Fran O'Brien's Update - 4/20/06 - (It just gets worse!)

Citizen Smash - The Indepundit ^ | April 20, 2006 | Buzz Patterson

[tgslTakoma]

BUZZ PATTERSON sends:

I just had a long chat with Hal Koster. Our worst fears are not only well founded but grossly understated. It's a complete and thorough cluster @#$%. (Sorry, my words not his). I haven't been this pissed about anything in a very long time.

Andi, Kelleher's responses to our questions were blatant lies. Despite what Kelleher says, Hilton has done nothing to support the dinners... never met a bus, never contributed a cent, never negotiated for changes to bring the restaurant into ADA compliance, never advertised the restaurant or the dinners within their own hotel, never provided logistical support... in a word, they've done absolutely zip. In fact, Kelleher hides out in his office and has had no contact with Fran's owners. Hilton Corporate hasn't returned phone calls or e-mails. Hal has never spoken with a rep from Hilton about a future. This O'Boyle guy who is supposedly in charge of Hilton's leases has been MIA for years. Not only unprofessional in my opinion but grossly negligent. Fran's has been profitable every year in spite of the fact that Hilton won't even live up to their responsibilities for facilities management. They've had some plumbing issues... Hal and Marty now call their own plumber. Hilton wanted Fran's to re-upholster the booths and change the carpet, Hal and Marty asked for ADA compliance in return. When negotiations ceased, Hilton doubled their rent last month (doubled!). And then issued an eviction notice two weeks later.

Hal and Marty have retained lawyers and, as mentioned before, have the support of several influential organizations and people...

This is complete bulls***. Hilton has every right to make their business decisions. But our wounded vets are being kicked to the curb. When media show up now to document the process, Hilton's security team denies them access to the loading dock, the service elevator and the inhuman conditions our troops in wheelchairs have to endure to get to the frikkin restaurant.

It's not about the few thousand bucks it would cost to make this thing work... hell, I'll kick that in. This is about a bunch of numbskulls with no understanding of civil service, patriotism or, for that matter, good business sense. And I'm no hotel management major.

CBS and CNN are doing pieces tomorrow. As much as I despise MSM, I welcome this. H & C are doing a live hit Friday night. What's Alan gonna say? It's a right wing conspiracy? How can anyone argue in opposition to ADA especially when it's vets?

This, quite frankly, reeks. I'll be on my best behavior Saturday at the conference but this sucks. Pushing the throttles up...unarmed and unafraid. Feel free to quote me.

Buzz

Buzz is very angry.

Posted by Smash on April 20, 2006

[tgslTakoma]

I did not see this posted on FR, and know that Freepers everywhere have been following this story.

Another link of interest: Save Fran O'Brien's Steakhouse

A few hundred MilBloggers are in town this weekend for the MilBloggers Conference; many of them went to Fran O'Brien's tonight (Friday) after having stood with us in the pouring rain at Walter Reed. I wonder how that went...

[tgslTakoma]

More on the Fran O'Brien's eviction...

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

There was an editorial in the Friday edition of The Washington Times.

[Mo1]

When negotiations ceased, Hilton doubled their rent last month (doubled!). And then issued an eviction notice two weeks later.

Sounds like Hilton had no intentions of wanting to keep the restaurant there

[Coop]

I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm not surprised. Hilton has shown us nothing but boilerplate responses. As it stands now, Mr. Kelleher has a lot of explaining to do. If they kick Fran O'Brien's out and the dinners disappear (even for a short while), they'll be losing my family as a longtime customer (to include their Hilton credit card). Hilton made its business decision; my wife and I will make our business decision.

[patton]

yep.

[trooprally]

Thanks for the update and links. Looks like we need to overwhelm the corporate HQs with complaints.

[Mr] T

[Marine_Uncle]

Sorry. I am not following this story closely so no comments offered.

[Coop]

They've already been inundated with complaints. Although the more the merrier, as far as I'm concerned. Their paltry efforts at damage control have not impressed me.

[Coop]

Please read the link and contact Hilton. It's a sad situation where Hilton has acted unprofessionally, and the wounded troops at Walter Reed may be paying the price.

[Coop]

Bump

[gate2wire]

Yeah Coop, read this about three A.M.
Couldn't think of anything to type that wouldn't get me kicked off FR for excessive profanity. Un- eff'n- believable.

[Fudd Fan]

Hilton "brands" which my family will steer clear of:

Conrad Hotels
Doubletree
Embassy Suites Hotels
Hampton Inn and Hampton Inns & Suites
Hilton HHonors
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Homewood Suites by Hilton

[freema]

Please help the wounded... Contact the Hilton... Email your friends... The Friday dinners Fran O'Brien's hosts for Walter Reed patients are such a blessing and are in jeopardy thanks to the Hilton. Ping List FReepmail if you want on or off this list

www.mfvov.org

www.vetsforfreedom.com

[Abigail Adams]

Here's one of the responses I got from my email:

For strictly business reasons related solely to the inability to reach a new lease agreement, the Capital Hilton has elected to terminate the lease with the operator of Fran O’Brien’s restaurant at the hotel. This decision was not at all related to the Friday night dinners for disabled veterans but rather a result of lease negotiations that failed. The hotel offered to host and sponsor the May 5, 2006 dinner and expressed interest in working closely with the veterans to continue the Friday night tradition.

The Capital Hilton prides itself on its involvement and support of many community organizations and events and has provided complimentary or discounted rooms to families with veterans in the hospital, donated facilities to military organizations and most recently hosted a meeting for 300 people.

Please feel free to contact Lisa Cole, should you need further information.


Contact:
Lisa Cole
Director of Communications
305-503-6503
786-866-7567
305-796-8383
Lisa_cole@hilton.com

[Abigail Adams]

And the other one had the same body content, along with:

Your e-mail has been forwarded to me, Brian Kelleher, General Manager, of The Capital Hilton.

Thank you for your expression of concern regarding the Fran O’Brien’s restaurant. I appreciate your interest and would like to take this opportunity to respond to you personally.

(exact same copy as previous email here, bla bla bla)

Sincerely,
Brian Kelleher
General Manager, Capital Hilton

[Coop]

Yep, they're so worried about this [yawn], it took them many days just to issue boilerplate responses.

[Humidston]

Isn't it ironic that Hilton is running all those "we're nice guys" ads on TV lately?

BTW, I sent email saying I guessed the Hiltons need more revenue so that Paris can shop at Slut$ R Us for more frocks.

[Marine_Uncle]

Some heavy weights will have to resolve this problem. It is clear, Hilton management are not going to give in.
What I found interesting in the referenced article is that Hilton was receptive to at least providing a way for our vets to be able to continue the Friday get together in one of their resturants, on premise.
I can sympathize with our vet's, as to the location and ambiance this location afforded them. Perhaps enough well to do folks with connections can provide a even better place in the future for them to gather. Sometimes things can look pretty bad.
I will share. I am down to about 1,300 dollars in life savings with no job being found as yet as I search. I may soon not be responding on this site. So I somewhat understand how things can get when blessings are removed from one's life, situations. I truely hope however, a place our guys can really feel comfortable with and which provides no hardships for those dear people that drive them to and fro etc., will come to be. They truely deserve this little thank you. It is not to much to ask from any corporation.

[SandRat]

Veteran's assailed by the Neuvo Riche Hilton's

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

District Briefing:
[Fran] O'Brien's Creates Charity
[to assist wounded soldiers]

Posted by Coop

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1619494/posts

[Coop]

I wish you well and hope things improve for you very soon.

[Marine_Uncle]

"I wish you well and hope things improve for you very soon."
I do appreciate that. I almost did not want to mention it. Guess I am a bit tied up in knots of lately, and used it as an example, that I have seen the world from good times as well as not so good and can to some degree see how some of our guys just need a little break. Lord willing a better place shall be found for them to gather. A place they can call home. They truely deserve a bit of pampering. They served with honor.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thanks for the update.
I guess I'll write some more mails and kick it up a notch.

[freema]

Something good alllllllllllllllllways comes from something bad. I know it's frustrating, I've been looking myself, for awhile. Really crappy on the ol' self esteem, isn't it? Just opened a fortune cookie, unc. I'll share it with you and Fran O'Brien's : )

Turbulence is a life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Turbulence is a life force. It is opportunity."
I'll take it under advicement. Thanks. Best wishes, prayerfully, for a job you can feel comfortable with that pays enough to keep things from getting to tough.

[freema]

You too!! God always seems to come thru, sometimes He just jacks us around a bit first ; ) I think that's a bit o'Irish wisdom.

[Marine_Uncle]

"You too!! God always seems to come thru, sometimes He just jacks us around a bit first ; )"
I give HIM thanks many times a day for so many things I could not keep track. By faith I await the needed help. To many answered prayers in my life for others as well as myself in the past, to believe He does not watch with care. Just gets a bit nerve racking at times.

[freema]

It certainly can get nerve-wracking. I sometimes get impatient thinking about the time I can look back over my shoulder to see what He's done. That's always exciting...not to mention mind-blowing!! Screwing up the patience to get to that point is somewhat trying at times, though. I pray the waters part for you and Fran O'Briens first, I've got hubby to lean on. I keep kicking myself to remind myself it was a GOOD thing to stay home raising the kids : )

[concretebob]

"When God closes a door He opens a window"

"God never gives us more than He thinks we can handle"

Sometimes I think His opinion of me is a lot higher than my own.

[Marine_Uncle]

I appreciate the prayer, and the spririt it was offered. You will know them by their fruit. Seems to me like you meet that critera. God bless and patiently wait as best as you can for prayers for you to be answered. I hold you up as I write.

[Marine_Uncle]

Most of us fall into that category. Faith requires a bit of work as many of us well understand. As many doors have been closed I await a window to open. Perhaps a door with a clear window. For those that place their lives in His hands it can sometimes get a bit dicey. But He has a reason for all He allows. One thing I have found to be true, is the old adage God helps those that help themselves, does not always apply. There are times in one's life when no matter what one attempts to do they need help beyond their means. There are times when one reaches a point, where they really are not sure just how much more they can do on their own to effect a change etc..

[wtc911]

"God never gives us more than He thinks we can handle"

=====================================================

But sometimes He does take it to the limit.

[concretebob]

"Sometimes the good you do, doesn't do you any good"

Former Senator Fred D. Thompson, from an episode of Law % Order.

[concretebob]

and then some.

[wtc911]

Been in the same place (but at a younger age)it's scary. Hang in there, don't lose faith - it won't help anything and don't ask 'why me?'....the answer is always. 'why not you.'

Keep swinging...God rewards honest effort.

[Marine_Uncle]

sent personal reply.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Keep swinging...God rewards honest effort."
He often does.

[freema]

That's when we change to "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger".

: )

[wtc911]

Every time God sees the need to test me again I wonder why He doesn't just check my transcript...

[freema]

YEAH!!!! Ditto!! What's up with that?? LOL!

: )

[Old Student]

Sir, for a totally unsolicited suggestion, you might want to consider becoming a teacher in a local public school. The pay isn't much, often as not, but it is useful and necessary work these days, if still about as unappreciated as military service was thirty years ago or so.

If you already have a bachelor's degree in just about anything, look into alternative certification in your state. If not, look into the full program from your local teacher's college.

I will also tell you, from recent personal experience, that same thing I was told when I arrived at my first military duty station: "You know all that crap they taught you in school? Forget it." You'll really learn what you need to know once you get into the field. Teacher's colleges, in my experience, and that of all the new teachers I've talked to, do not really prepare you to teach. They may teach you the theory, but not the practical knowledge you really need to be a teacher. It's still worth doing, IMHO.

[Marine_Uncle]

Thank you for your advice. It was kind for you to take the trouble of writing. I am a bit sorry I had brought up my little problem. It was not the place in these type posts to do it. It is just something I am living each day with and I used it as an example that I can fully appreciate how our men need a little break. Human kindness such as we have witnessed in how our returning injured soldiers and Marines are being cared for is quite heartwarming.
Sadly for me, I do not have a undergrad in anything. It is a weird deal. Many years working in an extremely high tech field with no degree. I have missed out on many job opportunies that could have been the case had I a full degree with my experience.
But it pains me to go into details. Lets just say the cards are really stacked against me at this point.
But surely the good Lord shall come up with something if it pleases Him to do so.
Thank you for your service to your country.

[concretebob]

Every time God sees the need to test me again I wonder why He doesn't just check my transcript...

He's just making sure you were paying attention the first time.

[freema]

[Old Student]

I believe I understand; I got my degree a year ago this past December, and my teaching certificate this past December. I will be 51 next month. My last 12 years in the service were in satellite communications, and my only degree upon retirement was an obsolete AAS in audiovisual production, which was totally useless. I had no certification of my knowledge, and the best offer I got was for an alarm company at $7.50/hour. So I went back to school as soon as I could generate some income, and plugged away at it until...

I'm working on a graduate degree in special education now, sort of nibbling at it, when and as I can. Whatever else you do, get some sort of certification; it can't hurt, and may well help. I learned long ago that I can't dance between the rain drops, but if I just put my head down and plod on, I'll eventually get where I'm going, and I don't melt in the rain.

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the feedback. Sent personal reply.

[Chris Dickson]

CBS Evening News with Bob Shieffer will have a special segment this evening, April 24, highlighting Fran O'Brien's and "Operation Perish Hilton."

Hal Koster was our guest on "The Dickson/Chappell Report" on April 15th and the streaming of that interview will be available to everyone very shortly.

[steve8714]

Don't forget the rest of their corporate group- like embassy suites.

[steve8714]

..also Doubletree and Hampton, or Homewood suites.