SDM Wonders: Palmetto Bay Politics Edition
by SDM
Palmer’s Court-Ordered Hearing will be held on August 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm in the village chambers. The village website displays a zoning resolution title that grants Palmer the right ot enroll up to 1150 students. SDM Wonders: Who among the Three Amigos will fall on the sword to vote for Palmer? Will he or she ever be forgiven by the SOPs and Concerned Citizens of Old Cutler, Inc. (CCOCI)?
Another Palmer Lawsuit (Palmer Trinity Private School, Inc. v. Village of Palmetto Bay, Concerned Citizens of Old Cutler, Inc., and Joan Lindsay; Case No. 08-28977) is winding its way through the 11th Circuit Court. In an August 8, 2012 order, the court denied and granted a number of procedural motions to dismiss. Of note were Counts X and XI alleging Civil Conspiracy against CCOCI and Joan Lindsay, individually, which were dismissed without prejudice. The order granted Palmer twenty days to amend and refile these counts. SDM Wonders: Will Palmetto Bay taxpayers be given any information regarding this suit? For example, how much will taxpayers have to pony up if the village loses again? Maybe the council should have a COW meeting just on pending litigation. Then again, maybe taxpayers are the ones who should be having a cow.
Campaigning “Dependently” may become illegal in Palmetto Bay after the November vote on a charter amendment Requiring Candidates to Run Independently, so it appears Vice Mayor Brian Pariser and District 2 contender Tim E. Schaffer intend to collaborate while the collaborating’s good. SDM noticed a number of properties this week sporting both Pariser and Schaffer signs, including outside several polls yesterday. SDM Wonders: Why doesn’t the Vice Mayor honor the spirit of a charter amendment he claims to support?
The Time E Schaffer Campaign seems to be in stealth mode given the standards of most recent campaigns. SDM googled his name and came up with zilch in terms of a campaign website. SDM Wonders: Who is Tim E. Schaffer and what does he stand for? If he is, in fact, running on a slate with Brian Pariser, can SDM infer that Schaffer will become the Fourth Amigo?
Campaign Signs for two challengers seeking the Vice Mayor’s ouster also started popping up this week. For SDM conspiracy theorists wondering why all these signs were deployed during the same week (Hmmm…), there is a simple answer: Palmetto Bay has a rule that says campaign signs cannot be installed any sooner than 90 days before an election. (SDM looked to see if municode.com was updated on this point, but couldn’t find the new provision in there.) SDM Wonders: Will the entry of Karyn Cunningham into the Vice Mayor’s race, along with John DuBois, force Brian Pariser into a runoff?
Recall Organizers Face Ad Hominem Attacks here in the pages of SDM. In a comment to PB: Is the NPO just politics?, the following was submitted:
Why is Mr. Singer [an organizer of the Palmetto Bay recall] all of a sudden interested in Palmetto Bay politics, I have been attending meeting for quite a while and have never heard of him until now. Is it that he and his development company, Berkowitz Development, feel threatened by the possible zoning changes. Perhaps they will not be able to overdevelop the Village as they have Kendall and other areas and line their pockets. I am glad that we have a council that is willing to defend our quiet enjoyment of our neighborhoods.
(Readers can click on the post to read SDM’s brilliant rejoinders.)
Palmetto Bay is almost totally built-out and if they were wise, residents would cheer Berkowitz Development if it undertook redevelopment of the commercial areas on US 1. Thus, SDM Wonders: Why do some feel the need to trash future investors rather than to welcome them? Do the Three Amigos share this hatred of “developers?”
Lesson from the Tuesday, August 14th Election: The Founding Village Council’s Legacy cannot be understated, especially in its decision to hold elections in November rather than the middle of August just a week before school starts. Palmetto Bay voters should thank Eugene Flinn, Paul Neidhart, Linda Robinson, Ed Feller and John Breder for doing the right thing on election dates. SDM Wonders: When will the county government start holding elections in November when all of their constituents are engaged?
I have historically made it a policy not to respond to stupidity, but I will this time.
I have lived in the Village of Palmetto Bay since I’ve been six years old. I attended Coral Reef Elementary, Palmetto Jr and Palmetto Senior High. I have spent the better part of my whole life living in a 5-mile radius and I feel the obligation to stand up to what I feel is a broken and morally corrupt political system.
This Recall has nothing to do with me. Anyone who is trying to imply this is not very knowledgeable. This Recall is strictly about politicians who should no longer be serving the residents of Palmetto Bay. When a politician does more harm than good to a community it’s time to ask or in this case force them to leave office.
The possible zoning codes have nothing to do with retail or office development, which is what I do for a living. Once again, anyone who is trying to color it as such is just plain wrong. The zoning code changes have to do with schools, churches, hospitals, etc. Nothing that I am professionally engaged in.
The facts are clear that Shelley Stanczyk, Brian Pariser and Joan Lindsay have done tremendous damage to this city and if remain in office will continue down the same path for the next two, four or six years.
I have nothing personally against Shelley Stanczyk, Brian Pariser or Joan Lindsay. In fact, on a personal level I find them engaging. Unfortunately, as with any employee (these three are the Village’s employees) if you don’t perform your job as required by your employer (Village residents) you are usually terminated.
David Singer http://www.recallpalmettobay.com
Yet another nagging question begging for an answer ……….. with PB’s already staggering legal bills and yet undetermined obligations to reimburse PT’s legal costs, just what, if any, insurance coverage does the Village have to offset these costs? Supposedly, the Florida League of Cities (?) provides some form of insurance coverage to municipalities but does anyone really know if this is correct? And, what are the limits? Who has been in touch with them? Our village attorney? Should this be public knowledge? I think so
inasmuch as this money otherwise comes straight out of my own pocket. And, why should CCOCI and it’s members be completely off the hook for the PT legal fees? They instigated and shepherded it through the Village Council and the courts from day one. I’ve heard some rumors about a possible Intervenor court action demanding that CCOCI participate in the PT reimbursements. Sounds good to me!
Now you’re just trying to press SDM’s buttons! The rumors about lawsuit insurance tickle SDM’s fancy. All insurance has limitations and all insurance is by contract. One pays a premium in exchange for coverage. So, PB residents must be told (a) to what extent is the village covered, (b) what are the limits and deductibles, (c) does making a claim affect future premiums or eligibility, and (d) do village taxpayers pony up first or does the insurer take over the litigation. None of these questions are sunshine law exemptions in SDM’s view but at the very least residents deserve an explanation as to why the facts are being sequestered. SDM believes Mr. Fiore and/or Mr. Tendrich should spill the beans or make a written request to the manager for a report on these questions as part of the upcoming budget process since these lawsuits constitute contingent liabilities. Don’t stick a quarter in SDM!
I’m not sure if you’ve heard this yet but one of three amigo’s Elves was caught and photographed stealing John DuBois campaign signs today from front yards. Not very neighborly I would say. Maybe her face can be put on a “Wanted Poster” by the Palmetto Bay police department.
Sounds like a job for Mr. Kress. He can put out puts bulletin on the village’s Facebook page.
Didnt this happen last campaign season with some missing newspapers? The three amigos just can’t seem to realize they live in the United States of America and not in Latin America, the road to total corruption is accomplished by one small step at a time. If someone read this they would think this was a comedy, too bad it’s real and in hood!
Sounds good to me, hope this is a wake up call for the nasty’s that we will get them and make them pay for bail like they did her….I love it……how low can you go making an old lady go out and steal signs….unreal….
Why is Karyn Cunningham running for office? Don’t let her beauty confuse you. She in this race as a monkey in the middle!