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