Fiscal Responsibility - Finally!
Two City Commissioners - Pelican and Corbett - have consistently been against the keeping and expenditure of the borrowed $1.8 million that was tied to Forward Fernandina and the optional projects that are the hangover of the Czymbor era. The "cheap" money, as Bunch, Filkoff and the Great Hoohaa Poynter referred to it, is now showing its true colors.
A significant increase in the electrical franchise fees was necessary in the coming year to carry the debt load associated with the loan they secured. There is little or no money left in the depleted special taxing district called downtown. No monies yet from the gas line that FPU is in the process of completing to contribute to meeting the debt load. And now because the Great Hoohaa is facing an election challenge, he has abandoned the program that he not only embraced but excitedly expounded by voting against the increased franchise fees.
The Great Hoohaa has been a force behind the unbalanced budget for the last three years when our reserves were spent to fund his, and Czymbor's, favorite projects. All of a sudden, when someone who is a true fiscal conservative steps forward to challenge him, he doesn't like a budget that raises taxes and requires more from each electrical user to pay for his special projects. He just isn't a pay as you go type of guy! Of course there are those out there that are in lockstep with him that point to this as his desire to do the right thing. Balderdash! He's trying to save his commission seat in the face of the realities he created.
Now the City is in a quandary over what to do! Poor Mayor Filkoff. She doesn't understand the problems she has been part and parcel of and was in a "twiddle her thumbs" mode following the still sensible positions of Pelican and Corbett. What is one to do?
It is very simple, fiscally sound and would change the course of city government over the next twelve months. Give the unspent balance back to the bank and pay for what we have used so far. Not rocket science by any means but a straight forward way to run our government in a manner that is financially responsible.
The buffoons that write for the Fernandina Observer try and paint this as a flip flop on the parts of Pelican and Corbett but they are so encumbered by their special interest agenda they are engaging in the Orwellian double speak they have become known for using. The Great Hoohaa had the first vote regarding raising franchise fees to pay for his pet projects and he voted a resounding NO! The die had been cast and he was upside down with all of his old cronies because Pelican and Corbett held true to their own souls and voted against funding the debt they believe is unnecessary. Thank God for common sense!
The budget issues will continue to face the City Commission until he either retracts his vote and steps forward to keep spending money like the drunken sailor contingency Czymbor brought to our little hamlet or the borrowed money is returned to the bank. Let's hope it is the latter!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
First Rule of Nature
The end of August approaches, the summer tourists have begun to slack off and the weather has an appreciable change - only a degree or two, but appreciable all the same. Isaac is somewhere in the vicinity of Castro and drawing a bead on Key West. The supposed destination around Mobile with possibilities still so far up in the air the hurricane hunters are still flying routinely.
Weather is a constant fascination for me. I love to watch it, check the changes, the progressions and the similarities as I add years to my experience. Having lived my entire life in the South, all but ten years in Northeast Florida, I have watched with undivided interest the numerous storms that have threatened the peninsula I call home. Fortunately, as I learned from George Davis shortly after locating in Fernandina, we are the westernmost point on the east coast of North America. Some will think "why would such an idle piece of knowledge be of any interest?" The answer is simple - hurricanes.
Look at a map of the east coast. We stick in somewhere underneath Cincinnati, or thereabouts, while North Carolina's east coast is out there with the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Good for us usually! But this year has been different. We had tropical storms well before the official season. The winter was a warm one after two successive very cold ones. And, so far, very few storms at this time of the season. Will the season intensify? Will we get the projected number of storms? Only Mother nature knows for sure. But if nothing else comes of this it reminds me of the first rule of nature - nature wins!
We live on a barrier island and not a very big one at that. By their very nature barrier islands are living, shifting things that won't be the same next week as they are this week or were last week. All the man made adjustments, the preventatives and preparations are all for naught. The ocean and winds and tides and rivers and rain and heat will do with this place as they see fit. Sometimes in conjunction with each other and sometimes alone. But, always as nature deems fit!
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and keep a keen eye on the weather websites.
Everyone has their favorites and the meteorologists they respect. But, whatever you do, keep an eye out for the coming changes. The next couple of days will mean constant fluctuation and varying levels of potential danger. So just mind your p's and q's, watch the weather and be ready to run.
The end of August approaches, the summer tourists have begun to slack off and the weather has an appreciable change - only a degree or two, but appreciable all the same. Isaac is somewhere in the vicinity of Castro and drawing a bead on Key West. The supposed destination around Mobile with possibilities still so far up in the air the hurricane hunters are still flying routinely.
Weather is a constant fascination for me. I love to watch it, check the changes, the progressions and the similarities as I add years to my experience. Having lived my entire life in the South, all but ten years in Northeast Florida, I have watched with undivided interest the numerous storms that have threatened the peninsula I call home. Fortunately, as I learned from George Davis shortly after locating in Fernandina, we are the westernmost point on the east coast of North America. Some will think "why would such an idle piece of knowledge be of any interest?" The answer is simple - hurricanes.
Look at a map of the east coast. We stick in somewhere underneath Cincinnati, or thereabouts, while North Carolina's east coast is out there with the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Good for us usually! But this year has been different. We had tropical storms well before the official season. The winter was a warm one after two successive very cold ones. And, so far, very few storms at this time of the season. Will the season intensify? Will we get the projected number of storms? Only Mother nature knows for sure. But if nothing else comes of this it reminds me of the first rule of nature - nature wins!
We live on a barrier island and not a very big one at that. By their very nature barrier islands are living, shifting things that won't be the same next week as they are this week or were last week. All the man made adjustments, the preventatives and preparations are all for naught. The ocean and winds and tides and rivers and rain and heat will do with this place as they see fit. Sometimes in conjunction with each other and sometimes alone. But, always as nature deems fit!
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and keep a keen eye on the weather websites.
Everyone has their favorites and the meteorologists they respect. But, whatever you do, keep an eye out for the coming changes. The next couple of days will mean constant fluctuation and varying levels of potential danger. So just mind your p's and q's, watch the weather and be ready to run.
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Oh say can you see..., forgive me Frances Scot Key, the end of the Weinstein/Bean race to the bottom of the barrel of politics. If for no other reason I am glad August 14th will be here manana because there will be a lull in the negativism that politics has become. Every conversation I have had in the last three weeks that even skirted around politics has at least included a discussion on the terrible ads run by and for both campaigns. One astute friend who knows them both said it was evident that they would never serve the people of NE Florida if elected. It was clear to him they would be beholden to the political entities that put up the millions of dollars to get them in place for the respective bids for the Senate presidency.
Shame on all of them for their purely self interested approach to governance and service! And to hell with anyone who says I am simply naive for thinking so and childish for saying it. What is the end goal here? The betterment of Florida? I would dare say not! This is simply egotistical posturing for the selfish poppinjays that have become politicians in our fair state.
Then, on top of that, I heard that the Janet Adkins campaign went after Cord Byrd with allegations he was gay! No, wait! It'll never stick, he's married. Damn, what do we do now? I know, suggest someone on his campaign staff is gay. Really? Is this what it has come down to in the NE Florida of 2012? This is the primary campaign and it is already this bad. What have we become? We want to serve the public so bad that we will belittle mankind for the privilege of getting to the top. If this is indicative of what it takes to get to the top there must be something much better up there than what is let on by those already in Tallahassee. Is membership in this privileged club so rewarding that you sacrifice all to get there? Maybe, those vying to get there had nothing to sacrifice in the first place. You know - morals, ethics, integrity!
The ends do not justify the means! Not in a world based on thousands of years of Judeo-Christian philosophy and teachings. These charlatans who proclaim their Christianity from one face while the other one, or in some cases one of their others, is doing all those things anti-Christian with their next breath. Do they not realize there is a reckoning day - I call it a come to Jesus day - that we all face as we leave this life? There is more to be lost than some local political race and it is their eternal souls. For those who don't understand eternity it means forever, damn it!
I hope there is voter turnout of an unprecedented level tomorrow! Let these buffoons know they are being watched. There are consequences for their actions and the voters are the ones who will permanently tattoo those consequences on their behinds. We need good people who are going into public service with an emphasis on service to the public not their bank accounts and self interests.
Vote!
Do your civic duty and let the fools know there are people who care! Be the good Samaritan not the high priest who walked by because he couldn't get his hands soiled.
Oh say can you see..., forgive me Frances Scot Key, the end of the Weinstein/Bean race to the bottom of the barrel of politics. If for no other reason I am glad August 14th will be here manana because there will be a lull in the negativism that politics has become. Every conversation I have had in the last three weeks that even skirted around politics has at least included a discussion on the terrible ads run by and for both campaigns. One astute friend who knows them both said it was evident that they would never serve the people of NE Florida if elected. It was clear to him they would be beholden to the political entities that put up the millions of dollars to get them in place for the respective bids for the Senate presidency.
Shame on all of them for their purely self interested approach to governance and service! And to hell with anyone who says I am simply naive for thinking so and childish for saying it. What is the end goal here? The betterment of Florida? I would dare say not! This is simply egotistical posturing for the selfish poppinjays that have become politicians in our fair state.
Then, on top of that, I heard that the Janet Adkins campaign went after Cord Byrd with allegations he was gay! No, wait! It'll never stick, he's married. Damn, what do we do now? I know, suggest someone on his campaign staff is gay. Really? Is this what it has come down to in the NE Florida of 2012? This is the primary campaign and it is already this bad. What have we become? We want to serve the public so bad that we will belittle mankind for the privilege of getting to the top. If this is indicative of what it takes to get to the top there must be something much better up there than what is let on by those already in Tallahassee. Is membership in this privileged club so rewarding that you sacrifice all to get there? Maybe, those vying to get there had nothing to sacrifice in the first place. You know - morals, ethics, integrity!
The ends do not justify the means! Not in a world based on thousands of years of Judeo-Christian philosophy and teachings. These charlatans who proclaim their Christianity from one face while the other one, or in some cases one of their others, is doing all those things anti-Christian with their next breath. Do they not realize there is a reckoning day - I call it a come to Jesus day - that we all face as we leave this life? There is more to be lost than some local political race and it is their eternal souls. For those who don't understand eternity it means forever, damn it!
I hope there is voter turnout of an unprecedented level tomorrow! Let these buffoons know they are being watched. There are consequences for their actions and the voters are the ones who will permanently tattoo those consequences on their behinds. We need good people who are going into public service with an emphasis on service to the public not their bank accounts and self interests.
Vote!
Do your civic duty and let the fools know there are people who care! Be the good Samaritan not the high priest who walked by because he couldn't get his hands soiled.
Friday, August 3, 2012
"We are the people our parents warned us about!"
What have we become? I know Florida is a keystone state for the Presidential election and recent history, the last twenty years or so, have meant presidential politics is negative politics. But why the local races?
The worst by far is the State Senate race between Aaron Bean, the local boy made good, versus Mike Weinstein. I have known both for more years than any of us would care to admit. Away from political races they are both nice guys, people you would not mind spending time with at a party, barbecue or special event. Watching their ads on TV turns my stomach though! I don't want either of them representing me in Tallahassee if this is the way they have to get the job. If even half of the ads are true neither should be allowed to hold office and both should probably be investigated for the allegations that are being made against them.
Other local races are equally troublesome. The judicial race for Judge Brian Davis' seat. Truly a gentleman, scholar and well qualified member of the judiciary. However, the audacity of seeking a federal appointment, for which he is well qualified, has opened him to an attack of epic proportions. Three or four lawyers are running against him and, but for the federal issue, would never consider taking him on in an election.
County Commission candidates. Come on, where is the necessity to stoop to low bred behavior to serve on our commission? Ronnie Stoots, a relative newcomer with enough of a traveling history that he should be banned from calling himself a resident of any community, conveniently prints signs that show him as a County Commissioner and not a candidate for that office. Seems trivial but it is against Florida law and it is misleading and it is deceptive at a level that smells. The handwritten "for", so small and in such thin pen strokes that it is not visible from the roadway is more of a joke than his claim to being a spokesman for the taxpayers. A search of the property appraiser's website shows no properties owned by anyone named Stoots in Nassau County. There was a time that people had to be landholders to vote. They should at least be required to tell the truth about their tax paying status to run for office. But, Mr. Stoots has affiliated himself with a group in Nassau County that doesn't adhere to standards of common ethics or decency. That is a shame! It speaks volumes about him and the kind of person he is and representative he would be.
Jimmy Buffett had a song about being the people our parents warned us about. If the behavior of people seeking office in Northeast Florida is a reflection of us it seems we have become those we didn't want to be.
I long ago left the political parties because I was appalled at the behavior they not only tolerated it seemed to me they encouraged it. If all politics is indeed local then it is a terrible thing to peer into the mirror politics offers of us as a community. Someone needs to tell these people that scurrilous behavior is not going to be tolerated. The best way to do that is vote on Tuesday, August 14 and let everyone know that their course of action is not worthy of our trust.
What have we become? I know Florida is a keystone state for the Presidential election and recent history, the last twenty years or so, have meant presidential politics is negative politics. But why the local races?
The worst by far is the State Senate race between Aaron Bean, the local boy made good, versus Mike Weinstein. I have known both for more years than any of us would care to admit. Away from political races they are both nice guys, people you would not mind spending time with at a party, barbecue or special event. Watching their ads on TV turns my stomach though! I don't want either of them representing me in Tallahassee if this is the way they have to get the job. If even half of the ads are true neither should be allowed to hold office and both should probably be investigated for the allegations that are being made against them.
Other local races are equally troublesome. The judicial race for Judge Brian Davis' seat. Truly a gentleman, scholar and well qualified member of the judiciary. However, the audacity of seeking a federal appointment, for which he is well qualified, has opened him to an attack of epic proportions. Three or four lawyers are running against him and, but for the federal issue, would never consider taking him on in an election.
County Commission candidates. Come on, where is the necessity to stoop to low bred behavior to serve on our commission? Ronnie Stoots, a relative newcomer with enough of a traveling history that he should be banned from calling himself a resident of any community, conveniently prints signs that show him as a County Commissioner and not a candidate for that office. Seems trivial but it is against Florida law and it is misleading and it is deceptive at a level that smells. The handwritten "for", so small and in such thin pen strokes that it is not visible from the roadway is more of a joke than his claim to being a spokesman for the taxpayers. A search of the property appraiser's website shows no properties owned by anyone named Stoots in Nassau County. There was a time that people had to be landholders to vote. They should at least be required to tell the truth about their tax paying status to run for office. But, Mr. Stoots has affiliated himself with a group in Nassau County that doesn't adhere to standards of common ethics or decency. That is a shame! It speaks volumes about him and the kind of person he is and representative he would be.
Jimmy Buffett had a song about being the people our parents warned us about. If the behavior of people seeking office in Northeast Florida is a reflection of us it seems we have become those we didn't want to be.
I long ago left the political parties because I was appalled at the behavior they not only tolerated it seemed to me they encouraged it. If all politics is indeed local then it is a terrible thing to peer into the mirror politics offers of us as a community. Someone needs to tell these people that scurrilous behavior is not going to be tolerated. The best way to do that is vote on Tuesday, August 14 and let everyone know that their course of action is not worthy of our trust.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Send in The Clowns...
Fernandina Beach has been blessed by many different resources. We have the historic district full of old homes and old stores and warehouses. We have the rivers and marshes and, of course, the beach. We have public pools, tennis courts, a golf course and a city owned marina. It is a virtual empty canvas, small town America at its finest, a place where you can paint your life's dreams. More importantly we have wonderful residents who, in their diversity, make this a place just about anyone could live.
But, that could also be part of the problem. People move here and decide they need to fill in that canvas for all of us but not with their pocket book. What attracted them isn't good enough after a few months or maybe a year. We can do this better, or "the best way is this!" they tell you. I always tell friends who buy new homes and want to immediately renovate they should wait a year or two and live in the house and with the house before they make major changes. A new hometown should probably be even longer. Cycles of a community aren't just four seasons there is much more.
We have had more than our fair share of newcomers whose two cents towards improvements have cost us as a community. Not just monetarily, which they certainly have, but in camaraderie and neighborliness. The Independence Day celebration where a city commissioner had to brag about his donation after the public reaction was wholly negative towards him. How divisive he turned out to be! How interesting that Sammy Alvarez, a hometown boy who went off and came back after a military stint was finally outed as a Green Beret, the elitest of the U.S. Army. "Who'd a thunk it?" was repeated many times after his letter railed against the Great Hooha.
How about the $44,000.00 in "uplights" that didn't. They didn't "uplight" at all! "What happened?" everyone wanted to know. Well, another case of someone who had a brighter idea, pun intended. A city employee certainly outside her field of expertise that let downtown deteriorate and decided that it would be easier to remove the tree lights and reward a specific company by writing the request for a product for their benefit. Made her life easier, to hell with the appearance of our beautiful historic downtown.
Parking meters! Again, and again and again ad nauseam. They were done away with decades ago because they weren't good for the community. But no, we can spend thousands and thousands of dollars to buy these things, administer them and repair them in hopes of generating a few dollars. All while our city's budget is swollen beyond its seams and ready to burst ala California.
Two rec centers! "Too many" if you're the Great Hooha and have no respect for our community's history. Sometimes there are deeper currents than a few dollars that don't regenerate themselves. For instance, does the police department pay for itself in dollars into the city coffers? I would bet its not even close but who thinks you do away with police protection. Same with the Fire and Rescue! Those are people who help make our city what it is but we need to pay for them. Programs for children are in the same group. May not pay for themselves in dollars but the community benefits far exceed the dollars spent.
No, our leadership for years has been of the opposite school of thought, Ignore what makes this good for the people and that we can afford. Spend money on other things! McGill Aviation for instance! And don't forget their lawyers, almost a million dollars later. Our City Attorney assured us we would prevail on appeal, it was money well spent. What she meant to say was that in her opinion it was "our money" well spent. What agreement did she have to share in the loss? Pay half of the additional costs in interest, transcript costs and attorney's fees. I bet not! She won't lose a dime for her "leadership" on this issue.
How about the money we're spending on Forward Fernandina. Bursting budget, rising taxes, increased user fees and, I'm willing to bet, another increase in the taxes we call franchise fees to pay for all of this. "Hey money is cheap," they tell us. Of course that was the prevailing opinion in California also - four towns in bankruptcy and the whole state government one foot in the same hole and the other on a pile of banana peels. Don't worry left coasters, Fernandina is following in your footsteps.
How about our recent interim city manager. The one we paid an additional month's salary because his contract for a temporary job - isn't that what interim is supposed to be - included a thirty day notice clause. It was only seven or eight thousand dollars you will be told. Yeah, that's right, but it was our seven or eight thousand dollars. Not a stewardly way to spend tax dollars!
I am certain Frank Sinatra is delighted with government in Fernandina. If he had it to do all over again he would certainly live here where our city anthem has to be one of his old hits, Send in the Clowns. How else do we attract them all? Zoul and Czymbor are only two examples there have been others. Lawyers, engineers, building officials are all part of the parade. We need to change this pattern and return to a simpler, sounder and safer way of governing.
Fernandina Beach has been blessed by many different resources. We have the historic district full of old homes and old stores and warehouses. We have the rivers and marshes and, of course, the beach. We have public pools, tennis courts, a golf course and a city owned marina. It is a virtual empty canvas, small town America at its finest, a place where you can paint your life's dreams. More importantly we have wonderful residents who, in their diversity, make this a place just about anyone could live.
But, that could also be part of the problem. People move here and decide they need to fill in that canvas for all of us but not with their pocket book. What attracted them isn't good enough after a few months or maybe a year. We can do this better, or "the best way is this!" they tell you. I always tell friends who buy new homes and want to immediately renovate they should wait a year or two and live in the house and with the house before they make major changes. A new hometown should probably be even longer. Cycles of a community aren't just four seasons there is much more.
We have had more than our fair share of newcomers whose two cents towards improvements have cost us as a community. Not just monetarily, which they certainly have, but in camaraderie and neighborliness. The Independence Day celebration where a city commissioner had to brag about his donation after the public reaction was wholly negative towards him. How divisive he turned out to be! How interesting that Sammy Alvarez, a hometown boy who went off and came back after a military stint was finally outed as a Green Beret, the elitest of the U.S. Army. "Who'd a thunk it?" was repeated many times after his letter railed against the Great Hooha.
How about the $44,000.00 in "uplights" that didn't. They didn't "uplight" at all! "What happened?" everyone wanted to know. Well, another case of someone who had a brighter idea, pun intended. A city employee certainly outside her field of expertise that let downtown deteriorate and decided that it would be easier to remove the tree lights and reward a specific company by writing the request for a product for their benefit. Made her life easier, to hell with the appearance of our beautiful historic downtown.
Parking meters! Again, and again and again ad nauseam. They were done away with decades ago because they weren't good for the community. But no, we can spend thousands and thousands of dollars to buy these things, administer them and repair them in hopes of generating a few dollars. All while our city's budget is swollen beyond its seams and ready to burst ala California.
Two rec centers! "Too many" if you're the Great Hooha and have no respect for our community's history. Sometimes there are deeper currents than a few dollars that don't regenerate themselves. For instance, does the police department pay for itself in dollars into the city coffers? I would bet its not even close but who thinks you do away with police protection. Same with the Fire and Rescue! Those are people who help make our city what it is but we need to pay for them. Programs for children are in the same group. May not pay for themselves in dollars but the community benefits far exceed the dollars spent.
No, our leadership for years has been of the opposite school of thought, Ignore what makes this good for the people and that we can afford. Spend money on other things! McGill Aviation for instance! And don't forget their lawyers, almost a million dollars later. Our City Attorney assured us we would prevail on appeal, it was money well spent. What she meant to say was that in her opinion it was "our money" well spent. What agreement did she have to share in the loss? Pay half of the additional costs in interest, transcript costs and attorney's fees. I bet not! She won't lose a dime for her "leadership" on this issue.
How about the money we're spending on Forward Fernandina. Bursting budget, rising taxes, increased user fees and, I'm willing to bet, another increase in the taxes we call franchise fees to pay for all of this. "Hey money is cheap," they tell us. Of course that was the prevailing opinion in California also - four towns in bankruptcy and the whole state government one foot in the same hole and the other on a pile of banana peels. Don't worry left coasters, Fernandina is following in your footsteps.
How about our recent interim city manager. The one we paid an additional month's salary because his contract for a temporary job - isn't that what interim is supposed to be - included a thirty day notice clause. It was only seven or eight thousand dollars you will be told. Yeah, that's right, but it was our seven or eight thousand dollars. Not a stewardly way to spend tax dollars!
I am certain Frank Sinatra is delighted with government in Fernandina. If he had it to do all over again he would certainly live here where our city anthem has to be one of his old hits, Send in the Clowns. How else do we attract them all? Zoul and Czymbor are only two examples there have been others. Lawyers, engineers, building officials are all part of the parade. We need to change this pattern and return to a simpler, sounder and safer way of governing.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The Gift...
The gift that keeps on giving! No, its not learning how to read, or fish or tend a garden. Those are all gifts we should be thankful for. Ones that good people took their time to make sure we got. Whether it was that first grade teacher, or our dad or grandmother or that sweet neighbor that spent time with you when she knew you were on your mom's last nerve.
No, the gift I'm talking about is that one we Fernandinans got from Michigan - Michael Czymbor! He led our community down the primrose path and we now stand at a Grand Canyon sized dilemma called financial ruin. He robbed Peter to pay Paul. He treated our utilities like a never ending bank account and had the ability to do so because the "Five Buffoons" took his balderdash hook, line and sinker.
I remember the day then Mayor Susan Steeger tried explaining the proposed budget with a line item showing $500,000.00 from parking generated fees. "Ya'll don't understand, budgets are fluid," she told a friend and me. Fluid certainly, the kind that is flushable because that is exactly what the situation was worth. Czymbor sold the greatest commission of all time on that approach and it didn't matter that the $500,000 was never going to come about, for purposes of selling the public on his abilities it showed a balance sheet in agreement. Like the emperor with no clothes though, it all fell apart. Thank God!
Citizens finally had enough last November and threw two of the bums out. That was enough to re-gift our great leader and send him on to Palatka. Putnam County beware! Caveat emptor! Czymbor is on the loose and your bank accounts are in danger. We found that out here in our little outpost on the edge of the continent.
How does a City Manager hide a $429,000.00 obligation from the board he serves at the pleasure of. How does a board continue to show their face when they allowed it to happen. It is at the very least misfeasance but quite possibly malfeasance! A breach of their fiduciary duty to this community, their constituents. Those they were elected to serve have instead been served up whole hog style, apple in the mouth and roasted to a crisp.
I feel like a four year old on a family road trip. "How long before November mommy?" is the question I keep asking though. The three remaining commissioners, in good faith, should each resign with this kind of Damoclean sword hanging over our collective heads.
The gift that keeps on giving! No, its not learning how to read, or fish or tend a garden. Those are all gifts we should be thankful for. Ones that good people took their time to make sure we got. Whether it was that first grade teacher, or our dad or grandmother or that sweet neighbor that spent time with you when she knew you were on your mom's last nerve.
No, the gift I'm talking about is that one we Fernandinans got from Michigan - Michael Czymbor! He led our community down the primrose path and we now stand at a Grand Canyon sized dilemma called financial ruin. He robbed Peter to pay Paul. He treated our utilities like a never ending bank account and had the ability to do so because the "Five Buffoons" took his balderdash hook, line and sinker.
I remember the day then Mayor Susan Steeger tried explaining the proposed budget with a line item showing $500,000.00 from parking generated fees. "Ya'll don't understand, budgets are fluid," she told a friend and me. Fluid certainly, the kind that is flushable because that is exactly what the situation was worth. Czymbor sold the greatest commission of all time on that approach and it didn't matter that the $500,000 was never going to come about, for purposes of selling the public on his abilities it showed a balance sheet in agreement. Like the emperor with no clothes though, it all fell apart. Thank God!
Citizens finally had enough last November and threw two of the bums out. That was enough to re-gift our great leader and send him on to Palatka. Putnam County beware! Caveat emptor! Czymbor is on the loose and your bank accounts are in danger. We found that out here in our little outpost on the edge of the continent.
How does a City Manager hide a $429,000.00 obligation from the board he serves at the pleasure of. How does a board continue to show their face when they allowed it to happen. It is at the very least misfeasance but quite possibly malfeasance! A breach of their fiduciary duty to this community, their constituents. Those they were elected to serve have instead been served up whole hog style, apple in the mouth and roasted to a crisp.
I feel like a four year old on a family road trip. "How long before November mommy?" is the question I keep asking though. The three remaining commissioners, in good faith, should each resign with this kind of Damoclean sword hanging over our collective heads.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
TV Interviews
Last night was a particularly troublesome night for me. It was the night before a jury trial which is usually a night with little sleep, a lot of work and even more stress. What made it worse is that two particular TV interviewers that I don't particularly care for had guests on that I had to see - at the same time.
Piers Morgan, the Brit wannabe Larry King, had Justice Antonin Scalia and some professor who co-wrote a book. I more often than not disagree with Scalia, his way of thinking and, more so, his way of writing decisions. But, I'll be damned if he's not a great guy and someone I would love to spend time with away from a courthouse. He is a classic of his generation of Italian male Roman Catholics. Justice Scalia is funny, intelligent, well spoken and definitive in his positions. If you don't know where he stands its simply because you choose not to know.
Sean Hannity, on his Fox News show, had George Zimmerman and Mark O'Mara. I have to admit my first thoughts on hearing that were why any criminal defense lawyer would let his client go on national television and be subjected to questioning. Others I know wonder why the Judge hasn't issued a gag order? Well, color me surprised! GZ not only handled himself well he answered questions appropriately, made eye contact and was seemingly thoughtful at the right times as the interview progressed.
Being a near troglodyte when it comes to electronics I couldn't record either of them and had to count on the fact that each would be replayed during the wee hours when I knew I would still be awake and working. I guess it was a rather lucky break. I got to see both! Enjoyed them both immensely for entirely different reasons and was impressed that there was something worth watching on weeknight television.
GZ's disposition last night will serve him well if he has to take the stand in a second degree murder trial. He did well! O'Mara was there to divert areas of conversation that were potential minefields such as the perjury charge against his wife and to touch on some legal issues that Hannity raised. I do realize if there is a potentially sympathetic audience it would be Fox News and their usually conservative leaning watchers. But, all the same, GZ did what he needed to do and did it well.
What a great night for TV. Too bad it isn't being replayed tonight I 'd watch again!
Last night was a particularly troublesome night for me. It was the night before a jury trial which is usually a night with little sleep, a lot of work and even more stress. What made it worse is that two particular TV interviewers that I don't particularly care for had guests on that I had to see - at the same time.
Piers Morgan, the Brit wannabe Larry King, had Justice Antonin Scalia and some professor who co-wrote a book. I more often than not disagree with Scalia, his way of thinking and, more so, his way of writing decisions. But, I'll be damned if he's not a great guy and someone I would love to spend time with away from a courthouse. He is a classic of his generation of Italian male Roman Catholics. Justice Scalia is funny, intelligent, well spoken and definitive in his positions. If you don't know where he stands its simply because you choose not to know.
Sean Hannity, on his Fox News show, had George Zimmerman and Mark O'Mara. I have to admit my first thoughts on hearing that were why any criminal defense lawyer would let his client go on national television and be subjected to questioning. Others I know wonder why the Judge hasn't issued a gag order? Well, color me surprised! GZ not only handled himself well he answered questions appropriately, made eye contact and was seemingly thoughtful at the right times as the interview progressed.
Being a near troglodyte when it comes to electronics I couldn't record either of them and had to count on the fact that each would be replayed during the wee hours when I knew I would still be awake and working. I guess it was a rather lucky break. I got to see both! Enjoyed them both immensely for entirely different reasons and was impressed that there was something worth watching on weeknight television.
GZ's disposition last night will serve him well if he has to take the stand in a second degree murder trial. He did well! O'Mara was there to divert areas of conversation that were potential minefields such as the perjury charge against his wife and to touch on some legal issues that Hannity raised. I do realize if there is a potentially sympathetic audience it would be Fox News and their usually conservative leaning watchers. But, all the same, GZ did what he needed to do and did it well.
What a great night for TV. Too bad it isn't being replayed tonight I 'd watch again!
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