Damage done!

Yesterday was a moment of realization and revelation. The Special Village Commission meeting held on Thursday 30, 2013 called to order at 7:04 pm. The agenda had two items for commission action. The Lease for The Causeway Tower Village Administrative Offices that includes the Post Office and not the village hall; meetings will continue to be held at Treasure Island Elementary School. The other was the Short List of the candidates that applied for the Village Manger Position.

 

The Causeway Tower Lease is all one sided, the Landlord’s side. Although Commissioner Wendy Duval voiced her concerns regarding the termination clause and Commissioner Jorge Gonzales voiced his concerns regarding end of lease issues other than that there was very little resistance. Commissioner Richard Chervony who usually has something constructive to say basically went along. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps and Vice Mayor Eddie Lim were basically already on board to sign the lease; the vote was 5/5 unanimous.  At that very moment I realized that this commission lacks the will and the fortitude to defend the Village’s interests.  It’s not like tenants are lining up to rent at the Causeway Tower and we needed to act quickly. In every negotiation there must be leverage without it you get a one sided deal. The village again is left holding the wrong end of the stick. Our interim village manager and our legal department almost appeared to be on the landlord’s side. It was a very discouraging revelation to say the least.

 

We were promised at the last commission meeting that the process to choose our next Village Manager was going to be slow, deliberate and focused; so much for promises. The Commission vote 5/5 unanimous on basically two candidates and one token candidate to begin interviewing for the position; so much for promises and caution. However the most depressing and discouraging fact of the night was not the lack of will and fortitude from the commission to defend our interests but if it weren’t for Rey Trujillo and myself there were no other North Bay Village Residents at the meeting.  It will be a packed village hall when the taxes are raised and the residents voice their outrage; it will be too late! Damage done!

 

Humbly opinionating…PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!

Mario Garcia

May 31, 2013   

Disrespectful, where is the pride?

Disrespectful, where is the pride? This is no way to announce a cancellation of a meeting. Signs found on North Bay Island, Harbor Island, Adventure Avenue, Hispanola Avenue and East Treasure Drive; LAGE ? ETING? new words, what do they mean?   Please move the trailer to the side where is less visible, stop dumping on Harbor Island; take pride! Our Village Local Goverment should be ashame of themselves...there is no pride or vison!

Cleaning Up The Garbage

On the last commission meeting of Tuesday May 14, 2013 there was a bit of good news and a much needed ordinance. The unanimous vote of our commission in favor of the proposed Ordinance will regulate garbage waste and waste containers for commercial developments in order to prevent spillage, unsanitary conditions, and shield garbage from public view. A picture is worth a thousand words. Our village financial house looks pretty much the same way. Our commission needs to step up and put their differences aside. Work together in devising a fiscal responsible short term and long term financial   plan.  Secure our financial future without the need to raise taxes. It is time for our residents to voice their opinions and attend the meetings

Real Estate Taxes in North Bay Village are going up!

Real Estate Taxes in North Bay Village are going up! It is inevitable.  Why? Fiscal responsibility is not part of this commission’s vocabulary.  Wait lets be fair, Commissioner Richard Chervony has been mentioning the budget woes at every commission meeting.  Last night’s commission meeting was no exception. It is very discouraging to see the unreserved reserves shrinking to red numbers.  Let us start with the projected general fund deficit for fiscal year ending September 30, 2013 according to our Finance Director Mr. Bert Wrains to date is $ 73,608.00.

The Commission approved by a vote of four to five to transfer $ 50,000.00 from the general fund to the special event line item of the general operation fund for professional services to update the Village Zoning Code.   Everyone is in agreement that updating the village zoning code is necessary. Why can it not wait until next fiscal year budget for October 2013 like Commissioner Chervony suggested? You guessed it - he was the only no vote, but does the commission listen?

Next is the matter of the cost to break the lease with the LEXI, which by the way is in Bankruptcy Court and Mr. Scott Greenwald is the Developer/Owner. $50,000.00 plus 2 month’s rent from the day of notice at approximately $ 18,000.00 per month equaling $ 36,000.00 for a grand total of $ 86,000.00 give or take.  The Interim Village Manager Ms. Jenice Rosado and her staff are going to reach out to the Bankruptcy Courts with Mr. Greenwald’s support to forgo the $ 36,000.00 since the Village Hall moved out more than two months ago. I would not hold my breath since the lease is totally one sided in favor of the LEXI; are you keeping tab? North Bay Village is always holding the wrong end of the stick! Just look at its history. Why?

Next, the partial shared cost to have a much needed registered nurse on a part time basis for Treasure Island Elementary School of $2,166.00 for the remainder of the school year. Settling with P.O. Mc Vey, gross less earnings of $ 125,000.00 and the Leave Accrual Payout of P.O. Costa roughly $ 90,000.00. The cost of moving out of the LEXI and into the Causeway Towers can add into the thousands. Additionally, landscaping cost not part of the signed contract, pending over budget legal police costs, Citizens survey study $ 15,000.00 and on, and on. Poof the $ 550,117.00 unreserved reserves is vanished and on the red.  Who is listening you ask…no one!!!

Humbly Opinionating

Mario Garcia

May 15, 2013

PUTTING NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!