THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE……..(The current “Holding Cell” in LBTS)
JUNE 23,2009 TOWN MANAGER ESTHER COLON – “I HAVE PROPOSED A HOLDING CELL, NOT THAT WE NEED IT BY LAW, BECAUSE I THINK IT’S BENEFICIAL FOR THEM TO HAVE A HOLDING CELL”…
Dear Readers….. at the 6/23/09 Commission meeting The Town Manager in her opening comments (Old Bus. 15 C.) said the following (Please check out the previous post from the 6/30/09 special meeting…and compare)
Town Manager- ” As you know about a month ago I requested approval to proceed with the improvements made to the Public Safety Building. I spoke with um, the Chief. We received plans. They’re in your package and their proposed improvements cost over $420,000.00 . The current funds available in the fund are and there’s a memo attached, are $284,000. I felt it was irresponsible of me in this economic climate to go ahead and make all the improvements when I believe the improvements that we already made for police department, the fire department and the fire rescue department (HUH?) met their needs as far as their work environment changes that we made are far superior then the work environment they have. I proposed a holding cell, not that we need it by law, becuase I think it’s beneficial for them to have a holding cell. The Sally Port is something that we don’t need to have. I guess what I would ask this Commission, do we need to have a gym? Do we ned to have a conference room? Do we need a roll call room? The funds aren’t there. I would love all my departments to have facilities as are on the plans but right now we can’rt afford them. I think we need to move them out of the area cause it’s right. It is, the conditions are very bad and the area that has been designated for them is far superior than what they have. If the Commission decides to go forward with this any and all additional funds that are not in the LETF account would have to be paid for by the General Fund. I’m here for direction. I just wanted to clarify because it’s a big responsibility. Thank you.”
BC- A look at BSO Colonel Ed Werder’s statements on June 30,2009….show that Town Manager Colon strung the BSO along…encouraged them to proceed with their plans…to come back for meetings…investing both BSO department time and money …. and for some reason known only to her?….She did an about face…asking at the June 23rd meeting for “direction” saying she wanted to”clarify” …”because it’s a big responsibility”….What gives…All the while she is assuring the BSO …she is mute to the Commission on her concerns…Hmmmm……..When this writer and others including Comm. Clottey asked about renovation costs to the new hotel the Town Manager “fudged” the numbers …and was coy with remarks of town employees doing painting…removal of debris and a “garage sale” of discarded items…All the she was hiding the “looming” costs known from the get-go per a”litany” of problems the hotel presented for the police department….The Town Manager was deceptive in her assertions to the BSO as well by repeatedly (according to the Colonel’s statement) telling them it was the Commissioners “pushing” the BSO out of their current office…The Commission were “informed” by the Manager that the Police would be relocated and the current BSO office would be used by Town staff or for files currently stored in the still unsold warehouse west of Federal Highway….Then after finding no real direction from a thoroughly confused “Gang of 3” … she gets the approval for the Town contracted engineers to start on the pared down plans….and proceeds to destroy the reputation of Chief Scott Gooding for calling her on her actions by the end of the week……In sharp contrast to her asking for direction and wanting clarification from the Commission on the 23rd….by the end of the meeting on the 30th…she says “I don’t need direction from any member of this dais”….WOW!…
BC- Have a seat Madam Manager…You have the right to remain silent…..
more to come….
Tags: BSO, lbts, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, local politcs, Local Politics, Public Safety, Scoops
