controversy, confusion and disappointment

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