Barbara Cole by the Sea

“THEY LOVED US THERE!”…..

BCbythesea…hears that at the CIC “tar and feathering” of Commissioner Dodd Sunday night Vice Mayor McIntee told the members and the Commissioner….between his yells of “You’re wrong!”:…and other “choice” shouts from the back of the room….that the Ethics Committee in Talahhassee loved him and Commissioner Silverstone….WOW!

Had heard previously the Vice Mayor was in the room well beyond the customary 5 minutes…(close to 25 minutes)…..regaling his past feats of heroism….fighting fires at a tender young age….all without benefit of his massive collection scrapbooks….

(LBTS residents will remember…his wife brought forth an array of them….when he was “questioned” in the past by the former majority….in Jarvis Hall…..)

COME ON!….

Why would the Ethics Committee booked that day with many facing complaints….4 from this town alone….”love” anyone who kept them from moving on…. in a timely manner….much less for having to hear a stranger tout his youth and accomplishments?………

The Ethics press release and subsequent report…certainly did not “show the love”….they wrote in no uncertain terms….there was a determination of “probable cause”…on several complaints…with the VFD and the CIC…..

He seems to be “thumbing his nose” at those who felt his presence that day…. ….by not heeding their final act of “love”…in making it known….in their committee findings….that included….

“…..and because the action of the commission in this matter WILL serve to correct future conduct by the respondent , the commission will take no further action on the alleged violation.”….

In previous post….local news category….Judy Vik of the Pelican…..conducted a phone interview with Philip C. Claypool asking for clarification on this corrective action…..He is the executive director of the Commission on Ethics….he stated….

“The finding of probable cause is seen as corrective determination or ‘Go and sin no more’ ….

What would Mr Claypool think of the Vice Mayor returning to the dais….to continue to discuss and vote on………the purchases…and the contracts of the VFD …while being both a member of the VFD and a sitting elected official?………….

Going to a negotiation with the VFD and Sea Ranch Lakes…after the Town Manager stated from the dais that the town could not negotiate with Sea Ranch Lakes for the VFD?….

Some background…..

Way back when …….some months back….both Commissioner Clottey and Commissioner Dodd were asking the questions….also heard from constituents…..

Should 4 members of the dais also be members of a political action organization?….

If they remained as such….how could that organization carry on as in the past to “watch” over their elected officials and what was being decided on the dais?….

How could the organization and the commissioners make sure that no appearance of “breaking sunshine” would arise?….

Commissioner Dodd had already made it clear….as stated in previous posts….he thought it best to step down from his role as Chair….a few times…..and perhaps step away from the CIC if elected…..for these very reasons….

Commissioner Clottey went to a CIC letter stuffing party…..and offered up her personal thoughts….of the same concerns….suggesting that each commissioner come as a guest of the CIC separately to CIC monthly meetings….thus guaranteeing no “Sunshine” problems….while offering up different points of view to the members….and a chance for members to ask questions….for a longer period of time.

She was met with “dismissal” of even considering such an idea along with some definite anger coming in response while expressing her desire to executive board members of the CIC…..

Commissioner Dodd…acted on his beliefs….. finally….. last week…..due to the reasons stated in previous posts and through his emails……..

He also felt the ethics committee “stopped short” of their ruling….although it was only a small part of his overall…personal ethics…..for making this difficult decision….

Yesterday he called the Ethics Committee…..and was told ….

They can not legislate “BAD PRACTICE”…….It becomes an ethics problem when a political action committee makes a decision to take legal action, litigation or sue the town since there is immediately a financial link between their actions of the committee and the town’s commissioners…

“BAD PRACTICE”…..

BCbythesea….seems to be in line with….”correct future conduct by the respondent”….and “Go and sin no more.”…..

BCbythesea…what is also interesting….

Did the same ethics concern apply when the VFD sued the town….and the commissioners were on both sides?….

BCbythesea….In conclusion….as a former member…former Vice Chair of the CIC…….

Any member……of the CIC should be able to ask for a “leave of absence” WITHOUT even having to give a reason….ASSURED….. that it will be accepted graciously….with the reply being ….’Hope you will be back soon to join us once again”…sincerely your CIC Board……

Remember this …..for the next CIC member….who just might ask for a” temporary leave.”….without being “tarred and feathered.”

more to come…..

BCbythesea hears….Local papers have been making inquiries….and doing a little “investigating” from nearby….

Phone calls are coming from out-of-towners…members of the CIC and NON………..”Yes Virginia, there are NON-members of the CIC “….being instructed….”Read Barbara’s blog….and call me if you have any questions!”….

No reported sales of “Tar and Feathers”….at Beach Hardware…..

No reported sales of bullet-proof vests…..

No reported registrations of concealed weapons….

No deportation agents….knocking on Comm. Dodd’s door…..

No bomb threats at Sea Ranch Club…despite an annoying new fire alarm….that keeps going off….still no response from BSO!….

BCbythesea…. hears a yelling “THUG” sent out a touching…peace offering….to those still “standing” around him….symbolism flowing forth….

A pack of lovely geese…flying together…showing “unity”…”partnership”….”sticking together”….as a “group”…..

One person hearing of the “offering”….without a beat replied….

“Those are Canadian Geese….and they CRAP all over!”….

Guess the “THUG” sent out the right message after all!…..

Funny thing ….eyes are opening….questions are being asked…..the sun is still rising….the world is still turning…..

and all us NONs are still alive….. and well……

from a former CIC member…..

now known as a

“NON”

BCbythesea….NON seemed more appropriate than a GDI….(GOD DAMN INDEPENDENT)….”Yes Virginia, there are GDIs”

From all those who have asked….trying to get that appropriate line that summed up Sunday night at the CIC……

the words from  “Hotel California”…..The Eagles…..

“You can check-out anytime you want…..but you can never leave…….”

BCbythesea…previous post….”Sorry Charlie….LBTS already has a song!”

more to come….

Marie White passed away yesterday….July 14,2008…after a long courageous battle with ill health….

Stories of her love for LBTS…the VFD….and all that brought joy to the citizens of the town…. especially to the children….. are being spoken of today….

She will long be remembered for her contributions….the Marie White Santa Coming- To- Town Event…….her prized Marie White afghans….and the Palm Ave. portal…. named for Marie and Stanley White….

A spirit of giving ……… we all hope remains in our little town….in her memory….

she will be missed……..

IS THIS HOW YOU ENVISIONED THE VFD?

When standing side by side with the VFD and the CIC in the “trenches” ….as the sun went down on that November day after the voters came to vote “NO-NO-YES-YES”…. putting the Old Guard on notice for the future of this town…..this writer was front and center as….the VFD was terminated ….in an act of revenge!….

Watching then-Commissioner McIntee walk away with his cell phone….getting the news….the rug pulled out from under this sweet victory….we all knew was ours…. way before the results came in…..

Resolve came from that day forth….to fight ….and get the VFD back home…. back inside their locked out…padlocked…. headquarters….where they belonged…..

It took time…. an ill-fated VFD lawsuit…and failed VFD  P.R campaign………it took scores of dedicated people….it took an intense….hard fought election…..and finally it came ….the VFD could have the keys to open the door once more…..

Throughout all the planning….all the campaigning….the former VFD leaders exclaimed…. it was the difference between “David and Goliath”….. it was the VFD and the BSO….

We are a small town…with only 4-5 fires a year…we were informed…..

We took care of this town…..with a small group of volunteers for close to 50 years….and can do it again….

But suddenly….for those who longed for a return of this type VFD …keeping it in-line with the “small town village”….that definitely enforced its appeal…..to the residents….

it has “morphed” into something quite different….

We have now purchased a hotel for approximately $1.77 million…. which will become a “Public Safety Center”…  for VFD/BSO Police and AMR….needing to be refurbished….in accordance with ADA guidelines….State/County codes….

We were informed by the Town Manager at the last Commission meeting that she plans a garage to be built next to the hotel for the 4 fire trucks and other vehicles….also will require ADA/State/County requirements…

We have been told by VFD/ Vice Mayor McIntee ….VFD/Commissioner Sillverstone and  VFD Chief Perkins…the “ever changing” “cap” for the VFD trainees is not 50…not 70….not 90….but 100!

Commissioner Silverstone said that Plantation has a rotation of 200 trainees…as if this was something to emulate….

Plantation is approx. 10 times larger than LBTS!

What do you do with 100 trainees?….

Who continually trains them?…..

Is there a fire safety academy in LBTS’ future?….

will dorms be in the new acquisition?…

Is this what a former detective did in the past….train the trainees? ….

What will be the cost to the town?….

What will be the cost to the VFD….the private Non-For-Profit Corporation?

A resident a few weeks back told this writer….”Jerry will not run again….he will become the VFD Fire Chief.”….

BCbythesea….never saw this one coming!….

YIKES!

BCbythesea…and many other residents….really did believe…..the VFD was going to be just so happy to be home….

So what gives?….

more to come…..

Commissioner Dodd has sent an e-mail to the CIC Board of Directors respectfully declining to attend the first CIC Town Hall Meet the Commissioners night……on August 3rd….at Jarvis Hall…..due to the treatment he received at the Sunday night CIC meeting …where he received verbal attacks from some members….

more to come….

“YOU CAN NOT LEAVE THE CIC”

BCbythesea hears….

The CIC Board members in charge…..that started this train wreck are just not ready to hit the breaks…. find the train station….and step away…..

The” investigators” partner…is busily doing another endless nit- picking “payback” investigation for “disloyalty”…ala past escapades into former commissioner’s past performance in his career…..

Those around asked not to be a party to this “obsession” then….and are feeling that going down that path again ….this time for one of their own…. is just so wrong……. on so many levels…..

A large contingent are reeling…..wanting to turn the clock back….and “give the CIC Commissioner what he asked for”….period… call it a day…..and move on….

That will not be an easy task…say those in the know…..who are cognoscente of the excessive “internet investigations”….the calls to cable reporters….endless hours of latching on to a point… and “beating it to death”….because the subject had been “warned”….

Maybe an intervention….is called for….sooner rather than later…..

The future of the organization depends on it….. a mutiny might work….if the ordinary bylaws won’t suffice….

The CIC is a political action organization….made up of people who come from all walks of life….to assemble and work for change …..voluntarily…..for a long as they …..the FREE people of LBTS desire to participate….

Those that walk away ….whatever the reason….are not to be “shunned”…”disparaged”….questioned on their “loyalty”….or frightened…with “investigations”….or “payback” from more recent members of this group….in charge….

No one should be treated with “thug” remarks….told what they “owe” the CIC …….

Commissioner Dodd….is a walking testament of running for office for all the right reasons….for the CIC ideals….despite dealing with what was witnessed at the Sunday night CIC meeting from the M & Ms…( which is what they are called by those of us who lived through their tirades)….on a regular basis…..

We always joked…that after going through what the M & Ms doled out… during the campaign….the dais would be easy…..

WRONG!….

Same result….every time Stuart Dodd or Birute Clottey….stood up to these guys….the aftermath was volatile….and the “mantra” was ….”It’s Barbara”….

“It’s Barbara”…became our private joke….anything and everything that opposed the M & Ms…”it’s Barbara”….global warming….”It’s Barbara”…. like the all powerful OZ….YIKES!….

My downfall dear readers….was this….I had the audacity to believe …..

I believed that if a citizen put their hat in the ring…..they were the ones running…..for office!

I believed that ALL who worked with them …had a right to voice their opinions!

I believed that it was then up to the candidate to decide what HE or SHE wanted to do!

I believed you stood behind the candidate!

I believed in these candidates!

When that happened….guess what…..my “train wreck” was off and running….. and the days of counting down the calendar began….to jump off that train….. ASAP …..after the January election….which I did….

The “Anatomy of an Election”…..notes from it all……..kept me sane….for I wondered ……who would believe it?…..

After Sunday evening at the Yacht Club…..

August break just might be the right time….to begin at the beginning…..HMMMM……….

Here is the second e-mail … Commissioner Stuart Dodd sent to the CIC board and others ….after more than 48 hours of the train to hell…

Stuart read it last night at the CIC meeting….

I am very disappointed with the reaction to my request to suspend my membership. I did not say resign. I have been accused of being a traitor; it’s all Barbara’s fault, despicable treatment of Mark and Cristie, out for my own gains to name but a few comments. I hold the CIC very dear to my heart and having been president there is nothing further from the truth. Let me state on the record that Barbara knew absolutely nothing of my actions or intention, nor did my wife till she read my letter. I had discussed the possibility openly and made no secret of the possibility with a few other individuals.

These actions were not intended to be hurtful to Mark, Cristie, any of the directors or the CIC. It was my decision and I accept the consequences. I personally feel the Ethics committee ruling may have stopped short of specifically finding a conflict between being a member of a political action committee and a commissioner but I have always tried to set an example when it comes to integrity, honesty and avoiding any conceivable appearance of impropriety. It is my personal belief that there is a big conflict to being a commissioner and a member of the CIC and I believe it weakens the CIC as an effective political action committee.

For example, if the CIC as a body wants to discuss amongst the membership sanctions, petitions, referenda or whom they are going to support as candidates in the next election I feel that having four current commissioners sitting in the audience would be totally damaging to the freedom of the general membership to voice their opinions openly. The CIC & CAC before it is and has always been an very effective “watch dog” of the town’s elected officials and the members and directors of the CIC should be completely free from any influence or pressure from those elected officials. This is actually why I was against wives of commissioners serving as directors but that’s my own personal opinion that was voted down. I happen to think that it is unhealthy for the CIC to continue with four commissioners sitting in the general membership and have chosen to take the lead in doing what I believe will strengthen rather than weaken the standing of the CIC in the eyes of the town or potential new members. What is the point of joining a political action committee if the committee already has 4 out of the 5 commissioners in the membership that they are supposed to be monitoring.

I would sincerely hope to be invited to the future CIC meetings in order to be able to listen to the concern of the CIC membership, update the membership on my position on any current issues and listen to all ideas and opinions of the directors and membership. I personally feel that by asking for a sabbatical I will be in a better position to serve the town and uphold the values and mantra of the CIC that I have steadfastly campaigned on and never once flip-flopped on any issue during the election or since I was elected.

If this request has been interpreted as anything other than a genuine desire for what I believe is the correct thing to do then I am guilty as charged. Do any of you who I call friends believe I want to stand down and distance myself from my friends and the strongest political organization in town that I spent countless hours to bring together and unite against the previous commission.

The CIC can not be as effective an organization with the fox guarding the hen house and I stand by doing what is right and not taking the easy way out.

I thank you for all the help and hope you will continue to help me be a better commissioner so I can serve the town and the CIC ideals without being an actual member. If you must label it- call it a sabbatical.

Stuart Dodd

BCbythesea….So readers….after reading “Train Wreck…#2 & Train Wreck…..#3…. (Scoops below)

How could it all result in………. “Train Wreck #1″ ?

more to come

Train Wreck…the Beginning….

On Thursday night….July 10, 2008…Commissioner Dodd sat down and wrote an e-mail to send to the CIC Board of Directors….

On Friday morning Commissioner Dodd…showed it to his wife….and ….hit the “send” button….. around 7:30 a.m.

Commissioner Dodd sent this e-mail to the Chair of the CIC….Cristie Furth …to distribute to the CIC Directors….

Commissioner Dodd made a call to Marc Furth sometime afterwards to speak about a left over problem from the 4th of July event they both worked on the week before….

Commissioner Dodd thought Marc was “cool” towards him….and thought he was acting this way due to the e-mail…although Marc did not mention the e-mail…and neither did Stuart….

Marc Furth….did not read the e-mail prior to talking to Stuart….he read it shortly afterwards….and was stunned ….

Marc did not call Stuart …..and Stuart did not call Marc…..and so it began……this train wreck!…..

Stuart unfortunately used the “header” “Resignation” on this “ill-fated” e-mail….although…contained in the “body” of the e-mail……. that was NOT what he was requesting….

The correct action that should have taken place upon receipt of this e-mail by the Chair…(aside from a phone call to clear up any confusion)….

(BCbythesea…HISTORY….during the election both Cristie and this writer “resigned” ….with e-mails sent to the board….those e-mails never went any further….and both of us reconsidered after numerous phone call from board members… so a “protocol” was known ….prior to this request….)

The Chair should have sent it immediately to the 8 other Directors….

It should have been discussed among themselves how to respond to this member of the organization….

A board meeting should have been called….perhaps following the scheduled meeting of last night….with the member possibly being invited to speak…and answer questions….

The request ….if not covered in the current by-laws …should have been discussed…and a vote should have taken place to put it out to the full membership to vote on or not….

The member should have been confident that his situation would be handled…accordingly and in the meantime…instructed to wait until a vote was taken…. in order to come to a proper organizational response…and conclusion…..

None of this occurred….

After the e-mail was received….a “volcano” erupted…..and “innuendo”…accusations….and volatile “personalities” ran amok!…..

The e-mail was not sent to the Directors….ASAP….

Slanderous finger pointing went wild….. for some inexplicable reason NO ONE……NO ONE… ….involved at this point could stop the insanity…with a phone call…..to ask this fine FRIEND….. who worked side by side with them for so long….what he meant….by what he sent!….

They all knew …all too well…that Stuart’s verbiage….from his “Queen’s English”…often means something very different…from the American version…..

This had been a subject of much “good hearted” joking in the past….

The recipients of the e-mail….simply “fed” off each other…. dug in their heels ….turned their backs on one of their own…..and went way off base from his intentions ….

This train was just not going to slow down….much less stop…..it just kept going …….increasing in speed….bypassing all opportunities….to idle…..until it hit the wall….culminating in ….incredibly nasty e-mails…name calling…of “traitor”…..”puppet”….”user”…..and the anger that came last night…

How Sad!…..

The e-mail….. sent to CIC Chair Cristie Furth…. copied as Commissioner Stuart Dodd wrote it….

C.I.C. Board of Directors

Please distribute accordingly

Thursday, July 10,2008

Dear All,

As a new commissioner I feel that it is necessary be seen to be totally impartial by all the residents of this town who elected me. I am therefore asking to temporarily suspend my membership from the CIC so as to resolve any possible conflict of being labeled or associated directly with any political organization as a paid up member. I don’t want anyone to feel I’m not extremely grateful for all the assistance and help given to me by the organization during the campaign and election.

I have thought long and hard about this request and I think it best to ask that I suspend my membership so as to be able to maintain complete impartiality on all issues that effect the town. I would like to still be invited to address the CIC in my capacity as a commissioner on a regular basis and answer questions as well as take the full weight of input from all the members as I have and will continue to so do during my period up on the Dias. I will continue to follow very closely all the ideals of the organization without actually being a full member.

If I continue to try to do what I believe is best for the whole town I hope the CIC will continue to support me during my period as an elected official for Lauderdale by the Sea. I hope none of you will be upset or feel I’m being a traitor to the organization since I value greatly all the friendships I have established as well as the invaluable input from my closest advisors.

Sincerely

Stuart Dodd

more to come……

Just a quick update…before the rest of the “Train Wreck”….to those who say they don’t read this site….

I DO NOT WRITE ON THE SUN-SENTINEL TOPIX BLOG!

Stopped that long ago….as written in a previous post….

I have unfortunately started reading it again….due to the sudden links coming from that site to mine….knowing full well it must be for a reason….and boy …..has it been….

since Stuart sent his e-mail last Friday….

According to those few under the “secret monikers”…from Pompano Beach/Fort Lauderdale/ Boyton Beach…

I have “paid” for everything….

I am fat/ugly/evil…..surpassing Geesey/Parker…

I am Old Guard…

I am the puppet master…

My husband is off doing “important things” and I am alone…

I had an illegitimate child in Georgia/of “ethnic” heritage….YIKES!

I paid for Comm. Clottey to go to Vegas…and/or was with her…..

BCbythesea….the only Commissioner I ever paid for…on a trip…. was last year ….for then Commissioner McIntee and his wife who came to Detroit to celebrate my daughter’s wedding…paying for hotel, meals and sending a gift basket afterwards….to thank them.

Then private citizen ..Dodd and his wife were also in attendance.

Comm. Clottey was in Vegas at an earlier time then my husband and I …and those throwing around such accusations…were with her…here in LBTS….as I blogged from there over Memorial Day weekend….just check….

Monies for a cause….or organization…. or candidate….yep…my husband and I did contribute…along with current CIC Board members….to cover “deficients” as is usually the case ….everything was recorded and done correctly.

Any question please check with the CIC treasurer/VFD/ or candidates….

Finally….

I walked away from the CIC after encountering a similar “mentality” seen in the current fiasco…. during the election….and a decision not to partake in where this organization was heading….

Comm. Dodd and Clottey….are independent from me…despite what you read….we agree on many topics…which is why I chose to support them…

Take a look at what has been written on this site…. and how they have voted….there are definite differences on some pretty big topics….

I am sure the accusations…the incredibly ‘”demented” attacks will only increase….but…anything on the Sentinel blog is not from me…

I only write…using my name….here…..

anyone wanting to know just who those bloggers are….report an abuse….each time….on the site…the Sentinel can find who is sending the posts in….

wouldn’t that be interesting….

more to come…..

BCbythesea…hears….

THE 1ST ANNUAL CIC…”CITIZEN OF THE YEAR”…

screamed from the back room last night ….at the CIC celebration of the very event that honored him and his wife…….just a week before…. July 4th…..to the Co- Chair of that event… newly elected….. Commissioner Stuart Dodd…… who was endorsed by his paper….. 6 months earlier…..

“YOU’RE A TRAITOR!”….

WOW!…. Nice pick for “Citizen of the Year”…….CIC….

Commissioner Dodd was INVITED by the CIC Board to explain his reasons for a e-mail he sent to the Board asking for a “leave of absence.”….

He came to explain what he desired to do….and set the record straight ….

From the time Stuart hit the “send” button on his computer ….to send the request to the CIC Chair …Cristie Furth… to distribute to Board members only…….all hell broke lose….from a series of mis-communications…mis-interpretations….and a mob mentality….that resulted in…

The Editor of the By The Sea Times John MacMillan …and his Pal… Vice Mayor McIntee… yelling from the back of the room … at the “yacht Club” on Palm Ave…….like a lynch mob!

BCbythesea….hears….these two told Commissioner Dodd…he needed to repay the CIC for their contributions to his campaign….

They told him “You cannot leave the CIC!”…..

Guess the “sausage is starting to cook!”….

more to come…..