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