TOWN MANAGER COLON “REVIEWS” THE POLICE CHIEF….
Full Text…(link below)….
‘Lauderdale-by-the-Sea town manager removes sheriff district chief
By Linda Trischitta | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
6:48 PM EDT, June 29, 2009
‘LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA – Town Manager Esther Colon removed Broward Sheriff District Chief Scott Gooding on Friday with a single sentence fax.
Gooding will stay in the job until Colon agrees to his replacement. Both actions are within her powers according to the town’s contract with the agency.
In a press release Monday, Colon said Gooding’s removal was due to his proposed budget to renovate the police portion of an old motel the town purchased that also houses its fire and ambulance contractors.
Gooding’s $424,000 plan included air conditioning, a jail cell, conference room, offices and a treadmill room to be funded by $284,000 in forfeiture money won by sheriff’s deputies and $140,000 paid by the town. Currently there is no jail; prisoners are chained to a floor bolt.
When comissioners balked last week, Gooding said even $50,000 would help. But three days later, Colon sent the fax to the Sheriff’s Office.
“Chief Gooding’s leadership skills as a law enforcement officer have never been in doubt,” her statement said, “but he failed to demonstrate a clear understanding of the current state of the economy. His recommendations were fiscally irresponsible.”
Gooding said Monday, “That’s the first I’ve heard about that.”
His boss, Sheriff Al Lamberti, also was surprised: “This statement warrants further explanation.”
Of Gooding, Lamberti said, “We’re proud of our record of service in LBTS. The crime rate is low and the service level is high and Chief Gooding deserves much of the credit.”
The agency’s $2.9 million annual contract expires in March 2011. Crime is down 11 percent for the period January to June 2009, Gooding said, compared to the same period last year.
“I was totally shocked,” said Paul Novak, president of the town’s 264-member Chamber of Commerce. “I think he’s the best police chief we’ve ever had here. Our members are not happy.”
Mayor Roseann Minnet called for a special commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss Gooding’s dismissal.’
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/lauderdale_by_the_sea/sfl-lauderdale-by-the-sea-gooding-062909,0,7638339.story
FROM TOWN HALL…..
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Town Manager Esther’s Colon statement on why she requested Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti to reassign Chief Scott Gooding on Friday (June 26):
“In this tough economic climate all department heads must be mindful of the fiscal challenges the Town faces. Chief Gooding’s budget request was not in step with this administration’s ongoing efforts to keep expenditures under control. Chief Gooding’s leadership skills as a law enforcement officer have never been in doubt, but he failed to demonstrate a clear understanding of the current state of the economy. His recommendations were fiscally irresponsible.”
PS: this statement went out to media outlets that called requesting info about the matter; it was not part of a press release.
Steve d’Oliveira
Public Information Officer
Town of Lauderale-By-The-Sea
BC- Impugning this fine BSO Officer in such a manner reinforces calls for a tough review of the Town Manager!….After all she seems to have no problem “reviewing” the Chief!…
a link to the video….Old Business 15 C. http://lbts.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=238
more to come……..
Tags: BSO, local government, Local Politics, News, Public Safety, Scoops
