U LIT MATE?….

WOW!…First The Editors Furth brought us words of wisdom with their editorial homage to the late George Carlin and now they give us  their headline in this week’s edition ….”BY THE SEA TIMES SALUTES THOSE WHO GAVE THE  ULITMATE SACRIFICE” !

YEAH BABY!…EASY ON THE TOKES!….(Just a George Carlin Reference…..not insinuating any whiffs of new-age “healing” that might be going on at the BTSTimes -news headquarters )….

Do we hear hissing ?…….Ahhh…forget the “Truth Detector”…get the “PROOF READER”…ASAP!…

UPDATE-5/11/09… Looks like the online edition was “fixed” …hard copies though…remain the ulitmate OOPS!

“LOCAL NEWS YOU CAN TRUST”….REALLY?….

“TRUST”?…Lets see…If you “trust” that Editor Cristie Furth…outgoing Chair of the CIC…now a CIC board member/P & Z Vice-Chair/ Town Co-Event Coordinator/ New-Age “Healer” used an e-mail she sent to Comm. Dodd recently as an Editorial…as criteria of trust……you may want to think again….

Christie Furth knows the truth about what happened with Comm. Dodd asking for “a leave of absence” from the CIC in a letter to the CIC Board…that escalated into a “tar and feathering” due to her and her Vice- Chair Moe McIntee’s feverish derogatory e-mails disparaging the Commissioner….(previous post …train wreck )…A tactic that continued on with former CAC/CIC- founder John Thompson ….and ran in tandem with McIntee- VFD actions against Patrick Pointu…Scot Fowler…and others…who dared to stand their ground…

Those who are on the outside the Mc-Furth Gang (including many members inside the VFD  past and present) know that Comm. Dodd is for the VFD …He is just not accepting the McIntee led “cut to the chase” self- serving  leadership that ignores the current VFD by-laws of who may not be an officer … while being an elected official…and McIntee led incidents within the department and outside the department which ignore their own rules for protocol…McIntee continually usurps and diminishes the VFD Chief and AMR by “taking charge”on scene………..In reference to the Town Manager and Town staff… calling them to task for faulty research or supplying insufficient backup materials needed for meetings……or making questionable decisions on major Town projects and contracts without RFPs…without coming to the Commission is what voters should not only demand from their elected officials …but  should  be assured is in fact the case….To let such actions continue is to be derelict in the duties of what a Commissioner was elected to do…Any Commissioner not questioning …simply choosing to look the other way… making excuses for unilateral or non- directed decisions and choosing to not abide by the Town Manager’s contract that calls for “at least an annual review” should be found highly suspect by the voters …..Characterizing asking for backup materials or explanation from either a Commission member or a taxpayer…as “harassment” or” constant criticism”…brings to mind a Town that would be run by Chavez…Such Furth assertions really should bring forth a big belly laugh from the previous Old Guard majority…Administration and BSO Fire Department…(take a look back at old minutes and videos online to see “the pot calling the kettle black!”)…No one is irreplaceable…elected official…administration…or volunteer……and as for “passing information directly onto his “adviser, a local blogger”…everybody knows the same information goes directly to the Furths from the Vice Mayor…(case in point…see below and previous editions of the paper)…Anything that is handed out is public information…remember sunshine and transparency?.. …  As for the “vast majority of Town residents ” the Furths say are happy with the way the town is being run… That one will have to wait for March 2010…to find out…But at this point in time  from what this writer sees and hears…the Editors Furth…along with the Mc-Gang may be in for the surprise of their life!….

“TRUST”?….Still in the “muck” of bias reporting……the paper is going after the Mayor and her recall from the board at her condominium…Never mind that facts are coming out to say that condo residents may not have had the correct information at the time they made their decision to recall…A letter to the Editor concerning this matter appears in this week’s edition of the Pompano Pelican…If it is so, it should again call into question the “trust” issue of the BTSTimes…especially after hearing from condo owners throughout our town that such matters should not be used for political purposes…causing harm to the owners and hitting them in their “pocketbook”!…Peanuts their likely Mc-Furth CIC candidate  being a condo owner at the building and at Sea Ranch Club should want to distance himself from such actions…rather than to be looked upon as a conduit to this losing act….sure to be remembered at election time…

“TRUST”?….So  much fun to take a look at the Marc Furth Photos of the Commissioners on the dais…..Some weeks he makes them look good and some weeks he makes them look bad…What power with the lens he holds……That said …in this edition…as expected BFFs Jerry , Jimmy-boy and “Clueless” Clottey  look happy and relaxed while …Mayor Minnet and Comm. Dodd look mean and  angry…..BTSTimes….photos you can “Trust”…HMMM……

“TRUST”?…A look at the reminder for the May 13, 2009 Referendum Workshop brings forth another reason to question “trust”…removal of the overlay was wanted…but a return to 33 feet was NEVER part of the deal…that dear readers is pure FURTH -McIntee FANTASY!…Just like having a private corporation being put on as a referendum item at a cost of close to $14,000 if put on in Nov. to make sure the VFD cannot be replaced without a vote and more special election costs to the town!…OUCH!…The referendum item really wanted is not on the workshop agenda…and it will not be as long as the Mc-Gang of 3 is in place…the “2-Hats” …ethics referendum…to prevent the actions we currently suffer from on the dais…

“TRUST”?…..Commissioner Opinions…The Vice Mayor thinks  the meetings run on too long from Comm. Dodd asking questions …(probably because the Comm. actually reads the backup and comes prepared)…and because according to McIntee…Mayor Minnet cannot “control” the meeting…such as muzzling his (VM) detractors…playing Chavez by wanting to  restrict access to public information…and  “challenging” the Mayor to “pass the gavel”…BC- Do it Mayor, it only shows how miserable the VM is in the gavel-holding role…(see previous meeting video online!)….He seems to miss what any sane observer can point to…it is him that makes the meetings run on…”2-Hats”…ad nauseum…”2-Hats”…BFF “Jimmy-Boy”…tries again to use his self proclaimed “accountant” status to say we are “in the black”…(look for more on this to come from other avenues…and those with a real CPA degrees…we know of a few that have them)….Comm. Clottey……states “the purpose of revising our current ordinance is to relax the current ordinance and make loud music legal until 10:00 pm”…To make that so… the ordinance upon 2nd reading will have  to include a certain decibel allowed at certain times of the day…HMMM…and she adds it will be “toned down” after that hour….her assertions seem to be in flux…What exactly does she base her statement on about town sponsored events that provide for many attendees to head to Anglin Square afterward?…Quite funny because it is at odds with Vice Mayor McIntee’s comments recently…..stating the opposite…

“Trust”?…see scoops previous posts on lack of July 4th posted meetings…behind the scenes actions being made by Marc Furth, and sanctioned by the Co-Chair Commission members and the Town Manager ( quite a 180 from her requirements last year)…along with the reply from Comm. Dodd to Marc’s ultimatum for supplying the fireworks display…Do the taxpayers really want to pay $$$$$ for a CIC/VFD “Broom Boys” Kick Off Party with no fireworks?….Might just be the “plan” making the Mayor, Comm. Dodd and any other “questioners” the “Fall Guys” for the demise of this years display…

“Trust”?…The Truth Detector…Noise…the reading will only be done when there is a “complaint received”…perhaps by the mysterious “complainers” who brought this highly unpopular ordinance to forefront……Fear of making a complaint..fear of “retribution”…still doesn’t pass the smell test…Biggest Defective Detector claim….the Easter drowning event…again dear readers…just go by the Incident Reports…BSO (previously posted…) tells a different story…..In fact the VFD Incident Report (prev. post VFD cat.) is a humdinger…with the Chief being in 2 places at once and the Fire Station arriving on scene!…

“TRUST”?…The Times included in their paper the VFD hyperbaric chamber “press release”…(prev. post VFD cat.) which was distributed on May 6,2009…Was the Times in receipt of the release before the Commission?…Did the VFD send a “press release” to the other local town newspapers as well?…HMMMM…

“TRUST”?…It is also sad that in what must now be included his new job description as the new Chair of the CIC, BTSTimes Editor Bob Roberts follows suit by writing a letter to himself (Editor) stating falsely that because Comm. Dodd does not think the VFD should be going on all medical calls he is against the VFD….The VFD in “selling” itself to the Town over BSO repeatedly said one big difference was the AMR- EMS service would provide the 3rd paramedic/EMT and therefore take away the need for that 3rd person to arrive by truck as we had with BSO….As for learning the addresses. as the excuse to follow all medical calls….a look at the VFD roster and the monthly reports will show that should have been finished long ago!

“TRUST”?…Is there any oversight into the VFD Booster club and how much it can pay to support one local paper in town?…From this edition and others the VFD ad space must be $$$$$….

Just a note to readers who may have noticed loud and clear from this issue of the Times…it’s a bash Comm. Dodd issue…the VFD pics on the back of the safety rings…they are going in during turtle season…due to Comm. Dodd going that extra mile to find that they could …..

“TRUST”!…That the Mc-Furth BTSTimes will continue to amp up their bashing of the Mayor…Comm. Dodd and anybody else who does not go quietly into the night…and since “WE” are not going anywhere…that’s the only thing you can put your trust in coming from this Mc-Furth newspaper!…

more to come…

Tags: local government, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

LBTS MAYOR MINNET IS MAKING HER MARK…

WHILE DODGING THOSE “POISON ARROWS”….

Recently this writer posted how the town got it right with those 16 votes and the 2008 election of LBTS Mayor Roseann Minnet…

It was met with a moment of anger from her losing opponent…Peanuts Wick on the very day it was posted…(previous post scoops..4/20/09)…before day 2 of the 4/14/09 Commission meeting began…in the afternoon in Jarvis Hall…

Peanuts entered Jarvis Hall and walked  to the front row of the “CIC” side of the room to loudly say to the Mayor who was sitting in her seat on the dais busy preparing for the meeting …”So, you going to let the Greeks run the meeting?”…This writer was seated on the “other side” of the hall and next to a resident as we heard this obvious”slight” made. The resident said that it sounded like a “slur” and said as much to Peanuts…I said that it was “unnecessary” to speak about them like that…Peanuts then said he “heard” I  had written about him, I replied that I had…He was visibly shaking and angered and demanded I mail him a copy…I said I would not and he could read what I had written for himself…He said he doesn’t read “that garbage, Dear”…I told him not to call me “Dear”…I don’t mind his disdain for my site …that’s his right, but I do mind the condescending “Dear” aimed at a woman coming right after calling two town businessmen “Greeks”!…Peanuts went on to say “That’s why you have no friends!”…YIKES!…I guess the name “Peanuts” will stick no matter how much he tries to change it with  immature responses such as these….I replied calmly, that first of all he does not know where I circulate, and that the only time I ever see him is either here (the hall) or at the bars in town when we stroll by them…….I ended with saying if he disagreed with what I wrote I would be happy to post whatever he wanted. He was then mute….At this time I have received no response to the post.

Since then all those I speak to (which are many) that were involved in the campaign and actually read the Peanuts post…say it was right on!…The exchange at the continuation meeting only cemented my belief that we did indeed get it right for Mayor!

Apparently those who may be pushing at this point for Peanuts to run as their “CIC” endorsed Mayoral candidate in 2010 are busy trying to lay the groundwork for it by hurling  “poison arrows”at the Mayor……Whether it is on the dais…with the Vice Mayor badgering her …. the “Gang of 3″…going after her for “Greenefest”,  and “Adopt-A-Street” signage along with shooting down many of her ideas…(only to employ them in items put on the agenda under their own names sometime later)..or with recent accusations that just are not what they appear to be…and they know it…But they never mind putting it out there anyway to get the “kool-aid” drinkers left among them following their lead…and get a rise out of them…

The latest “poison arrows”…were the recently put on as an agenda item that appeared on 4/14/09  under New Business by Vice Mayor McIntee….He wanted to “go after” the Mayor for recusing herself from the Waste Services Contract vote…He started in on her on that night when  she recused herself before the vote was taken , accusing her of asking questions before she recused herself, (she did not. The tape reveals and she informed  the VM she had not)…. Then he went after her again at the last Round Table meeting, and she replied that she had answered the reason for her actions in her written recusal (The VM  must have been in receipt of it) and would not be answering his interrogation at the table……Vice mayor McIntee said it didn’t matter, that he had put it on the next agenda (4/14/09) and he indeed did…He ended up taking it off as the 4/14/09 meeting began..(The 4/20/09  continuation agenda included the following … ‘This item was removed at the April 14,2009 Commission meeting by Vice Mayor McIntee-problem solved’) but in his mind he  most likely thought he succeeded with his intent of casting the appearance of some “dirt”  surrounding the Mayor’s recusal from this vote….

Contained in the 4/28/09 backup..(now online) after the minutes for approval …is the Mayor’s recusal form ..It says the following…’The company of which I am the principal officer has been retained by a business associate of one of the company’s that submitted a proposal to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea to provide sanitation waste collection services.’ Signed by the Mayor and dated 4/17/09…

So the Mayor did her duty and as for her nemesis the Vice Mayor…well,  when it comes to recusals…partaking in such an action and following the process required, that would definitely be confusing and foreign for him comprehend!…

In the Mc-Furth Time 4/18/09 edition the “Gang” went after the Mayor, by printing a story that was a followup to the planned “elephant in the room” Commissioner comments made by the Vice Mayor on the dais at the previous Commission meeting concerning a “Recall” of the Mayor from her condo board…(previous post..scoops/local news categories)…

The Pompano Pelican straightened out the story, and on its front page told the facts…behind the recall that the BTSTimes conveniently ignored…as they did not contact the Mayor hersel and only took what suited their cause…in order to use it later on…for the 2010 election…

According to those involved, the recall was done with a petition “using erroneous information”…stating the board voted for a $4 million dollar renovation that would have cost the building owners $20,000 each…The actual vote was for “a $7,500 contract’ with an engineer…Minutes and/or tapes from the meetings should be available to check for the accuracy of what really transpired…

The board of the Royal Coast  are facing what all of the condos up and down the coast are facing…The costs of dealing with the age of the building, corrosive salt air and a great divide in their building unit owners…Those who want to continue to “band-aid” the problems, a short- term fix……  those who have the desire to invest in the future of their homes…for the long-term…A guarentee for dissention to result…

Many agree with the Mayor’s statement in the Pelican that what the Vice Mayor did was to “politicize” what the Mayor herself said was “a democratic process. In enacting this calculated plan with the BTSTimes he hurt not only the Mayor but all those owners in the Royal Coast who are selling or thinking of selling…because bad press like this…means buyers think twice!…Nice going Vice Mayor/BTSTimes…in these already tough times of selling one’s property……

Look for more poison arrows to come the Mayor’s way…for they will be coming…and most likely they will increase in intensity …as we near the upcoming election…If they stick with their “plan” for a re-match between “Peanuts” Wick and Mayor Minnet…all they can count on is their innuendo…certainly not their candidate!…

more to come….

Tags: local governmennt, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

LBTS MADE JAY LENO!…

BY THE SEA FUTURE….”TOWN’S COLON RECEIVES AN AWARD”…Feb. 20,2009

Shown online on “Headlines”…after the monologue at 17:33 …with Jay commenting and showing the picture of Town Manager Colon and Mayor Minnet along with the presenter of the award…

BC- One night not too long ago a gentleman sat behind this writer  at a Commission meeting and told me he sent in a “headline” to Jay Leno…and last night it made it on the air!…

Nice going…BTSFuture ( National recognition)…

After showing it Jay quips..”Town’s Colon wins an award…Now where would you put that?”… OUCH!…and then he tossed it off the desk! OOPS!……. Kudos to the gentleman that sent it in!….

Thanks for the heads up…Dear Reader!…

link to BTSFutures…

http://www.bytheseafuture.org/

Jay Leno Show…link below…ENJOY!…

http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/video/episodes/?vid=1089249#vid=1089249/

more to come…

Tags: local government, Local News, Scoops, television
Posted in Local News, Scoops, local government

VERY “TELLING” “TALES”….FROM THE MC-TRUTH DETECTOR(s)…

In The 4/17/09 Mc-furth Times ….the Mc-Truth “Detector…is telling some “tales” out of school…(Kindergarten)

Tracking The Truth…

1. While it is true that the Future paper had the Pavilion Ribbon Cutting Ceremony event time incorrect…and it was corrected on this site right after it came out…The time was originally set for  5-9 pm……and unless you were privy to Comm. Clottey’s Commissioner comments on day 2 of the Commission meeting…where she changed it to 7 pm…it was an easy mistake to make…(previous post…scoops)

2. Florida Elections Commission…DID find that both commissioners did indeed violate election rules…by paying a decreased amount for their “special edition” BTSTimes paper…$6500 less than the next 3 Commissioners were required to spend 2 years later for the same “special election paper”……There was probable cause found  for how they paid or did not pay for items…un-equally…Vice Mayor McIntee…did not respond to questions asked for years…A point that was conveniently missing from his wife’s assertions at public comments on 4/14/09  when she stated it was appropriate to continue on with the “greenfest” inquiry due to no answers forthcoming on event checks and banking…Then-Comm. McIntee did the same and more using cash..personal credit cards…along with his campaign credit card…but was unable to produce records…and receipts…to back up self- reimbursements…Com. McIntee also was less than forthright in his assertion he did not receive the handbook instructing how to deal with these issues…They were given another pass because…the violations found by the investigator were not contained in the original complaint…and the investigation conclusion gives every indication a complaint of these found violations would be looked at…. Hardly frivolous…(previous posts…scoops)..

3. No drownings since the “implementation of the Beach Patrol”….Better to mess up the time of an event than to declare almost 1 week after the drowning at our beach that we have had “no drownings” since the beach patrol took over…Not so…last Saturday while the Beach Patrol was at the Easter-By-The-Sea event…proudly displaying the “Now On Duty Deputy Chief Jerry McIntee” and carrying over the Easter Bunny…a drowning took place …

Despite the Vice Mayor’s  Comm. comments that VFD Beach Patrol was first on scene…that is not so….1st -all in attendance that day saw the ATVs going with the firetrucks and AMR…2nd- this writer was told and posted a witness saying BSO was 1st on scene…and 3rd- a request from BSO and VFD for Incident Reports has produced from the BSO the following…

Frank Roberts 11300 /Ls09-04-00184

Drowning…Saturday 4/11/09 10:00 -10:12 am 4144 El Mar Drive LBS Florida ..Public

Report time 11:08/Dispatch Time 10:12/Arrived 10:15/Cleared 10:45

The report gives the details of the victim…

Narrative..

‘I was dispatched to the beach in front of 4144 El Mar Drive in reference to a possible drowning. Upon arrival, I witnessed several persons performing CPR on a white female, later identified as Mary Darnley DOB xx/xx/xx LBS Fire/Rescue arrived within 30 seconds and took over the scene and administered CPR and moved Darnley to the ambulance.

Darnley’s husband, Louis Darnley, DOB xx/xx/xx was on the scene. He advised that his wife was diving for some undetermined time after which he witnessed several other divers removing her from the water and performing CPR.

Mary Darnley was transported to Holy Cross Hospital and pronounce dead at 11:15 am on this date.

The VFD Incident Report should be received next week…and will be posted…

BC- This is yet again another reason Vice Mayor McIntee should not be making statements on the dais that concern the VFD….2 Mc-Truths…”Tall Tales”…

4. ATV’s…the cost for 2 was $21,000…HMMM…in the backup for the 4/14/09 Commission meeting Consent agenda item G. It was stated the purchase of the ATV’s “saved us” $7,453.66 from the allocated $40,000 for the purchase of the 2 ATV’s…Fuzzy Mc-Truth math…perhaps…as previously posted…(LBTS agenda/meetings category)…The Vice Mayor disingenuously “asked” the Town Manager about that “savings”…knowing it was in the backup…BUT now approved was $10,976.21 to pay for the “extras” they put on the vehicles!……A “savings”…of (MINUS) – $3,522.55….OOPS!

5.  Lifeguards…or lack thereof and no one to go in the water…then touting the recent Jet Ski purchase made by the VFD…(we hear a 2nd one is being eyed?)…But we have been told that there is a liability problem for the Town if we are “advertising” water safety provided to the Town..as shown by the VFD Chief in the ongoing full page ads purchased each issue by the VFD Booster Club in the BTSTimes …at a full page cost…$$$$$….We also hear that just as no liability insurance could be obtained by the VFD for the swimming pool lessons…making for the Town to take it over under liability insurance under the Town……How does it work for water safety patrol services?…BLURRY lines…(previous posts-scoops/VFD)

Here’s a few extra Mc-Furth Truths…the SWAT event…a look at the BSO Incident Report …and the “News Flash” written by Times Editor/Town-VFD Photographer Marc Furth show a huge discrepancy…(previous post…scoops/public safety/VFD)…of the victim coming out…according to Furth…and the BSO going in ..according to the BSO!…

Outrage…written by former Mayor Wardlaw…1st- lack of “truth” the author’s photo…alongside…the “story”…of the “Beyer Bribe”…found in the “archives” somewhere?……2nd- in the minutes the alleged bribe was discussed…
Town Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 11, 2006

‘Mayor Parker stated that Commissioner McIntee had made a personal attack on Mr.
David Beyer and, although he had not mentioned names, Mr. Beyer had taken
exception to the statements made as well as other members of the general public. He
stated that Commissioner McIntee had claimed to have received a bribe and, although
he did not know whether this had occurred, felt insulted that Commissioner McIntee had
made it sound as though receiving bribes was a normal course of business for the
Commission. Mayor Parker stated he had served this community for 12 years and had
never been offered a bribe. He questioned the remaining Commissioners to determine

if they had ever been offered a bribe. All Commissioners responded negatively. Mayor

Parker stated that he had spoken with several former Commissioners who had also
indicated that they had never been offered a bribe. Mayor Parker emphasized that it
was not the normal course of business for Commissioners to be offered bribe and did
not understand why any one would have considered that this particular Commissioner
might have been susceptible to receiving one.
Mayor Parker stated that since Commissioner McIntee had made the initial personal
attack, he did not feel it was improper not to allow Mr. Beyer to respond to the
accusations made. He indicated that upon arriving at the last meeting, Mr. Beyer had
provided him a copy of a distribution he wished to make to the Commissioners. Since
he had already received his copy, upon conclusion of Mr. Beyers comments, he
questioned Mr. Beyer if he wanted to distribute the remaining copies. After doing so,
Mr. Beyer requested that this item be placed on the next agenda and, since it was
customary for individuals to request items be placed on the agenda for discussion, he
had directed the Town Clerk to place the item on the agenda.
Mayor Parker stated that he had not broken the rules adopted by the Commission as
Commissioner McIntee had opened the door to the response, nor had he broken the
rule as he addressed his comments regarding the agenda to the Town Clerk.
Mayor Parker stated that he had broken the discussion rule during public comments
today and apologized for doing so. He explained, however, that based on his
conversations with Waste Management today, there had been high concerns expressed
over the new bills and questions of whether the bills were quarterly or monthly.
Mayor Parker stated that a cloud had been placed over the Commission upon the
allegations that a Commissioner had been offered a bribe, with a counter-allegation that
this was untrue. He indicated that the Commission had established a precedent that
when a Commissioner or the Commission took wrongful action, the Town Attorney was
directed to ask the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office to investigate
whether a crime occurred. Mayor Parker stated that this precedent had been set by
none other than Commissioner McIntee and Commissioner Silverstone. As such, he
asked that the next agenda include discussion and/or action to instruct the Town
Attorney to request the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office to
investigate the allegations made.
Mayor Parker expressed his belief that the Federal Bureau of Investigations did not
investigate every allegation of bribery and felt that, in either event, this was State
matter.’

July 25,2006

Old Business…
D. Discussion and/or action to direct Town Attorney to request Broward
Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office review allegations and
cross-allegations made by Commissioner McIntee and David Beyer
(Mayor Oliver Parker) (continued from July 11, 2006)

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/town/arc-meetings-2006.htm

What’s interesting in meeting minutes from 7/25/06…Former Mayor Parker’s words concerning a former Mayor (Wardlaw) asserting if McIntee was “bribed” the other Commissioners  must have been bribed as well…Also, it is stated as an ongoing “investigation” McIntee should not be discussing it on the dais…and with a vote of 5-0 it was put in the hands of the authorities…

BC- You can bet if this bribery charge was found to have actually happened…it would have been front page news……..Heard anything?…

BC- Also of note this was where this writer entered into the world of McIntee…(previous post…Sausage series)…when McIntee was sure this front page “scoop” in the BTSTimes would “shake this town up”…It turned out to be one in a long succession of  non- events…just alot of hot air!…

The “million” for El Mar was not what Comms. McIntee and Silverstone wanted …they were perturbed it was not enough…both saying the Mayor and the Old Guard sold out for such a pittance…Of course the big “middle finger” came right back at them…recently with the discovery of the “terms” included in the Oriana million these “2-Hats”  signed off on!…The million for El Mar Drive beautification can only be used for south of Commercial Blvd…leaving the Furth’s…empty handed…at their end of the road!…Touche’ Mr Beyer!…

The author of this very article…spent many hours warning me about the Furths…especially Cristie……and Jerry…all still in my backup…and quite amusing to re-read…especially with the “double standard” he seems to be using for how this Administration works compared to the predecessors…

The lack of letters…which this week included only one from Happy Vassil…(previous post…scoops)…is not due to lack of frustration in this town……or being upset with the Mc-Furth “Gang”…..It is due to knowing who runs this paper…and that any “outside” opinion would fall on deaf ears…leaving the letter writer open for “scorched earth” tactics to come their way!….

In that vein…those who are regular contributors should once again re-think their involvement in this “slanted-McFurth news” production.. .Take a long  hard look at the content that appears alongside your writing and your byline…does it make you proud?…

more to come…….

Tags: BSO, Local News, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Local News, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD

CONDO OWNERS SHOULD CRY FOUL….

Alert and observant readers know when they are being “played”…and the Vice Mayor who calls the “shots” whether it is in the VFD…the CIC or the BTSTimes…has no credibility among the countless voters familiar with his “playbook”…….

The “setup shot” came in his 4/14/09 Commissioner comments…when he lamely stated there was  “no collusion” on his part for the recall of board members underway at the Mayor’s condominium….(maybe not the “pre-game” planning ……but he definitely jumped into “center court”)….

A few days later there were “rumblings” that this “event” was written up already for the Times next issue….A well planned “assist” to the VM’s comments… A few names were mentioned of those on this “opposing team”…. in making sure this “score” ( pun intended) made it outside the confines of the condominium’s “home stadium”…

Well those who “bet” on it were right on the money…. the “game plan” was followed ……with the story in today’s 4/17/09 Times edition….

But longtime sports fans are calling for a big “time out”!

They believe the Mc-Gang is way “out of bounds”…….”Bad sportsmanship”on their part……Making the owners of this condominium into unwilling “bench warmers”…just to “even a score”….

This is one “game” that should be “wiped off the books”….

With a  “penalty” for  the “visiting team”….for improper conduct and not playing by the rules…

A lose-lose for the Mc-Gang team….

And the “fans” go wild…..

more to come….

Tags: local government, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

LAUNCHING FROM WHERE?….

According to our code of ordinances…watercraft cannot be launched from the beach….

Yet proudly displayed in the introduction by the Chief of the LBTS-VFD is the new Jet Ski purchased by the VFD…for training for water safety rescues in the future…

Let’s see… The independent “contractor” bought a Jet Ski…and we the taxpayers just paid an additional  $10, 976.21 for equipment for the Town owned ATVs…at the 4/14/09 Commission meeting…

This is one more look at the “blurry” lines of Town-VFD…together-independent…The Town needed to purchase the ATVs and equipment…and the VFD could afford the Jet Ski…and own it independently…

We were told of liability to the town for “lifeguards”…the VFD cannot be insured as lifeguards…But now announced in the Mc-Furth Times by the VFD… we are saying we will do water safety rescues…that is if they…a private contractor can get the code changed to launch off of the beach…and our Attorney’s do some research into the liability to the Town…HMMMMM…….

Sec. 5-51.  Operation of boats restricted.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1)   Reserved;
(2)   Operate or pilot a boat or other watercraft within a 100-yard area directly north, south and east of, or directly under or beneath, the fishing pier situated at the east end of Commercial Boulevard;
(3)   Launch or land boats, rafts, or craft of any kind upon the Town beaches, except in case of an emergency; or
(4)   Use the beaches, either public or private, for the storage or parking of boats.
(Code 1962, § 5-6; Ord. No. 266, 9-14-82; Ord. No. 389, § 2, 6-24-97)’

BC- will they skirt by with the “emergency” in #3…with the new majority…and “in the pocket” staffing…could be…but still the liability question looms…..

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=14431&sid=9

more to come….

Tags: local government, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

Dear Happy,

I read with great interest your letter to the Mc-Furth Times. I find it most interesting since you have told me in the past you do not have a computer.

I also find it interesting because the words I wrote were the facts, and were witnessed by all when you stood at the podium in speaking to John Olinzock, saying “What a man!”…bringing forth a room full of laughter…

I would also like you to recall that I stood by you when you had your trees removed, and you were beside yourself with grief over their removal and the pain you experienced when you believed then- Comm. McIntee and Comm. Silverstone and their promises made to you on the Seagrape Sidewalks. I took all your calls when you were dealing with your neighbors, after these two Commissioners turned around and let you down. I was there for you when you dealt with the Town staff, the botched tree removals, and the anger you expressed along with your sorrow.

I wrote a letter of thanks for you at your request for you to copy and deliver to the Town Administration.

I implored you to step up to campaign in your area for candidates Clottey and Dodd despite your misgivings over what had transpired with Comm. McIntee and Silverstone.

I took your calls and listened when you were furious at Cristie Furth and her interference over the Yanni signs put on your lawn. You said you feared for the properties you own in town.

So Happy,  I am standing behind the Marchelos brothers who I feel are being treated as you once were, unfairly…Only this time it is on a much larger scale than your treasured palm trees,  because it involves their livelihood, their businesses.

Don’t be afraid of the Mc-Furths…this time next year they will no longer be in charge.

Sincerely,Barbara

NOTE TO READERS….I will take the “facts” and Truth” challenge everytime…For I do print the facts, I do print the truth and if there is something incorrect, unlike the Mc-Gang it is quickly rectified.

Tags: Local News, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Politics, Scoops, VFD

THE Mc-FURTH BTSTIMES….PRINTING ONLY ONE SIDE….

published the following e-mail to Commissioner Dodd….here is the e-mail.(per Comm. Dodd) and his response e-mail…

THE E-MAIL TO COMMISSIONER DODD….

From: Bob Roberts
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 10:35 PM
To: Stuart Dodd
Subject: Old Fashioned Town Hall Meeting

March 15, 2009

Commissioner Dodd,

I understand you were concerned as to whether my husband, or I, could be fair in our roles as moderators for this evening s,  Old Fashioned Town Hall Meeting .   Rather you should have been more concerned in regard to your own behavior.  Passing out your flyers (selectively) to some of the audience, but not to the staff,nor to the other commissioners was in clear violation of the rules set forth for the evenings event.  Our  bad  was that we didn’t pick up quickly enough to stop the distribution.  You showed disrespect for everyone present by perpetrating your little coup, especially to your fellow commissioners.

In another show of poor taste, you also went after our fine VFD once again.  Why the vendetta?  Our VFD continues to do an excellent job and if part of the training for young recruits is to go along on calls, hooray!

Seems like a fine way to familiarize all firemen with neighborhoods, street names and any note worthy land marks in town. !

Please, give it a rest and let s see more respect and an effort to get along so the Commission Business can be done more efficiently.

Sincerely Adrienne & Bob Roberts

THE RESPONSE FROM COMMISSIONER DODD…..

From: Stuart Dodd
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 11:28 PM
To: ‘Bob Roberts’
Subject: meeting

After the treatment at the last CIC event that I voluntarily attended who could be blamed for having doubts as to anyone’s ability to control a hostile crowd. The distribution of the handouts was left to my wife and she sends her apologies for the oversight. I include a copy as an attachment.   I had asked Cristie for a copy of the rules or format for the meeting and there was nothing to the effect that Handouts were not permitted.  I haven’t seen anywhere in the bylaws of the CIC where it states handouts are not permitted.  If you don’t want handouts then perhaps you need to warn non-CIC members that there are to be absolutely no handouts.  It was not a coup or a show of disrespect for my fellow commissioners.  Am I being disrespectful if they choose to come ill prepared and I choose to waste about 4 hours of my life putting together my speeches and a handout for the benefit of explaining my position regarding the VFD’s present policy.  I will await the inevitable accident where someone will get hurt rushing to a non emergency medical call and then I will get absolutely no satisfaction when the policy is changed since it could have been avoided. It is not a vendetta – read the handout with an open mind and then tell me it is a vendetta.  I have personally spoken to the Chief several times over this issue and I choose to use any way open to me as a commissioner to try to change a policy that is frankly wrong.  I would have hoped you as an educated person can see the error in this policy.  I believe the VFD should go to every conceivable call where their help might be required but they do not need to go on all medical calls. I have been the mover to try to bring the commissioners closer together with “round tables” but met with resistance.  I believe the commission has much more important issues to discuss than the continuing personal battle between Jerry and the owners of the pier over the parking lot, pier sign, pier lease agreement, greenfest.  That’s my opinion.
Have a great holiday
Stuart Dodd

THE HANDOUT……..

Volunteer Fire Department – Commissioner Dodd’s position

March 15th

Finally I get a chance to address the organization that I represented as president and fought the battles to get two commissioners elected.  The very same organization that currently feels I’m a traitor, turncoat and should be driven out of town.  How many of you believe I’m against the VFD?    I wonder

Well let me first state I am 100 % behind the men who make up the VFD.  Let me also state I haven’t changed one inch on one single election promise I made to this organization or the voters since I was elected.  I had my own agenda and I have steadfastly stuck to it.

My current difference of opinion is with the leadership of the VFD since I’m on record as wanting the most professional Volunteer Fire Department in the whole of South Florida and I’m prepared to give them the tools to do it.

I’m elected to represent all of you to the best of my ability – which means making sure public money is not waste and I am held accountable for public safety.

Three years ago I knew nothing about fire departments, AMR, BSO, ambulance etc., etc.,
BSO had to run this town with one fire engine with cross trained paramedics and one ambulance with qualified medical staff in order to meet the requirement of treating and transporting any patient to hospital.  The same model is used by many neighboring municipalities, Ft.Lauderdale, Pompano and others – one engine and one ambulance – 5 men in total .
Now lets look at LBTS – We have a contract for all medical calls to be treated with two ambulances – one from Holy Cross and one from town.  There are your 5 trained personnel at every ambulance call.  They get to just about any medical emergency in this town in less than 4 minutes.
I have repeatedly asked when are the VFD going to stop going on ALL medical calls –Certain categories such as cardiac arrest, traffic accidents I believe it is essential they are dispatched and it’s up to the leadership to discuss those categories with the 911 dispatch centre.  Stop going to  ALL non essential medical calls – that is Jelly fish stings, people in public places feeling faint , tripped up and possibly bleeding.  Currently the VFD go on ALL medical calls and that’s wrong in my book.  That means if 31 members turn up at the station once the pager goes off the VFD pay $310.00.  It’s $10.00 per man even if the engine is cancelled before it leaves the station.  I would support raising it to $15.00 if they stopped going on unnecessary calls.   This would actually achieve a saving since the call volume would drop by more than 50%.

We have VFD members rushing to get to the station quickly, taking the large fire truck around our small streets, sirens going following AMR to non essential medical call. Very few calls get cancelled before the truck leaves the station but the men still get paid for turning up.

You are paying for this service – if the VFD underbid the contract they will run out of money.  The commission will then be approached for more money and if they can afford to continue with the present scheme then the contract bid was too high but  we are all paying for this – make no mistakes – It is coming out of our taxes.  The decision to go on every medical call has been made by the chief, deputy and the membership for reasons now held confidential since outsiders are no longer welcome at their meetings.  Does it make any sense – no it doesn’t.  Until there is an accident I’m afraid the status quo will continue since I have very little faith that the leadership of the VFD will consider stopping going on all medical calls and paying some of the money saved to the members who patrol our beaches. I supported the VFD because I believed that the men who form it do a superb job every bit as good as the professionals at a more economic figure – I still do given the right leadership.
Now, how many of you want the two ambulances, a fire truck and command vehicle to go to every medical call irrespective of the cost?  We, the citizens are paying for it through our taxes; it’s coming out of yours and my pocket.   In my opinion – the VFD should only go on those categories of calls where they might conceivably be needed to assist but they should stop going to ALL medical calls.

Am I a lone voice of reason?  Am I against the VFD – ABSOLUTELY NOT just their current policy?

Stuart Dodd

BC- A previous post in the civic organization category will show what occurred at this CIC Town Hall Meeting …poorly attended by CIC members…showing no turnout from non- members in the town..albeit Commissioner Dodd, his wife, Mayor Minnet, The BCbythesea Hubby and this writer…(one additional correction to that post….Commissioner “Jimmy” Silverstone’s Fiance’ Peggy informed this writer she has never and will never be a CIC member wanting to set the record straight on St. Patty’s Day….OUCH!)…which should tell you something about where the next election is heading…Can they win only printing one side?…..

more to come……..

Tags: civi organiations, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Civic Organizations, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops

“IT GETS BETTER EVERY YEAR!”….

The 13th Annual LBTS CRAFT FEST…..

BC- It’s 10 am on Sunday 3/15/09 and the cars are lining the medians on both sides of El Mar Drive extending from Pine Ave. all the way to the event…same for the south end…leading to Palm Ave….The El Prado parking lot is maxed out…and there are lines waiting for breakfast in front of Country Ham and Eggs and 101 N. Ocean……as well as Village Grille…Athena has it’s seats full as well!…

The merchandise offered is some of the welcome regulars that keeps the townspeople and the visitors coming back for more…as well as some new innovative items…that stopped the strollers in their tracks!…

At the end of line on El Mar…the swinging chair…it the hit of the event…and the “greenies” among us are impressed by the Frame N’ Art “Litter Art” displayed while taken aback by the finds owners Gary and Sharon have found from walking along the LBTS beachfront….

Lots of jewelry and handmade items…hats, purses, outdoor items…artwork of blown glass and one o f a kind items made in wood…music being played by musicians with their own DVDs and food items to taste and bring back home….

The newspapers were looking for subscribers…the Lions Club was represented by Former Mayor Parker and his wife…and the Chamber that made this all possible…Well on day 2…they were low on T-shirts…a good barometer of what a success this was!…

BC-One idea to float yet again…How about having this Craft Fest event on July 4th and 5th…and taking away the costs for the taxpayers…an estimated $50 thousand plus….(could go up to twice that amount…if donations are off or the Pier is a no- go…thanks to McIntee’s vendetta against the Marchelos brothers…leaving a barge the only fireworks option)…

The parade could be moved…to A1A …..something to think about as we face a very different year…money wise…

NEWSPAPER WARS….

The winner is…according to many…BTSFuture……

The talk around the town…the Future’s headline story…the sign…the Pier sign…”HANDS OFF”…If it needs a touch- up…fix it…But just like the Chamber…let it be!…Compared to their “sparring partner” the Mc-FurthBTSTimes …the Future has taken the lead……Although the Furth photos are lovely works of art…. the “cheer leading-VFD” lovefest…is a scan and a toss at best……Noticed as the El Mar passerby’s discard the copy picked up at the owner’s motel/newspaper headquarters ….taken from their newstand right out in  front…only to be discarded in the receptacles in town…and not the recycle ones at that…

The articles on McIntee in this weeks Future show yet again the “bully” on the “pulpit” every 2 weeks does not have the last word…And no “song and dance” will take the spotlight off the VM-VFD Deputy Chief…acting as VFD purchaser…negotiator…and “thumbing his nose” at the Florida Ethics Commission…Plenty to cover on this guy’s misdeeds…the signage…the bathrooms…the “vigilante” escapades…as he makes his “messes” grow….and grow and grow…

A letter with a “wake-up” call sent to McIntee-BFF Comm. Silverstone in response to his “love letter” to his pal in the BTSTimes…sets the VM’s “record” straight…Along with a full array of community events that this paper that its  staff and contributors are fully vested in…not just “press pass” wearers…stopping in for a shot…and a story…

Once again the return of a byline picture of Doc Lawrence …was included …still quite a “get” for this paper…and a great move on Doc’s part….. a “must see” for those who missed him so…

But the “kicker”…the “Real Hoot”…”DR. COCKROACH BUG TALK”…at the Museum of Discovery  3/27-29 2009…”Monsters vs. Aliens”…with the “biting” Future’s commentary…”Oh, and be sure to ask about the hissing variety”….

BC- Readers know the one… known to reside right here in LBTS….

Final thought…take a look at the “Ad-Wars”…and see who is providing ad revenue to each publication……It provides a very “telling” story of its own!…

http://www.bytheseafuture.org/

more to come….

Tags: Local News, Places To Go, Scoops
Posted in Local News, Places To Go, Politics, Scoops

NO DROP OFF……

The Rest of the story….from the “2 Mayors ride to see Gov. Crist” at Galt mile……..(2/19/09 posted after the report online/in the Sentinel)….was not correct…seems the  Sea Ranch Lakes Police Chief came to see an old pal…Gov. Crist…and offered a ride…

This was no drop off and run…he stayed at the event………

So seems the the “peril” for Mayor Minnet…. this time …the Sentinel and the post….that followed the story…

Hope this clarifies the situation for the readers…as it did for this writer….

Thanks for the “rest of the story”…faithful reader….and thanks  Mayor Minnet… for the corroboration…..

more to come……

Tags: Local News, Local Politics, update
Posted in Local News, Local Politics, Updates