Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Sciortino sells his expertise

Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Ben Sciortino is now working from the other side of the commission bench. The man who lost his seat in November to Commissioner Gwen Welshimer is now starting up his own lobbying business: Sciortino & Associates.

So far, the only associate is his wife Mary, who will act as his secretary. Sciortino will lobby and advocate for businesses trying to cut through the city and county's bureaucratic red tape.

"After eight years in the county, I have a very good idea of how things work," Sciortino said. "I have maintained excellent relationships with the electeds on both sides of the street. If a company needs help with a zone change or help lobbying a particular item, that's what I'll do."

Sciortino will attend every Wichita City Council and Sedgwick County Commission meeting and will keep tabs on current and upcoming projects, he said. Most of his services will be geared toward businesses, not individual citizens.

"Probably more companies than everyday citizens because I probably won’t come real cheap," Sciortino said with a chuckle.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, great, just what we need. Another Greg Ferris.

Anonymous said...

I respect Mr Sciortino's skill.

We can use more advocates and less lobbyests.

Anonymous said...

Pepoon, Sciortino & Associates....
has a good ring to it.

Anonymous said...

Must be time to cash in on the "good ole boy" network.

Deborah said...

Just when you thought it was safe at city hall and the county commission. He's baaaaaaaaack.

The reason he left is that a majority of people wanted him gone. Having seen him in action, I wouldn't let him cut my yard or walk my dog.

Retire, play golf, take up scuba diving but please keep out of politics

Anonymous said...

Gwen Welshimer has ushered in an era of accountability to the voters - the residents of the county who want Sedgwick County to be a good place to live, work and raise families. Sciorntino's bygone era was bickering and belling-up to out of town special interests. It looks like he wants to continue doing what he did best - hanging around the deep pockets. Sure - little people like the voters don't offer the schmooze factor and the moola that special interests do...is it any wonder he didn't/doesn't have a strong bond to common folk?

Anonymous said...

Maybe he can help the Trotter's again get out of some tickets at the clubs.

Randy C said...

I found out today that i would like to have Ben for a father inlaw. Randy C