RIGHT BACK AT YA!….
PUBLIC COMMENTS…
BC- Dear Readers…. if I spelled your name wrong …please e-mail the correct spelling…and it will be updated…ASAP!…
Joyce Murray…. a resident who lives at the Royal Coast Condominium, and is a neighbor of the Mayor, came forward for the second time to ask for any apology from Vice Mayor McIntee for using the bully pulpit to bring to the political arena the actions taken within her condominium of recalling some members of their condo board, which included the Mayor…She said such actions showed a lack of character…and said that the conduct of elected officials should be remembered at the next election…She spoke of the “paid” VFD and Vice Mayor McIntee /Comm. Silverstone continuing concerted effort to enhance the fire chief from the dais…asking them to get off the fire chief’s back….
Bob Fleishman…. the new Chair of Unite Our Town expressed his satisfaction with the emergency responders …He said the two novice departments (AMR/VFD) are growing into their own…He went on to discuss the Ordinance McIntee put forth for a permanent VFD saying they (VFD) are a for profit VFD and that a 5 year engagement is fair …We need to have freedom of other options if we find inferior service …He added that these meeting are consumed with the VFD and McIntee ( careful not to say the VM’s name) has said he could not be Chief and we should hold him to his word…perhaps by hiring an outside fire chief….
Sal Maligno….came to first set the record straight, he lives in LBTS…He spoke of the 2 tier system of payments for the garbage service…residential and commercial…adding their should be 3 tiers…(Comm. Clottey in her comments said we already have 3 tiers)…He spoke of the condos not getting recycling and bulk pickup ( This was also clarified by Assist. Olinzock, that in the new contract with Choice the condos will have both)….He was concerned about the trucks being new …and called for garbage cans at bus stops…
Bill Vitola…Came to speak about rentals and the upcoming vacation rental ordinance…(up for 2nd reading at the May 26,2009 Comm. meeting…in public notices Sentinel Sat. May 16,2009)…He said McIntee was against it and Silverstone was for mixed use a few years before…now it’s up again and it should not be in residential areas, saying Comm. Clottey agreed…and described some of the problems seen in Bel Air…He felt a 3 month rental was the way to go (the new Ord. 2009-19 will allow 28 days)…He also informed all he had spoken to Pompano Beach and they are having problems and will coming up with an ordinance as well, but were not sure what the content would be…Also he wanted no overnight parking on the streets…and concluded making the point that according to the state less than 6 months in- state residency was classified as transient…and that an owner can make $40-50 thousand a year…doing these short-term rental…and some doing it are in foreclosure…
Crisite Furth…BTSTimes Editor-CIC Board member- P & Z Vice -Chair-July 4th Event Coordinator …said she came to the podium as a citizen and expressed her sincere appreciation to all the public safety teams …that she “worked the story”…was proud of them…She spoke of the banners and said they had been a “little passion” of hers …speaking of the road designation signs…for those passing on A1A to be realize what is here in LBTS…defining us as a resort …putting ourselves on the map…She then said she had not seen the designs…HUH?…She submitted one of the banner designs …with Patty Domin!…OOPS!…
John Touhy…rose to speak about Ord. 2009-22…and the Commissions fiduciary responsibility when amending the Charter…He referenced that this contract for fire protection would be with no time limit and the only way to replace them would be with a referendum and 4/5ths Commission vote…He again spoke of his belief that Vice mayor McIntee and Comm. Silverstone had a possible conflict of interest….and asked the Town Atty.to look into this…He concluded with asking VM McIntee to withdraw this ord. …(later McIntee did just that…for how long…is anybody’s guess)…
Ray Wallowitz a 23 year resident in the north end of town reflected upon the past before annexation…being for the annexation with LBTS …and said he worked on the transition committee…He said he was so disappointed with the ” bullying going on by certain commissioners with different business owners and the threats”…He was “disappointed in all of you that cannot work together”…
Louis Marchelos…said 5 elected officials who claim to do their duty with honor and respect…He wanted to commend those who went into the hyperbaric facility saying they were as brave as could be…imploring all “Don’t let the bully control”…He said that this “bully continues to assault”…”Be brave and do the right thing”…”Be brave and rise above it”…(Unfortunately Louis and his brother were referenced as being ungrateful complainers by Comm. Clottey in her Comm. comments…see below)…
Spiro Marchelos…made the point that commissioners are committed to operate under transparency…going on to speak of vindictive actions still being endured as a businesses owner to his livelihood and to his family personally …He implored “wake up people, follow the rules”…He added he has “full faith in the BSO”…
Diane Boutin…also spoke of the VFD Ordinances 2009-22…RFPs …reviewing ordinances…and contracts…She said contracting should be the same for everybody (making the point that one vendor should not be permanent)…On the topic of the new banners…she was not sure why they were needed saying “Do we have a hospitality district still?”….
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS….
Mayor Minnet…Good evening. On May 6th, this Commissioner was invited to the BSO annual awards ceremony. Two members of our community were honored, Mr. Mark Mitchell who received the Citizen of the Year Award for saving the life of a woman in the rip current in LBTS and Deputy John Melbourne of LBTS BSO. Deputy Melbourne was the first to arrive at the Hyperbaric Chamber and rescue the small child. These men personify the meaning of hometown heros. I also want to acknowledge our very own Chef Perkins, Commissioner Silverstone and Daniel Chavez with the VFD and AMR who were present to rescue the grandmother. They exemplify cooperation, teamwork and working hand-in-hand to save the lives of others. I know all of you would be modest and say you were just doing your job, but your actions are greatly appreciated and admired. Thank you.
Also, I want to thank the Property Owner’s Association who put on a great program about recycling. Everyone present was informed and learned alot about our local recycling services. Also present that night was Sharon Huff of the Art and Frame Shop who profiled her Museum of Litter. Ms. Huff collects garbage from our local beaches and creates art.
I want to remind everyone of the workshop tomorrow evening on fire, heights and capital expenditures. Your input is what makes our community better. Please come to the meeting and let us all know your thoughts and concerns.
I also want to acknowledge two letters I received in my box at town hall. One was anonymous and the other from Mr. Marc Furth, who is a past commissioner. Mr. Furth, you as well as anyone know what it is to serve on this dais. Your misinterpretation is unfortunate. I was asking questions, and when I called Mr. Fisher it was only to ask if they knew anything about the fireworks in LBTS. Please Mr. Furth do not put words in my mouth. Your work and involvement in the 4th of July event is understood. I know with your effort and work, it will be a success. I am looking forward to helping as I did last year and serving.
As far as the anonymous letter is concerned, if you have something to say, please say it to me. Your actions are enormously cowardly and only validate your immaturity and childishness.
I want to wish all the town’s mothers a belated Happy Mother’s Day. I hope this past Sunday was a wonderful day for you, your family and friends.
The town was a buzz with the Aruba event and the opening of Lilacs to Lilies on Commercial, but I was sadden to read that Aruba is scaling back substantially the Memorial Day Event. I hope not due to the lack of town’s support and the many obstacles that have been placed before them. At this time in our economy we should be promoting businesses not hindering them, but never at the expense of our residents.
Please remember that May 18th is the Spring Fling Concert, a free town event from 7-8 pm at the Community Church in LBTS.
I also want to thank Barbara Cole and her family for her generous offer for the pavilion.
Thank you.
Commissioner Clottey…thanked the 3 public safety providers who worked together …spoke of the “preliminary” ISO being in (How did Comm. Clottey know this was “preliminary”?…Comm. Silverstone spoke after her to say this was a “summary” with the “detailed” report to still to come)…She said “we got a 4, a few decimals from a 3″…that the department “as a brand new department”…”contrary to the naysayers, the insurance is the same”…”continuous improvement is part of the process”…She then spoke of the clock …the “instrumentation”…and that she found out the drawing “Jim Silverstone” had were his “original designs”…that he “will build it himself” …and that we “owe you a great thank you” saying “maybe you can make a lot of money off this”…if he sold them…She would purchase one…HMMM…The Commission never voted on Comm. Silverstone (who later said he and Marc Furth were building it) “building the clock” …nor were they or the residents informed that this was what the $1000 would go for…Comm. Clottey spoke of the concert (Spring concert series May 18,2009 7 pm…previous post places to go cat.)…and the Garden Club …saying ..”this is part of the litmus test”…and would determine coming back to the dais for more such concerts…She then went after the Marchelos brothers with her comments “Some people forget what this dais has done for them”…going into “giving them Saturday nights” when the previous commission did not…(The Marchelos brothers never asked the previous commission for Sat. night weekly events)…She said they should not say “how awful we are”…
BC- Comm. Clottey with this uncalled for commentary, and lack of understanding you have shown of late with our businesses…You are awful, sorry to say…that is my opinion as I sit and watch your independence and decorum (remember your decorum meeting?)…have been Mc-Furthed!…
Comm. Silverstone…”Hard act to follow”…(happy to have a 3rd on board?)…He made reference to BSO Lt. Angelo Cedeneo, but called him Lt. Angelo …OOPS!…He went on to say “I judge people by what they’ve done”…(Remember that voters in 2010…to judge Comm. Silverstone as he judges others…”by what they’ve done”)….He then continued the sour grapes VFD P.R. in saying “BSO did not rescue the boy”, Chief Perkins “assisted rescuing the boy”…He said “he never wanted to see that again”…He spoke of the ISO ..”PECIFICALLY” (specifically for all others)…about the rating BSO…calling ISO 5 years earlier and with that call he found the “first indication” he was not told the truth…He said the VFD workded hard to get to this position and they achieved it…He thanked Vice Mayor/Deputy Chief McIntee for countless hours …(we had a poor training ISO rating under McIntee)…He said he had inside info on Aruba…jokingly…that the Memorial Day event was not canceled but moved inside… A letter from Aruba and Aruba personnel have remarked that the looming ordinances…noise…head counts and fees played a large role in the decision to stop the outside event…Commissioner Silverstone then went on to speak of the clock and building it with Marc Furth…as well as saying he was going to donate it himself, but did not think it was “fair” …HUH?…”off the record for me”…double HUH?…( more on the clock to come)…
Comm. Dodd…I am obviously saddened by several recent events in town. A suicide, then the tragedy at the Hyperbaric chamber showed this town does have the capability of dealing with a major incident. This was followed by the request for mutual aid from Pompano Fire department and I feel this marks a turning point in relations between our VFD and our paid professional neighbor. All that remains is to raise the level of training and professionalism as far as it will go . I was surprised after the hyperbaric chamber tragedy to see some arguments on where the praise should be directed. As a human being you go through life and sometimes a curve comes out of left field where you are required to act to help save another persons life. After the adrenaline subsides we relive the experience playing it over and over to see where we could have done a better job. No-one steps up to the plate to receive praise and so there was disappointment to me that there appeared to be a dispute as to who did what and when. I feel it would be more productive to try to raise donations or a fund from the town businesses and residents to help the family get through these difficult times.
Our long awaited ISO report came back and I feel for the men who worked so hard to try to get to the next level of qualification. 0.5 is an awfully small margin to be short but that’s where we are. I was told that the main role of an oversight board was to help the VFD reach their full potential. I spoke out several times in favor but was assured all would be revealed by the ISO report. I’m not going to gloat or finger point since that is not the productive way forward. I’m going to publically state I feel it is up to the chief to go forward and make the necessary changes to rectify the deficiencies shown by the ISO report. Unless I have full support from the officers and some substantial progress within 3 months then I would be hard not to consider both an oversight board and other alternatives.
I am concerned with the Fourth of July event and subsequent allegations that are floating around. I believe I have the right to contact or ask questions of absolutely anyone on any topic that affects this town and I will not bow or give up those rights. Without my persistence this town would not be getting the safety posts on the beach now rather than wait till the end of the turtle season. I asked questions and didn’t stop until I got the correct answers. It is not a question of “trust” or “faith’ in the event organizer. Fireworks are the tradition for July 4th to celebrate independence day, I can not authorize the expenditure of public money for a program without fireworks. In my book – No fireworks then no cost to the residents. If the CIC or VFD want to sponsor their own event then they have my full support.
Vice Mayor McIntee…First the Vice Mayor told Comm. Dodd it was not “mutual aid” with Pompano Beach when they responded to a call…”Not true” said McIntee…OOPS!….(previous post…VFD cat…. 3 incident reports.)..shows it was true..that mutual aid was in the VFD incident report!…He went on to say getting a 4 (ISO rating) was not a negative…A 4 was “darn near really good”….McIntee went on to speak of the “other paper ( meaning the Futures)… We all know the McIntee paper it the BTSTimes…and how he says they printed we (LBTS) would be getting a 6-7 ISO rating and insurance rates would go up…adding the claims he said are as bogus as those made of Bert J. Harris lawsuits still looming over the town…He blamed it on “election time”…and “lies keep piling on”…such as, he said “AMR is not as good as BSO”…He said the “system is working in town”…”police officers are coming to help’…HUH?…”We’re seeing that now”…He went on to speak of 4th of July saying “there will be fireworks”…and they need help to help ….”VFD and the CIC committed a great number of people”…He went onto speak of the Monday night concert and the need to support it…saying “everything is going well”…
BC- No mutual aid?…HMMMM….”Everything is going well”…..HMMM……ISO report?…HMMM….The Futures came out with their paper and brought up Bert J. Harris yet again…HMMM…The BSO police helping out?….HMMM….Help wanted for 4th of July?….HMMMM….There will be fireworks?….HMMMM…and Support the Mon. night Spring Concert (Comm. Clottey’s “baby”)?….HMMM…….VM McIntee was a no-show…Cristie and Marc Furth came and sat in the front row…Marc was instructed by the Cellist as the sat down to play….no photographs while they are performing…so the Furths left after the 1st song…and before it was half over, Comm. Silverstone also took a hike…HMMM…With friends like these?…Comm. Clottey…(more on the concert…next post)….
more to come….
Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
