An internal fight on the Adams City Council is threatening to derail the decision of an Australian green energy company to locate its U.S. headquarters and a massive manufacturing facility there.
A letter from the Australian company GEITS refers to “internal squabblings” on the council, and says, “We have decided to freeze the decision to locate our manufacturing facility in the City of Adams and are currently exploring other options including relocation.”
The 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and associated green energy technology has been championed by city administrator Bob Ellisor.
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“Whether this development goes forward from here is I believe in serious question,” said Ellisor.
In a statement at a meeting Tuesday night, Ellisor said he was taking out legal representation because of the actions of Roger Marti, a member of the Adams City Council.
“This individual has succeeded in creating an unbearably hostile work environment, and is determined to bring harm to me and consequently my family,” said Ellisor. “He doesn’t care if the city of Adams suffers for it.”
Marti said he’s being unfairly targeted.
“I was basically assaulted at the meeting,” he said.
Marti said he supports the green energy project, but doesn’t think Mayor JanAlyn Baumgartner should have taken a job at GEITS without first stepping down as mayor.
“I’m not accusing the mayor that she would do anything wrong, but it doesn’t seem right that you can work on both sides of the contract,” said Baumgartner. “I’m all for progress.”
Ellisor said the mayor has recused herself from votes that involve the GEITS development. He said he hopes the council can regroup and save the project.
“For any project to be successful, especially one of this scale, you need the full support and backing of the council and they need to support each other,” said Ellisor. “Without some form of cohesiveness, it can very easily fall apart.”
GEITS had agreed to break ground on the manufacturing complex by May of next year.
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