IS THIS A REALLY AN ENHANCEMENT ? ….

Dear Readers…  a reader sent me this photo today of a new seating bench at the north end of the Sea Ranch Club Condominiums on A1A … As someone who resides there it is definitely a questionable “enhancement” for that area and a real waste of taxpayer monies in my opinion … Were we really lacking public seating by the north driveway and in dire need to provide it? ….This writer does not fall for the grant scam offered up by such joint projects that makes most think it’s a freebee …It’s our monies whether local or not… as well as being fully budgeted in our fiscal year until it is refunded per the grant in place which is customary …

The timing of the photo seemed so apropos in this second week of filing for a seat on the dais for the January 2012 LBTS Municipal election… I can tell you that in my 12 years of residency in this town five of which I’ve been actively involved I certainly have never witnessed so many questionable twists and turns pre- filing as I have this time around. … As previously posted last Sunday this writer had several longtime reliable sources stating that four candidates had filed …Vice Mayor Dodd, former ByTheSeaFuture Editor Mark Brown, former Master Plan Steering Committee Vice-Chair Edmund Malkoon and Commissioner Birute Ann Clottey…

Included in the post were the rumors going around about former Commissioner Jim Silverstone and Publisher Michael Arker being ready to jump into the race … By Monday morning I heard quite emphatically that the rumor concerning Silverstone was inaccurate in an email from the former Commissioner which I posted in full as he indicated he wanted …I also received an email from his wife who was equally emphatic and angered by posting about her husband who is at present a private citizen…I responded to her in an email ….which unlike her husband I was allowed to do (his email stated I should not bother to respond back) that I had heard from her husband and as far as stating he was a private citizen I believed he left that status when he decided to write an opinion page for the CIC website and thus enter the political arena once again… The very next day that Silverstone opinion page was taken down… That was quite amusing to say the least! …. Now all that remains on the CIC website is just “Opinion” and they had removed the 90/10 resident/business percentage piece he wrote replacing it with one on the increase in sewer costs. This piece is totally off the mark and shows a major problem with whomever is writing the opinion page now  (unless Silverstone just removed his name but plans to continue anonymously) and whomever is leading the organization. There were extensive long drawn out meetings concerning the increases in sewer rates for the south and Sea Ranch Club (who now pays Pompano Beach directly) as well as water rate increases… (due to Fort Lauderdale  … (prev. posts) …Perhaps the CIC is feigning ignorance on this topic just as they have in their other top issue of dissent concerning the ouster of former Town Manager Esther Colon for which they laughably ask why she was not asked by the present commission to resign further stating that firing her without cause meant a big payout!…. That the CIC actually wants voters to believe that a simple request to Colon to resign would have stopped a payout shows how off kilter from reality they still are!….

Speaking of being off kilter is this one we were made aware of in the past few days… for their upcoming Sunday night meeting…(Nov. 18th) ….the first meeting since last May they have invited a featured speaker… Commissioner Chris Vincent! …Yep, former Commissioner Jim Silverstone’s 2010 opponent! ….Now we know these are his constituents and he must as a commissioner make himself  available to them …but really …at this CIC meeting?… How odd it is when you recall that he ran and won on the very major Colon issue they are still touting as wrong!… How can they come up with their “slate” of candidates or have real discussion as a PAC with him in the room at this meeting that is two days before the time for filing runs out?…Perhaps there will be a quick early Q & A and then he will be escorted out of the club… For Comm. Vincent the question is…how’s this gonna go over with his UOT pals after the fact?… WOW!….

Continuing on with the filing period parody… we were indeed informed Comm. Clottey filed as stated only to then be told she didn’t file…followed by being told she definitely filed on Tuesday…then it was Wednesday…or so we were told… Finally today we were informed by the Town as of early afternoon Comm. Clottey had not yet filed period!… The same back and forth of filed… not filed continued on daily with Edmund Malkoon…We were told emphatically he filed and that he was not going to step aside for Brown or anybody feeling he is owed this seat in this race after stepping aside in 2010 for Comm. Sasser .. It was assumed he had to have filed due to his ongoing actions of preparation (although Mark Brown beat him to the punch getting his first mailer out to voters last week) as well as looking for individuals to give him support in his endeavor as well as being interviewed by reporters on his running for the local papers… Well he filed … but it did not happen until today… It did not help that this time around the Sentinel did not publish updates on those candidates who filed as they have done in the past both in print in the Local section and online in the Broward Political News category and blog…. Mayor Minnet did file upon her return to Town on Monday as we opined…

We learned today that Publisher Michael Arker is to publish an editorial in the November ByTheSeaFuture which comes out tomorrow stating he will not be a candidate for Commissioner opposing Vice Mayor Dodd which was touted by former UOT President Bob Fleishman throughout town as we were alerted to by many ….. If not for the preamble of  “sympathy votes” made in all the accounts this writer received in the rhetoric being spouted by Fleishman I would never have gone there in my post … I would have just left it with Arker’s divisive nature seen by and from many of those voters he would need to vote for him in the south and in Sea Ranch Club as well as the Minnet-Brown -Arker UOT “slate” aspect I believe would have been in place if he followed through…

Unfortunately it doesn’t look like Mayor Roseann Minnet  and Mark Brown are off the UOT “slate” hook just yet even with Arker making it clear tomorrow in his paper that he is not in the race…Why?…  Here’s why…This morning former 2004 candidate for LBTS Commission ( she lost) /former P & Z Chair (she was involved with the Florida Commission On Ethics with a finding of probable cause for failing to report her 2004-2005 contract to purchase (Oriana) condominiums on the required financial statements within 60 days of leaving her position)/ former POA President/ former Chamber of Commerce Board member ( she was not reelected to the board a few years back)/ former BTSF writer Cindy Geesey filed to run against Vice Mayor Dodd for his seat on the Commission!  …  Now this one is even weirder than Comm. Vincent going to the Sunday CIC meeting… Why?… Because while to many who are not privy to the back stories over the past year it will appear as if there is a Minnet-Brown- Geesey UOT “slate”… those who are more knowledgeable know Ms. Geesey parted ways with the BTSF paper a while back and it wasn’t pretty… The fallout we hear was that she despises her former newspaper co-workers  and visa-versa… We hear that due to that she fully supports Edmund Malkoon over Mark Brown….. This is why when this writer received the latest update from the town and a Sentinel reporter showing the following…

Mayor – Roseann Minnet (i)

Commission Seat 3 – Mark Brown and Edmund Malkoon

Commission Seat 4 – Stuart Dodd (i) and Cindy Geesey

( (i) is for incumbent)

it took me aback!… Could it be that Ms. Geesey will join forces with Edmund Malkoon in their quest to beat out Brown and Vice Mayor Dodd?… WOW!… This will surely leave the UOT to scratch their heads in disbelief!…Will the UOT Board make the right decision and again choose between the candidates at their Nov. 29th meeting so that they don’t’ find their membership at odds with each other over signs in their yards as well as sign holding across A1A and Commercial? …Now that would surely be a sight!… One thing to remember is that a candidate can pull out after the filing is over up until the ballot is printed …I believe ….so perhaps some semblance of sanity will be restored sooner rather than later in this race!…

As for the CIC … with Comm. Clottey not yet officially filing to serve a second term and former Comm. Silverstone out of the picture who’s left to put up against those who are listed as filed thus far?… As previously posted the throwbacks of past CIC candidates have way too much baggage to get any real traction this time around and judging from the new CIC board members shown on their site there is no one that’s even viable …in my opinion… There had been some talk here and there over the last months since budget season of Arthur Franczak who we were told was a former member of the CIC running…The question is from where …north or south?… He has… we are told… given two addresses when standing at the podium speaking at public comments …We do recall he has stated Terra Mar (north end) as his residence and also of being the manager at the Shore Haven (south end) … It would need to be from whichever address he uses as a registered voter… Besides Mr. Franczak  there is no one else who has come to the podium in the past year to voice any opinion that can be tied to the CIC …So who do they have in mind?… We witnessed 11th hour candidates from the CIC in 2010 and perhaps they will do so again…The last day to file is Tuesday November 22nd by noon….so the clock is ticking…

I’m ending this post with a funny line we were told by a reader today upon learning of Ms. Geesey’s intention to run……If indeed it does end up with only Cindy Geesey vs Vice Mayor Dodd the CIC or at least what’s left of the CIC will have to decide who they hate more Vice Mayor Dodd who was tarred and feathered as a traitor for  simply asking the CIC for a sabbatical after he won in 2008 (something we all knew he would do and something Comm. Clottey brought up first at a meeting during the campaign at Bob Roberts house) or Cindy Geesey who has a long, long history of bad blood with the CIC group!…

more to come…

Tags: Civic Organizations, Here's The Scoop ... What Do The A1A Construction Thus Far ... And The 2012 Municipal Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Election Filing To Run For A Seat To Date Have In Common? ... Both Are Highly Questionable ., Laauderdale-By-The-Sea UOT PAC/ CIC PAC, Lauderdale -By-The-Sea Commissioner Chris Vincent, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate Cindy Geesey, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate Mark Brown, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate Mayor Roseann Minnet, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate Vice Mayor Stuart Dodd, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Commissioner Birute Ann Clottey, local government, Local News, Local Politics, Opinions, organizations, Scoops
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COULD OLD TRICKS BE COMING BACK IN 2012? ….

Dear Readers … the first week for formally filing to run for a seat on the dais in the 2012 LBTS January 31st municipal election has come to an end and we hear so far there are four …Vice Mayor Stuart Dodd is running for a second term as commissioner from the south end of town…thus discounting all those who were sure he would take on Mayor Minnet despite his assertions otherwise…Former ByTheSeaFuture Editor Mark Brown filed for the commission seat currently held by Comm. Birute Ann Clottey from the north as did former Master Plan Steering Committee Vice- Chair and former candidate for the 2010 LBTS municipal election Edmund Malkoon…. Making it a three-way race thus far is  Commissioner Clottey who long said she was going to be a one-term commissioner….

This writer previously posted that someone should get it through Malkoon’s head that if he stays in this race he will split the vote between himself and Brown leaving Clottey to win herself a second term… If that happens Malkoon will become the Bartman of LBTS with the UOT  (Unite Our Town) -PAC leading the charge!… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Bartman_incident ….. Of course there is now one unknown glitch to this scenario making its way through the rumor-mill  that could change this expected outcome for Malkoon  and I will address that further down in this post…

We have heard of other familiar “players” perhaps vying for Vice Mayor Dodd’s seat in the southern part of town….Included in this duo is none other than former Comm. Jim Silverstone who has suddenly started or rather restarted his 2010 failed re-election campaign in asking to “debate” anyone on town issues….This time it’s in the no longer dormant CIC (Citizens Initiative Committee)- PAC  website with his very own “opinion” page… If Silverstone does indeed do an 11th hour filing to become the CIC commission candidate alongside Clottey it will be quite a turnaround for those of us who have long heard his spouse was against any such future prospects of returning to politics ….. In doing so Silverstone will once again leave himself open to all of his “Broom Boys” history with his BFF …former Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee as well as his 110% unyielding support of the ousted former Town Manager Esther Colon and her top tier Town co-horts … He and the CIC … have once again jumped into the yellow journalism pool of revisionist history with both feet …in this writer’s opinion…stating the Colon et al dismissals were unwarranted and wrong ….while the in- your- face facts are still coming to light concerning the myriad of administrative inefficiencies ..with many of them bordering on serious illegalities … again, in my opinion …that came in to play from her tempestuous tenure …. Voters will have to ask themselves other important questions about Jim -still not a “nice guy”- Silverstone vs. Vice Mayor Dodd…including what is the difference between these two in their voting records…The answer to that ….is really none…with the exception of Colon’s need to be replaced!… Vice Mayor Dodd was on record first for wanting to lower the millage rate in town…Jim Silverstone only offered it up as a last ditch effort during his failed 2010 re-election campaign …Vice Mayor Dodd asked for it prior to 2010 during the budget hearings in 2008 for 2009 fiscal year…. I believe…….Vice Mayor Dodd is also on record this year in asking his fellow commissioners for a referendum to be placed on the ballot in this 2012 race for the redevelopment of LBTS…Unfortunately it failed to have any traction both times he tried to get them on board….Nevertheless Vice Mayor Dodd has stood strong and been steadfast when he repeatedly stated on the record that he believes that any big ticket Town projects that could ultimately lead to possible long-term tax implications for his constituents should involve them from the get-go in order to proceed…

As for that rumor that could be a game changer for Edmund Malkoon …turns out it could be even a bigger game changer for all of those candidates who filed last week or those about to file for that matter…. if it actually comes to fruition… I will explain the impact as I see it after divulging the name of the other candidate that might take a run for Vice Mayor Dodd’s seat… That candidate is none other than Publisher of the ByTheSeaFuture Paper and former member of the MPSC Michael Arker!… I was alerted to this rumor a few weeks back by a handful of “insiders” who were all out and about sharing the news ….All started out the rumor with the same line… The “numbers guy” Bob Fleishman …(former president of UOT) …. said Arker will run and will win in the south with “sympathy votes” due to his ongoing illness … 600 votes….WOW!…I mean WOW!….

Okay…here we go…

First of all …in this writer’s opinion…Bob Fleishman is a “numbers guy” like Occupy Wall Street is an organized protest with a clear comprehensive agenda!….Enough said!…. Second, there is no such thing as a “sympathy vote” when it comes to politics….In the event that a candidate were elected for being ill…It would only mean that it would be likely that the taxpayers would soon be paying for a special election to once again fill an vacant seat on the dais well before the 4 year term was up…Yeah, it’s a bit callous but it’s something any “sympathetic” voters need to pay heed to…. Also, I do not believe that Arker could ever get a majority of the votes needed in the southern end of town and in the Sea Ranch Club buildings required to win the seat …He is a divisive figure at best ..in my opinion…….That said, the impact of him making the decision to run for whatever reason will turn what has up until now seemed to finally be a welcomed departure from the past two municipal elections in 2008 and 2010 into an all-out no-holds barred political bloodbath!…

Here’s how it plays out in terms of that impact as I see it… It will quickly paint a picture of the return of the CIC-PAC “slate” of candidates vs. the UOT-PAC “slate” of candidates whether those other UOT-PAC supported candidates want to be a part of that “slate” or not!… Mayor Roseann Minnet after returning home from vacation has made it clear she will run for her third and final term as Mayor and most likely will be filing to do so in this upcoming week and candidate Mark Brown will be inexorably tied to Arker … With that comes the always in- play game of political perception for them to deal with … These two candidates will now find themselves dealing once again with the CIC fanning of the fears for a major UOT takeover on the dais leading to future changes in big redevelopment including increased heights and of course the future of the VFD …. Just call it the Arker effect…. whether warranted or not…everyone knows political perception is what wins or loses an election …especially in LBTS!… If this happens it will indeed take any heat Malkoon would feel for his stubborn insistence to remain in the race off him during the race and after the votes are counted… That said…the outcome would likely be the same…in this writer’s opinion and Clottey will win back her seat for another four years …Malkoon could decide to become an independent candidate set apart from UOT… after they chose to support Brown…but I still think he splits the vote with Brown…

That independent candidate role would definitely apply to Vice Mayor Dodd in this election if both Arker and Silverstone run against him… He long ago stepped down from the CIC after he was elected in 2008 as he said he would do in 2007….counter to the revisionist history written once again by the CIC …(see the How The Sausage Was Made category for the tar + feathering of Comm. Dodd back in 2008)… Voters will easily be able to see in the weeks that come that Vice Mayor Dodd has a most impressive voting record as well as being well in the forefront on implementing perhaps the most agenda items that brought forth much needed changes in policy and in governing throughout his first term as well as being hands-on in town both in projects and events and always being readily available to his constituents…

As for the Mayoral position …thus far no rumors of any challenger for Minnet…Does she get a “pass”?…. Hmmm….Perhaps the CIC who is busy setting up two member meetings according to their site on Nov. 18th and Dec. 20th at their Palm Surf Club headquarters will be able to conjole yet another CIC-PAC old-timer to run alongside Clottey and Silverstone …Could it be Peanuts “call me Larry” Wick round 2?….We don’t think it could be her former 2010 Mayoral foe and new CIC- Chair Joe Couriel ….due to the conflict of being the Chair of a PAC which the CIC learned in 2008 was indeed considered a real conflict per Broward County Ethics Commission …Besides Couriel would also have to know that another run for mayor would lead to being subjected once again to reminders of his the less than steller first run for the position which included his and his followers false accusations of racial slurs which ultimately snuffed out his chances to sit in that center seat… He would also find himself in the same uncomfortable position of perhaps being called a “flip-flopper” if he joins in with what appears to be the CIC- Silverstone #1 campaign issue of residential vs business percentages of redevelopment with taxpayer monies as touted recently on their website…and in Silverstone’s first opinion piece…

The resident 90% -business 10% issue runs counter to the campaign promises Couriel touted in his first run of many sidewalk cafes and hotels …For Silverstone it runs counter to where his spouse’s allegiance must surely be …as an instrumental party to the biggest draw and most important business in the town of LBTS …Aruba Beach Cafe… So while this issue is one this writer could heartily support and in fact has in a different percentage package posted often on this site in the past when the Master Plan meetings were proceeding … I could not disagree more with the CIC-PAC “slate” touting it in order to win this 2012 municipal election…….

It is currently this writer’s opinion that anyone who is ready and willing to run independent of either of the LBTS- PACs would give the Mayor a real run for the center seat on the dais along with those independent candidates who run for the other two open seats …if Arker makes this incredible rumor a reality….

No more rabbits!….

more to come….

Tags: Civic Organizations, Here's The Scoop ... Are The Town PACs Pulling The Rabbits Out For The 2012 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Municipal Election? ..., Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Lauderdale By The Sea Mayor Roseann Minnet, Lauderdale By The Sea Vice Mayor Stuart Dodd, Lauderdale-By-The Sea CIC-PAC, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate Mark Brown, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Commissioner Birute Ann Clottey, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Former Commissioner Jim Silverstone, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Former Mayoral Candidate Joe Couriel, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Former Mayoral Candidate L. Peanuts Wick, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea UOT-PAC, local government, Local News, Local Politics, News, Opinions, organizations, Politics
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Candidate Chris Vincent and daughter Paige Halloween 2009… Jarvis Hall

Chris and Paige as they entered the Halloween Trick or Treat maze in the park….

Paige Vincent and Debbie from Village Grille at the Grille’s table in the Halloween Maze…

Candidate Edmund Malkoon at Halloween with the “Gorilla Fireman”

Candidate Malkoon with Judge Shapiro and wife at the 11th annual LBTS Craft Festival

Dear Readers…while many residents were none to pleased by the booming noise from half past 6 to almost 9 pm…(about that noise ordinance?)  rudely coming to their neck of the “village” last night …and this writer previously posted of the underhanded political insertion of the CIC (PAC)/ BTSTimes/ Commissioner Silverstone banners that went along with  the Vice Mayor’s noise pollution and the overwhelming and disturbing VFD truck lights glaring towards the park……luckily the kids were oblivious to the Mc-Furth political antics…and were pleased as punch by the abundance of candy handed out in the maze……the scary sights in the Jarvis Hall, the face painting…the games on the portico  (the scary white “IT”  provoked some immediate hand holding by parents but out of the costume “IT” produces the same result by many adults)…the cookies,  the haunted house, Count Dracula and of course the contests for best costume… all first rate …for the kids of all ages…

We were quite surprised by the numbers of those in Jarvis Hall which exceeded the allowed numbers per fire code…and outside beyond the fun and games…some pre-planning was amiss on behalf of those who put on this event… Something to consider for the next year…As we left the event and walked towards El Mar Drive…we faced darkness…But at least we were familiar with the area…For the visitors it was scary alright …The were cast into another unexpected maze …the maze of leaving the town…Why are there no lights in El Prado Park?…I’ve posted this before…Those orange lights were supposed to be turtle friendly…(they are the same as Minto/Oriana, who had lights on)… People leaving the El Prado parking lot turned right  on El Mar Drive …only to find themselves blocked off from the craft fair …..as they were approaching the square…and being just as dark there and the tight turn to go back…confusion ensued… It would have been nice if the event coordinator and the event chairs would have used the VFD  members (their attendance was mandatory per DP 12 [McIntee] )…to cover traffic flow…as it seemed the Town and the event chairs/coordinators did not work out a plan with BSO to provide traffic control…..On top of that we hear parking patrol was giving out tickets for metered parking last night…very confusing…free parking along El Mar Drive and tickets at the meters…This should have been a free parking weekend.. Expect a lot of disgruntled visitor complaints coming from those who received the tickets…Hmmm…. seems writing them out by hand did impede this parking officer in the least!…( despite the assertions made at the Parking Citation  Processing RFP on the 27th)… The Craft Festival needs to be on a different weekend next year… Besides the traffic snafu, it did decrease business at the restaurants and their Halloween events…That’s an easy fix we assume…

In conclusion, this writer is all for the Halloween event to continue next year…but with a few changes…No politics… No closing the hall for 3 weeks….it’s unnecessary if the Haunted hallway and rooms were mapped out and put up a the same…( even Disney World sticks with the same set-up, and the kids don’t even notice)….No weeks of decorations in the hall to mar the commission meetings forever on video that precede the event in October……The hall can be put together in a couple of days…(just like the VFD Ball a few years back)…No VFD  except to have a table and help voluntarily….They too were used “politically”by the “Gang”……The LBTS-VFD  will remain the town’s fire department no matter who wins in March …They are a non- political issue in this election… (ethics referendum or not)…. …The only one who wants to make them an issue is the Vice Mayor to ensure he keeps control of the department by using fear of their demise ……The VFD  did not need to pull out all their equipment…with the blinding lights….it had nothing to do with Halloween..Nothing!…(4th of July …yes…..Halloween, get real!)…

And one last comment…to the voters…Halloween went on before the last 2 years and the new Mc-Furth “Gang” majority…and Halloween will continue on with a change in the majority on the dais…just as Easter, Christmas and 4th of July…No one …and no one group is ever irreplaceable….anyone who thinks otherwise…well, that folks…is really scary!….

more to come…

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Chris Vincent, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Lauderdale By The Sea Halloween 2009, Local Politics, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD
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SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAY OFF THE BOARD …

Rules of chess

Each piece moves in a different pattern.

Pieces capture opposing pieces by replacing them on their square.  A captured piece is removed from the board. Only one piece may occupy a given square.
The rules of chess (also known as the laws of chess) are rules governing the play of the game of chess.

Chess is a game played by two persons on a chessboard,  Each type of piece moves in a distinct way. The goal of the game is to checkmate, i.e. to threaten the opponent’s king with inevitable capture. Players often resign if they believe they will lose.

Besides the basic movement of the pieces, rules also govern the equipment used, the time control, the conduct and ethics of players,the recording of moves using chess notation, as well as procedures for irregularities that occur during a game.

Remember-  Initial setup, identifying squares, Play of the game, Movement, Basic moves ,Timing, Conduct, Check, End of the game,Checkmate

Dear Readers … SAY NO TO DO-OVERS  in this upcoming election…It’s time for those old “chess pieces” to stay off the “board”…and keep their “egos” in check…Let the “knights” have their chance to show what they they can do this round… Nobody wants to see old “pieces” coming in to ruin the game!… Not this “game” it’s way too important…In chess it’s the “queen” that’s the most powerful and in that that would be the Town Managerin this town……If we lose this “game” her control is guaranteed  for another 4 years…The “kings”  in this game, “Broom-Boys” McIntee and Silverstone are trying to avoid being “captured”…and bringing out their old  “enemies” will just allow them to oppose some familiar old “moves”!…

We saw Terra Mar resident, former candidate for town commission, former candidate for Broward County Clerk of the Courts, and wife of former Town Commissioner Ed. Kennedy who lost to Vice Mayor McIntee in 2006, Beverly Kennedy come forward to the podium the other night and declare she was putting her hat in the ring…(although it was hard to decipher her “pre-amble”)…She made the same announcement previously at UOT at their last meeint…and had a whole hall in varying states of disbelief…Well, Ms. Kennedy I will repeat what I told you as you arrived in the hall last Tuesday night, and told me of your plans. You will lose!…You will either lose to McIntee if you were to be his only opponent in the north or you will split the vote as the 3rd candidate in the race in the north and you will let McIntee retain his “power”…If that happens,  we will all lose!… I told you it was not personal, and believe me,it is not!… But no one wants to see a repeat of 2006 with a McIntee-Kennedy race in the north!.. You said  to me, the Mayor needs “protection” and “We” need a “pit bull”…well, Ms. Kennedy, if you believe that, it is all the more reason to stay off the “board”…You are way off  base!…… Open your eyes and look around you, the Mayor needs NO protection!.. Mayor Minnet has grown in her role more than anyone on that dais and needs no “pit bull” by her side, quite the opposite, she needs what we all need in this town to ” muzzle” the “dangerous dogs”  (humanely of course, by voting them out)…… Ms. Kennedy may have some very good friends  in Terra Mar, and it is time for those good friends to have a talk with her and explain this time, it’s not her “game”, she must stand down and offer from the sidelines her valued expertize to the new “knights” that can absolutely prevail if you give them their chance ….

There is an undercurrent of absurdity in the south end of town right now, with the political dynamics of a dwindling CIC  and who they will call on to play and what square that player  will occupy…Jimmy-boy Silverstone…for Commissioner or Mayor?…Want a Furth?…It will be  Crisite, not Marc for Commissioner or Mayor?… If that’s the Town Hall East “strategy”…Surprise, it’s nothing new…(Is there ever anything “New” coming from Furth Headquarters?)… A look at the “How the sausage was made” category recounts that in 2007 the “idea” of having a Furth on the ticket to go up against Mayor Parker, who seemed ready to run again despite term limits and a failed CIC recall, was the first “blow” between this writer and then-Comm. McIntee who only wanted  Marc Furth, and Marc wasn’t gonna comply…(He had his “reasons”…in fact both Furths had the same “reasons” not to run)…. Cristie Furth only wanted to be a commissioner and McIntee had promised his support in 2006 to her after his big win, but  Stuart Dodd was running for that south commission seat so she had no chance at it……and then as long-time readers know McIntee proceeded to undermined Cristie for Mayor with “Peanuts” Wick…. This time around though ….. McIntee “owes” her!…and she thinks the “reasons” are forgotten…Hmmm….So with the switch in positions for Jimmy…it’s not outside the realm…This “do-over”  will also not succeed…in 2010…But this one, is the exception to the rule……This writer is all for it!… You, go girl!.. I cannot wait!…(Judging from the town clubs joined, and the wardrobe change…it’s looking pretty good!)…

From the “Simpsons” version of chess comes this one…The CIC will run former Mayor Oliver Parker!… I’m not kidding …Here’s how this one goes… Commissioner Clottey spoke “fondly” of “Mr. Oliver” and how he spoke with her about the Oriana million dollar funds at her commissioner comments on Oct. 20th…Now where would Clottey come in contact with “Mr Oliver”?…Any red truck sightings at Town Hall east?…..Add to that potential candidate Cristie Furth speaking  at the podium of writing up the 33 foot height referendum with “co-sponsor” Parker at her public comments on Oct. 26that the Referendum Workshop…And then the incredible pronouncement at public comments on the 27th by Maureen McIntee with glowing words of admiration , yep admiration…for former Mayor Parker’s ability to rule from the dais and keep decorum in Jarvis Hall!… We hear the former Mayor was quite hurt in 2007 when his supporters enlisted Roseann Minnet to run and were candid with him that they would not be backing him (So, they can do this again this election, and invoke no do-overs) … I recall when he ran for his current position  on the Broward Soil and Water Conservation District Parker spoke of low- rise building in the whole County…BUT, would the dwindling CIC and Furth pals, Former Town Mayor Ken Wardlaw and wife  Maryann ever get on board…Nah!… This writer can’t see it, the CIC spearheaded the Parker recall and to think Parker, the CIC and the Wardlaws.could get them past all that history….is too much of a stretch even for a half hour cartoon show on Fox!…

So where is the future coming from in this town?…From the new blood, the new “Knights”…those who ready with their new strategies…planning their new moves, after doing their homework, to avoid being “captured”at all costs  and deciding the time is right for them to play this 2010 LBTS “Chess”  game…

Public comments October 27, 2009 Commission Meeting…Meet the “Knights”…

Candidate Chris Vincent
“Chris Vincent – Corsair Avenue – Lauderdale By The Sea

Good evening Madame Mayor, Commissioners, Town Attorney.

I was pleased to see last evening that all members sitting on the dais agree to support an ethics reform code for our town.

Ethics is not a left or right issue. It is a common sense practical good government issue.

You are the forefront of ethics everyday when you report to work as a sitting official.

You serve the public interest. Transparency guards the public trust.

What will be critical to the success of this initiative will be the limited wording allowed on the ballot of just 75 words.

These 75 words are important.

With any referendum written for this up coming election the words on the ballot must be written in a manner that ALL who vote can understand what they are actually voting for….

It must be clear and easy to distinguish the direction the town is taking when placing these issues on the ballot….

As with past elections the wording was not written clearly, and confused many of the voters.

Fortunately we have an new Town Attorney to guide us this time and I am confident will work with this commission to make sure no one leaves the voting booth thinking they did not vote the way they intended because they did not quite understand the wording.

This is a great challenge, I am hopeful this can be accomplished with reasonable dialogue and clear heads.

The members of this Dais and the Town Attorney have the ability to make that happen.

I am sure you will make the correct choices and follow the will of the people. The ball is in your court.”

…………………………………..
Candidate Edmund Malkoon…
“Edmund Malkoon
Good Evening
At the continuation commission meeting last Tuesday, I was disheartened by the lack of support for the creation of an Ethics ordinance.
A carefully crafted and defined “ethics” code or ordinance can establish behavioral standards of integrity, fair dealing, responsibility, accountability, and disinterested conduct which are not specifically covered by existing laws, but which are an essential part of the fiduciary duty (the highest standard of conduct) which is owed to the public by its public servants and officials.
A well crafted ordinance will provide standards which will guard against misconduct by public officials. These standards must include:
1. Conflicts of interest
2. Disclosure
3. Impartiality
4. Improper use of position
5. Incompatible employment
6. Nepotism
7. Personal interests
8. Political activity
9. Public information
10. Public property and personnel
Therefore, when we talk about a “two hats” referendum and an “Ethics” Referendum we are essentially talking about the same thing. The “Two Hats” issue can also be a component of an ethics code. It is my opinion that if you are affiliated either directly or indirectly with a town vendor you must recuses yourself from voting.
Many other communities, as well as Broward county, either have or are in the process of drafting ethics laws which go beyond the existing state ethics law. An Ethics policy is about holding yourself and the town to a higher standard. People have a right to expect their elected officials to be fair and independent.
If you continue to fail to establish one through ordinance, I know myself and others would work hard to get the signatures necessary to place this on the upcoming ballot. We must provide a transparent government that all citizens can trust. Thank you.”

…………………………………..

Candidate Ben Freeny…
“Good evening Commissioners, Mayor,

I cringe when I hear talk of referendums to change the town charter.

The Charter for Lauderdale By The Sea can be likened to our national constitution.

Our constitution was written by brilliant men, selfless men, fighting for freedom from oppression.

Any change made to our Town Charter should be made with utmost caution,

It should come from the core value of integrity in governance

Any change should be rather general in nature to be used as a device to set a foundation from which direction can be taken in the operations of the town.

Many of the communities in Broward and Palm Beach county have established comprehensive Ethics rules. Broward County is currently initiating Ethical Standards to try to avoid the conflicts of interest that have recently been identified on their commissions.

The creation of comprehensive Ethical Standards is similar to the making of a mission statement. The governing entity is proclaiming how they chose to operate: Openly, in the light of day, with no self serving conflicts where they can benefit directly or indirectly from the decisions they make as a governing body.

Any hesitation to make such a statement by any particular
elected official or appointee gives the “appearance” of conflict
from the very beginning.

Ethical Standards,… at the very least,… are the framework for
protecting the integrity of the dais,…

for avoiding the appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest.

My personal reason for developing higher ethical standards than what the state may have is this.

Over the past several weeks I have had conversations with different officials from the county. I am embarrassed at the descriptions I was told about this town and how it is run.

The citizens of this town are better than what was described to me.

The potential leaders of this town are not the people that were described to me.

We must take action to prove to ourselves, the towns people that we are sophisticated enough to manage our affairs with our heads held high.

That we are not the Mayberry of Broward County, but rather a peaceful little seaside town, where people enjoy living, tourist enjoy vacationing and the town leaders can hold their heads up and be proud of the efficient and excellent service they give the townspeople.”

………………………………………

Candidate John Oughten  took a pass at public comments…

more to come…….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Ben Freeny, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Chris Vincent, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Lauderdale By The Sea Election 2010, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
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WHO’S THERE … THE FUTURE OF LBTS …

Dear Readers…we hear at last night’s Unite Our Town meeting there were over 80 people in attendance ….who came for a Q &A with the candidates..and a closer look at at the guys who want to move LBTS  forward with a plan to invest in the Town’s infrastructure …..public safety…( VFD and BSO Police)…and  the inclusiveness of all who want to be involved to work together in the rejuvenation of this seaside village on all fronts…inside Town Hall..inside Jarvis Hall…and throughout the entire town…neighborhoods…condos…hotels..motels…and businesses…

These four fine men have been knocking on doors and finding out what’s on the voter’s minds…The feedback so far….They are recognized at the doorsteps they arrive on due to their cover photo (see above) on the current issue of the By-The-Sea-Future local newspaper… So the first thing they have heard from people is they are indeed reading the papers… Next up a resounding response of the need to make a change…and as expected by this writer …those remarks come from many who voted in the past for their likely opponents the “Broom Boys”… The concerns carry over to the desire for a new direction…which involves some new blood ( that’s these guys!)…in the race with new innovative ideas……There is a universal theme of wanting this town to prosper …and the warmth of these four being well received for throwing their hats in the ring is the first positive step for the voter’s to get just that!…NICE!….

The next UOT meeting is scheduled for November 2, 2009 ….and a fundraiser at Athena By The Sea on Nov. 11, 2009…

Make sure to check- in on this site in the upcoming weeks for where the candidates are around town…….Please open your doors to them and let them know what’s on your mind …what concerns you…what you expect from them……what you’re happy  and unhappy with…and most of all thank them for caring enough to take this challenge on for the benefit of all of us and the future of our town!…

more to come…

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea By-The-Sea- Future, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Ben Freeny, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Chris Vincent, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate John Oughten, LBTS Unite Our Town, Local Politics, Scoops
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SATURDAY OCT.17, 2009 … JARVIS HALL….

(seated)UOT President Bob Fleishman, Commissioner Clottey, Candidate Ben Freeny, Tom Carr …(in the back standing) Comm. Stuart Dodd, Former Comm. Chuck Clark and Penny Dodd…. no politics just property owners…

Vito Chiarello, Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Bob Fleishman, Comm.Birute Clottey, Candidate Ben Freeny…

Marie Chirello, Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Penny Dodd…

We hear over 80 people came and enjoyed an the event …including the entire LBTS Commission and 2 new candidates for Commission in 2010…..Congrats to the POA!….

more to come…

Tags: 2009 Lauderdale By The Sea Oktoberfest, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Ben Freeny, Lauderdale By The Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon, Scoops
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