Honorable
Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps,
In
the spirit of your opening request at the beginning of every commission meeting
regarding etiquette and cordiality, I find myself obligated to write this email
to you. I must
admit I was hard on Mr. Dennis Kelly our Village Manager. I can accept him correcting me or making his
case in a professional manner. In retrospect
I can even understand him been angry. However, what was unacceptable and
disrespectful was him calling me a liar in front of the commission and neighbors.
This insult was further aggravated by the commission meeting been recorded and
televised for the benefits of our residents at home.
Mayor
Connie let’s start with the fact that Mr. Kelly blocked our efforts regarding
Mr. Henrik Risvang Website presentation citing that a consultant was already on
board. Upon my insistence with our City Clerk Yvonne Hamilton the item was finally
brought to the commission’s attention. Ms. Hamilton is always cordially and helpful
in a non bias manner. Mr. Kelly later explained at that meeting that if Mr.
Risvang wanted to be part of the RFP process it may be a conflict of interest
by not having a level playing field. I
am not aware of that been the case.
However, Mr. Kelly had no problems allowing Mr. Jim Crum make his
presentation in front of the commission. Mr. Crum in fact will be participating
in the RFP process if the commission decides on the LED screens. This is definitely a double standard.
In
regards to our interest with Clear Channel Communication, we had supplied our
Village Manager through Ms. Jenice Rosado an application with the purpose in
mind to reach out to them for a presentation. This was done in the interest of
possibly creating a joint venture with the village for advertising and
announcements. Keeping in mind ideas
that would not create a financial burden on our village, but Mr. Kelly had no
problem asking the commission for $ 68,000.00 for two signs at the entrance of
our village. This is an enormous difference from the original budget of $
15,000.00. Here again, as I explained in the Business Development Board Report,
Mr. Kelly cited a company was already making a presentation.
In
other matters of interest is the now illusive 2008 Marketing Plan that we have repeatedly
requested. Mr. Kelly has no interest in providing us or finding such report.
Finally
in the matter regarding the Village-E Mail, Madam Mayor the minutes and the way
Mr. Kelly presented our request does not reflect the intended purpose of the Business Development Board request. However, even the way it was written an
attempt to separate the advertisement from the informative purpose was evident
when you read the un-approved BDB Minutes. Regardless, any and all emails for
the purpose of informing our residents generated from the BDB would have had to
been approved by the commission.
Furthermore, reflection on this matter is no different then what the
village is doing with the Farmer’s Market. The Village has not only subsidized
with money but with non-tangible dollars in advertising and commission
interest. I want the Farmers Market to succeed, however let us not hide the
fact that there is favoritism in the commission’s actions.
I
have communicated to Ms. Yvonne Hamilton that for our next BDB meeting to
include in the agenda reviewing our purpose and how to go forward in lieu of
2/12/13 commission meeting results. Also, Madame Mayor I think we do our
village a disservice by delaying the appointments to the Budget and Oversight
Board.
Respectfully,
Mario
Garcia
February
13, 2013
“PUTTING
NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST”
CC: Vice Mayor Eddie Lim
Commissioner Wendy Duval
Commissioner Jorge Gonzalez
Commissioner Richard Chervony
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