IRBeHEARD CLOSES ITS DOORS

Going-Out-Of-Business Sale

This will be the last posting for IRBeHEARD.

I started this blog over a year ago because I was really bothered by the fact that citizens couldn’t express contrary views about our local government here in IRB without fear of retribution. I guess I was thinking that IRBeHEARD might be able to change that somewhat, but I was wrong. Maintaining this blog has taken quite a bit of personal time and I’ve tried to post only information that could be substantiated by facts and public records. The personal price for insisting on free speech has unfortunately been very high.

Running this blog has been a learning experience for me—about local government, new technologies and about life. I thank those of you who have applauded my efforts; the time served certainly wasn’t for naught. I do hope that someone else picks up where I am signing off but that individual should only do so knowing that what comes with the territory might not be worth it. It’s all yours now, Leo…take it away!

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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ELECTION POST MORTEM

What the Stats Say

The results of yesterday’s municipal election in Indian Rocks Beach welcome a new commissioner, Phil Hanna, to the board, and allow Terry Hamilton-Wollin to retain her seat for another two-year term. Although still unofficial, these results are expected to be certified by the Pinellas County Canvassing Board on Friday. Congratulations to both winning candidates.

Hopefully, the stats from yesterday’s election will send a clear message to the entire commission. The fact that a candidate who has not been all that involved in our city government was the top vote-getter speaks volumes. Hanna, who worked very hard and very smart to earn his seat, managed to grab nearly 38% of the vote. And when you add Hanna’s share to the percentage garnered by Don House, who also represented change but did not earn a seat on the commission, over 2/3 of the votes cast show that our residents are just not thrilled with their representation in general. And it's not just the "yowlers." House, who was in a dead heat with incumbent Wollin in the absentee/mail-in ballots, fell 47 votes shy of tying Wollin once the results from the polls were downloaded.

The statistic that is probably the most troubling is the voter turnout. This was by far the lowest number of ballots cast for a March municipal election in IRB in many, many years. When combining this fact with fewer and fewer folks attending commission meetings, finding ways to encourage, not discourage, more participation in our local government, is crucial to our city’s future. Whether you like IRBeHEARD or not, encouraging more involvement was, and still is, the goal. Please make it a point to attend a commission meeting now and then and let all five commissioners know what’s on your mind. It’s tough for them to represent us if they don’t know what we’re thinking.

EGG-ON-FACE RETRACTION: In the IRBeHEARD posting on March 9, I referred to one candidate’s political signs as being in violation of election laws. In terms of the specifications spelled out in the Florida Division of Elections Candidate and Campaign Treasurer Handbook, all the sign examples given include the word “elect” or “re-elect,” which is what I based my statement on. However, when election officials in Tallahassee were contacted for clarification, they referred to the Florida Statute where there is NO requirement for EITHER “elect” or “re-elect” to appear on the sign. Hopefully, the discrepancy between the handbook guidelines and the state statute will be rectified before the next election. I do, with a limited amount of time, try to do a responsible job of being accurate…but I clearly blew on this one...and will probably blow it again at some time in the future. Apologies to the candidate for making the assumption that the handbook was correct without checking further.

How is everyone else feeling about the results of yesterday's election?

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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SUN RISES ON ELECTION DAY IN IRB

Please Vote TODAY

While today isn’t a major national election, it is no less important to the future of IRB. Given our community’s uncertain financial status, it is crucial that each and every citizen get involved in our local government now. That participation starts with casting your ballot today, if you haven’t already voted by mail.

Of the 1,282 mail-in ballots sent to IRB voters, only 436 have been returned to date. That means that 846 mail-in ballots are still out there! If you’re one of the majority who hasn’t mailed yours back, you can still vote today at the polls by surrendering your mail-in ballot to a poll worker at City Hall between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. this evening.

By coloring in the little circles on your ballot today, you will decide if change is needed in IRB. Things to consider:

--The most important issue that IRB faces is our city’s financial health.

--The current fiscal year started in October and after five months, we, as citizens, still have no idea where we stand in relationship to the budget.

--Alluding to making cuts but giving no specifics isn’t a plan; it’s a stalling tactic until after the election.

--No appreciable budget cuts were made during the current administration even in view of a shrinking tax base and a million-dollar shortfall in our enterprise funds that surfaced over the last year.

--Instead of reducing expenses, this commission found it easier to jack up our sewer and garbage rates and raise the millage by such a high percentage that a unanimous vote of the commission was required.

When you cast your vote today, vote for the candidate or candidates who you think have the best financial background and the ability to make wise budget cuts—ones that aren’t politically motivated. And remember, if only one candidate fits the bill, there is no requirement that you vote for two.

I’m estimating that the mail-in ballots will be nearly half of the total turnout which may possibly be the lowest in IRB history. Polls close at 7 p.m. and we’ll know shortly afterwards if we’re facing two more years of the same or if change is what IRB voters want.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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SIGNS OF THINGS TO COME

Election Law Violations

There are some fairly strict rules that apply to political advertising. Even though some seem a little nit-picky bordering on silly, the Florida Department of State Division of Elections sets these guidelines for all candidates seeking office and is in charge of enforcing them.

Is whether or not a candidate follows these rules an indication of how they will treat city matters? After all, interpreting and comprehending our city charter and building codes is a lot more complex than just following specs for election signs and other related printed collateral.

Let’s do a little where’s “KIRBY,” (IRB’s version of Waldo) before all the political signs come down later this week.

QUESTION: Which candidate’s signs are missing a very important required word: “ELECT”? [The word “VOTE” doesn’t cut the mustard!]

QUESTION: Which candidate let an e-mail blast out the door without the mandated disclaimer of “Political advertisement paid for and approved by [candidate’s name] for City Commissioner.”

During last March’s municipal election the violations were rampant. One currently seated official omitted the word “FOR” between his name and the office for which he was running. “FOR” is required on the signs of any candidate who is not an incumbent. If you think about it, if the sign reads “John Smith City Commissioner” missing the magical three-letter “FOR,” instead of “John Smith FOR City Commissioner,” it does indeed create the impression that this individual ALREADY occupies the office…which is misleading.

In the instance to which I refer, the omission of the required “FOR” was an even more serious error since this individual had previously served on the commission, although not in the office he was seeking. This infraction, in that instance, had an even stronger possibility of creating the impression that he was somehow the incumbent—and incumbents win most of the time.

This same individual personally cost me $10,000 in legal fees by his insistence that my property somehow violated a rule that turned out not to be in the code at all! He couldn't follow the rules for political advertising when he ran for office and he couldn’t read and interpret our city code either.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

P.S. Don House’s sign are disappearing right and left. Will the person on Harbor Drive North with the Don House sign leaning against the east wall of his/her garage, which I personally saw over the weekend, please return the sign ASAP?

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POLITICAL PIED PIPERS OF IRB

Follow the Leader Not the Facts

The town of Hamelin, Germany suffered from a rat infestation in 1284. A man who billed himself as a rat-catcher whistled a tune and successfully lured the rats to follow him into the river, where they all drowned. Indian Rocks Beach has an entire collection of Pied Pipers…political leaders who have so much clout that they could probably encourage those who amble along behind them to lay down on the centerline of Gulf Blvd. at rush hour.

Running for city commissioner in IRB, if you’re not supported by the political Pied Pipers who run this town can be a trying experience. Most of their “followers” rarely attend commission meetings but choose to operate instead well behind the scenes. These faceless folks don’t deal in facts—because they don’t know the facts. They only know the facts as filtered through the eyes of others who have set themselves up as the “town experts” and positioned anyone else who doesn’t agree with them as stupid and misinformed. These folks have been very successful at rounding up candidates they can “buddy up together” to form a quasi “ticket”—people who think exactly as they do. Whether safety in numbers will give way to guilt by association on Tuesday is anyone's guess.

How many good people don’t run for office in IRB for fear that this group will publicly trash them? These "leaders" stood by and watched as a former mayor was falsely accused of sexual harassment and then thought it perfectly okay for the commission not to investigate where the ugly rumor originated. Pied Pipers protect their own, I guess.

Phil Wrobel, not to be confused with the Phil who is running for the commission, would have been a great representative for our residents. But after the group Wrobel put his heart and soul into, the IRB Homeowners Association, was tagged as a group of drunks that migrate from bar to bar, why would he belly up for more of the same? Don House, within days of announcing his run for office, received a warning letter from a Tampa law firm taking issue with his nomenclature when referring to the USF Study. I wonder if others guilty of the same alleged faux pas were issued notices, too?

Win, lose or draw, we need to applaud the efforts of anyone who has the cohunes to take these folks on and run for a seat on our city commission--standing on his/her own two feet. Listen closely. You can almost hear the whistling as all the little lemmings fall obediently into step in route to the Kool-aid stand?

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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WELCOME BACK OLD BUDDY

Leo Endorses Wollin & Hanna

Incumbent City Commissioner Wollin’s latest e-mail circulating out there in IRB cyberspace is a glowing endorsement by the Clearwater Gazette of herself and Phil Hanna for the two open City Commissioner seats to be filled next Tuesday.

It’s interesting that in all the other e-mails where she has included articles written by various area newspapers, Wollin included the reporter’s byline. She also deceptively excerpted only those paragraphs of the articles that pertained to HER—making it look as if these publications are somehow endorsing her. Then, when you take time to read the entire article, you discover that is not true at all.

For instance, Melinda Greene, the reporter at the Barrier Islands Gazette, wrote what is probably the best expose of all three candidates published to date. What those on Wollin’s e-mail list saw, however, was just the section about HER without even so much as a disclaimer that the article had been in any way excerpted. It unfairly characterized Melinda Greene as having taken a stance on one candidate versus the others—something that this responsible reporter, who very discreetly and religiously attends our commission meetings, would never do. One e-mail was even missing the required political disclaimer.

Now, Wollin is circulating the Clearwater Gazette’s endorsement—which is FINALLY a true endorsement of her and Phil Hanna. This one however is noticeably missing the byline of the endorsing reporter. And guess who the endorser is folks: None other than LEO COUGHLIN! His endorsement alone speaks volumes but the fact the Wollin would hide the name of the endorser is an even bigger statement.

Pay close attention to how Wollin’s e-mails provide only selective information because this is precisely the way she’s has behaved as our elected city official over the last two years. Does anyone have any evidence that this leopard will change her spots over the next two years? Certainly not if the way she is running her campaign is any indication.

READ LEO’S GLOWING ENDORSEMENT OF WOLLIN & HANNA

Welcome back, Leo! I, as a committee of one, have missed you.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

DEBUNKING THE BUNK

Juggling the Facts

I must take issue with an alleged “myth debunking” election e-mail circulated on Tuesday by City Commissioner Terry Wollin. In the e-mail, she states that the $1 million, which all of us are being forced to repay through increased sewer and garbage rates, are “transfers”--NOT loans. If they aren’t loans, then what are we repaying? If they were transfers, why do they need to be repaid? And why did this incumbent commissioner, who is juggling just as fast as she possibly can, refer to them as “loans” at "Meet the Candidates"?

In Wollin’s own cyber words, “Transfers do not need to be authorized as loans do.” One has to wonder what city’s charter she’s looking at because ours says that the city commission has the authority for transfers AND for loans:

Section 10.5. (b) Transfer of funds: The city commission shall have the authority, whenever it is deemed necessary, to increase or decrease any particular fund contained in said budget, other than the reserve established in section 10.5(a)(1) above.

Also, in an e-mail from former City Treasurer Marty Schless to Interim City Manager Danny Taylor dated June 11, 2008, Schless says the following: “Any transfers between departments or funds are requested by the City Manager and approved by the City Commission.”

And if that’s not evidence enough, here’s what the high-priced consultant Wollin brags about hiring had to say on the subject: “A transfer is also a budgetary transaction that normally requires a Budget Amendment if not approved in the Original Adopted Budget.” And, a budget amendment is something that--guess what--requires commission approval. NO APPROVAL HAS EVER BEEN GIVEN. Not then. Not now. Never...despite repeated requests by citizens for the commission do so. If Wollin retains her seat on the City Commission come Tuesday, I hope that each and every one of you shows up at the next commission meeting and demands that the commission take a vote to either approve the loans or reverse their decision that the amount be repaid since, according to Wollin, they weren't loans in the first place.

Wollin has all these facts right at her fingertips so why does she choose to ignore them even going to so far as to blatantly broadcast statements that the record clearly doesn't support? She must be counting on the fact that most IRB residents haven’t followed this financial fiasco as closely as some who attend commission meetings regularly, which is probably a good gamble.

Wollin, as our voice in our local government over the last two years, should have been standing up for US, demanding answers and insisting that something like this never happen again. Instead, she sends out an e-mail justifying the city’s irresponsible actions hoping for semantics to bail her out and make everything right. That’s not representation; that’s being sold down the river.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

POLITICAL SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Rules Meant to be Broken

As I sat minding my own business at lunch today savoring my Panang Curry Chicken at Thai Pan Alley, I watched as a gentleman sauntered to the center of the county-owned lot between 23rd and 24th Avenues and firmly implanted a “Phil Hanna for City Commissioner” sign in the middle of it.

I thought you couldn’t put signs on public lands? Hmmm. And yet another of Hanna’s signs was removed from a vacant lot where it was also placed without the owner’s permission. Hmmm. And what about the one at Ocean’s Glen, the development at 7th Avenue and Gulf Blvd. that has stopped construction? Hmmm. Any bets whether permission was given for that sign?

According to a Pinellas County code enforcer, the county’s policy is that political signs are not permitted on properties they own. Code enforcement for such an issue, however, falls under the jurisdiction of the City of IRB.

Are Hanna’s campaign signs being placed in unauthorized locations out of ignorance or is it because there aren’t enough “true” Hanna fans willing to publicly support him? With only one week left until Election Day you can expect the IRB political scene to heat up like the pavers on my back deck in August!

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

MEET THE CANDIDATE

Is There More Than One?

I’ve taken three stabs at recapping the “Meet the Candidates Forum” held at City Hall last Wednesday night. Rarely am I ever rocked into speechlessness—but that is indeed the case here.

A special thank-you to the IRBeHEARD reader who posted the following anonymous comment and at least provided a place to start:

“I came...I saw...I threw up. I cannot believe that Terry Wollin bold faced lied throughout the entire presentation. She has more balls than the Rays.”

If one had to pick a clear-cut winner of last Wednesday night’s debate among the three candidates for two seats on our City Commission—Terry Wollin, Phil Hanna and Don House—incumbent commissioner Terry Wollin gets the trophy hands-down.

Those of us who attend commission meetings regularly were stunned. Shell-shocked…I believe is the word. It was like someone swooped in and snatched the woman we’ve all watched bumble, fumble and mumble over the last two years and replaced her with this incredibly knowledgeable, well-prepared, super competent public official with a booming authoritative voice--by far and away the best choice to sit on our City Commission. That’s at least until you start dissecting her “performance” against the record.

The million dollar loan, which she claimed isn’t a loan yet called it one throughout her remarks, must be repaid. What are we repaying if it wasn’t a loan?

She pegged the last sewer and solid waste rate increase, prior to the big kahuna, as happening in 2003. What about the "Enterprise Fund Analysis" timeline prepared by consultant Rob Garner reflecting a 7.5% increase in October 2004 (3-2 vote) and the 10% solid waste rate increase approved with a 5-0 vote in November 2005?

She has not made up her mind how she stands on the charter amendment to make the City Treasurer report directly to the City Manager, no longer serving at the pleasure of the City Commission. Wollin herself was the chief instigator of getting this issue on the ballot and now she doesn’t know what her position is? Give me a break. She has every confidence that our voters can make the decision when even she, who is on the “inside,” hasn’t been able to do so herself? Once no one stepped up to present the “pro” side of the argument last Wednesday, Bert Valery, in what some have characterized as a direct violation of election law, did the dirty work. The irony is that this amendment may very well pass because so many voters feel that our City Commission is not capable of managing the CFO--or anyone else for that matter--and would rather see the City Manager call the shots.

One accomplishment Wollin touted was the firing of the former City Treasurer. Does she not realize that if “her” charter amendment had been in effect, she wouldn’t have been able to do that?

Interesting, too, is that she cited the need for the amendment stemmed from Schless’s refusal to attend a commission meeting when mandated by the city manager. Since the City Commission was his “boss,” why didn’t THEY order him to attend? Could it be because the majority of the commissioners realized that Schless had been publicly abused enough by one former commissioner in particular, and it would have been cruel and unusual punishment to allow this to continue?

Wollin was candid about not understanding the budget last year—this year, she’s the expert. All those consultants must have really paid off. And wasn’t that an interesting comment she made about Action 2000 somehow being part of our city’s planning efforts? What’s that all about, I thought A2K was a beautification group?

I could go on and on here—but I won’t. The sadder, and potentially better news, is that all but about 60 folks, who likely had already voted, missed Commissioner Wollin’s Academy Award performance. Attendance for the event was as miserable as I’ve ever seen it. Is it apathy? Is it that our residents don’t feel their voices count? Was it fear of selective code enforcement for supporting the “wrong” candidates? Was something better on TV? Nothing with finer acting…that’s for sure.

I hope Wollin is right about one thing at least—our voters are smart enough to make the right choice.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

COUNTY CUTS

County Asking Residents What's Important

IRBeHEARD received the following e-mail from Pinellas County. Looks like the county commissioners see the “Financial Perfect Storm” brewing and are already forecasting a 20% budget cut for the next fiscal year. And, they are actually asking residents what is most important to them. I wonder if they, like IRB, only take suggestions from non-yowlers who rarely at show up at commission meetings?

The following e-mail was received on Friday, 2/20/09 from Lennard Ciecieznski:

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners plans to cut 20 percent from its overall general fund for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. This is necessary to meet the current challenges resulting from the national economic downturn and to plan for the continuation of reduced revenues in the county.

As they consider the reduction or elimination of public services and programs, commissioners will host three public budget meetings in March to solicit feedback from residents.

Tuesday, March 3: Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St., Palm Harbor
Monday, March 23: Osceola High School, 9751 98th St. N., Seminole
Thursday, March 26: Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S., St. Petersburg

All of the meetings will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The sharp decrease in county revenue reflects the national economic crisis, local reductions in real estate values and property tax caps. Commissioners are currently involved in the process of setting priorities on the county services and programs. Knowing that it cannot continue to provide the current level of service, the commission wants to know the community’s priorities.

The feedback provided at the public meetings and through other public outreach efforts will be used in the decision making process as the budget is resized. The goal is to offer core services, which will be delivered in a consistent, predictable and reliable manner.

For more information, call (727) 464-3000 or go to www.pinellascounty.org/budget.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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YUCKING IT UP

____________________________________________

Reminder:
"MEET THE CANDIDATES" TONIGHT!
WEDNESDAY, FEB 18 at 7 PM
CITY HALL AUDITORIUM

Please turn out, visit with others who care about IRB, and show your support for the three commissioner candidates who have been brave enough to throw their hats into the ring: Terry Hamilton-Wollin, Phil Hanna and Don House. Questions, answers and a chance to enjoy living in such a wonderful little community. Another great event sponsored by the IRB Homeowners Association!

BITING THE HAND

That Feeds the Ballot Box

Noteworthy lately is the commission’s reluctance to address crucial issues prior to our municipal election on March 10. Instead of discussing pressing financial concerns, this commission debates whether or not it’s possible to buy a golf cart with windshield wipers. Commissioner Torres, wise well beyond his years and often the voice of logic and reason, dared to point out that most folks don’t ride golf carts in the rain. A consultant is being hired, even as we speak, to do some further research on that subject, and they are looking for a community group, like A2K, to help fund part of the Golf Cart Windshield Wiper Study. (Please laugh here because I’m kidding!)

After all, facing fiscal reality by comparing budget projections to actual expenditures might force serious cutbacks—RIGHT THIS MINUTE. The commission might well have a bead on exactly where IRB stands financially, but if so, they certainly aren’t sharing that info with the general public. Would broadcasting this data at this juncture make budget cuts imperative—BEFORE MARCH 10?

What…are you crazy…cut the librarian right before election time? Wouldn’t that be akin to political suicide since these folks appear to turn out in droves at the polls to support whatever candidate or candidates have two feet squarely in their camp?

What…are you crazy? Put a halt to the USF Study and jeopardize the voter support of those who partially funded it, namely Action 2000? Many of you posted comments to a previous IRBeHEARD article, pointing out that Commissioner Wollin uttered not one peep at the last USF Study presentation on February 10. (I missed it so I’ll have to take your word on that.) Odd behavior, don’t you think, for someone who was one of the biggest proponents of the city financially supporting the study?

What…are you crazy? Suggest that residents not be forced to repay unauthorized loans and provide some relief from sewer and garbage rates that have so many in a stranglehold? Suggesting something so necessary might bring the ax down rather swiftly on a few non-essential items that represent political suicide.

Since facing crucial issues might make the difference between winning a seat on the commission and losing one, the best interests of the community will just have to wait until after March 10 and that’s all there is to it.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

(Note: If you'd like to comment on this posting, simply click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of the article and follow the prompts. You may comment anonymously if you'd like. Or, you can always e-mail your comments to irbeheard@cmdinc.net and we'll post them for you!)

ANOTHER WRINKLE

In the Teflon Suit

This commission, unlike their predecessors, opted out of filing and approving quarterly financials as part of the commission meeting “Consent Agenda.” As a result, quarterly financials have not formally been approved by the commission since August 2007. More distressing is that this policy was not reversed even after the million-dollar loan debacle and after multiple requests from citizens to do so.

Now, the commission voted to ask our residents to approve a change so that our Finance Director reports to the revolving-door City Manager instead of serving at the pleasure of the City Commission. If the charter amendment passes on March 10, IRB’s CFO will cease reporting directly to our elected representatives and will become answerable to an individual who doesn't represent us.

At a time when finances deserve the most focus, why is our commission taking steps to back away from the responsibility? Is this commission more worried about insulating themselves from liability for incorrect financials, obviously flawed accounting practices and poor decision-making than in looking out for our collective butts?

When the subject of this charter amendment was addressed at the commission meeting, most in attendance (labeled the “yowlers” when in disagreement) opposed putting this issue on the ballot. Commissioner Wollin went so far as to state that the Finance Director hasn’t always been a charter officer position. That appears to be incorrect info from the individual who seemed to be the driving force behind making this change. Former Mayor-Commissioner Ed Piniero pointed out that the Finance Director has been a charter officer position from Day 1 of IRB’s incorporation and making this change poses a serious threat to a much-needed system of checks and balances.

Realizing that the commission was hell-bent on this issue gracing the March ballot, I focused my three minutes of public comment on suggesting changes to the wording of the amendment. I saw it as pretty much of a done-deal that it would be put before our residents for a vote, so we might as well at least give citizens a fighting chance of understanding what they are voting on. My suggested changes were adopted.

Last I heard, there has been no luck in finding someone to speak on the “pro” position for this charter amendment at Candidate’s Night this Wednesday. By contrast, there is a line out the door of City Hall and around the block all the way to the Red Lion of individuals who want to speak in opposition. Is this a change that only a few commissioners are in favor of? Who are these commissioners representing up there--us or themselves?

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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TEFLON SUITS AROUND

Insulating the Commission

At the January 28th meeting, Commissioner Wollin differed with IRB resident Kelly Cisarik. During “Citizen Comments” at the beginning of the meeting, Cisarik requested that the commission reinstate its policy of receiving and filing quarterly financials, pointing out that they had previously voted not to continue doing so.

Wollin "lectured" Kelly about getting financials being a charter requirement taking issue with Cisarik's statement.

Well mama-pin-a-rose-on-daddy…guess what? Kelly Cisarik, again under “Citizen Comments” at the most recent commission meeting on February 10, came back to the microphone citing the following from the minutes of the August 14, 2007 City Commission meeting:

“Motion made by Commissioner Wollin, seconded by Commissioner Valery to approve Resolution No. 2007-88, amending Resolution No. 2007-35, Rules of Procedures for the City Commission of the City of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida; by deleting from the Consent Agenda the requirement that check registers and quarterly financial reports be received and filed by the City Commission. Motion carried with Mayor-Commissioner Ockunzzi objecting.”

It was actually Commissioner Wollin--herself--who made the motion that this requirement be removed from the Consent Agenda, which is a portion of the meeting specifically reserved for formal commission approval of items like meeting minutes, etc.

So, in view of the new info, once again Kelly Cisarik requested this policy be rescinded by the commission; once again she was ignored. Is being ignored preferable to being told you're wrong?

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the commission isn’t SEEING the financials, but it does mean they are not formally finalizing and approving the information--and have not being doing so for the last 18 months.

Is the fear of liability for certifying financial info that is flawed the reason the commission opted to discontinue approving this info as a Consent Agenda item? Is the commission’s desire for “separation of commission and finances” also what’s driving the charter amendment to make the City Treasurer reportable to the City Manager instead of serving at the pleasure of the City Commission? More on this later.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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MAKING AN ISSUE OF IT

Trading Warm & Fuzzy for Nitty-Gritty

Two years ago our community bought into the idea of “congeniality” on the commission. The majority opted to install candidates who promised us “no more chaos.”

With all due respect, the two candidates who won the two open seats in March ’07, Commissioners Valery and Wollin, have certainly lived up to that promise. The current five commissioners all play very well together. But how much has that camaraderie cost us and did it truly contribute to better operation of the city?

In retrospect, would you have opted for congeniality if you were told that you were also signing up for:

-A substantial increase in your millage rate?
-A 60% hike in your sewer and garbage rates?
-The repayment of an unauthorized million-dollar loan?
-Footing the bill for a consultant to teach at least one of these candidates to read a budget?
-Mistake upon mistake costing our taxpayers thousands?

If those were the choices, I say pass out the boxing gloves, let the commissioners go to their corners and, when the bell rings (ding-ding), come out swinging.

In the upcoming election on March 10, IRB voters need to get beyond the campaign rhetoric. Trade “warm and fuzzy” for “nitty-gritty” and focus on the serious issues the coming years are certain to bring. It is more important than ever that our voters make their decisions based on each commissioner candidate’s qualifications for the job, past track record in serving the city and how they stand on and approach crucial issues.

And, above all, make sure that you and your neighbors attend "Meet the Candidates" Night next Wednesday, February 18th, 7 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. The turnout for this event, sponsored by the IRB Homeowners Association, always makes one feel fortunate to live in IRB where so many folks are actually interested in the future of the community. Given the significant challenges IRB faces, financial and otherwise, I am certain that our residents will walk through the auditorium doors with an open mind and really LISTEN to what each candidate brings to the table before casting their ballot.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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PUBLIX

Lives to See Another Day

As recently as three months ago, a developer-oriented publication advertised 8,146 sq. ft. of retail space for lease in the Village @ Indian Rocks, between 25th and 26th Avenues in IRB. The ad makes specific reference to the development having a "28,875 sq. ft. Publix anchor”…so maybe this issue isn’t dead after all?

Could this be driving some of the proposed amendments to IRB’s Comprehensive Plan, which is the blueprint for future development in our community? Some changes being proposed do open the door wider for the Publix, or another grocery store, to finally become a reality…like allowing parking lots in residential neighborhoods on First Street. And don’t forget that the results of the USF Study (partially funded by Action 2000) are referenced in the proposed Comp Plan changes, too, so that data could also come into play when deciding this issue.

If at first you can’t get voter support, why not come in through the back door in the form of Comprehensive Plan changes instead? The Publix issue went down flaming with IRB voters by an overwhelming percentage a few years back. Has the sentiment in IRB changed with regard to this issue?

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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afterMATH

Giveth Then Taketh Away

Keep in mind, when reading this posting, that I was a music major in college. I can play an F# minor scale on a clarinet like nobody’s business and run my little corporation with at least a modicum of fiscal responsibility. Math, however, was never my strong suit. So, the following is more a search for answers than a dissemination of useful information.

The economic stimulus package is on its way to a final vote and probable narrow-margin passage in the Senate later today. The price tag according to the New York Times yesterday is $827 billion. Let’s see…that’s $827,000,000,000—is that enough zeros?

An astute IRB resident recently posed the question: How much is that per person? I love a good challenge, so I set out to calculate it.

Let’s see…the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimate for 2008 is 304,059,724.

My crusty, trusty handheld calculator from the Stone Age didn’t get it done. Not enough zeros. So I was finally forced to figure out how to use the calculator on my computer…which was somewhat beneficial.

The current $827 billion economic stimulus package, when spread evenly between every man, woman and child in the U.S. comes to $2,719 per person. Is that correct? Will we be permitted to apply our $1,000 tax credit check to this amount, so that we only need to come out of pocket a little over $1,700?

Take comfort in the fact that the $700 billion bank bailout plan didn't quite double your tab--it added only another $2,300 per person...a real steal (no pun intended.)

Realizing that stimulus money should do just that—stimulate the economy—I’m assuming that it will put an influx of enough cash back into the kitty to bring each person’s share of the rescue down to something doable? But what if it doesn’t?

When is an IRB bailout plan in the offing? How much will each of our 5,167 residents be responsible for when the rubber meets the road, spending hasn’t been cut and our tax revenues are down significantly? (And again, nothing on tonight's commission meeting agenda dealing with that subject.) While it’s not as many zeros to manage, the principle (not to be confused with “principal”) is the same.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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CHARTER CHATTER

Selective Enforcement

When Commissioner Wollin admitted her confusion over the budgeting process, many, including me, applauded her candor. I’ll admit it…I couldn’t follow the process myself, and even watched an M.I.T. grad struggle to make heads or tails of it.

Even so, Wollin’s recent reference to the IRB City Charter requirement that the commission receive monthly financials was interesting. Even when the commission was getting regular monthly reports in keeping with the charter, the data was misleading…so what good was it anyway?

And, just where was Wollin’s “allegiance” to the charter when she and others voted to force our residents to repay nearly $1 million in loans, apparently made without the commission approval—or anyone else’s for that matter? These loans are the force behind the recent sewer and garbage rate increases that many residents, especially those with multi-family units, are outraged over.

Even now that the commission is painfully aware of the existence of these loans, they have failed—even refused—to take a vote to sanction them as required by the City Charter, yet they had no problem voting to make us repay them:

City Charter-Section 10.5 (c)
Authorization for loans: If the city commission should deem it wise and appropriate, they may authorize the city manager to effect a loan or loans from any source under such terms and provisions as the city commission may authorize, pledging the credit of the city for such purpose or purposes.

When this subject comes up, the commission generally prefers to refer to these unauthorized “transfers” as “due to’s/due from’s” insisting that they aren’t loans. IF THEY AREN’T LOANS, THEN WHY ARE WE REPAYING THEM?

It’s interesting how the city charter is selectively referenced--out of two sides of the mouth--and only when it best suits certain agendas. At other times, less convenient, the charter gets shoved in a dark and dusty corner at City Hall.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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WOLLIN ON CISARIK

Free Lecture Series

At the last commission meeting, Kelly Cisarik conveyed much of the same troubling financial info posted recently on this blog. Commissioner Kennedy asked the new Finance Director for suggestions as to what capital projects could be cut from the budget. Commissioner Wollin, by contrast, used her time to politely “lecture” on Cisarik being incorrect in her statement that the commission had voted not to continue seeing monthly financials.

The few “regulars” in the audience knew exactly what documents Kelly was referring to. She was talking about the vote the commission took not to continue seeing monthly check registers--an equally irresponsible move.

Cisarik's point was that Wollin and three cohorts voted to see less financial information rather than more. Only former Mayor Bill Ockunzzi opposed this change of procedure but was summarily outvoted. This decision was even more perplexing having come on the heels of the now-infamous moving expense check cut in error to Al Grieshaber. That “small” slip-up continues to this very day to siphon off taxpayer dollars funding an ill-fated, grudge-based lawsuit against our former City Manager.

Wollin pointed out that getting monthly financial reports is a charter requirement and indicated that the commission expected to be getting them on a more regular basis with a new finance director now in place--more or less supporting Kelly Cisarik's concern that the commission may not currently be seeing accurate monthly financials.

Did Commissioner Wollin not realize to what reports Kelly Cisarik was referring when members of the audience did? Wouldn't it have been better to correct the record by acknowledging that it was the check registers the commission voted not to continue examining instead of ignoring that point? Or, was this just an opportunity to minimize the intelligence of Kelly’s information by pointing out a semantic error?

Could this be why 13,000 folks showed up to watch Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow, yet less than a dozen show up for commission meetings and even fewer have the courage to speak?

P.S. They expected 15,000 in Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog Day…but the Steelers’ Super Bowl victory is believed to have hurt attendance.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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SMACKED IN THE HEAD

Perfect Storm Aftermath

IRB resident Kelly Cisarik does her homework. You already know that if you read her series of postings here on IRBeHEARD over the last several days or if you’ve attended a commission meeting where Kelly spoke.

Much of the community, already irate over exorbitant sewer and garbage rates, could see the surge Kelly alluded to approaching. But, nothing like getting smacked in the head with the raw facts to make us pay attention to the Cat 5 storm warnings.

Cisarik unleashed much of the same information on the city commission during her “allotted three minutes” under “Public Comments” at the last commission meeting on January 27th. What was their reaction?

No meaningful conversation. (It probably wasn’t “allowed" unless it was something they wanted to talk about—like the decibel level of My Place’s music.) No consensus to put it on an upcoming meeting agenda. No mention of items to consider cutting. No request to know exactly where the city stands financially—today—right now—right this minute. No suggestion to revisit the repayment of the unauthorized loans to give citizens relief from rising costs of EVERYTHING IN IRB. No questions asked. In other words, business as usual.

As one former commissioner so aptly described it during the last budgeting process, it’s like this commission is operating in some parallel universe.

Once again, Commissioner Cookie Kennedy was the only member of the group who reacted proactively to Kelly Cisarik’s info. Kennedy requested that the new Finance Director, Sandy Sanders, make recommendations as to which planned capital projects he felt could be eliminated. Although it’s not quite certain if a guy who has barely warmed the CFO’s seat is the best judge of what IRB can forego, at least Kennedy focused on the most pressing issue of the day.

How did another commissioner react to Cisarik’s concerns? Check back tomorrow.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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HUNKERING DOWN

Citizen’s Reaction to IRB Financial Perfect Storm

[Community reaction to Kelly Cisarik’s postings on IRBeHEARD over the past few days has been overwhelming. The note below from IRB resident Victor Wood to Cisarik deserved a posting of its own as opposed to being relegated to an article comment.]

Kelly:

What a wonderful article. Does the Commission have any idea of the storm that will start with reduced revenues this year and continue to exacerbate in 2009? How foolish to be spending any time on revising the city charter this year. There is just too much to do this year with balancing this year’s revenues with expenditures, and with next year’s budgeting. Cost-cutting is the only answer!

So far we have no idea where IRB stands to date nor is there a forecast for the end of the year. Our new Finance Director should be able to tell us these facts…hopefully at the next commission meeting on February 10th. Neither handling the accounting of revenues vs. expenditures nor forecasting a year-end balance, does not take a brain surgeon’s talent.

The big question is what will the commission do with these facts? They seem to have no stomach for massive cost-cutting that prudent people call for. And raising taxes again after a 36% tax increase and a 60% utility increase this year would be absurd!

Stranger things have happened with this commission with regularity. The whole community needs to be notified of this perfect storm on the radar scope, approaching with ferocity. Then they need to make the commission listen to their thoughts.

Me, I am hunkering down and certainly cutting my personal spending a great deal. That is the only way I know to be sure I’m healthy and financially sound after the storm subsides. Will IRB react in the same manner?

Victor Wood
Harbor Drive N./IRB

P.S. What will the Commission do to enforce their new poorly conceived sign ordinance that business owners must comply with come July 1st? Is the veterinarian’s new electric, lighted sign with specials scrolling across in red LED going to be "la rigueur" for IRB?

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IRB’S FINANCIAL PERFECT STORM

Financial Perfect Storm Force #3:
CPI CAP ON HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES

[This is the third and final posting in a series of postings written by IRB resident Kelly Cisarik on the subject of impending financial challenges facing IRB.]

In addition to less “Penny for Pinellas” funds and declining home values, the third force in IRB’s “Financial Perfect Storm” is the Consumer Price Index (CPI) capping of tax rates on homesteaded properties.

Homesteaded properties in IRB are approximately 50% of the tax rolls. These properties will not see the normal 3% tax increase for the Save Our Homes Cap in 2009 unless the commission votes to raise the millage rate again. This is due to how the federal government calculates inflation. The homesteaded properties will instead be capped at a .1% increase, equal to the federal government’s CPI for 2008.

I thought this article, published in the January 24, 2009 edition of the St. Petersburg Times on homesteaded property tax calculations would be of interest to our citizens.

CLICK HERE to read "Save Our Homes Cap will bring property tax cheer to homeowners"

In the 2008/2009 budget our city still had an aggressive Capital Improvement Plan and aggressive schedule for vehicle replacements and road repaving. Now even with last year’s 36% millage rate increase we may not be able to finance these items without another tax increase.

Time is of the essence here. Our commission has not made any adjustments to its 5-year Capital Improvement Plan since they passed the budget last fall. We have a new city treasurer to advise the commission now, so there’s no reason for the commission to delay this further. It certainly should be on the agenda before the election but I suspect it will be neglected in favor of distractions like a new Golf Cart Ordinance.

I’d really like to hear the views of the three commission candidates on the City’s Capital Improvement Plans before casting my vote in March.

Kelly Cisarik
IRB

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IRB'S FINANCIAL PERFECT STORM

Financial Perfect Storm Force #2:

DECLINING HOME VALUES

[This is the second in a series of three postings written by

IRB resident Kelly Cisarik on the subject of IRB's impending

"Financial Perfect Storm."]

Aside from the declining “Penny for Pinellas” revenues mentioned in yesterday’s posting, the second of the three forces fueling IRB’s “Financial Perfect Storm” are declining homes values hitting tax revenues from non-homesteaded properties.

On January 28, 2009, the Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index for home prices came out for November 2008. This is the latest data available from the most-respected source in the industry.

The year-over-year declines were 21% for the Tampa market. This number gives us a real good indicator how much of a decline we have in the Pinellas County home values. In Indian Rocks we have a large percentage of condos held as second homes, so this decline in value could end up higher than 21% in our city. We’ll see what our new property appraiser comes up with.

This decline in values directly affects IRB’s tax revenue for non-homesteaded property as of the Jan. 1, 2009 tax roll. The lowered assessed values will show up in the August 2009 TRIM notices. At that point, the IRB City Commission will be forced to decide whether last year’s 36% tax increase was enough or whether they want to increase taxes again. A third option would be to make significant cuts to spending but, to date, the commission has not leaned in this direction.

CLICK HERE for S & P’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index

Kelly Cisarik
IRB

Tomorrow: IRB Financial Perfect Storm Force #3

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IRB'S FINANCIAL PERFECT STORM

Three Forces at Work

[2009 and 2010 in IRB ain’t going to be pretty from a revenue standpoint. This is the first in a series of three postings written by IRB resident Kelly Cisarik on the subject.]

There are three forces creating a financial "perfect storm" (if you will) in IRB. These forces will affect the city’s revenues starting this year, continuing at least through 2010…and likely much longer.

Financial Perfect Storm Force #1:
DECLINING PENNY FOR PINELLAS REVENUE

Clearwater’s estimates are 14% less “Penny” revenue over the next ten-year “Penny” term, requiring the City of Clearwater to knock off about $20 million in planned projects. IRB’s “Penny” revenues will also decline however there has been no public discussion of cutting projects and reducing expenses since the 2008/2009 budget process ended.

Click on the title below to read an article by Staff Writer Mike Brassfield that appeared in the January 25th St. Petersburg Times:

“Clearwater feels Penny for Pinellas tax squeeze”

Kelly Cisarik
IRB

Check back tomorrow for Force #2 in IRB’s impending “Financial Perfect Storm.”

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LET IT SNOW

Just Not Here

A friend in an eastern suburb of Cincinnati e-mailed me this photo of his house yesterday. Christmas card material. See what we're missing?

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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DON'T VOTE

At Least Not Yet

Voting is a civic duty. Voting EARLY is not.

In fact, for me, who still loves the thrill of stepping into the voting booth on Election Day, I’m more than baffled by it…especially given the all-but-certain problems facing IRB in the coming years.

Some of you have, no doubt, already cast your ballot. Why would anyone do that? Why wouldn’t everyone want to hear anything and everything there is about the issues and the candidates before deciding? I just don’t get it.

To my way of thinking, early voting is the bedfellow of narrow-mindedness. And, based on past history, IRB has one of the highest percentages of narrow-mindedness of all the barrier island beach communities.

In the November ’08 presidential election, 10.1% of the total 2,491 votes cast in IRB came from early voters. Contrast that with 5.8% in Madeira Beach, 6.0% in Redington Beach, 5.4% in neighboring Indian Shores and 5.7% in Treasure Island.

Even if you prefer to vote by mail, you have until 7 p.m. on Election Day to submit your ballot…so why jump the gun?

Turns out my fondness for the voting booth environment puts me in the minority; only 48% preferred to vote the old-fashioned way last November after hearing absolutely everything there was to hear and carefully weighing the choices right down to the last nanosecond.

I can’t imagine having cast my vote for commissioner yet. We will be electing two of the three candidates vying for the open seats at a time in the history of our little beach community that couldn’t be more critical.

I’m probably the most familiar with Terry Wollin as a seated commissioner who is re-running for her seat, since I’ve had the opportunity to see her in action while occupying the position for the last two years. I know of Don House's qualifications and what he has accomplished as a member of the IRB Planning & Zoning Board. (I know he opposes the Beach Management Plan…which is good enough for me!) I know the least about Phil Hanna other than his participation in the preparation of the film that successfully swayed the community to vote for the Fire District rate increase. I wouldn’t think of casting my vote until I know more about Hanna especially since he was at least brave enough to step up to the plate and go for it. I owe him that. We owe all the candidates that...personalities aside.

I’m not urging you NOT to vote…I’m urging you to not vote EARLY before you know all the facts. Attend Candidates Night at City Hall on Wednesday, February 19th. Get yourself to a commission meeting before Election Day so you can hear what’s going on in our city firsthand instead of what you read in the newspapers and on IRBeHEARD. (You don't even have to speak, just come and listen with an open mind!) There’s no substitution for front row-seat research.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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SHUT UP & AGREE IRB

New IRBeHEARD Exclusive Feature

[This is a new IRBeHEARD exclusive feature that will appear from time to time and focus on ongoing efforts by the IRB City Commission and others to reduce your freedoms as a citizen in IRB.]

One reason the IRBeHEARD blog exists is a personal one. I am a staunch believer in First Amendment rights, open government, free speech and freedom the press. Having attended more city commission meetings than not over the last few years, I’ve had a front row seat to watch our local government become less and less accessible to its citizenry.

From establishing a more stringent public records policy to implementing more rigid rules of commission meeting decorum, changes have been proposed, and in some cases adopted, so that honest opinions may never be heard.

Whether these restrictions are legal or illegal is of no matter…they might well be. But, the mere suggestion that the speech of our residents be restricted IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM--especially given last year's financial debacle--is the central issue at hand and the subject of this ongoing blog feature.

It’s clear that there will never be total agreement in IRB. Who would want that anyway? Admittedly, IRB tends to be a little more contentious than other neighboring beach communities, but isn’t that something we should embrace and be proud of…not something our elected officials, who are supposed to represent US, should continually look for ways to discourage?

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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LOVE NOTES TO LEO

"Ubiquitous" Typos

Leo, buddy—our residents can’t thank you enough for providing us with the definition of “ubiquitous” in your recent Web site posting.

Let’s see if I can use it in a sentence: “The typos were ubiquitous in Leo’s last posting.” Am I using it correctly? Ever heard of spell-check, buddy? The word is not “ubiquitious.” Actually, you get 50% credit since you spelled it correctly once and blew it the second time. And, it’s not City “Manger” either. At least you didn't end up with City “Mangler”...which would have been almost humorous.

Are you alright up there in Maryland, buddy, or is the cold affecting your keyboarding skills? Aren’t you overdue for a trip to visit our fair city? It would be great if you popped your head in on a commission meeting and saw for yourself that all the terrible misconduct you report—doesn’t happen.

Heads up though…the new “Third Reich” rules of decorum the commission is getting ready to adopt this Tuesday will preclude your duking it out with another gentlemen on the floor of the City Hall Auditorium. In the event that your history repeats itself, you will be promptly bounced out on your old kiester.

Just messing with you, Leo. (Or is that "Lyo"?) You know IRB loves you...we just don't want to admit it.

Anyone else have a couple new spelling words for Leo? Be nice.

Nancy Obarski (with an “i”—not a “y”)
Beach Trail/IRB

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GRIESHABER BLOWS IT

The Whistle…That Is

Since April 2007, an unquantifiable amount of your tax dollars has been spent chasing a former City Manager for the sum of approximately $15,000. The total amount, even if IRB prevails, cannot be recovered.

Mediation held on November 20th resulted in an impasse. Both parties had the chance to walk away, each bearing their own costs. Neither took the deal. Instead, at the direction of our City Commission, trial is set for the week of April 20th.

Grieshaber’s countersuit is the scariest part of the deal. It includes a whistleblower claim under the False Claims Act, which results when a current or past employee feels that his position has somehow been compromised by bringing illegal deeds to light. To what misdeeds does Grieshaber’s counterclaim refer? Are the unauthorized loans at the crux?

Just hope that IRB doesn’t end up in the City of Detroit’s shoes. In 2008, a jury found Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick guilty of retaliating against a former Deputy Chief for investigating wrongdoing by the mayor’s inner circle. After the case lumbered through the courts for four years, jurors awarded the police $6.5 million after three hours of deliberation. By the time interest and legal costs were added, the figure mushroomed to $8.5 million. The city settled for $8 million with another $400,000+ in legal fees on top of that. The final cost to the City of Detroit--nearly $9 million dollars!

A month before the trial, the city could have settled for $2 million and didn’t on the advice of their city attorneys. According to Sam Riddle, a political consultant and chief of staff, “Had this same deal been made before the trial, the city could have saved millions of dollars.”

University of Michigan law professor Paul Reingold stated, “…putting the case in the hands of a jury also is a gamble…In the end, a jury is unpredictable."

If the City of IRB had bigger coffers right now, it might be worth the gamble. But rolling the dice when the city is allegedly “flat broke” is akin to playing Russian roulette with what’s left of our hard-earned tax dollars. What other services will be cut from the IRB budget to free up more gambling money?

(Note: The trial is scheduled AFTER the March election so that a ruling not in IRB's favor has no chance of reflecting poorly on either of the two incumbent commissioners who voted to move forward--should either or both decide to re-run for their seats.)

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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