A FINAL LOOK BACK AT 2009 …..

Dear Readers …as promised the real retrospective of what happened in LBTS in 2009…Informed readers know that repetition of “fearmongering” by the “gang” cannot pass muster this time around…because nothing goes unchallenged ….What has been posted from daily is an accurate account their own actions and in their own words …

IN 2009….

We heard Calypso’s time was running out prior to the presidential election and in the end it was a no go after communities came together to speak out against it… We saw that the pavilion had a permit problem at the end of 2008 and the start of a unilateral decision made by the Town Manager to change the Forbes design seen only when a rendition was put up causing quite a ruckus that continued on throughout 2009…and continues still…We saw fees increasing at an alarming rate brought forth by the Town Manager and staff through codes and code sweeps…Moe McIntee went “Truth Deflector”…and tried unsuccessfully to remain anonymous as she “slapped” those who called it like it is …Vice Mayor McIntee made a scene at Athena By The Sea and was called out in a letter …with fallout to come…A drowning victim was found on the beach…The CIC called for members to re-up and found their re-up efforts were re-down…Vice Mayor McIntee was now VFD Deputy Chief McIntee despite promises made after his last turn in the same role and breaking the VFD By-laws…The Pelican Hopper was hopping out of money and needed an influx of taxpayer cash…it would come unilaterally from the TM…Height referendums  were discussed at workshops …Palm Club residents were called to come to Jarvis Hall with Vice Mayor Mcintee “pulling a Parker” on them…with false hopes of ” Gold Shovel” federal funds for the sewers…Vice Mayor McIntee went after the Pier sign to take it down …Athena By The Sea owner Louis Marchelos caught his hypo-Crissie on tape and played to a “hissing” response from the Vice Mayor’s wife…In the infamous “Cockroach” exchange…an encounter after the meeting with Mr Marchelos.. a filed McIntee  police report ..The incident was published in and outside of town limits in local newspapers…and in Feb. Moe McIntee had a different version at the podium…(like husband like wife)…Decorum special meeting…The Master Plan Steering Committee began talk of the medians for the south per the Manager’s continued instruction the Oriana million could only be used for that part of El Mar….only to find at years end she was wrong…and the “Gang would” vote in Dec. to spend the million on it anyway…no matter walkers of El Mar and the MPSC do not want it!…

The ribbon cutting for the $2 million dollar Public Safety building…despite the BSO not in…and VFD not allowed to sleep there …Bags finally came off the meters throughout town…The new VFD-ATV  broke …Vice Mayor was caught in the “purchasing” on the repairs /new  apparatus despite a letter to the Fl. Ethics Comm. he did not have any such role…Comm. Silverstone began frequent his freedom of speech “Norm Crosby”/ answering the public comments made act…Joe Couriel thrown out of the meeting called VM McIntee “God”…Vice Mayor McIntee was now called a “Vigilante” in town for patrolling and calling out code violations…Vice Mayor McIntee was proposing his VFD referendum to make the VFD a lifetime public safety provider…Vice Mayor McIntee, Comms. Clottey and Silverstone  wanted to put bathrooms in the alleyway…This writer found out Deerfield Beach was asking for the annual performance review for their Town Manager and began the search to see if TM Colon was to have on as well…The pre-proposal meeting took place for the Waste contract RFP …This writer found a seriously flawed contract brought to the table by the Town Manager and poorly presented by her Asst. TM Olinzock..it contained a requirement for a toter per unit and warnings given verbally that day and posted of the up-rise that would ensue fell on deaf ears…This writer received the Manager’s contract to find an annual performance review was indeed required before the budget was adopted each September…This was just the beginning for that portion of Esther Colon’s contract and for what else she put in it….

We saw 2nd readings of ordinances …go back to the drawing table numerous times…$$$$…boats and Tennis and more…because some commissioners could not do their homework..Comm. Dodd offered up a code of Ethics based on the Miami/ Dade ordinance…and it died as a “2-hats” ordinance from the dais majority…contents buried in it would come back into play later in 2009 with the “cone of silence” lame excuse by the TM who erroneously after she used it to imply the Town had such it on the books …and it wad found we do not…… Broward Commissioner Ken Keechl gave the Welcome Center $20,000 and the TM, and Comm. Clottey tried to take it away from the Chamber’s annual amount for 2010… as the Chamber had to jump through hoops to get the check from the Town…. A look into the audit for this writer brought forth the news that the Town Manager had unilaterally accepted a 3 year $200,000+ contract with the (way too) long Town Auditors after a look back at the video and the minutes showed she was “informing” the commission of her actions never getting a vote and she supplied them with the prior contract with the prior amounts made to the previous commission although the Town had a current packet at that time…Comm. Dodd chased this one down…leading to an ongoing RFP/ITB conflict that later boiled over in July…The new RFP for audit went out at the end of the 2009…Looking forward to the 2010 election and needing new blood in the CIC the majority CIC dais member voted for spending over $50,000 for blacktopping N. Tradewinds despite protestations from other area residents that said there’s was worst……The recipient became a CIC member and a writer to the BTSTimes Editor…. Bel Air and Terra Mar residents were at odds over the way Bel air got its new signs and Terra Mar’s bridge is again pushed to the future…(in the budget for over 5 years).On March 10, 2009 this writer posted an article from the Miami Herald Business section that Mayor Minnet and family had sold a warehouse for $416,340 stating maybe the Mayor could help the Town with their still unsold and never brought back to the dais west side warehouse sale …The Mayor’s warehouse would pop up at the last meeting of 2009 with the Vice Mayor and his anonymous letter where he lied and said she flipped a house for that amount and he had a letter from the not so anonymous letter writer…There is no letter…and the Mayor requested it on Dec. 9th with still no response from the VM…because this was the sale..and again McIntee screwed up his “investigation”…RFP bids were opened for the Waste contract bids..no problems at all reading them “aloud” after being “publicly opened”…but that would change in July anyhow…The last sight of any real number of CIC members were directed to Jarvis Hall after a CIC meeting to “parade” to the podium and support the TM and thwart an annual performance review…..The CIC tried again to have a Town Hall meeting after failing with the 1st one…and failed once more……it was the last one…Planning and Zoning finally sat on the dais to get to some land regulations…(Chap. 30) …and found as the year went on most went un-noticed by the dais..at the end of 2009 another portion is in the works for 2010…ISO had a workshop for the community and no one came except this writer, and the Sentinel and a few commissioners…..Waste Management after the bid opening sent out a last ditch letter to longtime customers…Choice Environmental won the contract …and the “toters” this writer warned about early on…came into play just as predicted..an uprising with the increase of fees as well as cans…The pavilion saw a sinkhole and flooding…renamed “Lake Colon”…..A police chase took place..SWAT teams were in place and a BTSTimes newsflash was at odds to give way to the rumblings of a LBTS Police Dept. from the Mc-Furths…A semi tractor trailer came a rushing down Commercial and ended up at the pavilion and in the news…Later in the year it would be a car chase from Radio Shack and a car on its side at the pavilion….Suddenly majority on the dais began a new “mantra”…”we’re in the black”…although numbers from the multitude of Sun Trust Bank accounts would not be brought forward until right before the 2009-2010 budget in September…A fire in a kitchen condo and a few incident reports at odds with the VM/ Comm. Silverstone’s dais accounts for pats on the back to the Dep. Chief… … McIntee again sat on the dais and spoke of the end of his and Comm. Silverstone’s 2006 Fl. Elections complaint investigation..whitewashing the many “probable cause” findings…

McIntee went after the Mayor still on the Mayor’s  problem with Greenfest…all for a paltry $33 …the cost to the Town must be tenfold at the very least……This continued on even as late as Dec. through  McIntee/ Furth  “minion” and former candidate for Mayor /P&Z Chair Peanuts Wick at 2 public comments …He was “outed” on his intoxication by Comm. Clottey after his “slanderous” comments concerning the Mayor were repeated at public comments in a recap of the Chamber’s Holiday party …The Pier and Athena By The Sea made the New York Times Travel section…along with La Spada  winning Zagats 2009 award later in the year…The Beach Pavilion had their ribbon cutting…and Comm. Clottey though she had no part in the project became the MC…This writer sent her an open letter  to that effect…The project shut down within hours due to faulty siding and continued problems…Thanks to PIO D’Oliveira the backup material for meetings was not to be online on the Town website until the next meeting…Former Mayor Oliver Parker showed up in the news to perhaps run for County Commission against Ken Keechl…Parker would rise up again in the news concerning his run against Bogdanoff…a possible 2nd run for that seat…and later in the year as a BFF to the Furths and Clottey and Moe Mcintee… who sang his praises for keeping decorum as Mayor …and again as a nominee for the Hillsboro Inlet by fast food pal Clottey after she threw Comm.Dodd under the bus……and then he changed his mind per an interview in the Pompano Pelican?…Easter By The Sea took place as a drowning arose and the ATV’s were stationed in the park with the Dep. Chief’s sign front and center…it included mandatory VFD participation at the Mc-Furth led event…July 4th fireworks on the beach began and this years event was filled with appearances of breaking sunshine…non-RFP fireworks…and we hear an accusation by the VM that threw the then-Fire Marshall under the bus for a “Kick-back” to “job” the appearance of bidding on the display from the beach…Turtle and environmental groups were mortified…TM Colon assisted in lack of public notices etc….The noise ordinance began with Comm. Clottey and more “claims” on phone calls of complaint…although no one ever came forward to verify them……and ensued for some months…bringing lots of angry residents and businesses to the podium…and hilariously videoed “field trip” to do a “gotcha” on the entertainment providers… The Vice Mayor went after the Mayor in an orchestrated display with the BTSTimes for her removal from her condo board ……it backfired ..Jay Leno did his “headlines” using the By The Sea Future’s “Town’s Colon wins an award”…The Furths through “besotted, clueless” Clottey had the Anglin monument moved across A1A in order not to interfere with their July 4th extravaganza…McIntee Free Zone signs went out to keep the unwanted first responder on scene for medical/fire calls outside their door…

The Hyperbaric explosion took place while the VM was out of town…BSO had a real hero and the VFD was heroic as well as AMR in an event that touched us all…  The Dep. Chief came back with his usual P.R. overload that was embarrassing  considering the devastation of what took place…Aruba canceled it’s Beach Bash..due to the ongoing noise ordinance /code invasion…The VFD was still feeling their oats when they went on a mutual aid-McIntee free…A suicide took place in Bel Air and the VM broke the VFD By-laws/ first responder and changed the story later in the year when the 1st investigation was posted and printed…It would be active at the end of 2009 still…A ceremony would be held to Hero BSO Deputy John Melbourne for his role in the Hyperbaric explosion…The ISO report came out and the Town retained the same as BSO with a dismal training score under McIntee’s training direction…… The power went out in downtown with 2 electrical fires.in one day…..McIntee faced with a crowded Jarvis Hall withdrew his  call for a permanent VFD referendum…..5 near drownings More riptide encounters brought a flurry of beach incidents..and VM McIntee and his photog Marc Furth put together a powerpoint to show the Beach Patrol in action…another near drowning followed …Bert J.Harris came into play serving the Town with 4 north end properties lined up with lawsuits…Comm. Clottey had her 1st concert series at the Community Church…Marc Furth was tagged as the VM’s personal photog…Chief Gooding came to the podium to address Comm.Clottey’s charges of residents fearing to contact BSO and did not know  then that his days were numbered…Kite surfing was put on the forefront…bringing forth quite a number of agenda item discussions and groups with input for regulations and fees pro and con that in the end went nowhere…Same scenario for lifeguards on the beach…The Mc-Furth gang was talking of  replacing  BSO police……The VFD “Bee Foam” incidents took place ….Beach access was  being used to keep the alleyway closed ….it was introduced yet again in a flawed “traffic study” wrapping that was payback to the Marchelos brothers…and made the news in and outside town limits in print…Doubled up another year with dueling Hurricane events…and a dismal turnout for the Town sponsored one where the soon to be terminated Fire Marshal was thwarted from his speech due to TM fears of questions about the fireworks on the beach…The Scenic Highway was approved for LBTS and neighboring coastal towns……Manatees were beached en’masse and an overzealous Deputy Chief wanted to assist…told to stand down by the experts…he had his 15 minutes to embarrass us all with crass statements made on and off the dais… BSO Chief Gooding was thrown under the bus by TM Colon with a big assist by Clottey, Silverstone and McIntee…after the TM pulled the plug on the long agreed upon BSO renovations… A special meeting was called by the Mayor to a packed room of Chief Gooding supporters… The Town Manager stood her ground…The Vice Mayor was asked for his e-mails in the matter by resident Yann Brandt…Some weeks later  McIntee told constituents from the dais he deleted all 3 1/2 years of emails..He further lied about writing e-mails…and this writer posted many from his past…The VM  proceeded to ask for email from his opposing dais members Mayor Minnet and Comm. Dodd…for payback…going to the State Atty. to get them, the same State Atty. looking into his own lack of e-mails produced…It ended later in the year with the state not wanting to get involved…and only Mayor Minnert turning over the PRR made by the VM through the Town Manager…..the other 2  Mcintee and Dodd are still in a holding pattern…The fallout from the TM termination of Gooding resulted in a talk radio interview “Th Banana Republic of LBTS”…The Furths put on the July 4th event…They were the CIC “Citizens” of the year…small participation by non -CIC members (the few left)…and mandatory for VFD… smaller turnout for the parade/ event in El Prado park…The fireworks were on the beach…with highly accessorized ATVs and VFD Seadoo taking up the center of Town’s fenced of El Prado beachfront…The numbers for the event were “jobbed” something seen again with the Halloween event………Clottey resorted to pull out her “degrees” to stand up against her mounting lack of support in her role to oust the Chief…The TM assisted in buying VM/Dep chief McIntee a brand new red command car…which was as it turned out only his til the year ended…The Town Manager’s contract was posted on this site to show she had a guaranteed $250,000 addition to it if she was fired…unlike the “as is” she required for her staff including the soon to be terminated Fire Marshal Alex Stevenson…The VFD Fire Inspector was given a 2 titled job…Also posted was a side by side comparison of Colon’s contract and her predecessor Baldwin…showing they were nothing alike as she/McIntee and Silverstone insisted for 2 years!….The VFD purchased a $150,000 102′ ladder truck with a big “purchase” assist from the Dep. Chief….and multiple attempts and removals  on the agenda with an offer to the town  to buy it a a reduced rate…after the fact…. Fire assessment and millage were addressed and a unilateral Sun Trust acct. for the VFD Beach Patrol was put in place by the TM after it was found to not be allowed to come from the fire assessed funds as was being done…A goodbye party at Village Grille for outgoing BSO Police Chief Scott Gooding…with Sheriff Lamberti  to sing his praises…No longer were RFP’s read aloud after publicly being opened…in an effort by the TM to stop transparency and accountability in the process…with the info being posted by this writer ….A fallout would ensue after a room full of vendors came and were turned away in Jarvis Hall…with calls of “backroom deals”….Adding to further RFP problems seen in faulty and substandard TM practices for putting out the parking RFPs …resulting in a new low in dealing with “Who’s the Boss” and insulting interested vendors like Chris Hood …with untruthful assertions made   by the “tag team” McIntee and Colon…Fishing from the beach started with an assist from this writer to a comment sent in for help and a directive to come to Jarvis Hall and speak at public comments……the Broom Boys took it as a sign of a new voter and a way to cause yet more trouble for the Marchelos…and eventually despite it was voted in 3-2 despite the will of the people…The Manager left her Finance Director here and went to partake in a basic course at the very place that gives her kudos for her presentations of budget (not the budget itself)…Later in the year after the 1st quarter the new Furth assisted budget book would appear to give her another presentation award in 2009…This writer through a PRR obtained (finally) TM Colon’s resume…in fact 2 were found that showed why she hires from within…it was familiar territory ..as she did not meet the requirements for her 1stposition as well… Another PRR and we found the Manager’s contract was in the 2007 backup…or was it?… Still questionable…leaving the Broom Boys either complicit in the contract or accountable for lack of due diligence…

The old BSO Chief was gone…New BSO Chief  Oscar Llerena was brought in to work with Lt. Angelo Cedeno…..The RFPs went out for the slimmed down BSO renovation…with again the results not being read aloud…extra time and money spent to keep all in the dark with Ocampo and the deadline missed as was required…again swept under the rug……The administration went ahead and changed out the windows in the existing BSO headquarters…The TM bought new vehicles for town and tried unsuccessfully to sell the old…also unsuccessful in selling the development trailer…on its way out…as Minto is allowed trailers across the way with no expiration date…We still we have the warehouse in the west…and no updates on the dais…We finally learned about the money for capital improvements…thanks to Comm.Dodd/Resident Yann Brandt  persistence and the hefty pre-payment penalty thanks to Finance Director Colon’s past direction……we took a financial hit due to the TM secrecy and lack of response for the requests…despite Comm. (He’s not a CPA) Silverstone’s bait and switch attempts to give the TM cover…In a 4-0 vote at the 1st Sept. budget meeting …Clottey was M.I.A. ..the direction was pay it off…TM Colon paid it off the next morning.. with no negotiation… We had the adoption of the annual budget scheduled on Yom Kippur…with fallout and the “slights” spoken by  McIntee and Silverstone that cannot be wiped away…despite McIntee’s action of trying to appease the Town’s Jewish residents by enlisting a  Chabad Rabbi to give the invocation thus  bypassing protocol and going behind the Town Chaplain’s back…There was a unilateral action by Town Administration using a Wilton Manors copied Townwide survey…It out with the politically driven and factually inaccurate question for the townwide height of 33′……The expected dismal response came in…It was used as P.R.in a slanted Town Topics entry at the end of the year…. Comm. Clottey and TM Colon put out an RFP for the Senior Center…bypassing the rest of the commission and treating the center’s Director very badly…In the end the Director was re-upped…there was alot of bad P.R. and less than truthful response for their actions on the dais…and payback from the Manager with not allowing under 60/non- residents from attending after 9 years…at the end of the year petitions are in the works once again……Fees for town went up 5% in 6 months rather than a year…The “Gang” brought some back down to appease their upset supporters…The Town Manager fought back often from the dais saying she will be the “browbeater” of her staff and will not be the “browbeatee”…The TM went after a early candidate for McIntee’s seat early on with a questionable and unconvincing use of the BSO to undermine his podium claims…it failed…The Manager’s performance review consisted in the end of 2 round tables…a special meeting with a “Range Rider” brought in though unfamiliar with the town…and a borrowed  Lauderhill based evaluation  done by 4 of the 5 commission members of the dais…More Referendum workshops …. heights and ethics and lifeguards…Halloween came with alot of unnecessary Mcintee noise …literally…and more “jobbed” numbers of the cost……… Esther’s evaluations of her staff proved she evaluated THEM annually …McIntee tried to get the sewers in front of his house fixed  “anonymously”…and withdrew the item when caught…A number of candidates came forward for the 2010 municipal election to run against the “Broom Boys”….Unite Our Town now the largest growing Town PAC had a fundraiser at Athena By The Sea and an overflowing crowd….The CIC’s was not so plentiful except in the propaganda published after the “it’s a fundraiser …it’s a dinner…it was a fundraiser after all” event in the Surf and Yacht Club whose Board has asked the CIC Chair/BTSTimes Editor Bob Roberts to stop the CIC use.. A meeting set for Jan. 3, 2010 shows Robert’s does not abide by the rules either……Bonnet House was the sight for the ribbon cutting ceremony for A1A scenic Highway….McIntee again tried to get the cul-de-sacs back and go after the “developers” of Garden Court…The VFD sent out a colorful mailed plea for Booster Fund donations claiming they needed the money and saying it was tax deductible…which it is not…a big problem for longtime VFD Registered Agent Comm. Jim Silverstone… McIntee went on a cruise and left the Furths high and dry…as the vote for heights and ethics  went down…and off the 2010 March ballot…It happened in a preview of a whatt a McIntee -free dais can be like…Commissioner Clottey accused political opponents of vandalizing her car…and later it was found she made no police report…McIntee came back and returned to the dais on Dec. 8th with an anonymous ( or was it?) letter accusing the Mayor’s occupation …and ended up with the majority voting to allow for anonymous letters being accepted as long as one commissioner knew the identity……A 1960s evaluation was posted about a certain “Quack” at the beginning of his chosen occupation…. Upon his return from the sea …McIntee chose to throw his Chief of the VFD under the bus…and ran for Fire Chief position himself ready to resign from the commission ( or was he going for both?)……He lost in a landslide… as a complaint made against him for his altercation in Mexico was read and put with 5 others in his permanent file…He is said to have made threats and then went underground…although he attended the CIC- Carribean Christmas party and was promptly welcomed back into the Furth Town East fold…He went away for Christmas only to return a few days before New Years Eve with a TM “oversight” assist to go after the  VFD ….and take down what he said he built… The VFD are seeing support everywhere without him…knowing now his threats were empty and when all said the “problem” was not with the VFD ..it was with their leadership…They really meant it was with McIntee!… The new candidates, Scot Sasser and Chris Vincent were busy going door to door .. Chris had  a Boat Parade fundraiser…and they are way ahead of whomever they run against…The CIC has yet to announce…with word going around McIntee is over…or McIntee is in…Silverstone is not yet finished…or Silverstone will finally put his Fiancee’s wishes first and not run…And Cristie Furth is still trying to ascend to the commission…… Christmas brought a weekend of overflowing garbage /recycling cans…due to a change in the Choice contract…and a myriad of calls that despite the Colon negotiated contract brought Choice out to deal with the lack of oversight…New Years Eve was last night…it was another McIntee- free event.. Fireworks and warm wishes were the universal theme of the night….as the ball dropped and shouts were heard in Pelican Square…”Happy New Year!”..

As the sun finally sets on what looks to be the end of the last year of a 4 year reign of McIntee terror…This writer looks forward to a much different…much shorter year in review next December…coming from a newly elected commission that provides me with nothing much to write about…due to representing the will of  all of the town’s people …openly, honestly and transparently… as the sun rises in 2010!…

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea 2009, Lauderdale By The Sea BSO, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Birute Clottey, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Stuart Dodd, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissionr Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea Mayor Roseann Minnet, Lauderdale By The Sea Town Maanger Esther Colon, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Boards, Civic Organizations, Local Politics, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD, local government

IF I’M NOT CHIEF THEN NOBODY IS! …….

Dear Readers… You know that oversight many residents including this writer were looking for last year from Town Manager Esther Colon?… Well, now that her “pal and biggest supporter” Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee  ( She is “Tenth” on his list of accomplishments in his BTSTimes Comm. comments – “The hiring of Ester (his spelling) Colon, the best town manager Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has ever had”)  lost by a landslide in his “gamble” to be the new VFD Fire Chief  on December 14th (prev. post) and is ready for some major payback, the Manager is ready, willing and able to take on the assist him!… Vice Mayor McIntee is “gunning” for Chief Perkins…and requested through the Manager the following ” the report indicating compensation received by Chief Robert Perkins during the period of October 2008 through October 2009″…He and his fellow commissioners received it yesterday…McIntee made another request through the Town Manager ….again, not going directly to the VFD…This one was for the current VFD Roster also received by the commission on the 28th…Hmmm…. Perhaps the Vice Mayor wanted to see if he was still on it?…He is…. and so is his son Beau…listed as a training instructor …which confirms he gets paid by the VFD and Vice Mayor McIntee did indeed vote on items that “benefited” his son!… ( a definite conflict of interest, in this writer’s opinion)…We hear the other reason may be due to a reinstatement of  the firefighter that was suspended for some time…..But if McIntee’s going after this action by Chief Perkins …YIKES!…Is that not “the Chief’s discretion”…just as it was for the countless times Chief Perkin’s offered the same “discretion” to the former Deputy Chief ?…OOPS!…. For McIntee to slink back into town and take aim at the new McIntee- free VFD really says it all.. He’s toast!….. And only VFD ally left to “butter” him up ….none other than his BFF Commissioner Jim “Not a nice guy and Not a gentleman” Silverstone… what a guy…”Broom Boys” to the end…( March 9, 2010) …..

more to come…

Tags: Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea Town Manager Esther Colon, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By The Sea Vice Mayor Does Not Play Well With Others, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

M.I.A.BRING SO MUCH JOY !…..

Dear Readers … Who knew that seeing one red command car…off this driveway and sitting pretty in front of the VFD Firehouse would bring so much joy to residents and firefighters?… This writer has been running into people all over town and the sightings of the once prized possession of former Deputy Chief McIntee are abundant… and positive!…The comments are one of wonder as well as relief…No more talk of seeing it racing down A1A …No more talk of seeing it running stop signs …And no more talk of jaunts out of town limits…It has been seen this past week being driven by the new Deputy Chief and the new Battalion Chief being driven with respect for the rules of the road…and the department!… It is also seen outside the firehouse with it’s holiday wreath on the front bumper rather than as a “perk” sitting in the driveway in the north-end of town… Talk about comfort and joy!…

Last night as previously posted was the VFD Holiday party…Early feedback was it was a huge success with almost the full commission (4 out of 5) joining the department…M.I.A. was Vice Mayor McIntee!…

What a difference a week makes…One week ago he was ousted by a landslide vote in his attempt to be the new VFD-Chief!… And while the Furths and the CIC welcomed him back into the “fold” within days of his loss despite the ego-driven gamble he was asked not to make by them, we guess old habits die hard….especially with the longtime Furth-McIntee connection…(prev.posts) …He is indeed laying low and staying away from the department, but he is not idle… Many say he is  “plotting” behind the scenes…along with his BFF Jimmy (He’s not a nice guy) Silverstone who showed up last night…..perhaps giving a full report back afterward?…

Just as the Mc-Furths pulled from the playbook of their former foe ( and new-found friend) with their pre-election tactics seen recently at the podium and in their paper…It is very telling that the McIntee-Silverstone plan…to go after the VFD  also “mirrors” the previous charges made toward the VFD prior to its demise in 2006…McInttee- Silverstone challenged former Mayor Oliver Parker with charges of fearmongering…which included the age of the leadership and questioning their response times and training ……McIntee and Silverstone stood up against  erroneous claims of concern from neighboring departments to offer “mutual aid”… (We hear the Thur. night drill, the 1st one after McIntee took a nose dive…was large for a Thursday night drill!)

Readers will recall that it was McIntee and Silverstone who repeatedly told the residents that neighboring communities are required to offer mutual aid…and it was McIntee and Silverstone front and center who called out those who made these type of charges for what they were… a calculated “nasty and evil” attempt to give the VFD a black- eye and disparage a longtime honored town tradition!… OUCH!…

With Christmas coming in a few short days the “Broom-Boys” will be sweeping up alright…the coal that will be in their stockings …bad boys!…

more to come…

Tags: Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

COMMISSIONER SILVERSTONE “SERVING” THE TOWN OF LBTS IN 2007…

Dear Readers … This writer is picking up where Editor Mark Brown left off in the new edition of the By The Sea Future Newspaper that came out yesterday and is either at the end of  your driveway…in your mailroom (and if it is not…if it’s been covered..moved ..or dumped please contact your condo office /Board and the BTSF for more)…and throughout the town at various stores…In his editorial Mr. Brown described two serious incidents that involved Commissioner (He’s not a nice guy) Silverstone and his BFF Vice Mayor McIntee…This time though, there can be no doubt that Commissioner “not a nice guy” was fully complicit in the first incident and it is he along with Town Manager Colon who should be held  accountable for the second!…

The first issue Mr. Brown delves into in his editorial is the conflict of interest found in 2007 with the lawsuit brought against the Town in 2007 after the 2006 abrupt termination of the VFD by the BSO and the Town… While it is still this writer’s opinion that it was a vindictive move made at the time from the former Mayor (and new improved Mc-Furth-Clottey pal) Oliver Parker… witnessed first hand after working all day at the polls…I did not know until much later, courtesy of Marc Furth just what McIntee was doing in the background to exacerbate the situation …. That being said many have the recollection of how heated everything got…and will recall in 2007 the VFD brought a suit against both the Town and the BSO… It went into a shade session for the Town to discuss on May 14, 2009 (see archives online-  http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/town/spc-meetings-07.htm ) It states the following ” In accordance with the procedures set forth in Florida Statutes Section 286.011, the Town Commission and the Town Manager will meet privately with the Town Attorney to discuss the following pending litigation: Lauderdale -By-The-Sea Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. V. Sheriff of Broward County, Florida and Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Case Number 06-021273 (12).

Sitting in that meeting was the full commission including then-Commissioner / then- Deputy Chief Jerry McIntee and Commissioner /then-VFD Chief Jim Silverstone…As Mark Brown describes at the start of his piece legal strategy was discussed concerning the Town’s response to a suit brought against the Town by the VFD… and as these two were sitting there and perhaps even adding in their own commentary or instruction to the Town Attorney…they were also fully engaged with the plaintiff, the VFD!…

In fact there is an e-mail between then-VFD Chief Jim Silverstone and the VFD Attorney one month earlier on April 11, 2007 which says the following…

…………………………………………

FROM: Steven S. Newburgh

Wed. 11, Apr. 2007 10:21:43

SUBJECT: AMECOM45— (as of 3-30-07).Pdf

Dear Jim:

As  we discussed, I have attached the Amended Complaint in this matter. I will keep you posted concerning the responses of the Town and the Sheriff as we proceed. Please call me with any questions or comments which you have. Thanks, Jim.

Best regards,

Steven Sloan Newburgh”

……………………………………….

Attached was the complaint and in that complaint were some questions for the VFD and Silverstone…on page 4 there was a question on #14 “The interlocal Agreement was amended on September 19,2000 and on December 12, 2002 [need to review these amendments-does FWB have these documents and should they be attached?]“…and also #15 ” On December 26, 2003, the County, Town and BSO entered into an Assignment Agreement which inter alia formalized the assignment from County to the BSO of County’s rights, obligations and responsibilities to Town under Interlocal Agreement to provide fire protection and services within the Town (the “Assignment Agreement”) [need to review this assignment- does FWB have this document and should it be attached?] ..This writer assumes that FWB was the Town’s Fire Administrator Frank Buchert …

What this proves is that then-VFD Chief Silverstone and no doubt then-Deputy Chief McIntee sat in that meeting and knew exactly what both sides of this case were doing prior to the meeting and afterward…( the others in that room did not) and that is clearly a conflict on every level…This was addressed recently by Commissioner Silverstone in his usual befuddled, incoherent Commissioner comments…(He started answering back the public comments last fall and has continued on due to any lack of preparation to constructively use his 3-5 minute comment time)… Silverstone lamely acted as “Coach Jim” saying this conflict didn’t count..because the VFD had to include the Town” and later dropped the Town from the suit.. ( a look at the quarterly VFD Income/Expense reports in  2008-09 include an ongoing expense for attorney fees v. BSO in the first 2 reports)… A request was made by the Mayor after that statement to see what it cost the Town. It cost us $6,000 dollars for this “exercise” that doesn’t count in Commissioner Silverstone’s opinion… That does not include staff time …

Commissioner Silverstone was also involved front and center in an e-mail exchange in July of 2007 after he received after a complaint was made …

…………………………………………………

Dave Casey wrote:

Chief Silverstone -

The below article was sent to us with the concern that the firefighters
were engaging in live fire training in an acquired
building. I ran the
names in the article and none show the proper
certification to conduct
live fie training. Can you shed some light on this
and with your VFD’s
status on the legal challenge?. The legal protection
of the firefighters
concerns me regarding worker’s comp and other
benefits/protection. We
have been advised by BSO that you no longer provide
fire protection and
are not recognized by the county or town government,
and we need to take
the necessary steps to reflect that in the
firefighters’ records and
other records. You are in violation of FAC 69A-62
which requires you to
have a set response area that can provide service
for in order to be
recognized. Please let me know.

FAC 69A-62.006 Requirements for Recognition as a
Fire Department.

(1) To be recognized as an organized
fire department by
the division, compliance with the following must be
documented:

(a) Capability of providing fire
protection 24 hours a
day, seven days a week;

(b) Responsibility for response in an
area capable of
being depicted on a map; and

Pass on greetings to Doug for me. Let him know PFD
is gathering photos
for a book, he might want to call Marti at their HQ.

Dave Casey, Chief

Bureau of Fire Standards & Training

Florida State Fire Marshal

352 369-2833

www.floridastatefirecollege.org

…………………………………………………….

Article….

“Keeping Sharp

Always alert for more training opportunities to keep
their skills sharp, the LBTS Volunteer Fire Department recently used the
opportunity toconduct a drill at a soon-to be-demolished buildingat 3001 East Oakland
Park Blvd. with permission of the owners. The drill was conducted by Deputy Chief Jerry McIntee, Battalion Chief Joe
Padden and Training officer Patrick Pointu. About a dozen members of the force were in attendance to practice search and rescue drills and various fire attack
scenarios.”

……………………………………………………..

From: Jim Silverstone
Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2007 at 4:55 PM
Subject: RE: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Volunteer Fire Department
To: Dave Casey

Chief Casey,

The politics are getting even more dirty down this
way.

The article in question described what transpired.
Specifically, our FF1 class and a number of our
regular members participated in a search and rescue
drill and went over various fire attack scenarios. At
no time did we have any live fires. We are not
permitted by the owner of the property and besides we
are fully aware of what we can and cannot do. As you
may have guessed by now we are under a microscope. We
are scheduling a live fire drill at the Coral Springs
fire academy.

It’s my opinion, this is another attempt by BSO and or
their union to do everything to keep their position in
town. BSO cannot staff a first alarm without the help
of either Ft. Lauderdale or Pompano Beach due to their
next closest station being over 9 miles away. We have
been under attack with the same type of mistaken facts
and expect to be until we have our day in court or the
next town election early next year. In the end, the
vast majority of the town residents support us.

The drill was excellent and we hope to do more before
the building is torn down.

Regarding the legal challenge, we have a court date
scheduled in a couple of weeks, in which we are
expecting a positive outcome. But as you must be aware
BSO has and is expected to drag this out for their
benefit.

As far as our insurance coverage, we have maintained
in full, all insurance coverage which is in excess of
20 million plus our worker’s comp. though VFIS. In
fact, I called them before the drill just to make
sure.

I will pass on the info to Mr. Smith who is now in N.
Carolina on vacation.

Hope all is well with you.
Thanks,
Chief Silverstone

………………………………………………

This is exactly why there should have been an Commission ethics ordinance…it should have been instituted from the dais…and  it should have been done long before the failed referendum voted down on December 1, 2009 as  the biggest perpetrators of conflict of interest go for what most believe will be their “2nd bit of the apple” and declare their candidacy for a 2nd term either as commissioner or mayor!… Whether the conflict is one that will ultimately only bring forth a “slap” on the hand in findings of “probable cause” (prev. posts) from the Florida Ethics Commission as these two have dealt with in their first 4 years or ignored because the Ethics Commission were “hoodwinked” (in this writer’s opinion) by false statements made on their roles within the department (VM as Dep. Chief stating no purchasing to be done by him in VFD-prev. post)…just because they can get away with it… why try?…Four more years…and the sudden change of the VFD leadership on Dec. 14, 2009 (prev. posts) will undoubtedly bring more of the same from McIntee and Silverstone who are already in the throes of retaliation …only this time it’s toward the department…not the town…OUCH!…

The second issue Editor Brown addressed was the precarious situation the VFD may have put its Booster Fund supporters in with the lack of the proper registry to allow for them to write off their donations…… While the VFD is registered as a non-profit organization …it appears they were never correctly registered to accept donations and allow it as they have long claimed (recently in their townwide Booster Fund Drive Furth-mailer last month they made the same claim)…

Who is responsible for this huge mistake?…This writer puts the blame squarely on Commissioner Jim Silverstone listed as the “Registered Agent” for the VFD
Florida Non- Profit Corporation seen online at Sunbiz…(link below)…

…………………………………………..
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.
Filing Information
Document Number 702458
FEI/EIN Number 020671186
Date Filed 05/22/1961
State FL
Status ACTIVE
Principal Address
4513 OCEAN BOULEVARD
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA FL 33308 US
Changed 04/29/2009
Mailing Address
4513 OCEAN BOULEVARD
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA FL 33308
Changed 04/29/2009
Registered Agent Name & Address
SILVERSTONE, JAMES J
278 MIRAMAR AV
LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA FL 33308
Name Changed: 09/10/2003
Address Changed: 07/10/2008
Annual Reports
Report Year Filed Date
2008 07/10/2008
2009 04/29/2009
2009 12/16/2009

http://www.sunbiz.org/index.html

…………………………………………………..

The most recent annual report was done this week on Dec. 16th (link) …and Commissioner Silverstone remains the Registered Agent for the VFD non- profit corporation… despite the change in the officers last Monday… As the agent for the department for many years it is he that should have been aware of the status held by the department… Commissioner Silverstone has bored us all to tears  in the last year with ridiculous spread sheets he has stayed late in his office putting together for less than a 4%  to the Colon enacted townwide survey this last fall…He claims he does his homework…his due diligence…Really?…This seems to trump any of the “little projects” he has attempted in trying to show he does possess some accounting acumen! …

Also the Town Manager is to be held accountable in this lack of oversight…after all it was Commissioner Silverstone who spoke of then-Finance Director Esther Colon and her coming down hard on the VFD in his first encounter with her. He told the story at the last round table to finally do the Manager’s annual review…He spoke of how she admonished the VFD accounting…saying they spent every penny they got (Hmmm under McIntee last year that remained in effect)…and  that the VFD owed the Town $20,000…Commissioner Silverstone proudly (it appeared) said that Director Colon was correct!… Well, why didn’t Town Manager Colon know that the VFD was not registered to allow for supporters to write off their donations?… Add to that…(pun intended)…the annual $7000+ audit we pay for and the recent (4thQ VFD report) of an internal VFD audit as well for $1,100….

The supporters have paid for the VFD full back page color ads in the Mc-Furth BTSTimes  for each issue since 2008…The supporter paid for firetrucks, including the last one for $150,000 (per Chief Perkins in the 12/18/09 Pompano Pelican)…And the supporters paid for the lawsuit against the Town and the BSO…Now it appears that if those supporters did indeed write any of the above off… they did it based on false information  made from the VFD thanks to Commissioner Silverstone and Town Manager Colon…OUCH!…

Once again this writer reiterates…it is time for the voters of the town to continue on what we saw on Monday by the VFD…who will be making some changes with accountability within the  fire department starting with the right people in charge …(Chief Perkins, Pompano Pelican 12/18/09) ….

Next March…do not allow for anymore of what we have seen in the last 4 years…No more skirting or deflecting the “conflict of interest” issue……No more “2-Hats/ Broom Boys” on the dais…No more McIntee and Silverstone…who is definitely “not a nice guy” and who is definitely conflicted as well as complicit!… Replace them with your vote for Scot Sasser and Chris Vincent…

To see the rest of the BTSFuture ….. including coverage of all the LBTS holiday events…in articles and photos by Editor Cindy Geesey…as well as the LBTS campaign center page ( a standard from now thru March)…Mayor Minnet’s commentary…resident poems and lettersto the Editor …the always entertaining  Doc Lawrence and Editor Mark Brown’s in- depth articles …along with a plethora of the most advertisers in town…link to …(hit refresh for Dec. if necessary)…

http://www.bytheseafuture.org/

more to come…

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea By The Sea Future Newspaper, Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea Town Manager Esther Colon, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

WELCOME BACK “BUTCH” ….

Dear Readers … The CIC had their “Caribbean Christmas Party” tonight …and unless the “Truth Deflector” was flying solo in her the car parked out in front of Leisure Mar Condo Beach Clubhouse it looks like the CIC has quickly forgiven Vice Mayor McIntee for running for Chief of the VFD!… He was joined by his BFF Commissioner Jimmy (He’s not a nice guy) Silverstone’s who parked at Town Hall East two cars down from Commissioner Clottey…..and BTSTimes Editor/ Campaign Manager/Candidate  Crisite Furth was seen walking toward the event across the road…..Hugs all around? …No surprise really, the Furths and the McIntee’s have certainly been down this road before…. Peas in a political pod…

What a turn of events this week ……In the Pompano Pelican today, writer Judy Vik wrote about the VFD election held last Monday night …(prev. post).. On page 7 were some very telling and honest comments made by newly  re-elected VFD Chief Bob Perkins concerning former Deputy Chief Jerry McIntee …”He blindsided us all and disappointed all of us with that move,” ‘Perkins said. For three months McIntee had been saying he was stepping down from being a VFD officer. ‘…. continuing on page 11… Perkins stated ” I wish he wasn’t such a mean-spited person”… The article also addressed the reaction of the community…”positive feedback from the community and town commissioners”…And something the VFD probably will be stunned about …the positive remarks made by those that McIntee has long tried to convince the members would take them down if he [McIntee] were not in charge…former Commissioner Clark ” I wish everybody well and want them to continue to do a good job”…Louis Marchelos ” They made their choice for leadership,. I feel they made the right choice. It was a secret ballot, but I heard it was a landslide.”…and Bob Fleishman Chair of Unite Our Town ” The will of the fire department has spoken. It’s a great day for the VFD”… and as for the Vice Mayor “McIntee could not be reached for comment.”… OUCH!…

So who was so willing to sit down with the “Broom Boys” tonight? …Are these CIC members aware of the plotting and planning (prev. post) by McIntee and Silverstone to try and undermine the department?… Will the CIC still back McIntee and Silverstone for another run at 4 more ears now that the VFD has thrown down the gauntlet?…

After all, if the men and women of the VFD would not vote to support McIntee for Chief, why in the world would the CIC back him and why would they think the voters will vote him in for 2 more years as Mayor or 4 more years as Commissioner?…

From what this writer hears all around town… they wouldn’t…

Bye, bye “blacksheep”…Bye, bye….

more too come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea CIC, Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Lauderdale By The VFD, Scoops
Posted in Civic Organizations, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

“LAKE COLON” WATER STICKS AROUND JUST LIKE SUPPORT FOR THE NEW-IMPROVED VFD …

Dear Readers …..In the prior post… photos of “Lake Colon” last night and “Lake Colon” remains in place this afternoon near the 1 o’clock hour…The Vice Mayor is on record at the Dec. 8, 2009  downplaying the impact of the all too familiar lake and its after-effects … as compared to El Mar Drive and other streets in town…

Well, we hear that the same VM/ former VFD Dep. Chief is far…far away in the other end of town to see first- hand the error of  those remarks…

It is said the “scorched earth” plotting and planning in Bel Air has only just begun… “Butch and Son-Dunce” are said to be trying to pit the “Old Guard” against the new VFD, fearmongering  ….by suddenly questioning the VFD and its new leadership…WOW!…

But there is no “Old Guard” anymore…( except for CIC-Mc-Furth “Gang” propaganda) and the residents  in the north and in the south will not be so gullible…The overwhelming reaction to the demise of Dep. Chief McIntee remains one of happiness and support for the men and women who stood up and voted him out of any role within the department other than member…

Of course this writer would have preferred he was voted out of the VFD altogether…and the complaints in his file be made public…all 5 or more complaints we hear are in there…(a public records request has been made)…

The VFD should be on the lookout for any sort of “funny business” from McIntee and Comm. (He is not a nice guy) Silverstone…and nip it in the bud…

The voters must remember it was Jerry McIntee who brought the VFD down in 2006 ( according to his pal Marc Furth)  with his behind the scenes antics and payback…And it will be Jerry McIntee and Comm. (He’s not a nice guy) Silverstone that will bring it down again with their behind the scenes antics and payback if the VFD and the voters let him!…

Don’t let him!…

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Beach Pavilion, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Jim 9He's not a nice guy) Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

IT’S A REAL STAND-OFF…..

Dear Readers … It looks like “Vice Mayor/ Former Dep. Chief Butch” McIntee and his “Son-Dunce” Kid…Commissioner Jimmy-boy Silverstone are “gunnin’” for the LBTS-VFD!…

We hear “Butch” is a sore lose (no surprise there) and he’s been M.I.A.  since his huge loss for his “shot” at being the new VFD Fire Chief!…He ’s either slinked off with his tail between his legs to lick a few wounds…or he is plotting with his BFF to retaliate against those who gave these two their own chance to re-enact that famous scene in the movie… you all know the one…where Butch tells “Son-Dunce” to jump…he says no..”Son-Dunce”  says he’s can’t swim and Butch tells him “Are you kidding me, the fall will probably kill you!”… We hear “Butch” is ready to resign…and according to the VFD the process requires a letter and a talk with the Chief….then the letter goes into the “inactive” file…Hmmm ….anyone taking bets on this one…….

While trying to climb their way out of this …we are told behind the scenes …the “Son-Dunce-Kid” has taken that final plunge…leaving no doubt that “Jimmy is not a nice guy”…He is “Butch’s” sidekick  through thick and thin… episode after episode…but just like in the movies the sequels never live up to the original…and soon the audience gets tired and moves on ….

The “audience” in town…and in the department feel like they just moved on all right from the old “black and white”of the past 4 years …to HD…color enhanced …with a wide-screen view of possibilities for next 4!..

Rumblings are that their “Gang” is not offering any shelter from this self- imposed storm “Butch” created….and they are actively looking for a new “Gun-slinger” or two or three…. perhaps a new “sidekick”  to lead the way …It’s “Nuts!”… The dwindling CIC…has been “waving of the white flag” at various gatherings..(Too little…too late!)…A look at the CIC site shows…finding someone to take up the Furth cause…

“The CIC meeting will be on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010. By that time we should know the candidates for the March 2010 election, and will be able to decide which candidates deserve the CIC endorsement.” …

Now that sounds desperate…and what is the  Furth “cause” anywhooo?…Whatever “epiphany” Cristie Furth “sees on any given day!……

Waving the white flag as well is the woman who stood alongside the “boys”… Manager Esther Colon….Hmmmm….Today is the Town Staff holiday luncheon and Manager Colon ever the tactless wonder…decided to extend an invitation to one Commissioner long her “S–T list”…at 6 pm last night…but this Commissioner should not be insulted though… for we hear the Mayor…was not invited at all!… Hmmm…and this writer figured the Commissioner was higher on Colon’s “S–T list” than Minnet!…

The question is…will “Butch and Son-Dunce” make a pilgrimage today at lunch to sit down among just what might be the last group in town willing to break bread?…

Whatever happens…if these two best buddies…mount their “brooms” and sweep off into the sunset…after the dust settles…this really will be the “prettiest town in America” once again…No new slogans are required…Thank you very much…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXCC53ndwac

more to come………….

Tags: Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea Town Manager Ester Colon, Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, scoos
Posted in Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

WALKING IN THE MEDIANS? ….

“Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group (herd), maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those.”

…………………………………………………………..

Dear Readers … The Sea Ranch Club walkers of El Mar are “horrified” … and will not be “herded” into the center of El Mar Drive to walk on the medians…They will continue to walk in the street and on the sidewalks just as they always have!…The walkers of El Mar do not feel they need to be “educated” to walk down the center of road from Pine to Palm as was suggested by Ocampo and Associates at the Round table meeting on Dec. 7th!… The walkers on El Mar have never complained about the lack of “shade ” …as Vice Mayor McIntee tried to lob onto as an excuse to use the Oriana million to start piecemeal in the south end medians… The walkers of El Mar are not “happy” with McIntee, Silverstone and Clottey and their vote to disregard the MPSC and go ahead with this project despite the overwhelming sentiment to abort it until the board and possibly a new commission can further look into the whole of El Mar Drive and get this one right!… McIntee saying this has been in the works for 2 years is full of his usual bull-y pulpit you know what!… He was not involved in the actual process at all…It was done by the students of the Art Institute in record time…a matter of weeks…not years (prev. posts under boards)…and then crassly ignored by the same majority on the commission who now are so quick to get this done …(also previously posted)…Vice Mayor McIntee disingenuously tried to say they needed get going on this for the MPSC and Vice Chair Sandra Booth…Sandra Booth came forward at the meeting on the 7th (along with Chair Paul Novak , and member Bob Eckblad) to say she too felt it should not go forward …. but McIntee did not want to pay heed to her…especially after he threw her a “bone”of “praise”……The residents who live at the south end of El Mar do not want this done…and this writer is unable to come upon anyone who does!… Just three commissioners who do not walk El Mar Drive…and do not live on El Mar Drive…but feel the need to spend 1 million dollars to have Chen and Associates start a project that will cost the Town until a new commission can come in to stop it!…

If Readers look at the archived minutes from 2007… they will find much earlier than this in the “lame duck” days of the previous commission it was then-Commissioner McIntee…Commissioner Silverstone and the commissioner- candidates for the upcoming election who routinely voted items of much less importance and with far less financial impact to the taxpayer to be tabled for the new commission to decide!…

Just Saturday there was a Sentinel news article about the Furth’s pals from “Cry of the Water” ( with no RFP from another group!) and the $20,000 for a “Marine Park” payed for by the Town (5-0 vote in Oct. prev. post) …It included the “plans for meetings for public input and form a group of citizens that will create the management for the park”…Hmmm…They’ll do it for a $20,000 investment… but for a million… it’s over…and done…kaput…time to move on… says McIntee..Silverstone and Clottey…after McIntee stood his ground in a back and forth dialogue with MPSC Chair Paul Novak who expressed the views of the Sea Ranch Club “walkers”…and said “You can’t make everyone happy.”… His “gang”promptly  joined in for the 3-2 vote…to throw out a million dollars on a few medians in the south…ready to see if the “sheep” can be “herded” to go to the center and walk from Palm to Pine!… Bahhhh …HUMBUG!…

Below are the excerpt comments made by candidates Scot Sasser and Chris Vincent at the Dec. 8, 2009 Commission meeting on the median expenditure….and a letter from a concerned taxpaying resident…who wishes to remain anonymous…

……………………………………..

Candidate Scot Sasser
“Let me first thank the Commission for holding the round table discussion on the El Mar drive street-scape project. I found it to be informative and it helped me to understand just where we are in the process. With this in mind, I would like to take this time to put forth some questions and suggestions regarding this important project. Since it is obvious that we are in the very beginning stages, having not yet come to a final decision on overall look of the project, or whether or not the project will entail all of El Mar or a fraction thereof, might I suggest that we not rush into a decision to appropriate funds just yet? This is a very important project that does not need to be piecemealed together. This is our time to get it right. From the discussion last night it is clear that the project will cost more than the $980K which begs the question of where the other funds will come from. As several Commissioners pointed out, the projections point to a decline in tax revenue over the coming years due to the declining real estate market. Knowing this should place emphasis on the overall plan. We should realize that what we do not finish now could go unfinished for some time. There are also rudimentary questions that should be asked before moving forward.
• How would the proposed stamping of the asphalt affect the surrounding area since it will create noise as cars drive over it?
• Can we get a sample or see a sample of the proposed stamping to make sure it looks appropriate? Perhaps if we can see it in actual use somewhere it will help us answer the noise question as well.
• What is the long-term plan to tie in surrounding areas to create the look and feel we want downtown?
• Is there a way to begin all of El Mar and phase in instead of taking a fraction?
• How would spending this money affect our ability to complete infrastructure changes such as much needed sidewalk repair and torrential flooding at the pavilion?
• How will this dovetail into the budget in the coming years and is there a plan for any financial overruns?

I realize we are very early in the process and that many of these types of questions need to be flushed out but that is my point. Let’s “measure twice and cut once” as they say. There is no reason to rush into spending $1MM now just because we are still at the starting gate after a year has past.

Thank you and I want to wish each of you safe and Happy Holidays and New Year.”
………………………………………………
Candidate Chris Vincent.
“I would like to address two separate items this evening.

First regarding the Master Plan Workshop yesterday.

It was clear that the board was not in favor to move forward with the current plan on the table. They were given 3 new options to consider and we should allow them the time needed to do that. They have invested a tremendous amount of time and effort with this project and have a willingness to get it right the first time. Allow them that opportunity.

Please do not rush to spend the funds. There is no need to do that. The roundtable was a good start.

Many important issues were raised and should be addressed. Have additional roundtables until you get it right. The attitude of lets just get it started is really not having a well thought out plan.

You need to trust your boards recommendations, anything less would be disrespectful.”

……………………………………….
From a concerned Resident….
“The Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Commission voted 3 to 2 on December 8, 2009 to proceed with the El Mar Drive project. During the discussion leading up to vote some comments were made that were misleading (or as they say in Washington D.C., disingenuous), and irresponsible.

At the Roundtable Workshop Meeting the prior night it was clearly the wishes and recommendations of the Master Plan Steering Committee (MSPC) that the entire project including the medians, drainage, lighting, sidewalks, paving, etc. be evaluated and developed into a total plan so that a determination could be made as to the total cost and future sources of funding. While the Town may only have approximately $1 Million available at present, it was brought up that there might be local, State, or Federal Grants available in the future, that debt service on loans might be affordable in the future, and that an overall long-term plan should be developed before proceeding.

That, clearly, was Commissioner Dodd’s and Mayor Minnet’s interpretation. It didn’t sound like it was the intent of the MPSC to move forward immediately with the median project south of Commercial before agreeing on an overall plan. It was irresponsible of the Vice-Mayor to support concentrating on spending the $1 Million now and then say, “hope for the best.”

The overall cost of the entire project was projected to be approximately $5 Million, and if the Town borrowed the $4 Million balance needed the annual debt service would probably be in the range of $500,000, certainly a possibility worth considering, and not just dismissed out of hand.

Our elected officials should take a proactive role in planning for the future and not govern by the seat of their pants, or dress as the case may be. Successful organizations all have strategic plans, plans that can be modified as time goes by and circumstances change.

A Concerned Citizen”

………………………………………….

The Master Plan Steering Committee is canceled for Tuesday evening (12/15/09) …… and so far there have been no RFPs advertised in the Sentinel…But if the Town Manager reacts to this 3-2 vote as this writer expects her to do…”directed” by her pal Vice Mayor McIntee ( ala the anonymous letter -prev. post) it will be in there well before the Jan 12, 2010 first commission meeting of the month…depleting the million…for something it seems only 3 people, presently with power on the dais want done…

Vote for a new majority on March 9, 2010….and let the CIC- Mc-Furth Gang know that the LBTS taxpayers know full well…….when people are herded it is often known as crowd control….

more to come………

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Scot Sasser, Lauderdale By The Sea Chris Vincent, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Birute Clottey, Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea El Mar Drive Million Dollar median project, Lauderdale By The Sea Master Plan Steering Commitee, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Boards, Local Politics, Scoops, Sea Ranch Club, local government

UNHAPPY WITH THEIR CHOICES? …

Dear Readers …the scuttlebutt going on around town is about the all important LBTS-VFD vote at 7 pm tomorrow night for the VFD Officers for the next year!… The biggest gamble of all is for Vice Mayor and outgoing Deputy Chief McIntee…He has put his name in to go head- to- head with Chief Bob Perkins….Some say the decision really threw Perkins for a loop…that he never saw it coming!…

We are hearing that there’s a 50-50 chance for either of these “Chiefs” to win from the 30+ regular members allowed to cast a secret ballot…Assoc. members are not allowed to participate…

There must be a real “pissing match” going on with lots of promises made for votes on either side…with perks and toys…vs the wrath of a certain “Chief” if  he is the one to go down for the count…pun intended…

It is said that the Vice Mayor would have to resign from the Commission…but the bigger question is when?…

The election makes the winner the Chief as soon as he is elected…and according to the VFD-By-laws…(which McIntee and the VFD ignored over the last year when electing him to DP12) he cannot be both an officer and an elected official…and that is definitely the case with a step up to Chief!…

As Dep. Chief the By-laws stated he did not belong to the board and did not do purchasing (teehee)…But according to those same By-laws as Chief he is  definitely on the VFD board and in charge of the VFD purchasing…therefore …he may not sit on the dais!…

Will he come with that letter that must be entered into the VFD minutes as proof that he has already resigned?  Or will the VFD allow him wiggle ro0m once again? …Will the members allow his resignation letter to only be shown to them proving his intent of immediately turning it into the Town after he sees if he is the new Chief?

Or, will he be McIntee and thumb his nose at the rules yet again, and find a way to be both?…

No matter the outcome…McIntee running for VFD Chief…..is huge…for the department …the town…. and of course his ego!…

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea VFD Elections for Officers 12/14/09, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

“IF  YOU WALK LIKE A DUCK, IF YOU WADDLE LIKE A DUCK, YOU GOTTA BE A DUCK” Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee 12/8/09 …

Dear Readers …at the December 8, 2009 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Commission meeting Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee put an item on for new business… “16 c. Discussion and/or regarding the conflict of interest regarding Mayor Minnet voting on any development issues when in fact she is a full blown developer herself (Vice Mayor Mclntee)” ..It was what this writer held off to comment on this meeting… I spoke of what I previously posted on this site…that this was a letter sent to the Vice Mayor and that the Vice Mayor then gave it to the Town Manager and she distributed it to the commissioners and sent it on the the Town Attorney to look into… The letter in question was anonymous, we were told.. …which according to all past Town Hall rules was not to be accepted, much less distributed… But the Vice Mayor and the Town Manager decided that since it did not come directly to the Town Hall…going instead to McIntee’s house ( I have made a PRR for the envelope w/ return address…public record and stated received by McIntee)…it did not fall under that criteria..Hmmm….I spoke to the Vice Mayor, Commissioner Silverstone and Commissioner Clottey along with the Town Manager telling them they took a page out of their adversaries playbook from 4 years ago and stepped it up a notch…(The new Mc-Furth BTSTimes…is a case in point…The poor pseudo-Furth grandchild is put on the cover of what amounts to be a paper full of nothing but reacting to their rival’s paper and printing false accusations at 2 fine family men who have chosen to step up to the plate for a change to be made in the town they are raising their children in and run for Town Commission!) It was a new low…for LBTS commission meetings…many did not think that was even possible…Surprise!…

I walked away to take my seat and as I was about to sit down I heard the following  as the Vice Mayor began to speak…

VM- ” Ok, I got a letter from a woman and”

I could not help it, I said out loud “How do you know?”.. He said it was anonymous prior to this meeting..I was kicked out after a 2nd warning for that. I left and listened to the rest from the front door of the hall…

The Vice Mayor continued..” Ok, I received a, a letter in the mail from a woman and the woman called me after the letter and did not want to divulge who she was or her name because she was afraid of retaliation. Ah, the information she gave me was clearly Town business. When I received it in a written form in my hand and I was contacted by the individual to look into it, it suddenly became Town business. Once it becomes Town business I’m obligated to turn it over to the Town. I went to the Town Manager and she was not voluntarily putting this into out boxes. I requested she do that because it became a public record. And once that individual claims that the Mayor is a house flipper and ah, is nothing more than ah, well I can read it all.”

He proceeded to read the not so anonymous letter (the VM knows the accuser) casting aspersions to the Mayor…clearly, the Vice Mayor was relishing each nasty word ( was he smacking his lips?) as he said them…his pals Clottey and Silverstone were so zoned in it was like they were having a CIC- induced group hug!… He went on to read from the 2nd and 3rd articles of the Mayor’s incorporation papers droning on with the definitions found in any such documents…rudimentary in nature…but it was all the Vice Mayor needed to allow him to introduce the nasty letter and  create in Jarvis Hall what amounted to what an low-life attorney does deliberately in the courtroom causing the judge to instruct the jury to disregard what they have heard…which we all knows is a virtual impossibility… He went on…

VM- ” Clearly the corporation guidelines of a developer. I was always under the impression she sold lights folks! I’m being 100% positive and honest about that!  (That was the only thing he was 100% honest about!) I never knew she was a developer. When I found out she was, I wen to the Town Manager and asked her to distribute what I had because it became a Town record, asked her to send a letter  to the Town Attorney.  ”

BC- So if we are to believe the Vice Mayor thus far in his 2nd attempt to explain his despicable action, he proceeded because she might be a “developer” ….and that was enough to warrant paying taxpayer funds to have the Town Atty. look into the Mayor’s corporate papers!..WOW!…

VM- ” The Town Attorney sent me a letter back saying she’s [Mayor Minnet] IN NO VIOLATION OF THE LAW. SHE’S DONE NOTHING WRONG, SHE’S HAS THE RIGHT TO BE WHATEVER THE CORPORATION PAPER SAYS SHE IS.”

BC- But that was not good enough…the Vice Mayor always quick to sink lower than the rest of the scum-divers he swims with headed for the drain…Watch out for the back-splash!..

VM- ” So now when the woman calls me back to ask what I  did she’s probably watching this now on T.V. she’ll have the same answer I got. It’s legal what Mayor Minnet is doing . That there’s no big hidden game here. That’s it, so, so I yield. That’s it.”

BC- The jury will disregard the elephant in the room…yeah right!

The Mayor was prepared, but began by asking for a copy of a piece of paper the Vice Mayor falsely claimed was included in the paperwork from his “anonymous” woman-support ( the same woman who ended her letter stating she hoped it would “help the Vice Mayor) …The Vice Mayor had claimed the Mayor sold a house …in Fort Lauderdale for $340,000…This writer posted months ago that the Mayor sold a warehouse in Fort Lauderdale …it was in the Miami Herald Mon. Business section…and I commented at the time maybe she could give the Town some pointers on selling the never addressed Town warehouse still not sold…As of today the VM has not produced the “house sale” due to the fact he lied!… And no matter if it was a warehouse or as he claimed a house…he also stated it was in Fort Lauderdale…So when and if the Vice Mayor finally unloads his Buffalo home that has been on the market for over 2 years will he also be a “house flipper?”?…Perhaps the Town Atty. should look into that one…OOPS! That residence was already looked into last time around when he was running……
…………………………………………………………….
“Lauderdale-by-the-Sea candidate fined for
claiming two homestead exemptions

A Lauderdale-by-the-Sea commission candidate has been slapped with a $6,919 fine for claiming two homestead exemptions, one local and the other in New York.

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office reports Jerome McIntee, a candidate in the March 14 election, has claimed the double tax break since 2002. That violates a Florida law that says a homeowner can claim only one primary residence for tax relief even if a second home is out of state.

The $6,919 fine reflects the Broward taxes owed, as well as government expenses.

McIntee, a retired police officer, has improperly received tax relief since 2002 on his 1,600-square-foot home in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a property assessed at $318,000. During that time he also received similar relief on a $170,000 home in East Aurora, N.Y., according to a Feb. 6 letter to the candidate from the Broward Property Appraiser’s Office.”

http://www.rusthompson.com/archive9.html

…………………………………………………………………

Mayor Minnet-” Vice Mayor McIntee I have listened to some outrageous remarks, but this one is the worst. The bottom line is a person who was very, very mad made up lies and claimed lots of things and you took this anonymous letter, which should not have been accepted and made it public record without checking the facts. I too have received many anonymous phone calls and letters and these go right where they belong. Let me show you where they belong. (she held up the garbage can). Vice Mayor you stated verbatim if you have a situation where you get a nasty letter from a purveyor or a person trying to business with the Town, I would go right to the Town Manager and say Town Manager please investigate for me. Of course you’re going to say this was a concerned resident and not a purveyor. But I further ask did you try and even get another persons side of the story? Did you even question if this person was a resident of this town? But it’s obvious that you know this person because if you read this letter Vice Mayor it says I hope this letter helps you Commissioner McIntee. Almost sounds as if that’s a solicitation from someone.”

The Vice Mayor mumbled a response and the Mayor asked him to be respectful to her as she was listening to him…

Mayor-”  Vice Mayor I go on to say when you stated that the purveyors were similar to the resident, excuse me, this Lauderdale By The Sea resident did sign their name. As I stated how do you know that this was even a resident? Vice Mayor you interrogate people, you talk for other people when they are not present, represent yourself as speaking for all when in fact you are one vote, one voice, just as we all are on this dais.Vice Mayor you continuously say how much you are saving this town. Well I ask you, how much are you costing this town in time and outrageous requests for Town attorneys? And let me further state at the December 1st commission meeting, which a certain person was not in attendance, went extremely well. We had 3 ordinances to review for first reading. We had a full agenda. We all stated our stand , we made motions in the proper way, didn’t have a problem with them. Which I find interesting cause we do tonight. (Comm. Silverstone was needling the Mayor on her duties-per-Furth -plan ) What a concept! And how come tonight we can’t do that? Vice Mayor I want to say something you said at last night’s meeting if the complaint came to me I would have gone right to the horses mouth. Did you do this? Oh yes you talked to the Town Manager and when she said she wouldn’t put them in the boxes you went ahead and did it and then sent a request to the Town attorney and then continued to distribute them to all the commissioner. So you’re right you made this public record. Your blatant antagonism toward me on this dais is getting redundant and ridiculous. My business speaks for itself. I have been in lighting for over 30 years. My family started a lighting business. I was born and raised in this town and it really bothers me that you hit the integrity of who I am. Many people in town know me. They know my family, they know who I am. My occupational license states that I am a lighting designer. I don’t question anyone Else’s occupation up here on the dais. And if I had gotten an anonymous letter I would put where it belonged, where I showed you it belonged. Ten years ago I did pursue my own company and went on my own and became a lighting designer. You asked me about my articles of incorporation. Let me read the very first article that you neglected to read which states as typical on any standard form article one to do and transact any and all business as permitted under the laws of the State of Florida and the United States. Let me repeat that again Vice Mayor, any and all business. Sure I could have put down a thousand businesses if that’s what you wanted me to do, but no I don’t need to do that because everybody knows that I do lighting and lighting design. You know as far as a house flipper is concerned I have lived in my home for over 15 years. I have been involved in my family  businesses throughout this county. So if you’re questioning my family business, Vice Mayor then get the facts straight. And in the future come to me or come through the Town Manager and ask me the question. Not relying on an anonymous letter when you can’t even verify or let this dais know that she may or he may not even be a resident. Vice Mayor you continue to create your own set of rules and change them when you see fit. As you did last evening when it was brought up about the discussion for El Mar and it also being on the agenda. Are rules made to be broken? I have always asked everyone to please contact me. I’ve asked the residents to contact me. and  I would have assumed that this dais would have done the same thing and at least have the decency and integrity to treat each other respectfully. But after hearing some of the things that have been going on in this town this past week. The things that have been said about me. It’s rather unfortunate. It’s as bad as a school yard!  You may not always like the answers but you will get an answer and Vice Mayor I want an apology for your blatant attacks on my integrity. …

THE ROOM ERUPTED IN APPLAUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Commissioner Dodd spoke about the rules of anonymous letters and stated that if it had been him, the response from the Manager would not have been the same as for McIntee… He asked McIntee to answer why it was appropriate to break the rules…there was a silence…the mayor said the Vice mayor should answer and while he was at it he could make the apology she asked for…

The Vice Mayor made a snide remark about not pushing his button and saying the Mayor would “yell” at him for not pushing it…. He then went into version #3 to defend his despicable act of putting this on the agenda…

VM-” I’ll be glad to, here’s where two of you people up here must not have been listening. I had a phone call from the woman saying I sent you this. I don’t want to use my name because I’m afraid of retaliation. That’s the bottom line here.”

Comm. Dodd-” Then it goes in the bin.”

VM-” No, it’s not anonymous. I know where it came from.”

HERE IT IS FOLKS….ROCK BOTTOM OF THE CESSPOOL…HOLD YOUR NOSES!…Get the Purell!…

VM-” You don’t have to read it  is the bottom line. Let’s clarify something else. The Town Manager was directed by me to distribute it because I asked that, it was directed by me to distribute it because I asked that. It was decided that anything comes out has to go through the Town manager can’t be put in the box by yourself. (VM did that with the former Battalion Chief letter) She did nothing but take direction from a commissioner which any of, none of you had to read it! Throw it out the minute you saw what was inside. You throw it out! I had a phone call. She sent me a letter . She cooperated with a piece of property that was flipped in Fort Lauderdale and she cooperated with the absolute papers. (not true) Now clearly you know there’s not one red hair (herring?) about lighting contract. It’s all about development. Clearly she had a point and the point is clear if you walk like a duck, if you waddle like a duck, you gotta be a duck and that’s what #3 says clearly. I buy and sell property. Refurbish then that’s it and she showed me a document that showed she did property in I think it was 6 to 7 months ago in Fort Lauderdale for somewhere around 300, 340 thousand I think I may be off.”

BC- The Vice Mayor said SHE [anonymous writer] SHOWED ME A DOCUMENT… he met with the woman that said “I hope this helps you Commissioner McIntee”…OOPS!…

Mayor Minnet-” Excuse me Vice Mayor, that is a blatant lie!”

VM-” I said I’m not sure about…”

Mayor-” Even the thought of saying, Vice Mayor.”

VM-” I’ll get it for you.”

Mayor- ” Is cause for me to really question your…”

Commissioner Dodd asked the Vice Mayor again “Vice Mayor I’ll repeat my question because you haven’t answered it! You waffled off about the contents of the letter and i will ask you again Vice mayor what gives you the right to ignore our rules that we agreed in an attempt to discredit the Mayor by putting out an anonymous letter?”

The Vice Mayor…looking like a duck weighed down his own “muck”…lamely tried to compare his actions with Comm. Dodd sending an apology to a vendor who was informed of bad behavior from town staff (prev. post)…Comm. Dodd called him on it…and again Vice Mayor “Quack, Quack”…went back to excuse #3…

VM-” Nobody has to read it! It was your decision. You could throw it away. It’s public record. The minute I got it, brought it to the Town Manager, it became a public record that I felt was only fair. Everybody had a choice to , to read it and respond to it.”

Commissioner Dodd tried to make sense of what McIntee was trying to hang his hat on…and could not…(who could?)..The Vice mayor wanted Comm. Dodd to agree it was a public record…

Comm. Dodd- ” As far as I’m concerned I don’t want to waste my time. We wasted 30 minutes discussing an anonymous letter.”

VM-” Don’t read it!”

CD-” It’s not a question of don’t read it. It shouldn’t be in our mailboxes.”

The Mayor cut in and said “Bottom line, Vice Mayor  you shouldn’t have put it on the agenda, that’s the difference.”

Comm. Silverstone ever the befuddled “Not Nice” BFF…actually said the following…” Well, I just think, ah, ah we have an environment that has been created by allowing people to um, maybe they’re angry over the country as a whole because of economic situation and other reasons.”

The Mayor had to warn the audience who could not wrap their heads around Comm. Silverstone’s conclusion of what just occurred!..

CS-” And, ah, um, it just seems that this is continuing in one form or another. The mayor, I mean the Vice mayor had a right to do what he did and it was his decision and that’s it. We also have the right decision not to pay attention to it. Um.”

FORGET THE DUCKS…COMM. SILERSTONE IS A LEMMING!…AND HE IS NOT A NICE GUY…HE’S JUST MCINTEE LITE!…

Dear Readers…I too have an anonymous letter…It is a public record…and I will post it next?…Hmmm…..Just remember afterward….” Nobody has to read it! It was your decision. You could throw it away. It’s public record.”…”It became a public record that I felt was only fair.”…”IF  YOU WALK LIKE A DUCK, IF YOU WADDLE LIKE A DUCK, YOU GOTTA BE A DUCK” Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee 12/8/09 …

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea 12/8/09 Commission meeting, Lauderdale By The Sea anonymous letter, Lauderdale by the sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Stuart Dodd, Lauderdale By The Sea Mayor Roseann Minnet, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, Scoops
Posted in LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, local government