FEC REPORT…Feb.12,2007

NOT SO FAST…..LOOKS FAR FROM BOGUS……

REPORT OF INVESTIGATION……

RESPONDENT: James Silverstone Case No. FEC 07-054

Feb 12,2007 a sworn complaint was received that Respondent violated Chapters 104 and 106 Florida Statutes. The Commission investigated .

Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a candidate or any person supporting a candidate, in order to aid the nomination or election of such candidate, from giving, paying, expending, or contributing any money or other thing of value to any other candidate;
Section 106.07(5), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a candidate from certifying to the correctness of a campaign treasurer’s report that is incorrect, false, or incomplete;
Section 106.19(1)(c), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a person or organization from falsely reporting or deliberately failing to report information required by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

I. Preliminary Information:

Contained information  about Silverstone, running successfully for office and that he ran with his “slate partner” McIntee….His occupation and company….That he was a former officer of the VFD and formerly served as fire chief and chairman of the firefighter pension fund….

Contained information  that Complainant (Mark Brown) was a registered voter and board member/editor of By The Sea Future in LBTS.

II. Alleged Violation of Section 104.071(1)(c) Fl. Statutes:

The investigator investigated whether the Silverstone  violated this section of the election laws by giving money to his slate partner McIntee…at question were 3 direct contributions to McIntee and 3 expenditures shown in Silverstone’s G4 report that shows he made to McIntee…the investigator found a typewritten note on McIntee’s G4 amendment (filed 2/20/07) that said Silverstone’s contributions were not actual contributions to his (McIntee) campaign, but rather “a pass through remittance” for his share of expenses for common slate expenses of the “clean sweep slate”…McIntee sent a letter to the filing clerk  in August saying as much …the investigator looked at Silverstone’s bank records and saw the 2 checks made out to Mcintee..totaling the same amount that the G4 report said were the total of 3 checks….There was a expenditure made from McIntee to Silverstone for $190 for T-shirts ….In a telephone interview McIntee said they split everything 50-50…A telephone interview with Silverstone brought the response when asked about paying McIntee directly instead of the vendors…that McIntee paid on his personal credit card, and Silverstone thought a check to McIntee was best…In another telephone interview Silverstone was asked about using “Jerome McIntee Campaign fund” on just one of his checks to McIntee and not both, Silverstone stated he could not recall why he did that….He (Jimmy) was asked if McIntee requested reimbursements in a certain way, Silverstone “No, I don’t think so.”

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

III.

Alleged Violation of Section 106.07(5) Florida Statutes:

The Investigator looked into whether Silverstone violated this section by certifying to the correctness of his treasurer’s report that were incorrect, false or incomplete…The complaint was advertising in BTSTimes and disclaimers that stated both Silverstone and McIntee paid for the political ads…what this section contained were differing invoices and payments…delays in payment for ads run…same for signage…with Silverstone not showing expenditures for his portion…and also for political flyers….there were no entries for expenditures for his half…and for postage….In telephone interviews with Silverstone the investigator had questions about how checks were written to McIntee with double entries instead of one and wrong dates…Silverstones’s claim for not paying upfront on ads did not mesh with the facts concerning what he said he had and what he actually had available to pay (59)…..

An interview was conducted by phone with former Town Clerk Medina on 12/13/07 asking her why she instructed Silverstone to amend his reports to include his ad expenditures…”Ms. Medina stated the newspapers were delivered to Town Hall and it was clear on its face that Respondent was running ads that he had not reported paying for”…..Mark Brown alleged that BTST ads were subsidized by the newspaper…but there was no evidence…..

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

IV. Alleged Violation of Section 106.19(1)(c) Florida Statutes:

The Investigator investigated whether Silverstone violated election laws by falsely reporting or deliberately failing to report information required by Chapter 106…..She looked at the signs…flyers….and complaints for the Silverstone’s reports showing no newspaper ad expenditures or accepting them as in-kind contributions form the paper….again there was  no evidence of in-kind contributions …

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.

VI- Conclusion

Page 10-#79. ‘In a final interview, Silverstone stated “what happened is what happened.”Respondent stated he does not believe he did anything wrong.’

page 11- #80-83 The investigator contacted Town Clerk White who stated she was not the filing clerk when Silverstone ran for office, she (White) checked to see if Silverstone received election publication -2006 Candidate’s and treasurer’s Handbook….A call was made by the investigator to interview former Town Clerk Alina Medina who said Silverstone receive that publication and a copy of the Fl. statutes 104 and 106. A questionnaire sent to Ms. Medina in 2007 was never returned as of 9/ 2008. Silverstone could not recall the year of the handbook he received, and knew the information was available online and that he had reviewed them and stated that he had in fact read what chapter 104 and 106.

Page 11-#84. ‘During my investigation of the allegations contained in the sworn complaint, I found that Respondent misreported his expenditure to A Place for Silk, and Respondent made an expenditure for Tee-shirts on behalf of his slate partner. I also found some of Respondent’s political advertisements do not include the required disclaimer. However, because these violations were not alleged in the complaint, I did not investigate this information. Respectfully submitted Sept. 3,2008 Donna Ann Malphurs, Investigative Specialist.’

REPORT OF INVESTIGATION

RESPONDENT Jerome S. McIntee, Jr .Case No. FEC 07-053

Complainant Mark H. Brown…Feb 12,2007…same  alleged complaints as Silverstone…plus  3 ….

Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a candidate or any person supporting a candidate, in order to aid the nomination or election of such candidate, from giving, paying, expending, or contributing any money or other thing of value to any other candidate;
Section 106.07(5), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a candidate from certifying to the correctness of a campaign treasurer’s report that is incorrect, false, or incomplete;
Section 106.1405, Florida Statutes, prohibiting a candidate from using funds from his campaign account to defray normal living expenses;
Section 106.19(1)(b), Florida Statutes, failure of a person or organization to report a contribution required to be reported by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes;
Section 106.19(1)(c), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a person or organization from falsely reporting or deliberately failing to report information required by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes; or
Section 106.19(1)(d), Florida Statutes, prohibiting a person or organization from making or authorizing any expenditure prohibited by Chapter 106, Florida Statutes.

I. Preliminary Information:

Contained information that  McIntee  was a successful candidate…That he ran as “slate partner” with Silverstone…He was a retired police officer from Buffalo N.Y and certified expert and seasoned investigator in fire and arson investigation….served as Chief of the Arson Task Force at the Erie County DA’s Office….serves as Executive of McJon Extrication Blankets Inc….and as an officer of 2 active Fl Corps…Bel Air Residents Civic Assoc and LBTS CIC Inc….That he had been Chairman of CIC since 12/05…same information about Mark Brown as above….

II. Alleged Violation of Section 104.071(1)(c) Florida Statutes:

The Investigator investigated McIntee to see if he violated the election laws by paying, expending or contributing any money or other things of value to his “slate partner” Silverstone….some information is contained above under Silverstone’s  investigation…what the investigator zeroed in on were McIntees reimbursements…and notations…such as (14) “reimbursements slingers”, but there was no bank record to support this entry….(15) a second  expenditure  “campaign material” with a date that did not match the invoice and a disclaimer showing both paid which does not seem to correspond…(16) a notation of “slingers” in the memo line that does not match the expenditure amount in his report in conflict with a copy his check (17) Feb 2006… an expenditure for postage with the purpose “postage stamps with no bank record entry to support it….(18) a request for backup material produces a reply from McIntee that he did not have a receipt and either paid for it by cash or credit card…(19) McIntee reimbursed himself for postage with notation “reimbursement of postage expenses” in March 2006 but no bank statement to support the entry(20) In a questionnaire the investigator asked McIntee about 2 reported expenditures to himself with no bank records to support them…he provided a check number  and a letter in response…(21) McIntee responded that he had not reimbursed himself for these expenses, the funds would have come back to him as partial repayment of his campaign loan….”Respondent stated he did a very poor bookkeeping job on his election account ans asserts that the funds were spent solely for his campaign cost.”…(22) McIntee was asked about shared postage cost in a questionnaire he never answered the question…(25) in March signage was reported as an expenditure with no bank record to support it….(26) In a letter McIntee said” he paid the full costs of these signs using his personal credit card” but didn’t recall which one…

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

III. Alleged Violation of Section 106.07 (5) Florida Statutes:

The investigator investigated whether McIntee violated this section of the election law by certifying to the correctness of his campaign treasurer’s reports that are incorrect, false, or incomplete…some of this is stated above in Silverstone’s  complaint…In his complaint Mark Brown says McInteee “knowingly and willingly submitted inaccurate or incomplete reports”….The MacMillans were interviewed by phone and in questionnaires …The MacMillans explained the “flat fees” charged …and McIntee after also being notified by former Town Clerk Medina about this ad expenditure not being reported (52) said he contacted the “State of Florida Election Commission” …”and asked the election official if it was okay to pay a final bill for all advertisements at the end of an election cycle.” ..McIntee said he was “it would be fine you may pay the final bill at the end of the election cycle and then submit that in  your final election expense report.”…(53) The investigator sent a letter to the Election Bureau to review her files …”I Have no record of that call” was the response….(54) McIntee said he contacted the “acting town manager” (Colon) that he was repeatedly “misadvised by the filing officer (Medina)…saying she caused him to file a “Number of inaccurate amendments to meet her demands”…He said he made repeated calls to Tallahassee to clarify the proper procedures….The Complainant thought the candidates “got a free ride throughout their campaign when it came to paying for ads and other expenses”…Brown thought it gave McIntee/Silverstone an unfair advantage over their opponents…

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

IV. Alleged Violation of Section 106.1405 Florida Statutes:

The investigator investigated whether McIntee violated election law by using campaign funds to defray living expenses…this had to do with air travel and reimbursements ….(68) McIntee was asked to explain why he used campaign funds to reimburse himself to attend meet the candidates night…(69) A questionnaire was prepared for McIntee…the dates proved to be a problem and a request was made for documentation McIntee sent a letter “This complaint is so ridiculous that they don’t even have the right candidate’s night”…”There was no ticket bought to be back for the March 8 candidate’s night so the complaint is null and void The complaint is way out of line claiming I bought a ticket for the March 8th event when I did not buy any ticket in March from Jet Blue from Buffalo to Fort Lauderdale”….(70) The investigator called McIntee again for explanation on the ticket reimbursement and he stated it was a round trip ticket….bad weather….that he found an alternate flight to make the meeting…he purchased it using his personal credit card and then reimbursed himself…(71) a questionnaire was mailed to McIntee asking for documentation, “However as of today, Respondent has not provided any documentation pertaining to his airfare reimbursement”….(72) McIntee sent a letter 2/4/08 stating he paid his airfare using his American Express card and had no idea how to obtain a weather report from 2 years ago….(73) The Investigator called a travel agency in Tallahassee to get information on 2006 …with no luck…

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

V. Alleged Violation of Section 106.143(1)(a) Florida Statutes:

The investigator investigated whether McIntee violated this section of the election laws by making expenditures for political advertisements and failing to mark prominently the political advertisement with the required disclaimer….Mark Brown said BTST sent 3 e-mails advocating McIntee and Silverstone with no disclaimer…

(87) The investigator called McIntee and asked “how he came up with the disclaimer language used in his other advertisements…McIntee “stated he followed the letter of the law and that he had not done anything wrong.” ….McIntee “stated that if something was wrong with his disclaimers then it was because someone else prepared the advertisements for him.”….(88) When the investigator asked for clarification “Respondent became defensive and refused to answer my questions. Respondent stated if I wanted to know something I would need to come to Lauderdale-By-The- Sea to get answers. When I asked if  his answers would somehow be more truthful if I came to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Respondent stated he would not answer my questions.”…McIntee asked that the questions be put in writing with a copy of the ads in question….(89) The investigator sent McIntee a questionnaire June 27.2008…providing the ads and questions…”However, as of today, Respondent has not returned my questionnaire.”…(90-92)The investigator spoke to Silverstone who explained that “he and Respondent approved each and every ad, they had final say in everything they produced.”….Silverstone said they used sample advertisements and he had done some of the graphics himself…Silverstone recalled one ad almost went out without a disclaimer and it was brought to their attention…he did not know what vendor alerted them…(94-99) Mark Brown’s complaint about the e-mails concerned March 7 & 8th 2006 2 articles by Ken Wardlaw and Diane McSweeney to “list members”…the e-mails said “Ken Wardlaw, Fmr. Mayor/Commissioner “Lauderdale-By-The-Sea”…and the other said “Diane McSweeney” “Property Owner”…The E-mails said these two requested the Times to send it out with the initials of the Editor…An affidavit from McSeeeney stated the articles were submitted for publication in the newspaper as “opinion pieces”…that she sent her e-mail to the BTST Editor, and denied paying for distribution of her e-mail or any other distribution for McIntee and Silverstone..Ken Wardlaw in an affidavit denied requesting distribution of his article and denied coordinating the creation and publication of his article for McIntee and Silverstone…

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

VI. Alleged Violation of Section 106.19(1)(b) Florida Statues

The investigator investigated whether McIntee violated this section of the election laws by failing to report a contribution required to be reported….Mark Brown ‘s complaint alleged that McIntee accepted in-kind contributions from BTSTimes for subsidized costs for advertising published between Jan. through March 2006 and for distribution of e-mails with monetary value “at no charge”….That McIntee failed to report this for the difference…Brown obtained a rate chart for the BTSTimes and said it did not offer any “political discounts” for their ads. and that McIntee and Silverstone would have had to pay full price……Brown found the rate chart far exceeded the amount of money McIntee and Silverstone paid for their ads…believing someone else paid for the ads and this was not disclosed…(105) The investigator called “Mrs. MacMillan who stated “she sometimes charges a fee that differs from the rate based upon the relationship with the customer and the situation”…In a written statement she stated she charged a fair price to McIntee and Silverstone for their ads…and the paper “still made money” with the fees charges significantly in comparison to the rate (for small ads)….In June the investigator mailed a questionnaire to Mrs. MacMillan to confirm this phone conversation…it came back “not properly notarized (It is said that both Mr MacMillan and Silvertone are Notaries)…The investigator wrote …”however, as of today I have not received a properly sworn response from Mrs. MacMillan.”… (110) Dec 7,07 the investigator called McIntee and asked why he omitted some contributions from his reports….McIntee stated that it “must be his mistake that some contributions were not reported because had he been intentionally trying to conceal contributions he would not have deposited them in his campaign account….The investigator made a “noteworthy” inclusion because of this statement…that McIntee had indeed deposited a Silverstone reimbursement check into an account that was separate from his campaign account…(111) The Investigator telephoned Silverstone who “admitted” that he reimbursed McIntee for shared  campaign advertising expenses  based upon instructions from McIntee to reimburse  him for expenses McIntee paid for on his personal credit card….(112) Silverstone told the investigator McIntee was retired and had more time to take care of the advertising …Silverstone said McIntee was a “pay as you go person”….(113) The investigator examined Silverstone’s bank records …and found the only record of payments were two checks totaling the amount …. (114) Town Clerk Medina sent a letter to McIntee 10/12/06 informing him of failure to report funds given to him by another candidate….(115) McIntee sent a letter in 8/06 informing Medina it was not a “contribution’…”but merely the amount from Silverstone to the vendor for me to pass on, which I did.”….McIntee stated he contacted the Division of Elections to see if it could be handled better…McIntee said the expert had not called him back….(116) McIntee made an amendment to his report stating the above…

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

VII. Alleged Violation of Section 106.19(1)(c) Florida Statutes

The investigator investigated whether McIntee violated this section of the election laws by falsely reporting or deliberately failing to report information….Brown’s complaint alleged McIntee expenditure to the BTSTimes was incomplete and he failed to report contributions from Silverstone….did not report paying for ads…etc…but Brown did not supply any evidence…just speculation….

The investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.

VIII. Alleged Violation of Section 106.19(1)(d) Florida Statutes

The investigator investigated whether McIntee violated this section of the election laws by making or authorizing any expenditure prohibited by the statute….Brown’s complaint alleged that McIntee’s reimbursement for airfare was prohibited …

Just like all the other Alleged Violations the investigator states “no record of Respondent having previously violated this section of the election laws was found.”

IX. Conclusion:

(134) The investigator stated that in her final interview with McIntee on June 26,2008 she questioned him about the disclaimer language used in his advertisements and who prepared the ads. McIntee “began accusing me of calling him a liar and stated that “You have made my life a miserable hell for the past 18 months.”…McIntee “demanded” that her supervisor call him….

(135) The Supervisor spoke to McIntee on June 27.2008 and told him “I was nasty to her” McIntee told the supervisor that she should be “crossing her t’s and dotting her i’s” on important matters rather than a complaint against him….McIntee said he would answer the investigators questions in writing…She states “However, as of today, Respondent has not returned my questionnaire mailed to him on June 27,2008″…and…she states “In an article titled “Town Commission Hopes Rancor is Over” McIntee is quoted saying “I don’t take crap from people and nobody can touch me” “I’m untouchable”….

(136) The investigator sent a questionnaires to the filing clerk on 2/26/07 & 4/26/07/ & 11/29/07  to get information on publications given to McIntee…In Dec 2007 …By phone Town Clerk White said she could not complete the form because she was not the filing clerk at that time…White stated “that she reviewed” McIntee’s campaign file and could not say with certainty he received it..

(137) In Dec 2007 the investigator spoke by phone to former Town Clerk Medina who stated McIntee did receive the 2006 Candidate’s and Treasurer’s Handbook when he registered as a candidate…a questionnaire was sent to Median “however, as of today, Ms. Medina has not returned my questionnaire.”

(138) In an 4/4/07 affidavit McIntee stated he had received the 104 and 106 Florida Statues Handbook…but he denied receiving the Candidate and Treasurer’s Handbook…and denied knowing it was available online…McIntee said he read “an election book to determine his responsibilities under Florida election laws.”

(140) The Investigator stated that during her investigation of the allegations she found that McIntee failed to report other contributions as listed in Table 8 in exhibit 40. …She also found McIntee failed to report an expenditure to himself for repayment of campaign loan and an expenditure to Silverstone for Tee-shirts, but because the violations were not in the complaint  she did not investigate them….‘Respectfully submitted on July 30,2008 Donna Ann Malphurs, Investigative Specialist.’

Dear Readers…there were findings found by the investigator…Why they were not addressed is a mystery…and it will be interesting to see if Mark Brown requests answers for how this concluded….without inquiry into those findings…

It is also quite interesting in light of this report that Vice Mayor McIntee spent so much time on the dais “berating” the Mayor and her former campaign Manager Terry Arthur over the Greenfest  bank records when it appears he himself did much the same if not more….The Vice Mayor motioned and received a 4-1 vote on the dais to have the Terry Arthur case go to the State Atorney’s Office for possible  prosecution…HMMMM….

This really does seem to be much the same…an apparent “slap” on the hand for the Respondents  just as they received from the Fl. Ethics Commission …Quite an eye opener for the average voting citizen …..

Finally, I would like to thank the Vice Mayor for holding this report up during his 3/25/09 Commissioner Comments…Because if he had remained quiet and had not repeatedly held it up ….calling it “bogus”…and making what appears to be threats of legal action towards Mark Brown, Cindy Geesey and their Future’s paper, this writer would never have had the interest to check out his claims…and not been privy to just how out Florida Elections Commission operates…Thanks Vice Mayor it was quite a lesson learned…disturbingly so….

The Future paper should be out this coming Friday….

http://www.fec.state.fl.us/

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, update, Updates
Posted in Uncategorized

HE SAID THAT?….(and that and that and that and that………)

The 2nd half of the Vice Mayor’s loooooong winded 3/24-25/09 Commissioner Comments…The Commission needs to vote on time limits for Commissioner comments…and keep to them….(Sorry Folks…this is a really long one……)

He spoke about the two and a half years he and “Jimmy’ have been “blasted” by Mark Brown and Cindy Geesey and the Future’s paper.He held up a report he said he received “this week” from the Florida Election Commission …he held up the report and read the letter “Mr McIntee the Florida Election Commission at the last regular scheduled meeting considered this case and issued an order that is enclosed with this letter. Complainant Mark H. Brown, ah since the Commission determined no probable cause sec.106.25 Florida statutes provides that all investigative reports and other documents related to this case are no longer confidential.”…The Vice Mayor said “we’ve been hog tied and shut down from saying a thing about this because that’s the state laws.” He said Brown and Geesey wrote about it in the paper…calling it “a lot of nasty, nasty lies”…and that they ran it in “3 or 4 maybe 6 issues”…that he “documented each and every one and I’m in the process of doing what my rights are. In the near future you” be seeing that there is ah, for every action there is an equal reaction.”…He read some of the items written about him and Comm. Silverstone from the pile of Future’s papers he held up on the dais….saying it did not say they (McIntee /Silverstone) “MIGHT have cheated” it said ” HOW BADLY  they cheated”…”They made us guilty in this thing. This is yellow rotten journalism”…McIntee went on to describe some of the content such as ads put in the BTSTimes without payment (during their 2006 campaign) …He said “It goes on and on and on absolute lies” …”The state Election Commission put two investigators on this and probably 400 pages of work on it and they came back absolutely bogus.”…”So Mark Brown you lied in your paper, you continue to lie in your paper and I have the proof in my hand.”…He went on to tell Cindy Geesey as the other Editor “you’re supporting those lies, obviously.”…”Now I will do what what I have to do to protect my family and to protect my name and credibility. I have the proof in my hand of who’s telling the truth. It’s all the difference in the world. An independent body investigated Commissioner Silverstone and me at length for two and a half years. We’ve had a cloud over us and we couldn’t say a thing.”…He spoke again of the “multiple issues of this yellow journalistic paper saying we did a,b,c and d and they were absolute lies. And no probable cause was found for any of them.”…”So you (Brown/Geesey/Futrue’s paper) stirred the pot, now it’s cooking and now it’s gonna boil over.”

BC- This writer was very interested in this report, and contacted the Florida Election Commission for a copy. Along with the Florida Ethic Commission for copies of those complaints…What I found was this….

First in the Florida Ethics Commission charges…as previously posted there were areas where “probable cause” was found…for both Commissioner Silverstone and then Commissioner McIntee …in regards to conflicts with their roles in the VFD  ( as paid officers) and votes they made on the dais as Commissioners concerning the VFD  along with a conflict for McIntee being the Chair of the CIC while serving as Commissioner….The Commission gave them a “pass” to go forth and not do it again…which in this writer’s opinion brings forth 2 points…

First -with some “success” for findings of “probable cause”…even though no action was taken by Ethics Commission …it is no wonder why Mark Brown and Chuck Clark  would not continue to file complaints….

Second- ever the “gambler” the “loophole” this now Vice Mayor appears to be hanging his hat on is asserting he is a non- compensated VFD Officer… It remains to be seen if a complaint has been or will be filed by these same complainants to question again the Dec. assertions written by McIntee to the Ethics Commission that he has no role in negotiations or purchases by the VFD despite apparent evidence on tape and printed materials stating otherwise…from Commission meeting videos/minutes and back-up records…

The Florida Election Commission appears to have followed suit, in their findings for “candidates” McIntee and Silverstone…finding the following…in certain complaints…’Florida Statutes, prohibits a candidate from directly or indirectly contributing any money or thing of value for the furtherance of the candidacy of another candidate’…..’Respondent’s failure to follow proper method outlined in DE 98-07 for sharing and reporting the cost of joint advertising made it to appear that Respondent was contributing to Mr. Silverstone’s campaign.  Nevertheless, it does not appear that Respondent willfully violated Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes.’…..’ The evidence in this case is insufficient to categorize this expenditure as a “normal living expense.”’…. ‘Respondent’s failure to follow proper method outlined in DE 98-07 for sharing and reporting the cost of joint advertising caused it to appear that Respondent was making contributions to Mr. McIntee’s campaign.  Nevertheless, it does not appear that Respondent willfully violated Section 104.071’…..Giving substantive reasons for the complaints…and certainly more than enough reason for the Commission to investigate……

Full text….of recommendations (below)…full text of the report…which is public record may be obtained by calling the FEC and requesting the Feb 26 &27th 2009  FEC 07-053 McIntee/FEC 07-054 Silverstone…Online info for reference and phone numbers http://www.fec.state.fl.us/

(then) Commissioner McIntee…

’19.    Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes, prohibits a candidate from directly or indirectly contributing any money or thing of value for the furtherance of the candidacy of another candidate.  Candidates may voluntarily form a slate of candidates, but they must share equally in the cost of any joint advertisement.  For example, a joint advertisement by three candidates that costs $300 must be paid and reported as a $100 expenditure from each of the candidates.  Each candidate should pay for his share directly to the vendor providing the service.  See DE 98-07.
20.    Respondent’s failure to follow proper method outlined in DE 98-07 for sharing and reporting the cost of joint advertising made it to appear that Respondent was contributing to Mr. Silverstone’s campaign.  Nevertheless, it does not appear that Respondent willfully violated Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes.
21.    Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent violated this section.

34.    In a telephone interview, Eva MacMillan, an officer of BTST, stated that she charged Respondent and Mr. Silverstone a flat fee for the special edition and still made a lot of money.  Mrs. MacMillan stated she gets a really good deal on printing costs so she was able to provide this service at a really good price because the artwork was already done and the ads were camera ready so all she had to do was send it to the printer for publication.  Mrs. MacMillan stated that the candidates distributed the special edition themselves.
35.    The evidence does not support Complainant’s allegations that Respondent failed to report his expenditures.
36.   Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent violated these sections.

42.    Investigator Malphurs called Adventures in Travel in Tallahassee to gather information for flights that occurred in 2006 from Buffalo, New York to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The travel agent informed her that there was no way to determine flight information for 2006.  A travel agent for US Airlines also stated that it was not possible to provide airfare fees from 2006.  The travel agent stated that system records do not go back to 2006 and passenger and payment information is no longer available.
43.    Section 106.1405, Florida Statutes, permits a candidate to use campaign funds for transportation in the course of a campaign.  The evidence in this case is insufficient to categorize this expenditure as a “normal living expense.”
44.    Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent violated these sections.
IV.    Conclusion.
45.    On September 4, 2008 staff mailed a copy of the Report of Investigation to Respondent in accordance with Section 106.25(4)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes (2007).  As of the date of this Staff Recommendation, Respondent has not filed a written response with the Commission.
46.    Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent violated Sections 104.071(1)(c), 106.07(5), 106.1405, 106.19(1)(b), 106.19(1)(c), or 106.19(1)(d), Florida Statutes.
Respectfully submitted on February 2, 2009,

Commissioner Jim Silverstone….

1.    Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes, prohibits a candidate from directly or indirectly contributing any money or thing of value for the furtherance of the candidacy of another candidate.  Candidates may voluntarily form a slate of candidates, but they must share equally in the cost of any joint advertisement.  For example, a joint advertisement by three candidates that costs $300 must be paid and reported as a $100 expenditure from each of the candidates.  Each candidate should pay for his share directly to the vendor providing the service.  See DE 98-07.
2.    Respondent’s failure to follow proper method outlined in DE 98-07 for sharing and reporting the cost of joint advertising caused it to appear that Respondent was making contributions to Mr. McIntee’s campaign.  Nevertheless, it does not appear that Respondent willfully violated Section 104.071(1)(c), Florida Statutes.
Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent violated this section

1.    In a telephone interview, Eva MacMillan, an officer of BTST, stated that she charged Respondent and Mr. Silverstone a flat fee for the special edition and still made a lot of money.  Mrs. MacMillan stated she gets a really good deal on printing costs so she was able to provide this service at a really good price because the artwork was already done and the ads were camera ready so all she had to do was send it to the printer for publication.  Mrs. MacMillan stated that the candidates distributed the special edition themselves.
2.    The evidence does not support Complainant’s allegations that Respondent failed to report his expenditures.
3.    Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent violated these sections.
II.    Conclusion.
4.    On September 4, 2008, staff mailed a copy of the Report of Investigation to Respondent in accordance with Section 106.25(4)(a) and (b), Florida Statutes (2007).  As of the date of this Staff Recommendation, Respondent has not filed a written response with the Commission.
5.    Under these circumstances, I recommend that the Commission find no probable cause that Respondent committed violated Sections 104.071(1)(c), 106.07(5), or 106.19(1)(b), Florida Statutes.
Respectfully submitted on February 2, 2009,’

BC- I also corresponded to the Town and Town Attorney to see if this report should be entered into the record for the 3/24-25/09 Commission meeting per the previous discussion initiated by Vice Mayor McIntee over what constitutes a public record from a Commission member on the dais…The VM wanted Comm. Dodd’s notes…Then Atty. Abbott, in this writers opinion described entry being material used and spoken about…as exhibited by the VM in his 3/25/09 comments…I am awaiting a response….

After the Vice Mayor finished this section of his comments he went on …..and on and on……….

VM-“So it’s its what some of us have to go through up here to fight the developers. to bring back the VFD , to get new projects in town”…(HUH?) “To bring a beach patrol, all these things are positive, I can go on for hours and it’s working and this town is working. We’re in the black” (8.6 million long term debt).

VM-” Yet you get attacked and attacked and attacked. There only reason is they want us out because then the developers are back, the VFD is gone and the old gang comes back and takes over and things go right back where they were, back room deals and the perfect example is Waste Management”…The VM did a complete about face in less than 24 hours after singing the praises of “love” for Waste Management and coming down off the dais to shake the hand of the Waste Management Rep. after they (WM) lost the contract with the city….He said that when he and Jimmy came in “town officers, people on the dais” had told them nobody else would bid on the waste contract bid and the Town had to go with Waste Management, who got it without a need to bid…He and Jimmy went to Orlando and he says they went to “all these garbage places” and asked why they didn’t bid and were told “the cookies were in”…(They also went to the Waste Management $500,000 gala)…The VM went on to talk in glowing words of the 5 bidders seen the night before…”a 35 decrease” (conveniently leaving out his attempt to stall the process to “investigate” their truck registrations…previous post)……Again throwing Waste Management “under the bus” when saying…”with  the last regime the cookies were in and it went to one person (Tony-Waste Management…who’s hand the VM shook heartily) with no bids and that was wrong and that’s the perfect scenario to show what has changed.”

VM- “There’s a watchdog that’s keeping track of this town and she’s sitting alongside me” (Town Manager Colon)

VM-“There’s no more wheeling and dealing” (HUH?)”There just isn’t (Yeah, Right!)

VM- ” And the dais is now supporting her and I think it’s gonna get better and better” (2010?)..(A Performance Review is still required in September, unless the Commission votes otherwise)

VM-” Any town that’s in the black (8.6 million debt) in Broward county, there’s only 2 of us must be doing something right.”

VM- ” Any town that’s had construction done in this town and properties acquired in this town,the buildings looking the way they are .” (The Manager/staff revised Pavilion and the 2 million dollar Mc-public Safety Complex)

VM- ” When we (Jimmy and VM) came on this dais the middle rows looked like garbage and El Mar was ah, a joke, not anymore it looks great.” (Huh? Middle row of what? El Mar…that looks different due to development VM- so double HUH?)

VM- ” Whole town’s coming together, assets are being purchased,” (Fire trucks…VM Toys)”the future’s being looked after, the volunteers are back, the beach patrol has proved to be a tremendous asset”…as he described their effect on the safety on the beach no major incidence and “hundreds of people treated for man-of-war stings.” (Who knew their was a major outbreak of “hundreds” of victims of stings! Come on!…)…

The Vice Mayor went on and on about the the town’s Public relations…coming together…and the “body out there and By The Sea Future is the nucleus of that body that wants to tear it all down and go back the way we were.”….(Hearing a crescendo yet?)….

VM-” He said “our citizens are too smart , they won’t go back the way we were , not gonna happen. I’ll stand on my record any day of the week and the record is strong and positive and it’s honest and Jimmy’s strong and honest and we’re tough and we’ve taken the heat. We’ve taken the vicious attacks”…and then he went “there”…COCKROACH…his wife was called a Cockroach…saying there was no apology (yes, there was)..reminding all his call for “60 days of peace”…..What a great meeting they were having so far…(He the proceeded to throw Louis Marchelos out with no warning) and finally he YIELDED!…

BC- The Campaign has begun! …The brooms were in full sweep mode…sweeping aside the facts…using the “Bully” pulpit to see if he and Jimmy can bulldoze their way into 4 more years….

Dear Readers…Time to wake up now…wake up…

It’s time to “THROW OUT” the “BROOMS “…and “BRING IN”  the “DUST BUSTERS”!

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
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ONE “HAT” TOO MANY……For The “Opening Act”….

It’s all in the delivery…”Jimmy.”..it’s all in the delivery….

A little pre- act set-up Dear Readers…As this writer sat waiting for the continuation of the 3/24/09 Commission meeting in Jarvis Hall on 3/25/09 at 3:30 in the afternoon……The Vice Mayor/VFD Deputy Chief McIntee came “barreling” in and told the Mayor about the  “highrise fire” the VFD put out early that morning extolling the “scene”… ….He repeated the story to Commissioner Dodd…..of the “structure highrise fire”….

Commissioner Comments were up first ….

THE OPENING ACT-…BFF “Jimmy” Silverstone…(Warm em’ up Jimmy Boy)…

CS-“Thank you Mayor, I’m upset with Jerry McIntee. The Vice Mayor’s got me upset. At 5:30 this morning I was woken up. My fire beeper was going off and ah, on the beeper it said structure fire smoke showing, heavy smoke showing. I got out of bed, ran out the door, went to the station, threw the bunker gear on, got on the second truck, missed the first truck,got on the second truck. We had a fire this morning over at Sea Ranch Lakes, the condo all the way north on the 12th, 11th floor. And on the way there I listened to the radio and I hear the Vice Mayor’s voice on there saying he’s arrival and ah, heavy smoke showing. So I get there expecting to fight a fire and um, then I hear on the radio, fire out and I was like extremely upset with this um, I go up to the 11th floor and there’s Vice Mayor McIntee with a big smile on his face and I knew right away he put the fire out again. Um, it’s getting old Vice Mayor um, ah, I’m part of this fire department and ah, it seems every time that there’s a fire around here it gets put out before anything happens. Of course, I’m talking in jest…..”

BC-Quick somebody get the “hook” …..This one’s falling flat!…

Commissioner Silverstone went on to talk about the “pattern of dissent” that he hears “continuously” concerning the Vice Mayor and himself being VFD members…and like a kid stomping his foot …..(we’ve heard this same commentary many times before)…”Jimmy’s” not gonna play anymore!…He’s “not gonna pay attention to it anymore”…because unless “YOU” (dissenters) have been awakened at 5:30 in the morning..and gotten out of bed and gone where no man has gone before..(Sorry Readers, too much drama…the “gone where no man has gone before” was this writer’s attempt to add some “humor”)…back to “humorless”…just as we witnessed it….CS-“going out there putting out a fire”…”you can’t share that experience”…and “unless you give of yourself”…”You don’t have any say so.”…”You have not earned the right to,to oppose that unless you know what you’re talking about”…saying he is proud to be a volunteer firefighter..

BC- So There!…

THE “HEADLINER”…Vice Mayor/Deputy Chief McIntee…

VM-“Ah, Jimmy I gotta add something to the,to the fire this morning. Ah, I got there rather rapidly because I live around the corner  and ah, people were just coming down the stairwells and the elevators ah, it’s a building that’s been around for quite a few years. There’s a major elderly content of residents and ah, when we made it up there I thought I was the first one up there, I thought. But to my surprise and ah, quite frankly I ah, impressed I was met at the 11th floor in heavy smoke conditions by a police officer. I believe his name was Jacobson, is that correct? And he had already started banging on doors and this was a fully charged hallway and that cop had a lot of guts and then we were able to locate the apartment where the fire was and the cop and I ah, were fortunate in to get in there and knock the fire down real fast. But the cop was there ahead of me and was doing a great job. I told the Lieutenant I want to make sure we write him up for the process and what he did. That’s way above their pay grade and ah, he deserves a lot of credit for it. So the fire was ah, in the bedroom, the guy was smoking in bed put his hand over the side of the bed and ignited the floor and materials on the floor and filled the place pretty heavily with smoke because it was carpet and rubber that was burning. The volunteers did a phenomenal job, ah, probably evacuated 50-100 people. The lobby was full of people. AMR set up ah, a recovery zone to treat anybody with any problems or any firemen. It was done in  40 minutes, up and down picked up and out of there. And as the volunteers were coming out all the people in the lobby applauded them. So it was a, it was a task that ah, they’ve been training for, for 9 months now now and they just hit it right on. So that’s what ah, I wanted to make sure that officer got the credit he deserved.”

ACT III….THE BSO INCIDENT REPORT….

This writer called for the incident BSO incident report on Thursday 3/26/09…it was ready a few hours later/ an e-mail to the VFD produced a response that it would be 10 business days ….Ah, showbiz!….

This report -Fire- report time 6:00/Dispatched 5:32/ arrived 5:32/cleared 6:30

The Narrative from BSO Officer Craig Jacobson- ‘On March 25.2009 at 5:32 hrs I was dispatched to a report of heavy smoke, possibly a residential fire located on the 11th floor of the Sea Ranch Lakes North Condo, 5200 North Ocean Blvd. in the Town of Lauderdale by the Sea.

Upon my arrival I met with the caller xxxx who was the overnight security officer. Mr. xxxx stated he smelled and observed heavy smoke on the 11th floor but could not find the origin of it. I made my way to the 11th floor and observed the smoke that he described. I assisted in evacuating some of the residents of the building leading them down the stairwell. Once I was able to make my way back down to the lobby I observed that Chief McIntee’s VFD vehicle was on scene. I was notified by Mr. xxxx that Chief McIntee had gone up to the 11th floor. Observing no fire apparatus on scene as of yet I went back to the 11th floor to assist Chief McIntee. I assisted Chief McIntee with the fire hose on the 11th floor and together we entered xxxx  where the fire originated. I provided backup support to Chief McIntee on the hose until the fire was under control and extinguished.

The fire apparently started in the rear bedroom of unit xxxx. I spoke with xxx xxxx and he advised me that he was laying in bed smoking in his bedroom and thought he had an ashtray on the floor near his bed. He discarded his cigarette ashes into what he thought was an ashtray but was actually the carpet. Mr. xxxx stated he observed smoke and flames coming from his carpet and evacuated the apartment.

Sgt. Lagana was on scene and I reported to him that no injuries were sustained by any party involved. No residents of the building were displaced. LBTS # Engine 12.212,312, Squirt 12 responded to location.’

The report is unsigned…

BC- This fire was put out quickly, but some questions are being asked… Were the proper procedures followed by the VFD?  “Chief” McIntee did not wait for backup from his “troops” in fighting the fire. The report does not describe whether “Chief” McIntee was in full gear including respirator protection  in this “fully charged hallway”….This writer is told BSO Officer Jacobson has firefighting experience.The VFD incident report will be posted when received.

more to come…

Tags: BSO, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD
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THE MC-FURTH BTSTIMES…CHOSE GEORGE CARLIN…..THE TIMING…TOO FUNNY!

Because he “was one of our country’s greatest comedian/philosophers”… The Editor’s Furth say reading his words should give us all “pause”…to “re-evaluate our priorities in life”…to be “inspired by his message”…

BC- George Carlin was also well known for his lifetime of championing free speech….(George Carlin’s 7 words)…So isn’t it something that the same week the Furths choose to honor George Carlin……their 3 CIC-pal Commissioners throw Louis Marchelos out of Jarvis Hall with no warning …for his “9 words”…”Only to promote the Vice Mayor’s agenda against us.”…calling it a “personal attack! Can you even imagine the comedy routine Carlin would come up with after watching their “Routine”?…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Carlin

3/24-25/09 New Business item…

16E…Noise Ordinance: Music is very loud and neighbors are complaining . Should we be having weekend long event with music all afternoon and evening? Commissioner Clottey…

Commissioner Clottey- ” Yes, after the weekend last weekend ah, I don’t think this needs too much explanation. Um, what I would request if the Commission would go along with is to have the um, attorney draw up, look at our ordinance and draw it up in such a manner that the town can go out and have their own code enforcement officers checking on the noise. Ah, have the music, I understand the equipment costs less than $100, so it’s very inexpensive, but they have to have the authority to do that. Um, I know a lot of our residents are complaining about um, music and noise that starts in the early afternoon and goes into the wee morning hours. So, I would ask my fellow Commissioners to um, seriously consider ah, and think twice before approving 2 day events in the future cause um, I don’t think I will vote for one again.” She then made a motion for the attorney to proceed and asked for a 2nd….The Vice Mayor 2nd it…adding a “fast track” be a friendly amendment which Comm. Clottey thought was great and thanked him…

BC- Louis Marchelos asked to speak on this when his name was called for public comments the evening before…After all it was Athena that required a 2 day event approval and Athena that started in the afternoon…Also of note Commissioner Clottey came too the event…and did not say anything about any complaints…and as previously posted no complaints were made by phone or e-mail to Mayor Minnet or Comm. Dodd…This writer has met no one from the south end of town who has a problem with the events…on the contrary…they love it all…One caveat to the Commissioners who say no more 2 day events…what about the craft fairs?….

Louis Marchelos- ” I have a couple of questions, the people who complained, how many were they? Second how are we to determine that it was us causing the problem? How are we to fix it if not told at that time? Commissioner Clottey, you were at the event. Why didn’t you tell us anything? Common courtesy will dictate that you will inform us. Where were these calls coming from? Were they coming from every direction in town or is it possible it was coming from people with a certain political agenda? Common sense, you call the police. Common decency as our neighbors we should be informed right away so we can fix the problem. Didn’t you feel it was interesting that not one complaint went to BSO? I, I would like to know if the ah, Mayor got a complaint or Commissioner Dodd got a complaint as well because they were at the event also. And Commissioner Silverstone did pass by once and I believe Commissioner McIntee in his VFD vehicle with Marc Furth in the car came by a couple of times. Um, don’t you feel it interesting that the Vice Mayor was offended by the noise. He said last night that he was at his home which is almost 2 miles away and heard the music being played clearly. Commissioner Clottey you have my phone number, I call you many times, you call me back. If this  was so disturbing why not do something immediately and tell me so I could take care of  the problem. This is purely and simply a matter of not using resources that our town currently has available and to take punitive action would be unfair and only promote the Vice Mayor’s agenda against us. ”

BC- HERE WE GO….ARE YA LISTENING GEORGE….WHEREVER YOU ARE?….

Vice Mayor- ” Point of order that’s a personal attack!’

Comm. Silverstone- “That’s out of hand!”

VM- ” That’s out of hand, he’s done! Point of order, I’m asking to remove him, that was a personal attack!”

The Mayor said she was not going to remove him, but she would ask him to stop and finish up…

VM- ” I want to make a motion to overrule the chair on that.”

Comm. Silverstone- ” I’ll second that”

The Mayor implored them to stop…

VM- ” Oh no! The motion’s made to overrule the chair to remove him!”

BFF-Comm. Silverstone- ” I second it!”

BC-The Mayor had no choice…or did she?……according to the rules…there should have been a warning!…Mr Marchelos deserves an apology from the Commission…

The Mayor read the following-” There is a motion to remove Louis Marchelos by the Vice Mayor and a 2nd by Commissioner Silverstone”…the vote was taken 3-2…VM, BFF Comm. Silverstone and the “guaranteed” 3rd vote by Comm. Clottey (another stake through the heart!2x at one meeting)…dissenting votes..Mayor Minnet and Comm. Dodd.

BC- Louis was escorted from the hall by BSO  Lt. Cedeno…

Afterward his brother Spiro was allowed to speak…he spoke of the Chamber’s craft show…the events…and the positive response from business, tourists and residents…He said there were no complaints made…no disturbances…and again implored the Commission to responded who was making the complaints…He spoke of it being Greek Independence Day…and they were no longer “scapegoats” in today’s world…asking for fairness in treatment and no more discrimination…

Commissioner Clottey responded making this her worst Commission meeting to date…as she is now thoroughly in concert with the “bad acts” she sought to replace on the dais….”Okay, I want to respond to that. I have never said it was the Marchelos that the “main” complaints were about. You have attacked me sir (Mac -attackism) for absolutely no reason (she said she would no longer vote for 2 day events) I will tell you who it was one of the main noise makers was Ocean 101 had music playing later than 2:30 in the morning. Did I ever say it was you guys? Never! Never did and so you seem to have jumped to some conclusions. Maybe you feel guilty for some reason? (HUH?) But I never mentioned you guys.”

Spiro jumped up to say “You said it was a 2 day event, Ladies and gentlemen you said it was a 2 day event”…Athena’s was the only 2 day event….

Comm. Clottey-” Um, and I had so many complaints about all day, all night that I’m just telling you up front I will never vote for another 2 day event. But I never mentioned you by name (S0, what’s the difference?) never did! And I think sir you privately owe me an apology, so does your brother. I’m done.”

BC- Sadly, this was totally off the wall…and if anyone deserves an apology, it is Louis Marchelos and his brother……name or no name…it was evident who was “targeted”!…

The Vice Mayor chimed in trying to put a “spin” on it…to clarify the need for the decibel meter…for code enforcement to have it and use …and never one to stop while he’s ahead he went on ad-nauseum about “fairness” in all “acts” of code violations addressed by the Town Manager…droning on about a disturbance call at “restaurant A”…will bring code enforcement to “Restaurants..B…C… and D”…The VM  gave credence to the Town Manager’s well know code “sweeps”!…

BC- What a waste of resources…to think a complaint at one establishment automatically brings the enforcers to all  fellow establishments…Only now to be “armed” with a decibel meter…Welcome to the Mc-Police state of LBTS!…YIKES!… The Town Manager remained mute! WOW!…

Commissioner Silverstone went way off track trying lamely to tie in the brothers request for who was calling to the previous Clottey “afraid to call the BSO” claims made at these meetings…It didn’t fly…Gibberish like ” We just had a little discussion up here about people hesitating to call ah, with a complaint because of vindication (HUH?) or um, getting attacked.”…He agreed with Comm. Clottey and the VM and spoke also of motorcycles…and the noise he hears from his home..Elvis in the afternoon…but then “Jimmy” said ” It’s not my job to call you (Marchelos brothers) up, its, not the Vice Mayor’s job to call anybody up (code enforcement too, Jimmy?) it’s not our job. We have to go through the procedure here. There was a complaint about doing that before and so that’s not going to be done.” …He went on to say he respects the businesses…and then this “But, um, once I start getting (start getting Jimmy? Does that mean you didn’t get any yet?) complaints from my neighbors, well you’re gonna , then it’s gonna have to cease…” going on to explain the Town Manager will then get code enforcement to do their thing….

The Mayor spoke of her phone calls being for motorcycles…finding a balance for residential and hospitality…agreeing that 2 to 3 day events all day were too much…but did not share the need to alter the ordinance especially at this time of economic hardships facing the businesses in town…

The Town Manager spoke to say that Chief Gooding agreed the decibel meter was a good idea…and totally deflated Comm. Clottey’s negative BSO declarations…of BSO not doing anything or being uninvolved…The Manager said she had Comm. Clottey in her office…that the problem was with 101 Ocean and Village Grille…and while in the Manager’s office they called and spoke to the Chief “right away” and Chief Gooding “understands”…..HMMMM…..

Comm. Dodd briefly added that he and his wife…simply remove themselves from the event area if it gets too loud…and spoke of noise coming at other times from other venues…adding he was in favor of having a method to quantify any  scale  for an acceptable level of noise…supporting the ordinance and the enforcement..

Comm. Clottey had the last word reiterating the rights this ordinance would afford code enforcement to deal with the noise in our town…that is not contained in the ordinance at present…..

BC- Maybe, just maybe Comm. Clottey should have started out with her ending statement and left it at that…This writer thinks….George Carlin would agree!

The vote was taken-passes 5-0…

more to come…Hopefully apologies to the Marchelos brothers……on 4/14/09…

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
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WELCOME TO MC-LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA…A “HONKY TONK TOWN” WITH…..

Yes Commissioner Clottey…Unfortunately….we do now live in a “Honky Tonk Town”…Thanks to the “new majority”…Vice Mayor McIntee…and his “Honky Tonk Disciples”…Commissioner Silverstone…(now you,)  Commissioner Clottey….Marc and Cristie Furth….Maureen  McIntee….Some CIC Board members…….The VFD Leadership…and especially the Town Manager…who allowed this to come to be …in just over 1 year at the helm …following the Jan. 2008 election….and the making of a Vice Mayor/VFD Deputy Chief…

We have a 1 man ruled town…with 1 man running the show….and in his wake while running roughshod on so many fronts the “promises”made of change for the better are now leaving no doubt that was never his intention….He had an agenda…

The question is…who’s watching…who’s paying attention…who is going to hold him and his  small group “disciples” accountable in 2010?…

I’m here to tell you Faithful Readers….The signs are there …The wheels are turning….

We hear organizations are re-forming…in preparation…that independent citizens who have either been involved in the past or who are now ready to enter the arena are lining up…careful not to show their cards too soon…to counter the “free fall” this town is in…

They are not buying into ….the “Bully” pulpit “peace claims”….A “year of no politics”……the “Cutesy” front page pictures on CIC-Mc-Furth “slanted” publications….the “planted” parades of “CIC-VFD -newbies” most who are likely unaware of the behind the scenes tactics they are being used for as a diversion for what is required in a town  contract,town charter or VFD & CIC  By-laws…….These bait and switch “operations”cannot cover up what has been a concerted agenda by these few to control this town with no accountability while using Vigilante actions with the aid of Town departments and orchestrated “scorched earth” tactics against those who question what we know is unscrupulous…and wrong…

Lately the one-two punch they pack side by side…this Vice Mayor and this Town Manager along with their  “disciples” has shown a disturbing brazen intensity ….emboldened by those who stay mum…afraid to say anything…..for now….

We see this Vice Mayor…with a “checklist”…confident no one will say “NO!”……He does code enforcement/ Police work/Detective “investigations” while riding around town in the VFD-SUV/ATV  in whatever “hat” he chooses to wear………He is fully confident in the knowledge that Town code enforcement will comply with his independent charges no matter what the Town charter says……This week it was written up in the Pompano Pelican with code employees meekly saying as much caught in the middle apparently “guided” by their superiors…….Comm. Clottey has introduced a decibel meter that will surely “arm”  “Enforcer” McIntee with even more in his persoanl “arsenal”…Reporters from the Sentinel…3 that we have heard of are well aware of the Vice Mayor…the Manager… and the VFD…Also they ask often about the “Greeks”…and the Vice Mayor’s alleged “Vendettas”….

Here’s a new one…Have you all seen the self -aggrandizing new sign on the VFD-ATVs…said to have cost a cool $1000?…A sign that attaches to the side of the ATVs that reads….”Now on Duty Deputy Chief Jerry McIntee”…YIKES!….A campaign tool for his use on the beach and parked outside Country Ham and Eggs!…

LIKE A KID IN A “TOY STORE”….JERRY’S PLAYING HARD AND FAST….CHECKING OFF HIS “TO DO” LIST…ALWAYS WANTING MORE…

He’s got the VFD….Check…(It is said)…He’s got the Town Manager in his pocket….Check….He’s got the Deputy Chief position…Check…He’s removed the VFD members that dared to follow the VFD By-laws….Check….He’s got the SUV…Check…He’s got the ATV’s…Check… ( It is said)…He’s got the VFD credit card….Check….He’s doing the purchasing….the negotiating….for trucks…canopies….Check….He’s got the 4th firetruck….Check….He’s got the boat….Check…He’s got his 3rd Commission vote on the dais….Check….He’s filling the “seats” in the CIC….Check….He threw out anyone who knew the CIC history/ By-laws….Check…(It is said) plans have been made for 4th of July…with no Sunshine meetings being posted…Check….(so much more can be added to this list…check…check…check…check…check…..)

And the biggest “Check” of all….

It appears ….He and his “disciples” are aiming to replace the BSO police…looking  for a big- time re-election check to make it happen!……

This one readers will be up to you…it’s a drumbeat that has been in the Mc-plans for some time…(pre- 2008 election…1st the VFD…then the BSO police)….Are you ready for that…a police department…run like the Town …the VFD….the CIC…..just what we’ve seen over the last 12+ months…

Think about it…a McIntee Police Department!…..De-facto Police Chief McIntee!…

What do you want….a “Honky Tonk”…”Boss Hogg” Town…like the one we are witnessing today?….

Or a civilized first rate well-planned developed town that abides by the Charter…Where the rules apply to everyone equally….With accountability for all that represent us and work for us dutifully transparent in allowing us the very best people we can elect and hire to lead us back to normalcy and a future that is free of one man’s “Honky Tonk Town-vice grip”….

Dear Readers…I expected so much  in 2008….sadly I was “hoodwinked” along with so many of you….This is why I too am keeping an eye on 2010…to try again to reclaim the delightful LBTS town I chose to call home 10 years ago…….a town we can be proud of…we can be happy in with the knowledge that this present political situation we are experiencing was a mere “stumble” …a “blip”  in our Town’s history…Always mindful to look back on it ..and never forget it …..to  make sure that it never happens again!…….

To those preparing for the next election…be strong…be independent…have a quiet demeanor…do your homework…know our history…know what the job entails…and do it for the right reasons…for the love of this town…Good Luck to you all!…

more to come…….

Tags: local government, local politcs, Local Politics, Scoops
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A SIMPLE SIGN….SIGNS ON A 3RD VOTE….THE “NEW” CIC MAJORITY IS NOW IN PLACE!….

Well….well….well….”we’ve” got a liability problem in this town…”We” need to get this crisis straightened out…”We” need to spend $500 and besides “We” FINALLY HAVE 3 to 2!…MCINTEE,SILVERSTONE and CLOTTEY…WEEEEEE…..

Unfortunately….”We”, the townspeople now also have it splashed front and center …front page news…in the local paper …from our neighbor to the north …The Pelican…’Lauderdale-By- The -Sea vice mayor takes on role of code enforcer’…which starts on the front page….continuing on to page 5 under the header ‘Harassment’…. with the litany of VM vs the Marchelos brothers…(previously posted here )…from the VM’s wife yelling out in Jarvis Hall that Louis was “texting” in the hall…The event port-a-potties…The visits from code enforcement “messengers”…The stalling of opening the pier egress voted for 4-1 months ago…….The Dec incident of the Vice Mayor and his wife showing up and making a scene at the Athena’s outdoor dining…and the slew of code warnings that have been constant from the “Vigilante” nightly drive bys…including for a table inches over the boundary line….(Does the Vigilante carry a measuring tape?) extending to the latest “gotcha”…the Pier sign…and the cost this too will bring to the town ala McIntee using the Town Attorney as he has before …..for the retraction early on from the BTSFuture…Greenfest and now this ….

“We’ the townspeople now also face a lawsuit…possibly costing the town  big bucks all for one “Vigilante and his sidekicks to “Huff and Puff” like those they claimed they would replace!…YIKES…

The fallout…from the 3-2 new dais majority vote on Consent agenda item 12 j….was this letter was received by the Town ….

LETTER TO THE TOWN…..

3/26/09…

‘Dear Esther,

After the commission voted to engage legal counsel to determine ownership of my pier sign in spite of my offers to share information with the Town, I consulted with legal counsel. Counsel has informed me that the commission’s action has made this a contestd matter with broader implications than a friendly dispute.

All further communications will be through litigation counsel. I fully expect this to only be resolved after certain parties are placed under oath and all hidden agendas are exposed to the light of day.

As a show of good faith, not to be construed as acceptance of the bogus liability argument Commissioner Silverstone and Vice Mayor McIntee, I have placed liability insurance on my pier sign including the Town as additional insured.

Thank You,

Louis Marchlos

Fisherman’s Pier Inc.’

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local News, local papers, Local Politics, Opinions, pier, Scoops
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CAMPAIGNING 2007 VS CAMPAIGNING 2010….

Here’s the “story” kiddies….Now sit down in a circle to listen to this “Tall Tale”…A tale of campaigning against the “Evil” Old Guard in 2007 and early campaigning for 2010…..

It’s the difference of $6,240,067  in long-term debt……and who is running against whom…that determines whether the “Sky Is Falling” …and we in LBTS are “bogged” down in “evil”debt…or we can all hold our heads up high because we are “Now in the black, WOW!”….

BC- The recent $31,000 2009 LBTS audit report done by our long-term no-bid auditing firm…says ….’The Town of Lauderdale-By-The -Sea has outstanding debt of approximately $8,500,00′ while the ‘Town of LBTS Changes in Net Assets-Comparative’…lists the long-term debt at $8,674,307…in 2007 it was $13,914,917

Now we know how too many numbers makes it easy for young minds to become confused….but as Commissioner Clottey and Vice Mayor McIntee have said…it’s “Government accounting”…HMMM…We’ve seen a lot of that lately in the news…..

BC- a footnote dear readers of all ages……it was “Government accounting” in 2007 as well…same “2-Hat” wearin’ Financial Director -Town Manager Colon that sits up there on the dais today…

But alas…as a Candidate…Commissioner Clottey went along with the CIC party line…”We are $13 million in debt”…The CIC standard political line on the campaign trail…in the condos…at the meet and greets and the well planned “drive this point home” at the debates…

Now with her seat firmly held for a year…and a  nameplate that says Commissioner……$8,675,908 equals “being in the black”….HUH?

Nap time now dear youngins’ as the grown-ups take a “gander” at the exchange on being “in the black” at the 3/24-25/09 Commission meeting right after Commissioner Comments…

Com. Dodd- “Point of information here, two Commissioners have said and I’m not trying to get at you Jerry.” (The VM made the “in the black” declaration in his comments…Comm. Clottey had done so previously from the dais) “I just want to clarify this once and for all. Two Commissioners (VM/Clottey) have said from this dais we’re in the black. I don’t actually think that’s right. I’d like to ask the Town Manager though she has done a fantastic job with the finances, we had about 13 million in debt, we were somewhere in the region about 8 million. We aren’t actually in the black. We haven’t paid off all our debts yet so could you possibly clarify that Esther.”

Vice Mayor McIntee-“Wait a minute! Point of order! That’s not on the agenda! Put it on the agenda to discuss it. It’s not fair to have the Town Manager have to come up with figures like that.”

Comm. Dodd-” I’m asking for a point of information.”

Mayor Minnet- ” Town Attorney I’m going to refer to you on this one. Commissioner Dodd has asked a question for point of information.”

Town Attorney- ” I think you can choose to whether to recognize it or move on with the agenda.”

Comm. Dodd- ” Never mind Mayor, I’ll put it on the agenda for next time. Thank you.”

Commissioner Clottey- ” Can I say a point of information? Ah, Commissioner Dodd, I think um, you have to understand what the term in the black means. In the black means that we stayed within out budget. We haven’t had to raise taxes, that kind of stuff. It does not mean you don’t have any outstanding bonds.”

Mayor- ” Point of information, we don’t have outstanding bonds, debt yes.”

BC- So children, time to come back…and learn the moral of this story…. one of those “Everything I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten” kind of lessons…… You cannot have it both ways…in 2007…we stayed within our budget…and did not raise taxes…and had $13+ million in debt…along with the same Town Manager-Finance Director …In 2009 we stayed within our budget…and did not raise taxes….and have $8.5 or 6 in debt…along with same Town Manager-“de-facto” Finance Director….and never did we have bonds…Comm. Clottey……So why oh why are we now suddenly “in the black?”….

The moral of this “story”….for LBTS  “Folks”of all ages……is as the Vice Mayor so often likes to say…This “Tall Tale” from the pre-CIC 2010 Campaign…

“We’re in the black”…well “That just doesn’t fly”….

The Chickens come home to roost!….

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local governmenscoops, local government, Local News, Local Politics, Politics, Scoops
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THIS WEEKS EDITION….FROM CARLIN….TO ROYKO…TO CIC SLANTS….

GEORGE WE HARDLY KNEW YE….

Quoting the “Comedian” of their youth…the “Prophet” of his time…the Editors have brought forth “Truthysms” for their Mc-FurthBTS”Times”…pure Carlin…big …little…more…less…etc…etc…etc….yada…yada…yada….

UPDATE- Yes this writer is well aware where Truthyism…and yada…yada…yada…are from but surely Carlin begat…Corell…and Seinfeld!

WAS THE “TRUTH DETECTOR” OUT FOR LUNCH?…

Included was an article from Senator Jeff Atwater…and as this writer read it …it did seemed oddly familiar…above the article was an Editor’s note that the Senator personally asked them to publish it…and…he probably did…along with many other publications …including the below link…including the Future’s?….

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/03/atwaters-three-priorities-and-three-omissions.html#more

NO TALL BUILDINGS….ONLY TALL SIGNS….

The paper show a digitized picture of the Vice Mayor’s vision for the new improved pier sign…In the “truth detector”…the truth is skewed by the “Detector’s” assertion that it was the VM that brought up combining the sign with other businesses…When in fact it was Commissioner Clottey…the VM just “picked it off” from her as has been his “practice” on the dais too many times to keep track of……

The Sign is tall…Too tall?….HMMM…Maybe sign heights should be on the referendum too?….

UPDATE- You can always count on a faithful reader with a “zoom” on their computer…the “Tall Sign”…shows the Mc-Group to a “T”…Misspelled …’RESTURANT” (Restaurant)….and …..’DINNING’ (Dining) ….Too..too funny …Thanks Reader!….

BC- By the by in one article the “proofer” missed the misspelled name of “Editor” and E-mailer ‘Adrian’ (Adrienne) Roberts…and what happened to the Garden Show…a no show in this edition…but maybe no big surprise due to the ‘old news’  coverage of the 3/10/09 Commission meeting…as”slanted” as it was…old….with the hard print coming out days after regular meeting 3/24/09….OOPS!…

ENJOY THOSE ORIANA MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS OF PORT-A-JOHNNIES…ALONG WITH YOUR OCEAN VISTAS….AT NO EXTRA COST…

The second rendering  from the “Truth Detector” shows the VM’s idea for port-a-johnnies…right in front of the Pier fence facing the Oriana…All fair…next stop…port-a -johnnies at the entrance of Bel Air?….(Just a point…Bel Air Residents…just a NIMBY point)…

BC- Also pointed out…hardly think these port-a-johnies will pass ADA compliance!…UH OH!

ROYKO MUST BE ROLLING OVER …..

Being a Chicago native myself…the late…great Mike Royko must be rolling over in his grave…Comm. Silverstone …if memory serves has used this one before in his Times comments…or on the dais?…But as a longtime Royko reader…I can guarantee…if Royko was around …he too would have a blog…( he wrote his column everyday… called it like HE saw it…writing his many, many  books at night)……No doubt he too would have his blog taking “shots” at politicians and giving his opinion………Sorry Commissioner …anyone who thinks otherwise missed the point of his columns completely…Oh well…….

REHABILITATION THROUGH REVISIONIST HISTORY….

Presenting a kindler…gentler VM…in front of the cameras and in print courtesy his own Mc-Furth publication and sidekick photographer…(very Obama-like to have your very own photog riding “shotgun” to catalog your every “vigilante” move)……Including a new dais demeanor with musings of “give peace a chance”…But off  the dais one- on- one…we hear…a different persona is still very much in play…along the lines of…..”I did this for you”…”in the name of peace”…so now what’s expected in return……We’ll leave it at that…It’s open for interpretation….on behalf of the recipient…and interpretations are running rampant…so we hear!…

NUMBER 5 On THE “HIT” BSO PARADE….

This train just keeps on rolling…Commissioner Clottey has her BSO police diatribe in yet another venue…Not only is it even worse to read in print…her late night outings smack of a “Mac-Attack”…and who is micro-managing now? Come on…Commissioner be instructive to the “Lots of people” calling you about the police…draw the line on your duties as Commissioner and tell them to call 911 or the BSO cell phone…

I did enjoy though a few of Comm. Clottey’s comments…Contrary to her neighbor Vice Mayor McIntee who insisted he could hear the loud music at his house…just a few doors down from her …Comm. Clottey writes that living in the north end of town she could hear nothing!….She said the town doesn’t allow loud music after 10 pm…stating the obvious…that without a complaint the police don’t do anything…and then the ZINGER….LBTS doesn’t need “VIGILANTES” who enforce the law on weekends and at night….saying it was a waste of our limited resources…HMMM…Who’s resources…the taxpayers who pay for the VFD- SUV fuel bills used by “Vigilante” # 1?….A very disappointing question followed though ….stating that because of what she sees wrong with the BSO police …Commissioner Clottey asks what choice “WE” have…The real question now…with late night trips to downtown and the police station being done by now a second Commissioner…. she sets herself  up to be called “Vigilante” #2…Say it ain’t so!….

HOW DID THEY LET THAT ONE IN?….

Columnist Bill Hubly….still shows his independence…a very pithy article about the majority and the minority…and who is right…WRITE ON BILL…write on!…

BUT WE DIDN’T NEED THAT ONE!….

Another full page ad courtesy of the VFD Booster fund…showing VFD-Chief Perkins and the 4 VFD Firetrucks…including “their” new reserve pumper truck….First of all this writer writes “their” new reserve pumper  truck because they bought it with funds from the VFD…depending on which version was told when …it was either with the Booster funds…or the VFD members digging deep in their pockets…Also, no matter the slant from the “truth Detector” this edition……the VM is on tape saying he was the one who got the $40,000 dollar truck for $11,000…..despite his assertions to the Fl. Ethics Commission stating otherwise …and the Chief approving  the purchase along with the membership does not wipe that away…Back to the pumper itself…previously posted in the VFD category…ISO said at their community outreach presentation …. we did not need a reserve truck…and a reserve pumper truck while adding some credit does not improve our rating…what we really needed a 100 foot ladder truck…HMMMMM……What happened to that?…

Next week in the “Newspaper wars”….provides the “Truth Detector’s” next column….as she lies in wait…for BTSFuture page by page by page….

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local News, local news. local politics, Local Politics, Scoops, Updates, VFD
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SOME CLARIFICATION…..

— On Fri, 3/27/09

From: Peggy
Subject: (no subject)
To: Barbarafcole, stu4 boats
Cc: BubbleFan, Roseannminnet
Date: Friday, March 27, 2009, 9:17 PM

Mrs. Cole,
Please print this on your web site. I have been neutral to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea for along time and will remain this way. As a professional business woman, I’ve choosen not to join any political group in this town and for you to print otherwise on your site is incorrect.  It would be in your best interest not to include me with whatever your issues are with certain individuals. You should pre warn all and identify yourself as a writer so the public knows you will write anything that is said to you.
The CIC and the POA understand I have always been neutral in this town and will remain this way. And if you care to take time to research your writing material, please call Cindy and she will also tell you I have always remained neutral.

THank you

Peggy Mohler

MY RESPONSE…

Dear Peggy,
I will be happy to print your e-mail. As you know from our past correspondence I have always honored your requests to print and to not print whatever you send. The same went for our many conversations.
When you spoke to me on St. Patty’s Day at Village Grille you said exactly what I wrote down with no preface as you had used diligently in the past.
By all means if you wanted to clarify your words, I am happy to comply.
Barbara

Tags: Civic Organizations, update, Updates
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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, Civic Organizations, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops
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