“THE COOKIES WERE IN”…..AT THE CIC OLD FASHIONED TOWN HALL MEETING-3/15/09
The 2nd CIC Old fashioned Town Hall Meeting…produced a dismal turnout…26 CIC members…7 CIC board members…and 4 non-members…that included the previous Chair-Comm. Dodd and wife and the previous Vice-Chair this writer and husband….the only other non -CIC member was the Mayor…who was not allowed to join last year….
They could have saved themselves a lot of time…had the meeting at the Surf and Yacht Club…and called it a “regular CIC meeting”…the Q and A …could have been phoned in!…
Deja Vue- Not televised but recorded for posterity by the CIC…with photos (wide angle to make the room look full,yet again for the next edition of the CIC-paper) by CIC member/ Editor Marc Furth…for the Mc-Furth BTSTimes…proudly displayed on the table as you entered…
After the pledge was said and CIC member/BOA Board member George Crossman acknowledged the recent death of Barber Debbie Wirth, relating his warm memories of her and playing “Amazing Grace” on the harmonica…
Chair Crisite Furth said she wished she had a teleprompter…(An Obama reference …perhaps?)…and welcomed her “fold” to the meeting…extolling the virtues of their organization and what this informal setting had to offer them…She introduced the Moderators CIC board secretary Bob Roberts and his wife Adrienne…the introduced the Vice Chair-Maureen McIntee…Treasurer Tom Carr…board members…Renee’ O’Neal…Mary Ann Wardlaw and Karen Hunsaker…referencing 2 board members were not in attendance…She went on to say that Commissioners often only hear from a small section of their constituents…and spoke of the CIC’s history of being the “most active group”…asking the “fold” to raise their hands if they have ever written to a Commissioner…spoken at a Commission meeting…(orchestrated to appear as recent as the last one-3/10/09)…or yelled at the TV…all raised their hands…no surprise here….
Ya da Ya da Ya da…CIC is a “grass roots” organization…”the largest civic organization”…46 new members signed up …not mentioning the amount of members that did not re-up far outnumbered the clueless “newbies”….
After welcoming the Marc Furth…former Commissioner Chair Furth turned it over to the Roberts…
Bob gave a brief summary of the rules…to keep it to 2 hours…asking them to keep their answers brief…
Adrienne said “Just so I get my 2 cents in”…the Commissioners and the audience should maintain courtesy and decorum at all times…that fell on deaf ears…courtesy of the Vice Chair Maureen McIntee…causing a few members to walk out!…(Will cover this one later)…
The Commissioners took numbers out of a St. Patty’s Day hat…before the meeting opened…
1st up- VM McIntee…
He said hello …pleasure to be here blamed the “light crowd” on “grid lock”…talked off a VFD “rescue” a kid locked in a car”…added his thoughts about the Barber that passed away…telling all she was big supporter of the VFD…spoke about being on the Commission for 3 years…and having to have “skin like a turtle’s back”…because of our “vicious partisan town”…”people lying and not telling the truth”…again going into the ethics complaints made by the Future’s paper and Mark Brown…”75 pages”…”2& 1/2 years”…he and Jimmy couldn’t discuss it…but it showed up in “their paper”…all were “dismissed…were groundless”…”What makes it all worthwhile…Oriana and the VFD” “The streets are cleaner” “Thanks very much.”
BC- Commissioner Dodd had a handout he prepared due to the time limits…and knowing what the CIC response was the last time he stood up in front of the organization..As he prepared to do his opening statement…he had his wife hand it out…below the opening statement…he wrote it up prior to the meeting and the handout…
2nd -Commissioner Dodd-
Good evening ladies and gentleman , fellow commissioners – I’m going to read 95% of my original 2 minute intro when I ran for election.
I am Stuart Dodd – running for district 2 commissioner on a ticket of “Time for change” – More of the same just is NOT good enough for this town. You have made a “Good” choice to let three experienced business people with new ideas and fresh enthusiasm replace an old guard who consistently failed to listen to your voice and your will. You already know we are all well qualified, independent people ready and willing- to take on the responsibility and try to change the direction this town has been heading. Oversized buildings, overlay districts, 13.8 million in debt, sewers on private roads, term limits overturned, back door deals, a town with over 200 members in a broad based grass roots group are fighting for democracy and the rights of residents to place referenda on a ballot. Why did it happen? – because our opponents – two incumbent commissioners led by Mayor Parker had closed their ears and stopped listening to the people.
Ladies and gentlemen – I know this town needs new leadership and I intend to be part of that team – one independent vote among five – that once again can sit on this Dias and do what you voters want. Free to follow our own agenda that is not motivated by past loyalties or conflicting job interests. I will listen for all four years of my term of office and not just the last few weeks before an election in an attempt to get re-elected. I will be honored to serve with honesty, integrity and the drive to do what is best for our town.
Verbatim that was what I said – I still believe it and I haven’t changed. I’m not against the VFD as all of you can read in my handout. I am doing my best to serve this community and solve many of the problems facing the dais. I believe in round tables as the way forward so we can all have open discussion regarding many issues rather than run 8 hour marathons up there where Roberts Rules preclude open interchange. I want true round table discussion and not pre agenda conferences. To list some of the items I want to discuss are, this year’s July 4th celebration, Video surveillance signs at town entryways, Board(s) Honoring Past officials in the new pavilion, RFP’s over $15,000 and the need citizen input, Valet parking, the Attorney’s contract,, Mitigation of liens, Parking at town hall, Relaxing Parking requirements to stimulate new businesses in town. Ethics ordinance.
These are some of the items I would like us as an elected body to consider since they are more important in my opinion that continuing with the Pier sign, greenfest, Orianna alley,
Many thanks
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 canceled 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 canceled 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
3rd Commissioner Silverstone-
He gave his reasons yet again why he ran for Commissioner…He believes in the promises he made…has some other goals…and the majority is happy…He is happy the CIC put his on…spoke about public comments…again went into repeats of numerous Comm. Comments over the past months on “reading something that is not true”…”challenging them”…”a lot of problems in this town”…”frustration”…but he said he “wants to hear the ones that are tough”…”democracy was represented in this town”…”one voice can make a difference” …”the other side…They’re unhappy”…and we need to be “progressive going forward”…
4th- Commissioner Clottey-
She thanked the CIC and looked back over the past year…despite global ..”our town is in the black… 1 of 2 towns in the black”…(How are we in the black when we have debt?)…She related a story of going to the Craft Fair…speaking to a couple from Lighthouse Point who asked “why we are spending money on the pavilion” due to the economic times…she explained “proper planning”…and the “money couldn’t be diverted”…She went on to say we should “look around the town at the capital improvements”…El Prado Park…(Minto paid for it)…sewers in Bel Air…Sea Grape Drive …El Mar Parking Lot…(Minto paid for it)…”In spite of all the fighting”…ending with “I am sorry differences of opinion has broken some friendships.”…
5th- Mayor Minnet-
The Mayor thanked the CIC ..told the audience she “gets out there and hears from the people.”…..”will listen to you”…”and you will hear the facts from me”…”3 sides to every story”…That it’s “important to meet and greet the community”…”we are committed to a strong government, staff and all of you as well”…she is “proud to represent us as an advocate a lobbyist”…”will continue to contribute and ask the hard questions…that’s why I was elected.”…
Questions…
CIC member/BOA member/Newly elected CIC Vice -Chair Joe Couriel (Yep the guy who thinks McIntee is GOD)…made a statement of saying he is proud to live here …spoke of countries where those that disagreed were taken out ans shot…that all have the “right to disagree with me or anyone else”…His question to all of the Commissioners was to move public comments up on the agenda…to right after the invocation…so that young families in town could participate…
BC-The Commissioners all fell over each other to accommodate this one…
Comm. Silverstone reflected on public comments being way far back on the agenda when he and “Jerry” came on board and they ” moved it up higher”…and compromised …he related the “2 hats” were for public speaking…and he “highly promoted moving it up”…Comm. Clottey said she had no problem…she and “Stu” ran on “letting people talk”…but after presentations…The Mayor said we could discuss moving it up…Comm. Dodd said a resident approached him and after presentations before reports …”however long it takes”…and also related a resident wanting to have comments taken in the order they sign in instead of out a hat…Vice Mayor- said they needed a “safety valve” that you could get a 100 people on a “serious issue’…a “major crisis”…needed a “caveat to move the agenda around”..
CIC member/P & Z Chair L. Peanuts Wick- spoke of the Chamber not helping to save the Pelican Hopper with cards put in the hotels…about youth groups to come and say the pledge at meetings…and how “you all get criticized….all get told”…but why not tell the people to “come to us with ideas…ways to improve”…Then pointedly aimed a Comm. Dodd …he asked about “the biggest problem of all”…”giving direction to the Town Manager and staff…micro- managing AMR/BSO and the VFD”…about “blowing apart machinery…not our business…more direction less micro-managing”…
Comm Silverstone-said the Chamber should be asked themselves…and “micro-managing ” he spoke of the 5 Commissioners each has the “opportunity to do that”…”manage the Manager who then micro- manages”…The Mayor- spoke of the Pelican Hopper…putting fliers into condos…that the Chamber “should be part of that”…working on something with staff about a youth program…spoke of “constructive criticism…sitting with the Town Manager” and that “unfortunately up on the dais” is “how you judge us”…going on to relate her time spent with the Town Manager and staff and the reality of each Commissioner’s personalities with staff behind the scenes…saying she “enjoys” her time with the Town Manager and staff…Comm. Clottey- spoke of the County school system precluding kids from getting together …that there are 3-4 grade schools and 2 high schools and the manager is working on getting 1 high school for LBTS kids…on “micro-managing” she said it is her job to point out complaints she gets…Comm. Dodd- spoke of the Chamber getting $27,000 from the town…only to have to pay $1000 in permit fees for Taste of the Beach…he doesn’t mind the criticism and may be slightly more guilty …as he only has 3 meetings a month ….he does his “micro-managing” publicly…going on to speak of Waste Management and the RFP …The VM…using his favorite term of the night…”The cookies were in”…spoke of Waste Management being “a con”…saying when he and “Jimmy” were in Orlando they learned no one was bidding….they (Waste Management) were “expensive”…and they “got it by cheating”…
BC- Wow!…This is the same VM who spoke so highly of Waste Management when they came to the podium at the meeting for the extension…the same VM & BFF who went to Waste Management’s $500,000 dollar parties…2 years in a row…lamely saying it was a good way to make connections…YIKES!…
VM continued on about “micro-managing”…saying they all had the option to see the Manager he goes in 2-3 times a week…( 2-3 x a day!)
CIC Treasurer/ BOA Chair Tom Carr- asked why the garbage bill was not billed on our assessments…making it a tax deduction…as it was in the past…before the billing went to Waste Management…
The Commissioners again all fell over themselves…VM- said years ago it was paid through your taxes…it should be incorporated in your taxes again…and it would cut the bill down to $14…”The cookies were in”…Comm. Clottey- said t should be part of our tax bill…previous commissions wanted the taxes to look like they went down so they moved it…Comm. Dodd- said this was why he wanted a workshop before the RFPs went out for this type of input from the residents…saying if that is called “micro-managing” he will continue to do so…Comm Silverstone- spoke of keeping the millage at 4.2…the fire assessment…and the garbage out of the tax deductions…and how it should be put back in along with the fire assessment for the VFD…
CIC member/BOA member George Crossman like the Waste Management “guys” and would pay the extra to keep the…CIC board member Renee’ O’ Neal agreed…
CIC member Bill Henessey- asked about the how the “general population deals with trash…recycling”…that we are “solvent” despite so many dark condos…and how Oriana is paying its taxes…
Comm Dodd- spoke of the N.Y. recycling rules…citing those who do not do so…Comm. Clottey said the cost to recycle in our town is $30,000 with many not using the containers…VM- said that “Tony” from Waste Management said recycling was a “feel good thing”…they’re not really into it…Oriana had “4 people living there”…relating a VFD story…a month ago the alarm went off an intoxicated guy pulled the fire alarm to get the elevator…”their cold…not taken off…bailed out…rumors…taxes still get paid …they’re assessed”….Comm. Silverstone- recycling is a “good cause”…”not paying lip service to the Mayor”…About Oriana…”abatements…current owners responsible..the flippers are responsible.”….Mayor- we do pay a lot for recycling…on Oriana “you bought that unit you pay your taxes.”…
CIC member/ P & Z board member / Town Rev, Hunsaker- spoke of the fact that if the garbage tax returned the condos would be paying twice…as they do now for recycling…and bulk pickup…
The Mayor said she did discuss bulk pickups for condos with the Town Manager for the RFP…but did not know if it was included in the RFPs…Comm. Clottey- said what is done for single family homes should be done for condos….Comm. Silverstone and the VM…said the same…Comm. Dodd again said this is why he wanted a workshop…the VM jumped up to say “in all fairness” if Comm. Dodd had wanted a workshop they would have had a workshop..
BC- previously posted Comm. Dodd did not realize the RFPs were going out and the time for a workshop had passed…and for the VM who “balks” at round tables…oblong tables…square tables to say he would be at a workshop…..without some micro-managing remarks…what a load of crap!
Chair Crisite Furth- did a “number” pretty much like what she did at the MPSC afternoon meeting with the Art Institute students…she was talking heights…she was talking Crisitie Furth heights…33 feet…talking referendums…and delegating the heights to the boards…she wanted answers on Crisite Furth’s heights…33 feet…and added she preferred the March election for referendums in 2010…
Comm Silverstone- “that’s the question….not what I think …based on your input”…relaying visualizing what you want …again speaking of greedy developers who some say can’t build…saying we were “snookered” with 4 stories…when he thought it only meant east of El Mar and it meant everywhere…(it did not)…The VM- blamed Walter Keller…who “wheeled and dealed”…”The cookies were in”…”anybody who brings him back should be hung”…33 feet…and go down…( the Cristie Furth plan…garages underground)…..
BC-Funny alert…after the VM used Bob White’s beachfront hotel restoration as an example…he used the new single family home recently approved by the Commission…which with “grade” will be well over 33 feet!…about 50 ft. some say…
The VM- spoke with disdain about some wanting 5 stories on Commercial…Comm. Dodd- said Walter Keller was instructed what to do…reiterated his stance on 44 feet…the charter…the zoning …the 3 times the voters voted…and the grade…the 3 choices of “grade” getting rid of “grade” and counting from the dirt up…44 feet maximum…The Mayor spoke of the charter…the definitions…and density…giving incentives to existing structures and businesses to maintain them … Comm. Clottey said Walter Keller had a good business head…made money from change orders…( so does Chen and Assoc./ O’Campo)….that he made $400 to come to P & Z meetings…( The Comm. just approved $5000 for Chen to come to P & Z /MPSC…who are in need of professional input)…she spoke of the heights being higher on one side vs the other…and agreed with Comm. Dodd on counting the height from the ground…
Chair Cristie Furth again spoke a speech of 44 feet and Oriana and Minto dwarfing her motel…and keeping the ocean from being seen…
A woman stood…asked to remain anonymous…no name tag…complained about the LBTS permitting department being like Walter Keller…taking forever…wanting more “cha ching…cha ching…cha ching”…also saying she had a street light out called town for 6 weeks no response…then they told it was FPL …she called and they came the next day…
Comm. Clottey described that some lights don’t belong to the town…The woman was not “buying it”…saying again she told the town the location and it took 6 weeks…Comm. Clottey spoke again of a “pay as you go building dept”…this was agreed to and heartily supported by Comm Silverstone and VM McIntee…
BC- Pretty amusing when you will recall the Town Manager was against it saying it was a big money loser…and anyone that reads the papers will see other municipalities are closing down and laying off their staff in their building departments…
Comm. Dodd said this was not the right time and responded to Chair Crisite Furth’s assertions that he had changed his pre-elected stance…saying again he was always for 44 feet…The Mayor said complaints like this…please contact them…that Broward County works for us…and our own building department we would have to look at the costs…
HERE WE GO…LET THE “HISSING” BEGIN….
Vice Chair Maureen McIntee stood up…and you could tell she was ready to ” hiss’…dressed for St. Patrick’s Day in a suit the color of her Lady Liberty makeup….with green “flashing” earrings…she was red…with anger…at Commissioner Dodd…She said she “believed she was fair and honest”…that when the bell went off on opening statements all the other Commissioners stopped…(Comm. Dodd was a few seconds over…maybe a minute YIKES!)…and he Comm. Dodd had a handout!…”He was looking for trouble”…”This should not be allowed”…It was about the VFD…”It was propaganda that was going home” with those who were in the hall……that the “VFD was running out of money”…”Not fair”…”HISSSSSS”…
The “2-Hats” said nobody “told” them they could have a handout!….
Comm. Dodd- said he found it interesting that he was criticized for giving out a handout…Comm Silverstone- said these were “personal attacks”…
VM ALERT…PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE VFD WAY OF BUDGETING….
The VM-“I’m not gonna get mad”…”rumors”…The fire department gets $70,000 a month” …”not in the hole”…”We have Christian Chief, a re-born again Chief” …he is supposed to make $76,000 a year…but the Chief gave back “$60,000″…”allowed to cover all those (medical) calls”….HUH?…
BC- Let’s get this straight …the VM is saying don’t worry the extra calls…they are covered by the Chief not taking all his pay…Is that called “creative accounting?”
VM- went on to play the “attacking” card…on the great people…the fire fighters…Comm. Clottey spoke about the contract…”they are going to cover it readjust their budget…and the calls are for some training…the VFD must be getting advice from somebody”…The Mayor- said that was a budget to support them……the contracted amount…
CIC member- from the Palm Club asked about the stimulus package being listed with the towns…but LBTS was not shown among them…
The VM- said he spoke to Congressman Klein and Sen. Atwater and they are behind it…they’re gonna “push it”…that the Mayor hooped on board after him….
BC- this writer heard Klein said no way…to others…Did the Town ever send it in?….
Comm. Dodd- said he could not support it for a private property and was concerned about the fallout for future civic projects if the government was not told up front that the palm club is private property…The VM countered it was not up to him (VM) to tell the federal government…
THROW THE BSO UNDER THE BUS….
CIC board member/MPSC member Mary Ann Wardlaw said she was “shocked” to hear Chief Gooding say he did not know about the car burglaries in her neighborhood…that a BSO Deputy had been going to each home on 3 blocks to deal with it…and how could the Chief not know?…
VM- said nobody was more “shocked” than him…he “sensed there is a problem with BSO”…spoke about the “slingers” he (VM) wanted to go out in neighborhoods… …”Don’t know if BSO doesn’t want it known”…the crimes…that BSO…”not telling the truth”…”BSO hiding a bad thing” “BSO” stopping people that shouldn’t be stopped …letting bad people go”…
BC- WOW!…
Comm. Clottey told a story of being outside her house late….seeing unusual traffic…reporting it to BSO…and being told it might be something that involves police that are not local…
CIC member/BOA member- Carol Dickman complained of no police protection on the beach…with people sleeping there…and not responding to calls…Her husband said his calls went to a message to call a cell phone…(non- emergency number…calls to the VFD are handled the same)…
The Mayor said to call the chief…ask questions …demand answers…
CIC member- Happy Vasil-asked about the BSO increasing their budget…saying it was not fair…
Comm. Clottey said they will charge more…per a judges order …she read it in the papers…increases for “factual costs”…Comm. Silverstone said it was “creative accounting”..(HMMM…Pot calling the kettle)…The VM- said the volunteers created the “biggest bang for the buck”…we have never been so protected…spoke about the “hit” we’re going to take for pensions for the police..(HMMM…police pensions…like his from N.Y?)…Comm. Clottey…said some of the police we see in BSO were BSO firefighters…same bodies…(HUH?)….
The Closing Statements……done the with the last one to open going 1st…
1st- The Mayor-
Spoke of her campaign…one town..the code differences being handled…the referendums…May 13th…for a Nov. or March election..spoke of the pavilion grand opening April 6th …7 pm…that is will be a positive project as Seagrape Drive was despite those who had concerns…thanked all for coming and asked all to support out businesses…implored respect…civility and common sense…
2nd- Comm. Clottey-
Thanked all for coming…went off on a weird comment..saying people are “afraid” to call the police department…”afraid there will be a record they complained”…”afraid they’ll come after them”…and asked the VM to help “convince Scott (Chief Gooding) this is something serious”…HUH?…She went on to take aim at Comm. Dodd..saying she was “disappointed in the last round table…some came to listen…some came to talk”…”will be sunshine, talk to each other”…if there was “a bunch of prepared statements” then they should just put them on a website for people to read….that she was gong to have the staff bring the round table from the conference room into the hall so they could talk to each other…
3rd- Comm. Silverstone-
Thanked the CIC….spoke again about his “frustration level”…said we have a great town..in great shape…great place…spoke of the recently deceased Barber…who never said anything negative…”we work for you…we listen” ..more about promises that change after getting elected…aiming at Comm. Dodd…the”course they have to go through…keep getting “jabs”…being proactive…and speaking of Susan Beatty…John Thompson and someone new …”self appointed oversight committee”……HMMM….GUESS WHO?…
4th- Comm. Dodd-
In closing I would like to thank all of you for coming here tonight to ask important questions of your elected officials.
I have kept all my commission speeches, public comments speeches, written articles, answers to CIC and Sun sentinel questions and have remained true to all my statements. I have not deviated from any election promise, flip flopped on any issues while doing my best to represent the voters who put me up here to do the business of the town. I like to come prepared to meetings in order to have an open but well informed mind and be prepared to discuss passionately – sometimes too passionately my own points of view. I am disappointed in the contention up on the dais and that certain fellow commissioners feel that issues such as the Ethics ordinance is aimed at them personally. It is not, nor was it ever personal but has been found by other municipalities to be necessary to eliminate any conflicts with wearing many hats. All praise to my fellow commissioners for wearing those hats but one’s first duty is to the town as an elected official above all others.
It is your right to disagree but I will ask you to contact me before believing all the printed matter in either of the town’s newspapers. My phone is always open and I would much prefer to discuss anything personally to straighten out any inaccuracies before you believe anyone else’s version of my position on any issues.
I’m here to serve you
Thank you for coming and listening tonight
5th Vice Mayor McIntee-
He spoke of the Palm Club saying he told them he would find another source for the sewers…not the taxpayers (although he wanted the taxpayers to foot the bill in the last campaign…and changed his tune when Candidate Clottey/Dodd would not go along…and he saw the number of votes from the condos against it that outweighed the Palm Club’s 90 votes)…..He spoke of the $11,000 new fire truck parked out in back…how he got “abused for that”…and now he said…”a bunch of guys took it out of their pockets” to pay for it…not the taxpayers…( at the last Comm. meeting he said it was from the Booster Club funds)…He spoke of “stones being thrown at the VFD…and “if the department screws up”…”BSO making mistakes”….”VFD hasn’t made any mistakes”…”don’t be negative…these guys will give you their lives”…”CIC’s growing every week”
Chair Cristie Furth…”proud to have you here”..
2 hours after it began…it was over…at 9 pm….
Question now…Will there be a 3rd…”CIC Old Fashioned” Town Hall Meeting?….
Tags: Civic Organizations, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local News, Local Politics, Politics, Scoops, Updates
