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
9 comments:
I would also like to nominate Terry for the most accomplished Commissioner over the past 2 years. Her ONLY accomplishment, ONLY accomplishment, was she sponsored the Environmental Board. I heard she was actually bragging about it. Excuse me a moment, I need to chuckle a bit. Ha, Ha, ha, ha, laugh, ha, laugh, ha, ha, now that’s funny, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, LAUGH, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, LAUGH, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, hold on, I’m choking and turning red! HA, HA, HA, HA, STOP, STOP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, STOP IT, this is killing me! HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, choke, cough, laugh, please, this is so funny!
I really loved her opening remark that she has a low (weak) voice so she then took the mic and held it so she could be heard Indian Shores. One would think that she would do that during commission meetings. Instead she mumbles so no one can hear her remarks. It make one wonder why doesn't it.
Is she and the city attorney plotting an overthrow? Watch out RB.
Terry will win.
Cookie should watch out.
Its a sad day in IRB when speculation toward the balance of power is between Kookie & Roper. I heard that Roper was also claiming authorship of the decorum rule as she is against citizens speaking their minds. Is she wins its because the vast majority of voters are not involved and know nothing more than what they read or hear. Because small groups like "A2Spendurtaxdollars" need a puppet to replace Valery, they will stop at nothing to make sure their MUMU wearing candidate will have enough sings throughout the city and thus votes to win. Nothing could be worse for our city than to keep her in office for another two years, disaster! We need fresh ideas and new people in office. Last week Roper paid me a visit, I must admit the paper quality of her handout was quite nice. The aborbtion rate was tremendous as I used it to remove some dog fecis from my lawn, thanks Terry.
Once again we are in a severe economic downturn and Wollin still feels justified in raising our taxes and fees, something that 95% of all economist would agree is the wrong thing to do during a recession. Because she is unwilling to get to the bottom of the question regarding "Is it a Loan" there is no way she can be trusted with public funds. It is obvious she lacks the leadership qualities that are so needed in this town when her main claim to fame is the Environmental Board and the trimvirate with the city attorney and Mayor in trying to take away our freedom of speech and restricting the 1st amendment with a Bullshit decorum resolution whose only initial opponent was Torres. Wollin is not of the People, she is of herself and a few minority special interests who wish to further control the flow of monies and projects to themselves. She has the personality of a "Wet Towel" for those who have never seen her in action over the last two years, you did not miss much. Our commission should be listening to the residents who do attend the meetings and ask the hard questions that the elected numskills are either too afraid to ask or to naive to understand. Instead of viewing these people as assets they are labled a liability, a problem and Yowlers. Enough is Enough people, wake up and smell the foul oder that has been stinking up this town for two years. PLEASE DO NOT PUT THIS BAGOWIND BACK IN OFFICE!
Ok its official, Hanna and Wollin are running on the same ticket as the two drank wine and ate cheese in support of each other with their supporters. How can someone who considers themself an outsider and "Man of the People" be so inclined to align himself with the likes of of a Tax and Spend fencewalker and hypocrite like Wollin? Come on Phil, you are better than that and you dont need her to get elected. The last thing we need on the commission is more happy happy joy joy with no debate on the issues. We need free thinkers who do not all share the same view like the last two years has brought us. Upon watching Phil's video, one thing struck me as odd. Most of the people he spoke with either live on the water and are aged 50+++, where is the diversity Phil? Why dont we take a poll and see how the effects of the tax increase and sewer fees are impacting the citizens of our community, the renters included. Why was there no real attempt to eliminate waste and pet projects in an attempt to reduce costs? Why has the commission refused to meet with the residents to look for solutions to our problems? Why has the commission refused to look at alternative fee income that does not involve taking more from us? Why ask Why, because even if you do you will not get an answer and those like Wollin will call you a Yowler and say you are disruptive. The time has come for reform we can trust and a city government that is accountable to its citizens with transparency all the way around. Please cast your vote based on the character and principles of the candidate and not just on popularity!
Wollin will get reelected.
The CM will be a developer's darling.
What's with the rush to get a CM hired just before an election? Why weren't the candidates who are running for commissioner not present on Mondays meeting to select and move forward to initiate the hiring of a CM? In past years the candidates were invited if a hiring was about to take place. Do you realize that an outgoing commissioner had a say in the CM and the possible incoming ones didn't? That's just not right.
nothing is right these days. you would thing the almighty mayor himself wouldve made sure those running were at the meeting.
Post a Comment