US Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL) involved in Coconut Road earmark controversy with Don Young (R-Alaska)

Rep. Connie Mack takes no credit for a controversial $10 million federal earmark for an Interstate 75 interchange at Coconut Road.

But his connection to the land owner who stands to gain the most from the interchange may be more significant than he lets on, a political analyst said.
In June 2005, Mack reported about $6,600 in the form of in-kind contributions by members of the Aronoff family, including Daniel Aronoff, who owns about 4,000 acres east of the proposed interchange.

More than just a check, in-kind contributions, which could include catering, retails or a trip, suggest at least a close working relationship with the congressman’s staff, said Keith Ashdown, chief investigator for the Taxpayers for Common Sense.

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Mack’s staff could not immediately recall the details of what the money paid for. The 2005 contribution records are in storage and could not be accessed by press time, said Jeff Cohen, chief of staff for Mack.

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But the notion that the former head of the transportation committee, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, acted alone in placing the local earmark in the federal budget is hard for some to believe, especially given the timely donations. The federal transportation bill containing the earmark was approved in July 2005.

Mack serves on the transportation committee with Young.

“You don’t usually do something for somebody’s district without their consent, especially when someone is on your committee,” said Don Eslick, an Estero resident who has fought with others in the community against the interchange. “It’s hard to believe there is not some urging on this.”

Much of the focus surrounding the earmark has been on Young, who visited Southwest Florida in February 2005 and held a town hall meeting at Florida Gulf Coast University to discuss transportation issues. The trip also featured a fundraiser, which raised about $40,000 for Young’s re-election, at least $500 coming from Aronoff.

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