The Public Face Vs. The Private Face…

      

As many politicians do, Mr. Curran also has the same affliction of misleading the public by adopting a public face of one person and in private outside of the public eye another.

Recently a report came to the Insider detailing the private face Mr. Curran does not want you know about. The report is as follows. When purchasing another  home in the same complex the home was offered on an “AS IS’ basis. He had an inspection performed. The report was approved and the purchased was completed. A couple of months later a problem was discovered in the upstairs a/c. Upon finding that the original inspection failed to report on the problem  he chose to demand compensation from the seller despite the purchase contract that clearly stated an “AS IS” basis.

When this contract clause was pointed out to him he refused to honor it and instead  obtained a lawyer who proceeded to send to the seller a series of demand letters with the threat of a lawsuit should the seller refuse to pay  damages of $15k to him.

The seller, a recent widow (about 3 months earlier) with two of her children still residing with her, bereaved over her recent loss and the unexpected need to sell her home in order to deal with the subsequent unexpected expenses was quite distraught.  

The under the pressure of the persistent deluge of demand letters and  the threat  of a lawsuit the widow who was also dealing with a heart condition, gave in and paid Mr. Curran $15k  rather than go to court and deal with the anguish of going to court.

Does this sound like the person that talks about how much he cares for others?

We think not. What say you?

A final twist is that the lawyer Mr. Curran chose demanded his fee of $8K. Therefore, the net to Curran was a mere $7k.  How would you feel regarding Mr. Curran had you been the seller under these conditions?

                        

 

 

 

 

  

"Deception" (Lisa Mallozzi's DRW Article, Part II)

by Skip Klauber, resident & p/t journalist

City residents should consider Ms. Mallozzi's DRW article as an opportunity. An opportunity to see through any smokescreen of rhetorical nonsense and examine the deplorable condition of governance in Cooper City. Even more to the point, it is time for each resident in our community to gauge for themselves just how far away we are from any semblance of good governance. And I am not referring to some unreachable political Utopia.  The citizenry need only reflect upon basic concepts of decent representation provided by responsible local elected officials conscious of their sworn oath of office and fiduciary responsibilities.

The individuals controlling the majority of votes on the Commission, with an able assist by fellow travelers and sycophants, count on you, the residents. They count on you to be far too busy to focus on the activities of part-time, locally elected officials who generally meet only twice a month. In addition, most residents are probably vaguely aware we have a qualified, professional City Manager to really run things, and generally make sure the wheels don't come off the bus.

In the person of Bruce Loucks we indeed have a qualified, professional City Manager. While I may sometimes vehemently disagree with Mr. Loucks' decisions, he is a very competent and well-respected professional. However, counterbalancing Mr. Loucks' competence and qualifications are the local offices of mayor and city commissioner. With only three votes necessary to fire any City Manager who might rub their fur the wrong way, I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone trying to hold down that position.

Back in 2008, the majority of individuals holding the offices of mayor and city commissioner exercised a coup de main. Through a series of events never fully explained, and quite irregular in process, they literally bullied their way into seizing the reins of local power. The elected officials decided that despite a distinct lack of any qualifications, and damn the consequences, they were taking control of "City policy". This decision allowed Commission members to fully develop and put into practice their present "make it up as we go along" political philosophy.  In an unforeseen consequence, taking power to which they were never intended also sounded the death knell for any effective oversight within the City.

In over 26 months of closely observing the City Commission, I've noticed "the truth" has a life expectancy shorter than soldiers assigned to WWII Soviet Penal Battalions. The DRW magazine publication has graciously provided local elected officials the opportunity to publish several articles in each edition. It is with astoundingly poor judgment that some of our elected officials seem intent on using the platform provided by DRW to disseminate propaganda pieces, rather than the local chamber of commerce, or health/safety/welfare type articles for which the space is clearly intended.

Rather than respect and observe the courtesy granted by the DRW publication, it seems several Commission members have discovered a new outlet for their favorite method of communication with the electorate. Commission members can write what they want, and then have their propaganda printed and disseminated to a wide audience. Of course, given that DRW is a publication not intended for political statements, there is no procedure in place whereby readers can raise questions that should be answered. The DRW publication is not in the business of fact-checking and making considered judgments regarding articles submitted by local officials. It offers elected officials a transaction dependent on good faith and trust. (Hmmm. Wasn't there a line in the movie "Animal House" relevant to this trust situation?).

I first noticed misuse of the DRW magazine in an article by Commissioner Jamie Curran in the December, 2013 issue. The article was part of Mr. Curran's efforts to, amongst other things, resuscitate a stalled expenditure of over $6,000,000 for construction of a Soccer Complex and upgrades to existing athletic facilities. The projects were to be funded by the City's taxpayers.

Despite essentially no public disclosures, participation, or input through about 18+ months of private discussion and development, the way seemed clear to force through this enormous project. However, at almost the last possible moment certain problems arose. First, it became impossible to hide that no due diligence had ever been done demonstrating any necessity for the notably large expenditure of taxpayers' dollars. Second, to this observer there looked to be an inability to convince Mayor Ross and City Manager Loucks into setting aside their well-founded concerns. Third, there had been questions raised by Commissioner John Sims that remained very much unanswered.

Commissioner Curran used his December of 2013 DRW article to discuss the projected projects of a park and updating athletic facilities (note, for now the term "Soccer Complex" has been virtually barred from the City's vocabulary). He also focused on alleged public disclosure, as well as public input into the projects. The article was based on a rather sketchy version of local legislative history, but the real problem was Commissioner Curran's use of inaccurate information to bolster a key point.

Although I found Mr. Curran's use of the DRW space for propaganda to be an exercise in poor political acumen, it involved an emotional matter for the Commissioner. He had become very closely associated with building a Soccer Complex, and despite taking zero personal responsibility for there being no due diligence, he was clearly unhappy with the situation. Thus, although the article was premised on at least one fact that was clearly and unequivocally false, I thought it likely Mr. Curran had not intended to lie.

Ms. Mallozzi's recent article suggests the bully pulpit offered by DRW presents certain Commission members with an irresistible opportunity. Though cowardly, the preference of the majoritarians for "no questions asked; no questions answered" communications with the public is a matter of record. It's also quite effective, though misuse of DRW magazine could very well backfire badly on those seeking to use the free printing and dissemination of rank propaganda to beat down, undermine or suppress dissent. Once again, the selfish interests of a few local elected officials may well result in certain unintended consequences.

At this point in examining the Mallozzi article, I want to really focus in on the nuts 'n bolts of bad governance. Therefore, I direct your attention to the Commissioner's ill-judged effort to distort and, certain evidence suggests,  intentionally mislead residents via her reference to and explanation of the "70% threshold" in the 2012 CCO-City Resolution.

Resolutions since at least 2003 have resolved that Optimist-run leagues must be made up of 70% or more City residents. Indeed, Ms. Mallozzi alludes to the 70% threshold being part of the 2012 Resolution. However, seeking to justify an apparent back room deal, Ms. Mallozzi adds that participant numbers from basketball are not included, "since they use non-city facilities". Looking at the history of City-CCO sports and Resolutions, this is an absurd and rather comical contention. However, by examining the several different aspects of exactly how the statement is misleading, residents can look "behind the curtain" and view the absence of ability or imagination, as well as the overall lack of candor prevalent amongst the majority of the Commission.   

The reason basketball numbers are backed-out in determining the 70% threshold is as basic as you can get. If the numbers are included, the 70% threshold cannot be reached. It's that simple, and that's all there is to it. Basketball participation was an element of determining the threshold percentage of residents from sometime as early as the 1980's (note, at one time, in a much smaller program, the threshold number was 90%!) through July of 2012. I have scoured the public records produced by the City, and there is no discussion or reference to a discussion concerning backing-out basketball numbers because of using non-city facilities.

If one chooses to pause for 20 minutes and review the applicable data (e.g., the City budget numbers on overall maintenance costs for athletic facilities, CCO participants by town of residence, etc.), there really isn't any scenario where backing-out the data on participation in CCO-organized basketball makes sense but for "the cold equations". Those being that with the basketball numbers included, it is impossible for a 70% threshold of City participants to be reached.

Of course, because discussions involving negotiation of the 2012 Resolution ranged from secretive to fully private in manner, it is not possible to categorically state that Commissioner Mallozzi was being untruthful. There was an alleged open public meeting on April 12, 2012, that addressed six CCO sports-related matters, with the meeting lasting 1 hr. 45 min. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) for Ms. Mallozzi, what is being very unwisely hawked by the City as "official minutes" for that meeting describe 105 minutes of discussion in a mere 17 words. That's right, 17. If 17 words representing an hour and forty five minutes of discussion is not disgraceful enough, Commissioners Curran and Jeff Green have publicly asserted these minutes to be substantially inaccurate. (Yes, I know we have a City Attorney. But...).

All of the other meetings that might have discussed the 70% threshold or otherwise supported Ms. Mallozzi's story were private. Commissioner Curran was there, but there are absolutely no records indicating the basketball story is true, and no minutes from the private meetings exist. It should also be noted that when the 2012 Resolution came before the Commission for consideration and vote, there were no discussions or disclosures of any sort. Even though he had presumably been at the helm while the Resolution was drafted, Commissioner Curran failed to introduce the matter, point out and explain changes, ask if he could answer questions, etc., etc. Nothing anyone might expect of an experienced elected representative and official liaison to the Optimists was done.  Or was it... ?

 

 

 

"Deflection" (Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi's DRW Article)

by Skip Klauber, resident & p/t journalist 

I don't care for the tactics being utilized by Commissioners Jamie Curran, Lisa Mallozzi and Jeff Green. While I can't give a legal analysis, as far as I can tell from observing events and reviewing documents, there is no present issue about the "Optimists owing money". The aforementioned individuals, and their fellow travellers, need to stop trying to undermine the Optimists. Be men, and women, rather than selfish, self-centered, power hungry cowards.

There certainly seems to be an issue of financial and other mismanagement by the City. There are also, apparently, issues of mis-governance related to covering up the City's financial and other mismanagement. But based on everything I've seen, and I forwarded public record requests for everything relevant, I don't believe the Optimists owe the City a single penny. But the Optimists' financial obligations are not what the aforementioned Commissioners, and any possible accommodations for them by the Mayor, are all about.

There are few things more annoying to purveyors of bad governance than dissent. All the potential thinking and answering questions can be so very bothersome. In 2009 our Commission found a way to get around most of that dissent "stuff". The Commission promulgated a rule that terminated the decades-old privilege held by City residents to pose questions to Commission members.

The Commission liked the new gag rule so much it has not only been reaffirmed, it has even been extended to all of the City's so-called advisory boards. In fact, it appears the Commission members are even barred from asking questions of one another! (To his credit, Mayor Greg Ross joined Commissioner John Sims in unsuccessfully seeking to widen public input at Commission meetings). 

Getting rid of a need to answer residents' questions has been a real boon to most Commission members. Other than having to listen to three, or at most six total minutes of a resident's comments, most Commission members have a pretty low-stress position. A Commission member doesn't even have to listen to residents' comments- it's not like an elected official might have to answer questions, or anything potentially challenging. If nothing else, the past few years have shown that truly anyone, of any ability, can be on our City's Commission.

Eliminating nearly all effective dissent is nice, but your average tin-horn Caesar with a soft spot for authoritarian process requires more. They need affirmation. A sure vehicle for such affirmation is reading what others say or write about the utter brilliance of your positions, analysis, or performance. And having the populace as a whole reading of your accomplishments goes hand in hand with the affirmation process. Thus, there are "house organs", "party newspapers", and the like. After a while, some pols of high ego/low intelligence even forget they are just reading political propaganda.

Because city commission in a town of under 50,000 residents is on the smaller potatoes side, local yokel tin-horn Caesars need to settle for less media when it comes to the affirmation/ propaganda process. This leads to my thoughts regarding Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi's recent article in the DRW publication.

The article may be more in the nature of self-affirmation, but it fulfills the sine qua non of our local Commission majoritarians: "No Questions Will Be Answered!"  This is reflected in what I believe to be the "write what you want, and don't worry" philosophy underlying the author's approach.

I don't know who penned the DRW article attributed to Mallozzi. I guess I'd like to think its not someone who defeated the well-qualified David Nall in the 2010 election. But whoever composed the article has a very hostile relationship with the truth.

What is the precise status of the facts in Ms. Mallozzi's article?

(1) The article claims it will let residents know "a few facts". This is true. Ms. Mallozzi's article has a few actual facts;

(2) The 2004 Resolution? Sorry, what Ms. Mallozzi writes is less than accurate. By 2004 the Optimists and City were several decades into a relationship. I believe Ms. Mallozzi's entire discussion on this point shows either a complete lack of knowledge (i.e., "ignorance") regarding the Optimists-City relationship, or is intended to be misleading;

(3) The April 12, 2012 get-together? I'm afraid what Ms. Mallozzi writes scores comfortably below the Mendoza Line for truthfulness. That's not to say everything is inaccurate or misleading, but there is enough here straying far from the truth to give me material for another article, or two.

For the doubters, some examples:

(A) Why did the City (note, CITY, not the Optimists!) "invite" only four Commissioners? Do you think it odd the sole Commission member not invited, Commissioner John Sims, was also the only Commissioner not a member of the Optimists organization?

            (by the way, did Commissioner Mallozzi mention she is a member of the Optimists?)

(B) While the 2012 meeting was indeed held in the Commission's meeting room, it was moved to that room at the time of the 2012 meeting. The 2012 meeting was noticed for the City Manager's office. At 9:00 A.M. On a weekday.

(C) As noted, the notice said the meeting was in the City Manager's office. Does that sound like easy access for the public? If you think so, go try and walk into the City Manager's office tomorrow morning;

(D) About that "notice". In Cooper City, City policy is that open public meetings subject to the Sunshine Laws are noticed to the public in (at least) two places, a cork board in City Hall, and online. The City's online site has this big calendar that has about every meeting possibly of interest to a resident, in quite a bit of detail. Yet, the April 12, 2012 meeting was not on the website. Only on that City Hall bulletin board;

(E) The notice failed to reference two of the items to be discussed on April 12, 2012. The items left off the notice were the most complex matters, as well as those of greatest importance to the public;

(F) Ah, the minutes. Yes, the minutes. Maybe Commissioner Mallozzi should read these minutes at the next Commission meeting. A discussion of five subjects over 1 hr. 45 minutes summarized into: 17 words (note, in fairness to all, one word is hyphenated). That may sound a little, sketchy, but

(G) Those minutes again! Commissioner Mallozzi failed to include in her article that two of her colleagues, Commissioners Curran and Green, insisted at a January 28, 2014 Commission meeting the 2012 "minutes" are inaccurate. Yep, inaccurate.  (And you believe Commissioners Curran and Green, don't you?);

This could go on for quite while, so let's summarize. The article by Commissioner Mallozzi is disrespectful to residents, devoid of integrity, and a stain on Cooper City's reputation. Surely, Commissioner Mallozzi must realize that sooner or later the truth always comes out.

Excellence in Financial Reporting?

Commission meeting Feb. 25
(copy of email to Cooper City, City Manager, Bruce Loucks)

On tonight's Agenda is an item, "Frank DiPaolo will present Finance Director Horacio Montes de Oca with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting". While I don't know Mr. Montes de Oca, or even know very much about him, the presentation at this time of an award for excellence in "Financial Reporting" seems quite irregular.

During the last Commission meeting, the City Attorney presented his opinion on whether Resolutions create legally binding obligations. That is, whether Resolutions can create obligations in the nature of a contractual relationship. Because the City Attorney confidently advised that Resolutions can bind parties in the nature of an enforceable contractual relationship, I would think considerable questions now exist regarding the the nature of the parameters regarding the CCO-City relationship as set out in the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions. As you are aware, an important part of the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions addressed financial obligations by and between the Optimists and the City.

On the question of any financial obligations to the City from the Optimists, prior to Mr. Wolpin's pronouncement it was my belief the Optimists did not possess anything akin to an enforceable financial obligation in favor of Cooper City. However, I can only look at the problem as a layman, not as an attorney. In attempting to incorporate Mr. Wolpin's analysis into the present realities, I see several problems in a decision to present Mr. Montes de Oca with a "Certificate of Achievement". 

(1) No monies were collected by the City from the Optimists from at least January 1, 2007 through around August of 2012. If the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions represent enforceable agreements, the time period just given would result in unpaid fees aggregating as much as (approx.) $250,000 due to the City;

(2) I have been advised by Mr. Montes de Oca, through you and Ms. Poling, the City is unable to account (i.e., provide information) for the receipt of any fees from the CCO prior to January 1, 2007. I have asked for clarification on this issue, but received none. The bottom line appears to be that precisely when the CCO stopped paying nonresident fees over to the City is an open question. Because when the CCO ceased making payments contemplated under the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions is unknown, the amount of unpaid nonresident fees may be greater than $250,000;

(3)  Despite the existence of the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions, public records indicate no attempt by the City to ever enforce the payments contemplated in the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions. Public Records produced no invoices, demand letters, letters requesting payments, relevant emails, etc. from the City to the Optimists. In addition, Public Records indicate that no special account into which nonresident fees were deposited exists, or existed, even though such an account was contemplated by the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions;

(4) Despite the legal opinion presented by the City Attorney, aside from the Resolutions there is nothing in the Public Records evincing any intent on the part of the City to enforce the obligation of the Optimists to pay to the City all nonresident fees collected from participants in CCO leagues.

I am not entirely sure what to make of the above. Particularly in light of the City Attorney suggesting the possibility the 2003 and 2004 Resolutions could represent an enforceable legal obligation. Setting aside any legal analysis best left to qualified counsel, the facts so far discovered via Public Record Requests suggest financial mismanagement on the part of the City. A deal was worked out with the Optimists for nonresident fees to be paid over to the City. For obvious reasons, this is what one would anticipate happening to the nonresident fees. Does anyone doubt that nonresidents paying the extra money all believed the extra amount would flow to the City to assist in deferring the expense of City taxpayers maintaining facilities for use by nonresidents? For what other purpose would a nonresident fee be imposed?

I have assiduously sought out the reason(s) why and when payment to the City of nonresident fees ceased. No answers have been provided. Until there is a clear explanation by the City regarding nonresident fees does the Commission actually believe a, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting should be presented to Mr. Montes de Oca? The situation is so bizarre and provocative it adds to my suspicion that in order to deflect attention from any allegations of financial mismanagement, the City is prepared to accuse the Optimists of failing to make payments pursuant to an enforceable legal obligation (i.e., the 2003/2004 Resolutions).

The basic, underlying fact set forth herein about nonresident fees not paid/collected is not in dispute. Frankly, with the open questions associated with what happened, or should have happened regarding the nonresident fees, this Commission presiding over this type of ceremony at this time gives off an odor of possible corruption. Until the outstanding financial questions are truthfully and credibly answered, the planned Certificate of Achievement should be delayed. In my opinion, the provocative nature of the ceremony's timing will otherwise work to frame certain questions about the character, judgment and motivations of yourself, members of the Commission, and the Commission's various fellow travelers.       

 Skip Klauber

Sunshine Law violated? (again?)

Article from the Broward Bulldog reprinted for the resident of Cooper city who may have missed it.  Broward Bulldog Article

Comment from Skip Klauber:



I am glad to see the issue of the City’s misuse and outright perversion of “minutes” under the Sunshine Law has again appeared, this time via the Fourth Estate. Thank G-d for that First Amendment, right?  ......

 

The purpose of the Sunshine Law is to provide the public with certain protections against those covered by the Law. As all of you should be aware, one of the greatest weapons available to guarantee protection of the public in the context of the Sunshine Law is “transparency”. Actions by a governmental body cannot be taken in secrecy, or virtual secrecy. There must be proper notice of meetings and key events. Proper minutes must be recorded and made available to the public. Disclosure and truth are of paramount importance.

There are four members of the present Commission who fail to understand that minutes taken pursuant a policy of purposefully excluding events “embarrassing” to the City do not comply with either the letter or spirit of the Sunshine Law. It makes little difference if you have ten different video feeds of an open public meeting recorded and available via video on demand, if the minutes required by the Sunshine Law are deliberately meant to defeat transparency. How exactly does the “supplement” of a video cure this problem? By allowing anyone with an interest to watch entire Commission meetings, right. Except, if the minutes purposely leave out events, how are you going to know to watch the video to see what occurred regarding that event?

The intended answer to the above is, of course, you won’t know. You will have no reason to watch several hours of video if you do not see in the minutes anything of interest having occurred. And the policy is quite effective in making sure you will not be going through a few hours of video because you know via the minutes something occurred that made, e.g., the Mayor look bad. Nope. That is kept out of the minutes so as to be hush-hush. Actually, pretty close to secret. Its there on the video, but almost nobody knows to look at the video because the event is scrubbed from the minutes.
 
Even a non-lawyer such as myself can read the brief Sunshine Law and understand what is necessary in minutes: Neutrality and Accuracy. The policy in effect in this City ensures that neither is met.
  
The above is so easy to understand that, and let’s be candid, you folks must have a pretty good idea you are acting in derogation of “transparency in governance”. One would have to be an imbecile to miss it. With that in mind, I note:

1) The Commission has never requested a written legal opinion from the Weiss & Serota firm on whether the policy for taking minutes complies with the Sunshine Law. All you have is a sort of oral opinion from David Wolpin, Esq., citing no law, and without the full question even being stated. No responsible fiduciaries would be satisfied by that;
 
2) Because of his conflict of interest, you have never considered having Mr. (Bruce) Loucks employ outside counsel solely for the purpose of providing a written legal opinion, or even simply requesting the written opinion from one of Mr. Wolpin’s Partners;

3) The Commission will never consider requesting an Advisory Opinion from the Attorney General’s Office. And I do not mean this as an obvious “throw-away” point. Both Mayor Ross and Commissioner Mallozzi would appear to have good reason to join with Commissioner Sims and request an Advisory Opinion from the A.G. As an attorney, Mayor Ross’ should have a genuine interest in the bona fides of a City policy that purposefully excludes from minutes notice of information or events embarrassing to the City (i.e., to certain elected officials?). And during 2008, it was Commissioner Mallozzi who was the most forceful advocate against the abbreviation of Commission minutes.

While it may make very good sense that Mayor Ross and Commissioner Mallozzi would seek an Advisory Opinion, they will do nothing. For personal or political reasons they have chosen to adopt a policy quite close to outright censorship, and each properly fears the consequences of the City’s “scrubbing of minutes” policy being scrutinized.

Don’t Be Fooled, Again

(Recieved this in an email and thought others might find it of interest. Ed.)

As many have come to recognize the ‘politricks’ of Mayor Debbie Eisinger do not have any bounds. As a practitioner of the Judy Stern school of nasty and often vile personal attacks Mayor Eisinger and her acolytes Lori, Amy, Diane, and Commissioner Liza Mallozzi have once again resorted to her favorite tactic of attempting to cloak themselves in the garment of religious persecution in order to gain a political advantage.

This election time the mayor and her appointed favorite candidate Gary Laufenberg, don’t be fooled again, he is of stout Germanic origin with a maternal Italian heritage of which he boasts strongly, are raising a flag against their opponent claiming a anti-Semitic bigotry.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The charge stands empty of both of any evidence or any commentary. In Fact, it appears that the truth while unknown to these accusers is just the opposite. Commissioner John Sims, a strong advocate of religious freedoms, he and only he was a strong supporter of the Jewish Chabad of Nova that had to sue Cooper City to win the right to be in Cooper City. The Mayor and her allies on the commission dragged out the suit for over 18 months refusing to settle it for $10,000 dollars. The federal judge finally settled it and awarded the Chabad $800,000.

When word that Commissioner John Sims had been a strong supporter of the Chabad reached others within the community an organization with a proud heritage, the Jewish War Veterans Post 177, determined that John’s military service record and his efforts on behalf of the Chabad of Nova warranted an invitation to join their group. Commissioner Sims gratefully, and I might add, with humility and pride accepted as a patron member.

As might be expected few outside of his group of friends and the members of Post 177 knew of his membership. Well, when the abominable minions of political detractors found that John’s resume contained a line indicating that membership they attacked with a viciousness of bigotry not seen in this area since the days of the KKK, claiming Sims could not be a member as he was not Jewish. (check with the website)

Not only did two of the Cooper City Commissioners, Mallozzi and one unnamed, and a pseudo civic activist named Diane Sori begin a campaign of harassment by calling national headquarters’ of the Jewish War Veterans demanding reprimanding action be taken against this post. This haranguing culminating in threats of demanding the revocation of the post’s charter, notwithstanding the age of these proud veterans.

I can hardly find the words to express my personal disgust and admittedly anger that persons of this community, two of whom purport to be of the Jewish faith would take to committing such a despicable if not vile and demeaning action to members of such a proud organization. Can we as a community of free loving, tolerant and compassionate people allow this to go unmentioned? I think not.

If there exists a group, both men and women, to whom we all owe a deep and profound debt, I can not think of another more deserving of our respect and gratitude. The fact that individuals chose to disparage, demean and castigate a veteran(s) cannot be deemed a simple political tactic. It must be seen for what it is, bigotry of the most despicable vile nature.

Please, stand with me against this type of crass behavior. It is without exception the most reprehensible act I have seen in many a year. It’s now your turn to standup for what we the citizens of Cooper City know to be an essential part of our being.

Condemn these acts by your action and vote on Tuesday Nov. 2, 2010.

Walt Jolliff

See the Jewish War Veterans' letter click on the link below

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B856dApO1AB2NjVhYWQyZjktYzdiYi00ZDgwLTkzOTUtNzA3YTJmZTg4ZTdi&hl=en

Cooper City Mayor goes Clinical

The New Season has begun. Yes, the mayor of Cooper City just can't control herself. It is pretty clear that she lacks the prerequisite skills to manage a commission meeting unless the others are under the influence.

I guess you might not have heard that the Mayor of Cooper City, the now infamous Debby Eisinger really lost it the other night at a commission meeting. Yes, that’s right lost it. I heard it on the video tape as just backroom yelling then after careful questioning of the various attendees both in the audience and behind the dais the truth emerged.

The Mayor of Cooper City, Debby Eisinger, just lost it and was reported as yelling at several people to get him out of here. The “him” being Commissioner Sims.

It appears that the Mayor just can’t seem to handle any opinion or comments or just plain disagreement with whatever she doesn't agree. Initially, we thought that she just was incompetent or she failed to have that drink, oops failed to hold the glass before the meeting. (Did anyone check her purse?) The chair again showed a complete lack of leadership, creating another black eye and further disgrace to Cooper City. Several leading citizens who have not witnessed
the mayor's outbursts were heard to comment very negatively. (As we were not there it would not be appropriate to repeat the comments.)

Apology SHOULD go out to everyone in this community directly from the mayor. Unfortunately, that would require humility, leadership and a great deal of character, qualities that this mayor sorely lacks.

It seems that anytime that pesky Commissioner Sims says something the mayor
disagrees with she just jumps down his throat. Or she calls upon that bag of wind David ‘the Jurisprudence Idol’ Wolpin, (City attorney and her friend of 18 years) to come to her aid with some ridiculous ruling as parliamentarian as he pretends he is issuing an order from the bench.

I guess that is what the city gets when the commission blatantly votes to appoint a 18 year friend of the major to an important position in the city.

It appears that the Mayor is incapable of dealing with anything if there is any contention or contrary discourse that may be in any way controversial. Clinically there are several terms for this type of behavior. We will let the more medically trained persons attach the proper label as all we can do is identify the systems of this tragic and troubling malady.

It appears to many that the pressure from the Democratic powers of Broward County who have brushed her aside, confirmed by reports from Tallahassee and local elected officials, is just to much for the very ambitious political climber who has used the position of Mayor to turn Cooper City into the city of ‘we love Debby, the educational gift of Broward.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that she seeks to be elected to the school board. I wonder if they have reviewed the last election returns which indicated a minority vote. More than 50% voted for someone else in the recent mayoral vote.

One has to begin to wonder just what does the Mayor have hanging over the heads of the other commissioners that allows her to conduct herself in such a manner without the slightest indication of disapproval from anyone on the commission other than Sims.

The Notes of Summer in Cooper City

The past couple of weeks have been fairly quiet, kind of like a hiatus (oops, the pun is bad, I know). A couple of items may be of interest to those who try to follow the events of the Cooper City governmental folks.Good WishesWe all wish Susan Bernard the very best. Continues service to the city and in turn to the citizens of Cooper City should not go unheralded. Thank you for your many, many years of service to the city.

Humor

On the humorous side of things or tragic side depending on your viewpoint, the late breaking of last Friday that Mr. Elliot Kleiman has filed as a candidate to run for the office of Commissioner, CBWMD, against none other than Chris Fardelmann’s seat, I wonder if this is an attempt by Mr. Kleiman of self embarrassment or just a need to seek some sort of redemption of character. Only time can really tell. My guess is that the voters will probably not seek to place him in any position where once again he might shed some negative publicity on Cooper City.

The New Vice Mayor

Some comments on the new Vice Mayor. Oh, you didn’t know we had a Vice Mayor. Well, It seems that the newly hired or is it temporarily hired city attorney Dave Wolpin, Esq. has taken over directing activities of some of the city personnel and placed himself in the role of leader of the commission by actions not described by the city charter. Actions which replace the authority placed only in the elected officials by the city charter. I guess when you are a friend of the Mayor for a period said to be 18 years and are a neighbor of another commissioner, you get to take a few liberties.

Post Office

It seems there is a postal regulation that no postal facility can be built with USPS funds unless the property is owned by the USPS. Property can be leased if sufficient need exists. Maybe the city is going into the commercial leasing business.

Luncheon Caution

It appears to the casual observer that if you are invited out to lunch with Commissioner Neal De Jesus you will be departing the city payroll much sooner than you may have planned. We will admitted that this is only a rumor but forewarned is better than no warning at all. Brown bagging is not a bad idea either.
BTW
Those who have something that they wish to share may email us at Coopercityinsider@gmail.com. If the folks at the 'Rock Creek cabal' wish to be included on the E-Blast List to receive special emails please write to us at the above address.

Recall the Recall in Cooper city?

Recall the Recall.
It has ended. Not to be left hanging the preps have one last message (read lie) to attempt to feed us. The recall is being withdrawn. Yes, that is what we are being asked to believe.
First, let’s really look at some of the facts of the petition withdrawal. We are being asked to view this petition process as one of benevolence. The process is being halted as it would cost Cooper City $110,000 to continue. The figure head leader of the effort had been the former commissioner Kleiman who had stated when he withdrew his support just a few weeks ago, that it appeared to him that the basis of the petition was in fact very weak and probably not founded on any real facts, only allegation or suggested supposition. This is after a resident of Cooper City, the Rev. Bob Sands took Mr. Kleimen to task on the concept of hypocrisy.
We have it on very good authority that he then received a blistering phone call from the originator of the petition action, the infamous if not notorious Lori Green, campaign manager for Mayor Debby Eisinger and companion while both were seen walking of the streets of Embassy Lakes knocking on doors to obtain signatures as the petition drive lost its steam.
With that in my mind we are being asked to believe that it is the cost that is the primary consideration for the withdrawal. (Cooper City has at least $22 million in liquid assets. Based upon the last 5 commission meetings, the Mayor has a dummy on either side, ready, willing and quite able to approve any expenditure that she may desire.)
Secondly, the time frame of this process was well known to all who can read (including the lawyers leading the pack) and some of the time line discussion by the backroom manager Lori Green is really just a subterfuge. It is simply verbal condiments added to the meal of a failed petition needed to feed the hunger mob at Embassy Lakes that so passionately drank the ‘Kool Aid’ of lies, half truths, slanderous and malicious attacks upon a Commissioner who did not follow in line as the previous group (Roper and Valenti, want another beer, brother) did in order to satisfy a political agenda of the power hunger and control freak Mayor of Cooper City, Debbie Eisinger.
Last, but by no means least, the truth that was being told by a few staunch supporters and ‘Thanks’ to a perceptive and thoughtful segment of the population of Cooper City who were able to see through the vitriolic rhetoric of the boisterous if not obnoxious Greg Ross, well known ambulance chaser of the more seedy Broward streets, the hypocritical commentary of (dismissed by the voters and discarded by the Mayor) commissioner Elliot Kleiman, and the tragically flawed arguments of the well meaning group of Embassy Lakes residents who had been sucked into the mob mentality without looking. They had accepted on faith, (ponder the pun) the allegations as truth based upon a false propositions of bigotry and anti-Semitism, propagated and perpetuated by the real source of this disgusting misuse and betrayal of Judaism, Lori Green.

We, the nonjudgemental and concerned citizens, hope the lesson here is ‘Look and think before you accuse‘.

P.S. It is particularly note worthy that many unsolicited comments were made by the residents of this embattled city that we live in a country in which the process is 'one is innocent until proven guilty'.
Kudos to the residents of Cooper City whose common sense and decency
brought this horrendous nightmare to end.

Wanted: Dissent in Cooper City

Dissent Is An American Necessity

Once again the principle of free speech and the right of citizens to question the actions of their government are being tested. I.E., Recent Cooper City commission meeting and newly proposed resolution scheduled for voting at May 27th meeting. The general feeling seems to be that dissent is dangerous, that critical commentary erodes our unity and diminishes our resolve, that debates over the loss of constitutional rights is somehow a negative to the betterment of the nation. Perhaps such feelings are natural.
The attacks of 9/11, mystery illnesses, anthrax scares, and sniper attacks, as well as the outrageous larceny of some corporate leaders, indifference of political leaders and the stresses of high costs gas and other necessities can create levels of distress that can be unbearable. The tendency is to close down, circle the wagons, and lash out at all who may question. But real security doesn’t come from stifling debate or muting voices of dissent. In fact, dissent may be what we need most.
Dissent is the antidote for what social-psychologists call “group-think,” the tendency to rush to judgment. (Clearly demonstrated by the recent “witch hunts” disguised as city commissions meetings). Group-think can become a kind of herd mentality. Dissent is a guard against this mentality, a check on the unbridled stampede toward the cliff.
For this reason, as President Eisenhower once reminded us, we should never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. A democratic society depends on dissent because, at its best, dissent is an act of courage, a real test of patriotism. The ancient Greeks understood this. They used the term, “parrhesia” to refer to speech based on moral principle, voiced by a speaker with the courage to speak the truth in the face of powerful opposition. Such dissent, they believed, represented one of the highest ideals toward which a citizen could aspire.
The American Founders also understood the importance of dissent, which is why they crafted the First Amendment. As the nation evolved, dissent became an important feature in all government institutions and processes, from Congress to the Supreme Court. Even in the executive branch -- the one most feared by the Founders because of its resemblance to monarchy and its tendency toward imperialism – even here our best presidents have welcomed and honored dissent.
Today we see government officials, powerful public figures, even our friends and neighbors asking us to be silent. Once again we are told that protest is bad, that dissent is divisive and un-American. That for the betterment and solidarity of the community we must become silent. But it is not. We must not be misled from a central truth: Free and passionate debate is essential to self-governance.
To dissent, to break from the herd, to question and offer in many cases an alternative position, is to celebrate American democracy with a ferocity that no one should attempt to suppress.Unless we let them.

A turn for the worst?

One of our sources who has been most aware of the internal happenings at Cooper City has forwarded to us this commentary on the last Cooper City Commission meeting. We respectfully submit to you the citizens and readers of this blog for your review and as always your comments. [Editor.]


Cooper City’s recent commission meeting may well go down in history as the straw that broke the camel’s back. The mayor, Debbie Eisinger, and her personal friend of 18 years, newly hired city attorney and puppet lawyer David Wolpin, may well have denied former Commissioner Elliot Kleiman and former commission candidate Diane Sori their right to speak before the city commission on any subject because she didn’t like what either may want to say. This ‘citizens concerns’ portion is a time honored staple of the Cooper City commission meetings and has been grossly abused by the friends/supporters of the mayor for the past year or more. That’s right folks, the mayor cut off each one off before (mind reader that she is) they were able to get to the heart of what they were going to say, pounding the gavel and pronouncing ‘personal attack, personal attack!’
Former Commission Kleiman was rudely interrupted by the mayor because he choose to reference the phase “N*** b****”, a phase which has been uttered by the supporters of the Mayor at least a couple of dozen times in the past two or three commission meetings, which now is being reinterpreted as a ‘bad’ word. My, we were unaware that the mayor has adopted such a ‘puritanical’ view. As a former commissioner, Elliot Kleiman surly deserved more respect than he received but more importantly, we would have liked to hear his comments in full. To make matters even worse, Chief Hale was commanded to escort Mr. Kleiman to his seat but Commissioner Kleiman, being a gentleman and showing the proper respect, walked away on his own accord.
In Mrs. Sori’s case, there appears to be no rational reason for the interruption. Rumor has it that she had something of significance to tell the commission and the people of Cooper City about Mayor Eisinger’s campaign politics. (The campaign financial final reports are now available.) The mayor must have suspected this and in fear of what Mrs. Sori might say cut her off in mid-sentence and remanded told her to sit down or Chief Hale would be commanded to escort her out. (Can one imagine what damage this mayor would have caused to the BSO staff and citizen by putting a well-liked police chief in the middle of her dirty work.) Thankfully, Mrs. Sori, a lady and out of respect for the city commission, chose to walk away so as not to place Chief Hale in an awkward position. The manner and the obvious abruptness of the mayor’s interruption does cause one to wonder what she was going to say that might be that damaging to Mayor Eisinger. We are reasonable sure that the citizens of Cooper City now want to really hear it.
Now folks, the seriousness of the matter here is that the mayor and city attorney may well have violated Elliot Kleiman’s and Diane Sori’s first amendment right to free speech and totally suppressed the long standing privilege and expected right of the citizens of Cooper City to voice their concern to their elected officials on whatever issues they may choose to. (reference the city agenda).
Most would believe this is a very serious a matter and are being advised that both Mrs. Sori and Mr. Kleiman are not taking this very kindly and are pursuing all options. We hope that they will pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law not only for themselves but for all the good people of Cooper City who deserve better from their elected and appointed officials and who would be expecting to be treated respectfully should they chose to address the city commission.
[end of the submitted report]

[Editor]
The authors of this blog also share the view that the boundaries of appropriate conduct of the chairperson/mayor are capricious and arbitrary in light of the past year. The failure of the mayor to compote herself in a manner of the impartial conductor of the commission meetings as it relates to the total disregard for behavior of those whose commentary is of benefit to the mayor political agenda can only be described as abominable.
It is also note notable that the rest of the city commission did not speak up or even comment about the manner of the dictatorial posture of the mayor position, rather some commented on the political correctness of the meeting as though that allows for any previous egregious mistakes.
That is a little scary.

A post office at any cost?

Secret Real Estate Deal by Cooper City

The following is evidence of the secret real estate transaction being conducted by your city government in Cooper City. It appears that the money just recently announced as available prior to the departure of long time city manager Chris Farrell had been set aside by the Mayor for this purchase. Please note the date referenced in the email. It may be that Chris Farrell did not want to and refused to participate in this backroom secret deal and the Mayor and her two puppets, Generalissimo de Jesus and Jingles the Janitor Curran, decided that he must go. Hence the commission meeting massacre expedited exit. (Shame on your for thinking that the Sunshine Law may have been violated.)

The constant mantra on the part of the Mayor for the past two years that Cooper City must have a post office and her quest to provide Cooper City with that post office in spite of the constant rebuff from the USPS has resulted in the reprehensible acts of deceitful backroom deal in which it appears that more than one commissioner has cooperated with her and used the city clerk as the go between to make an offer to purchase the postal property.

If there exists a more plausible explanation of the events I will be delighted to hear it. In the interim the question is which of the remaining commissioners will have the presence of character to not only question what is going on but to ask for an FDLE investigation as to the intent to bypass the legal process and commit taxpayers funds to a purchase not only unauthorized but put together behind closed doors.
HELP, Somebody Call the Governor while we still have money to pay for the Call.
To the many families in Cooper City struggling to make mortgage payments, pay high taxes with homeowners insurance getting out of hand, paying a serious dollar on just plain water while the grass is dying, don’t bend over as that long shaft being carried by your city leaders is pointed in your direction.
P.S. Aranow where are you when you are needed?

Read On

Subject: Offer on the US Post Office Land
Dear City Manager Bernard: I was pleased to receive the offer of April 21, 2008 where the city offered to purchase the land at Stirling Road and 103rd Avenue. I have transmitted the offer to the US Post Office department in Atlanta. US Post Office want to cooperate with the city and in my verbal conversations with them, they have indicated that they will accept the cities offer with the following comments:

1. Price They will accept the cities offer of $3,969,000 subject to receiving a copy of the cities appraisal. They need to have a copy of the appraisal to justify the price reduction.

2. Paragraph 1.2 Closing Date. The post office would like to have a closing date of September 30,2008 unless extended.

3. The post office has agreed that they would grant to the city a CPU postal station. This is a commercially run post office which is small but I am told that they have all the capabilities of a US post office accept they do not have post office boxes. These smaller facilities can accept or process all types of postal packages, sell postage, accept postal business but they are run by private contractors. The Post office will provide signs for the space indicating that the facility is an authorized postal facility.

I have ask the post office to modify the contract with these provisions and return the contract to me and when I receive it, I will get it to you. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you and the US Post Office to arrive at an acceptable contract.

Lloyd C. NorfleetPresident, SIOR, CCIMNAI Rauch, Weaver, Norfleet, Kurtz & Co5300 North Federal HighwayFort Lauderdale, FL 33308954-771-4400 Direct 954-489-4706 Direct fax 954-489-4724


See comments from the first of many views of the citizens of Cooper City.

The Iron of fist of Cooper City?

“The first sign of a dictator and the loss of freedom is the attempt of those in power to suppress the freedom of speech.” Anonymous.

It appears that at this time the "ruling trio" of Cooper City has a plan to reduce if not eliminate the expression of free speech and the abridgement of the right to redress the government.
Of course, this can be done now that the witch hunt allowed by the Mayor has fallen apart.
As the Mayor has no need to be responsive to the electorate as she will be seeking higher office in the county.
Stay tuned there is more.. much more to come.

Muddy politics revealed?

Suggest that all viewers visit Bob Normans column, Muddy-Politics, on the New Times Broward or http://www.coopercityinfo.blogspot.com/ for a really good perspective of the politics of Cooper City and the Mayor's view of how to get things done.

Takeh Shanda (Indeed a Shame)

Open Letter to Elliot Kleiman

Dear Sir,

We all are very please that you are no longer attending the Commission meeting while under the influence of alcohol. We therefore assume that your comments and subsequent emails are done with a clear and sober mind. This allows us to listen closely to what you have said and make a decision as to the truth of your commentary.

Alas, such is not the case. Some of your comments are obviously not accurate yet you persist in stating the same fallacious comments over and over. Let the real facts help you overcome your difficulty in telling the truth even with a clear head.

Your statements of the fact of how a blog works or is controlled is totally inaccurate. There are several variations of posting, comments and the permissions allowed for different types of blogs. Ask Joseph Marhee. He seems to have the process down quite well on the several blogs he spews his filth and to which this author has posted a number posting and comments without his permission.

Did Lori Green tell you that she and the Mayor were told just 3 days before the incident at the BSO office that the BSO in Cooper City did not consider the moustache on the Mayors’ picture was a hate crime? ( This is surly accurate as the picture in question had hung in the hallway of the Cooper City Police Station as recently as three weeks ago.) Such pictures have been made of many Americans politicians (most recently G.W. Bush) including those of the Jewish faith without any out cries of anti-Semitism.

Did the Mayor indicate to you that her attempts to get the ADL to become involved were rebuffed as the moustache was evaluated as merely political satire, (clearly protected by US Law)?

Did the Mayor tell you that she demanded that the BSO of Cooper City not, repeat, not investigate the damage to Lori Green’s daughters’ car but to be handled by the Ft Lauderdale office of BSO? I guess there was a reason that she insisted that her name be listed as one of the involved persons in the incident in order for her to claim that she was a victim.

Did you ask if there also was any direct connections between the blogs ( all five that were listed) and the damage to Lori Green’s car? There was none as if there were the BSO would have at least question some of the parties with other than a phone call.

Did the Mayor read to you the comments from the police report that Lori Green made when she acknowledged that the damage could have been a random act of local juveniles? You did ask why the police report fails to indicate that the tapes of all visitors to Embassy Lakes at all three gates were not reviewed to determine if any suspicious vehicles may have entered during the period in question? You live there don’t you know that?

Lori Green didn’t tell you that the blog she referenced in the police report was in fact blanked out several weeks before the 01-12-08? She probably got confused and meant to say the Coopercityblog.wordpress.com. It is not uncommon that if your husband is a lawyer you are more inclined to stretch
the truth around as you don’t have to be really concerned about the cost of a legal defense for falsifying a police report.

Did you ask any one if they had actual seen the blog or the words “N*** B****” ? I have it on very good authority ( the authors of several other blogs) that none of the blogs made any anti-Semitic remarks and that a blog which advocated the election of the Mayor had that questionable picture and the added comment posted for at least 5 weeks. (Coopercityblog.wordpress.com).

We at the Coopercityinsider.blogspot.com are very upset as we had made many disparaging and disapproving comments and we were not mentioned at all. (Darn).

Lastly, we are very appalled that you, Elliot Kleiman, a former commissioner who was video taped drinking on several occasions just before city commission meetings which you vehemently denied and probably have seen the film of another commissioner video taped as being publicly drunk making obscene gestures to the police and paramedics who had come to his aid believing that he might be in need of medical attention, took no action what so ever, would have the Chutzpah to email the current commissioners and demand a vote of censure and a demand for a resignation.

Takeh Shanda

More to come as the days roll by.

Your comments are invited.

A note worthy Comment

The comments made below first appeared on the Sun-Sentinel online edition. The authors of this blog were impressed with the directness, honesty and simplicity of the writer and thought it should be shared with as many as possible.

To "Remove Sims from Office":

I look at myself in the mirror just fine. I have a clear conscience. I have done nothing wrong, despite the mayor's supporters who tried to spread rumors that I had put the swastika on Lori Green's car - and she was sitting right beside the mayor's campaign manager last night.
I, unlike the mayor, do not have an agenda. I am merely stating the facts.
Where was the outrage when Commissioner Roper was arrested for drunk driving and then proceeded to raise an obscene gesture to the news crew? Why didn't we hear Commissioner Kleiman or the mayor demanding his resignation? Where was the outrage when underage drinking occurred at the mayor's house (on more than one occasion), finally resulting in a young girl's death? Anytime that subject is raised at the meetings, I hear all of you gasping in horror. The real horror here is that no one was ever held accountable for that criminal act. Where was the outrage over the dining and drinking on our tax dollars?
From what I can see there are 2 sets of standards in Cooper City. The mayor and her supporters have NO STANDARDS. They are free to do whatever they please. Anyone who dares to oppose the mayor and their antics, get bullied.
And, as I said last night, at least I have the courage to sign my name to my blog entries because I believe in my principles. You cannot say the same, now can you?
Keep spreading your hatred. That Peace Festival is really going to make great strides in healing our city. But, hey, it sure will look good on the mayor's resume when she makes her run for a higher office!
By the way, I sure hope our tax dollars weren't spent making all those copies that were passed out around the city in order to castigate Mr. Sims. I certainly would enjoy reading a psychological profile on the various players in this ridiculous scenario - two bitter and angry commissioners voted out of office - the mayor, reelected with the majority of voters AGAINST HER (my, how that must have crushed her huge ego) - and all the rest of you supporters out there who turn a blind eye to all of the mayor's faults.
Shame on all of you!
Sherry Ibbs

Bulletin!

Alert! Alert!

Just received a note from insider source:
ONE
The Tuesday night Commission meeting is being advertised as the Call for Sims to resign. We have been advised that all of the Eisinger supporters will appear and deliver their message as given to them by the Field Marshall Lori Green. It appears that only the propaganda line will be spoken,(the actual details about anti-Semitic remarks will not be available as none have been reported. I wonder how one handles that problem?).
Item being pursued for additional details..
TWO
Look for national media coverage of Debby and her struggle with the truculent and obstreperous Commissioner Sims. National coverage will really tarnish the once illustrious image of Cooper City. Oh Well, what the hell, home pricing was headed to the toilet anyway, why not just flush it for the next five or more years. People will not want to move to this city for some time to come.

The Meeting was cancelled

Yes, the meeting was cancelled. Oh, you didn’t know about the meeting? Well, I guess you aren’t on the Mayor preferred ‘A’ List of supporters or a very influential persons in Cooper City. You say what meeting? The meeting of the religious leaders of the Cooper City Community. Yes, The Mayor has taken it upon herself to be the Judge, Jury, Priest, and Rabbi. Her continuing effort to discredit Commissioner Sims in the eyes of the community even though he was elected fairly and squarely by the voting citizens of Cooper City. While the democratic process did not meet with her expectation and as she said at the swearing-in ceremony last month, if you are not of the optimist club, (like in John Valenti,) then you must be of a lesser hominoid level, or words to that effect, I am not totally sure as I was vomiting in the restroom.
It is almost unbelievable but the Mayor of this small suburban bedroom community decided since she can not have her way on the selection of the new city manager, (the city charter says that the vote to appoint a new city manager the vote must be 4 out 5 in concurrence, and Neal had the audacity to present his candidate), then she must destroy another individual to secure her political objectives. Case in point, remember Eliott Klieman?
You see, the recent upset of Commissioner Mallozzi over the despicable manner in which Chris Farrell was dismissed has left such a bad taste in her gut that now she will seek to have a good effective and appropriate search for the right person. It should be obvious to all that the slash and burn approach of that delicate master of political ploys, Commissioner de Jesus, leaves a lot to be desired. It also appears that the employees of the city were equally distraught of the manner if not the ‘battle ax in hand’ severance was most unpleasant if not sickening to many loyal and conscientious city employees. Which brings me to the salient point, the Mayor reached out to the religious leaders of this community asking for a meeting on Saturday night at a religious facility (I used that term so as to not embarrass any specific group) apparently to discuss some sort of religious tribunal yielding a resolution or fiat, or decree to demand the resignation of the sacrificial commissioner, in this case John Sims, as Eliott is gone.
If my history memory is reasonably accurate this sort of behavior occurred in the late 1600’s in Salem Mass., they called them called the Witch Burnings and prior to that in Spain during the Spanish inquisition conducted to purge the country of the heretics.
Well, fellow citizens the leaders of the various groups contacted, exact numbers not readily available, being not only educated but intelligent and decent humane beings saw this for what it really was, A HANGING PARTY. Meeting cancelled.
Not to be left unsatisfied, the Mayor who is not one to give up easily, proceeded to alert the sycophants and dilettantes that the castigation parade must be formed for another performance at the next commission meeting. To those of you who are not up-to-date with this well orchestrated home grown (unique to Cooper City) procedure, it is to parade various citizens who are pre-selected and have them vocalize perceived problems in the tone of tirades, admonishments and otherwise fallacious commentary upon the Commissioner du jus, AKA John Sims. Caution to other Commissioners, Don’t turn your head to far or you will be thrown over the side next.

Is it hypocrisy or a deal ?

The events now unfolding leave one to wonder what may be happening in our fair city.
Our sources now tell us that one of the first acts of the new Commissioner de Jesus is to appoint the darling of the boozing set, the charming friend of police officers, both Davie and Cooper City), and the role model for the impressionable Commissioner Mallozzi is none other than Former Commissioner and Infamous Bart ‘Give them the Finger’ Roper to P&Z, Planning and Zoning Board of Cooper City.

It appears as though Commissioner de Jesus thinks that Mr. Roper’s recent past indiscretions so widely viewed on the local television stations in stories regarding dinner/drinks on the taxpayers tab and the DUI/Sleeping in your car in the middle of the street, are just boys being boys.

Ms. Mallozzi’s scathing comments of 1 ½ years ago directed to Commissioner Roper and the others on the commission now appear as very shallow if not totally disingenuous. I guess she wanted out more and needed some place to go, presto, why not a city commission meeting. At the time she seemed quite concerned. I guess after her election and a year of watching him in action (sobriety tests are not required for city commission meetings) and her gushing adulation of praise at the last meeting must indicate either a back room deal of some sort or she is off her meds again.

It should be clear to even the most distant viewer of city politics that the decisions of the P&Z should be regarded by the citizens and the commission as being in the vital best interest of the city. Any decisions in which Mr. Roper will participate will have to be second guessed as to whether or not alcohol may have had any influence.

The conventional wisdom is that all of the members of that board are persons of good character and that none would be influenced by anything other than good common sense, Gregg Ross might be the exception. It is the view of many who have been made aware of this planned transgression that rather than commit this gross misjudgment another appointee should be selected. We can only hope that sound judgment will prevail and that the composition of this important citizen’s advisory board will not be diminished by a rush to fill a position without solid reflective thought process.

Your Cooper City Commission at Work

The Cooper City commission is really out of touch. The writers strike is over. If you want to create a drama to entertain the relatively few people who can stomach the meetings you have truly succeeded. Based upon the comments in the Sun-Sentinel article online edition the last commission meeting has so confused the issues that no one can hardly get to the critical issue.

The increase in the BSO level of coverage is an issue that one would think is at least the most important singular one that effects every person in Cooper City. The restoration of the full complement of patrol officers seems like a no brainer which the commission finally understood and agreed on. The increase of officers was not perceived as something that was needed. It is as though adding officers would in some way create a problem of incalculable dimension. It only amounted to $200,000. Several election candidates had campaigned on it. The city manager had announced at the last commission meeting that $3.952 million in excess funds from the previous year was now available. He was supposed to tell the Commission that information within thirty days of the close of the fiscal year. To you financial types that means the city took in more than it spent, and it tried very hard to spend it all.

The drama of the night continued with a subsequent ‘love feast’ of adulation of some of the commissioners to each other and then gave way to a harangue starting with Mallozzi and her spontaneous version of ‘plagiarism’. ( So much for the GED diplomas.) This then lead to Bart Roper’s soliloquy of his fictional version of ‘The Dastardly Acts’ of his fellow commissioner John Sims. Hardly in keeping with Mr. Roper’s more than 10 years of commendable service to this community his final comments were disgusting. The nature and tone of those comments should bring shame to the record of this commissioner. This part of the show appeared to be a repetitive final act of the last three meetings. One begins to assume that this reoccurring theme has been planned and probably choreographed by someone. The facial expressions of the chairperson, Mayor and leader of our community pretty much indicates who the author might be. What pray tell doth that mean?

Well, fellow citizens of this once well respected community in the western edges of Broward, (other local municipal personnel are now calling each other with the latest about Cooper City Shenanigans ), ‘the game is a foot’ as the English would say.

One wonders, ‘What is it all about?’ Look to the underlying element, the ’Hiring Manual’ for the city manager. Yes, that’s right a hiring manual. The reason for the ad hominem, (personal attacks repeatedly forbidden and so conveniently overlooked by the chairperson) is that a proposal has been laid on the table. It is the work of a state government and others, modified with the permission of the state for the purpose of providing a specific plan to enable municipalities, such as Cooper City which does not have an HR dept., to have a working document to aid in the hiring of the singularly most important person in the city administration, the city manager.

Why the commotion? Well, the main reason is that someone had the audacity
to obtain and modify and prepare a manual to be used instead of using the vast expertise available from the commissioners who have had extensive working knowledge and background to draw from in the new hire process. (This would be only the second city manager hired in the entire history of Cooper City, the resigning city manager has served 27 or so years and at least three of the commissioners have never had to hire any significant executive or high level manager.)

I think Not. What really makes sense is that the Mayor who has known for quite some time that Mr. Farrell would be going one way or another, had someone in mind for the job and the last thing the Mayor will allow to happen is for the search for a new manager would reach out across the milieu of 27,000 or more municipalities and find the best available candidate for Cooper City. And we all know by now that the judgment of others, especially those who are not part of the Cooper City Cabal, should not have any part in selected the manager. It is best if the individual has been thoroughly vetted by the Mayor and the ‘King of Cooper City‘, her husband, and then presented as the preordained city manager. (Cronyism never seems to disappear.)

Yes, it is possible that the dots have been misaligned in the dramatic scenario portrayed . Only a careful scrutiny of the yet unfolded scripts can really tell us the egregious plan. Cooper City deserve and can easily afford a well qualified, experienced professional city manager. One who is not the chosen one by the Cabal but one who will begin to restore the integrity of the position and one who can provide the necessary leadership to the employees, citizens and commissioners in the years to come as the problems that this city may yet confront can only be described as challenging.

Keep your Tuesday nights free (viewing should only be on the older TV in case emotions become physical) as this could be an exciting if not exhilarating ride thru the pages of local politics as its very grittiest.