35 million Grand Junction Plaza.

The article questioned the Mayor’s role in the purchase that financially benefited family members. The Star’s article reported the Cooks were paid nearly twice as much as they paid for the property.

In his statement, Cook said the Star article contained “biased reporting, falsehoods and overzelous generalizations.”

Cook’s complete response is below.

Mayor Cook’s response

My response to a recent Indy Star article regarding my sons and the appearance of impropriety:

In 2008 I became mayor of Westfield, a responsibility I humbly accepted and have always protected.

A recent IndyStar article regarding my sons’ purchase and sale of a downtown Westfield home is inaccurate, misleading and blatantly unethical. It is another example of their biased reporting and commitment to play to the lowest common denominator by attempting to give credibility to a politically motivated (this is a very old accusation) attack in order to get clicks online.

I take particular exception to this because they called into question the integrity of my family. My wife and I are proud to have raised two fine sons and a daughter. They, and their families, are of the highest character.

While the IndyStar story contained falsehoods and overzealous generalizations, I want to be clear on these key points.

Perceived Conflict of Interest: Let’s go to the root of the issue. My son and his wife bought and lived in a house in downtown Westfield in 2007 when I was on the town council. Incidentally, that home was listed on the open market for anyone to buy for more than 30 days before my sons bought it.

In 2008, the town suggested a volunteer citizens group needed to decide what and where the downtown would be located. The Grand Junction Task Group voluntarily researched, brainstormed and came to a community-driven decision in 2016 on where and what was needed.

Over the course of 10 years, several designs were created. My sons’ property wasn’t in some iterations and then ultimately it was in the Plaza design. In all, the City purchased my sons’ home, along with more than 20 other parcels, to lay the foundation for our new downtown community amenity.

I did not design the Plaza. I did not choose the boundaries. Council member Steve Hoover states that in the Star piece. In fact, I did not participate in the purchase of any parcels. The only thing I did was agree with a 1993 Ball State report that Westfield, like MANY communities, needed a downtown – wherever or whatever that might be.

The Star, which published two versions of the same story after we pointed out falsehoods, tried to make it look like we did something wrong. I, unequivocally, can tell you there was nothing improper, inappropriate or unethical about the City of Westfield purchasing my sons’ property. In fact, a third party, Parsons Brinkerhoff (now WSP), handled the purchase to ensure there was no conflict and the transactions were completed fairly and accurately.

Transparency: I am criticized by the Star for not talking with them, even as they harass my family. My team repeatedly told the Star to do their research and get all the facts, not just favor the inaccurate speculation from the politically motivated opposition.

They never did. At no point was an interview denied until the writer unprofessionally ambushed me at a City Council meeting.

The Star’s game is to listen to questionably motivated “sources,” spew some confusing half-truths and bring in “professional experts” who have heard only one side of the story. I have never been offered the opportunity to present the other side of the story to these “experts.” In fact, we talked to one of the experts in the story and he was unaware of the purchase process and the fact a third party handled the transaction.

Again, I was never involved. The Star’s goal is to present half-truths, incomplete timeframes and create some doubt in your mind about my family’s character.

I imagine the IndyStar will next resurrect another old falsehood from the political opposition regarding the Pro-X business, co-owned by my nephew, located at Grand Park. The City followed all proper bidding rules and everything was conducted in public view. I did not use my position for the personal gain of any member of my family. But, given past practice of the IndyStar, no matter how many proper steps were taken they will attempt to have their readers believe otherwise.

Westfield is a wonderful, inclusive community. During the past decade you’ve given me the opportunity to partner with our elected officials, business and community leaders, and residents to transform our City into a regional, national and international destination for families and businesses. My team and I have met the challenges of new taxation laws, reconstruction of U.S. 31 and the creation of an economic growth strategy that many today are attempting to emulate. In addition, our commitment to quality of life allowed us to launch the Westfield Youth Assistance Program and, most recently, the Wellbeing Coalition of Westfield.

I am proud of Westfield and I am proud of my family. I thank the residents of Westfield for placing their trust in me to help lead our City.

Sincerely,

Andy Cook

Westfield Mayor