I
sit in front of my computer’s keyboard and can’t decide where to begin writing
about last night’s commission meeting held at Treasure Island Elementary
School’s Auditorium. This commission meeting was packed with controversy,
confusion and disappointment. It
occurred to me that maybe it would best to break it down into multiple
blogs. Vice Mayor Eddie Lim was absent for
the meeting. The customary addition and deletion that appeared to take forever
was finally settled.
The
first item was 12H: The proposed Resolution will authorize the renewal with
Florida Power and Light (FPL) for electric service. The commission voted quickly
and approved the Resolution. The renewal of the thirty year franchise agreement
with FPL at 6% represents revenues for the village of roughly $ 38,000.00 per
year.
More
shuffling and discussion and items 12 A, B, C, D were next to be heard. The first two items 12A and 12B were proposed
by Commissioner Richard Chervony. These two Ordinances will change the
membership requirements from seven members to five members. The Citizens Budget
& Oversight Board and Community Enhancement Board will now be composed of
five members.
Mayor
Connie Leon Kreps proposed the same exact two ordinances. Why? The mayor felt
that she had proposed these two items way before Commissioner Chervony and that
she was the author of these two proposed ordinances. Petty arguments by the Mayor and more wasted
time, finally the mayor conceded and Commissioner Chervony got the credit;
rightly so! It got done and that is the bottom line. Commissioner Jorge
Gonzalez proposed that these board members should stay in place until such time
that the new members are appointed assuring continuation of services.
Commissioner Wendy Duval and Commissioner Richard Chervony quickly agreed and
amended the Ordinance. Great, finally
the appointments to these boards are going to take place and the much
anticipated Citizens Budget & Oversight Board will be formed; wait a minute
not so fast!
The
Mayor points out that since each member of the commission should appoint one
member and in Vice Mayor Eddie Lim’s absence the appointments should be referred
to the next commission meeting. Commissioner Chervony quickly pointed out that
since there is a quorum these appointments should take place. I agree Village
business should not be held because of one absent commission member and a
quorum in place. Then a discrepancy and disagreement as to the manner to choose
the appointment of the candidates took place; back and forth we went; more wasted
time! No Citizens Budget and Oversight committee until next commission meeting
in July; North Bay Village Residents Lose again!
Here
is an idea, when Vice Mayor Eddie Lim returns and hopefully no one else is
absent at the next commission meeting, Treasure Island Commissioner Wendy Duval
appoints a member to represent Treasure Island.
North Bay Island Commissioner Richard Chervony appoints a member to
represent North Bay Island. Vice Mayor Eddie Lim who represents Harbor Island
appoints a member for Harbor Island. Mayor Connie Leon-Kreps and Commissioner
At Large Jorge Gonzales appoint from the three left out of the six candidates.
Additionally if the island’s commissioners wish to appoint someone outside
their island they should reserve that right. Citizen and Budget Oversight Board
Members look out for North Bay Village and I would hope that their integrity
and ethics has nothing to do with where they live. There are only six
candidates and forming this board needs to be a priority…Until next blog.
Honestly
Opinionating!
PUTTING
NORTH BAY VILLAGE FIRST!
Mario
Garcia
Wednesday June 12, 2013