I didn't expect Judi to vote for Mac Kennedy for mayor. Judi and Mac each like a lot of attention, and Mac not only eclipsed Judi in votes for Commissioner, but all Commissioners reportedly got several or many e-mails asking them to elect Mac. Judi could not possibly have agreed to let herself be upstaged that way. And Judi came in third, so the prospect of agreeing to Mac would have been pretty unceremonious. So no, Judi was not going to go along with Art Gonzalez's nomination of Mac for mayor.
The Commission then had a tortured discussion about how to identify who would be the mayor. This was mostly Mac's fault, because he couldn't accept that he was not elected. He apparently did not see coming Judi's rebelliousness. He can't possibly have imagined Ginny or Dan would vote for him. He must have thought Art and Judi would.
I knew Judi couldn't support Mac for mayor, but I figured she'd compromise, and support Art. But no, she went along with Ginny and Dan, and re-elected Ginny. That's Ginny O'Halpin, who is incapable of starting a meeting on time, even when a quorum, or even all Commissioners, are there. Ginny O'Halpin, who in all these months still doesn't know what kinds of votes have to be roll call, and which are by consensus. Ginny O'Halpin, who still doesn't know that motions have to made and seconded, only after which discussion can occur. Ginny O'Halpin, who is completely satisfied with gross incompetence in Village employees*, and who shirks actually doing anything, as if she was allergic to the idea. Ginny O'Halpin, who has nothing to say about anything, and offers no initiatives. If you attend Commission meetings, you know how frustrating this is. That was Judi's idea of a good enough mayor. If the minimum requirement of a mayor is to run a meeting, that's what Ginny can't do. I didn't expect Judi to support Mac. I expected her to support the Village. My miscalculation.
We then entertained Gage Hartung's suggestion (Gage is our point man on this) that we join a suit against the FAA and its decision to allow a change in flight paths that disadvantages the nearby municipalities. Attorney Ed Dion, who got his job by reassuring us that there's no municipal matter he hasn't dealt with, and whose "bench" is more than deep enough, immediately informed us that his firm doesn't know anything about this kind of matter, and we would have to hire some other lawyer to represent us. How did we choose Ed Dion's firm over John Herin and Fox Rothchild? You'll have to ask Ginny, Dan, and Will Tudor.
And that was pretty much it. Another item or two delayed, and one or two no one wanted to deal with. Judi Hamelburg did ask one question: how much did we pay for the acknowledgements (nice yard signs) of Halloween decoration winners? The answer was nothing. And after Judi was reassured these acknowledgements didn't cost anything, Dan Samaria asked the same question about winter holiday signs. $195, because this time, Dan Schneiger didn't make them himself. But they're reusable signs. Momentous inquiries.
The final matter was Dan Samaria's attempt to combat what Tracy Truppman, Rebecca Rodriguez, and Krishan Manners, with the support of Jenny Johnson-Sardella, Dan's new friend, Will Tudor, and Betsy Wise did to him. It's a little late, and Dan has lost complete track of who were his friends and who were his enemies, but presumably, it made Dan feel better to articulate it. Although as Mac pointed out, an important piece of Dan's complaint was about Mac's announcing things, like upcoming Commission meetings, on Nextdoor. Dan never explained why this bothered him.
Our new manager, Mario Diaz, was in attendance, and he participated helpfully in several discussions.
*One blog reader informed me privately that I will learn soon enough not only that Roseann Prado is highly competent, but that a mystery Village employee is the real Village Hall incompetent. The reader did not reveal why Roseann, in her role either as Village clerk or as interim manager, did not do anything about the mystery bad apple. But I'm to know that if I had any doubt about Roseann, I could not have been more wrong.
I was thinking more about this post, and it occurred to me that someone might, in theory, ask me what was my purpose in publishing it. There are two purposes.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have given myself the assignment of informing "you" of what is going on in the Village, and I add my opinion about it. (Of course, I always leave abundant room for your opinion, or your opinion about my opinion.) That's what this blog is for. So, since we have a new Commission, and leanings, and possible alliances, are very important (to us) about the Commissioners, (and I already had my doubts about Judi), then it seemed to me appropriate and even important to share what has happened even in the first meeting of this new Commission. And I added my interpretation of what it was about, what it means, and what it might herald. So in that sense, I'm talking to "you."
My second purpose was based on the possibility that Judi, for example, either reads or knows about what is said, by me and by others, in this blog. In my opinion, if Judi cares about the Village, which I'm completely sure she would say she does, then she has made a very large mistake, and I hope she'll think about that. Naturally, she might not agree with me that she's made a mistake (I seem to be on her list of people with whom she blindly and reflexly doesn't agree; Mac Kennedy also appears to be on that list). But if she can allow herself to reflect on what she did, and what are its consequences, and if she decides she doesn't necessarily disagree, then perhaps she'll more careful, and more judicious, next time. In that sense, I'm talking to Judi.
Fred
Here's another reason Judi wouldn't have voted for Mac, or for Art, for mayor. For one thing, it must have felt to Judi like a personal insult to have come in third behind two candidates each of whom has lived in BP much less long than has Judi. (If this sounds superficial and insubstantial, it is, but that's the level at which I think we're operating here.)
ReplyDeleteAnother choice Judi would theoretically have had was to vote for Dan. But no one nominated Dan, and Dan could not possibly function as the mayor. (But then again, several months have proven to us beyond doubt that neither could/has Judi's other choice.) Judi would of course have voted for herself, but no one nominated her, either. John Hornbuckle once came in third but was elected mayor. Noah Jacobs came in third but was elected mayor. So Judi can wonder to herself why no one nominated her.
But the choice Dan Samaria provided for Judi, by making a nomination, was Ginny O'Halpin, who is of proven and unflinching incompetence in the mayor's seat. But Ginny is a female.
One of my friends called me one day shortly before election day. For some reason, he called to tell me he and his wife had already voted by mail, and they voted for me. He quickly volunteered they also voted for Mac Kennedy. So I asked about the third vote. Judi. Well, they had already voted, so it was too late to ask them to reconsider, but I asked why they voted for her. My friend said he and his wife thought it would be good to have a woman on the Commission. But we already have one, I said: Ginny. Well, he said, the more women on the Commission, the better. And that may have been Judi's angle, too. Never mind Ginny's proven limitations, that aren't going to get any better, because Ginny isn't interested in learning and improving herself. Ginny is a female. So Judi could feel some sense of sorority with her. Maybe that was good enough for Judi, no matter how bad it is for the Village.
So Dr. Jonas The message is only getting worse I think Very sad situation for Biscayne Park Same old same old with continuing My prediction Doctor the new manager Mario Diaz will last between 90 days and 120 days maximum Before either quits gets fired The revolving doors of Biscayne Park Until the entire commission is dismantled by the governor this is going to continue and only get worse It’s time to Biscayne Park residence group together and dismantle this commission entirely
ReplyDeleteLuigi/Louie/"hot dog king," if you want to convert your prediction into a bet, I'll take the bet. Ginny, Dan, and Judi don't know what they're doing, and none of them has an agenda, except for Judi, in part. Her agenda is to get the Commission to consider Code changes recommended by the Code Review Committee (of which she was a member: hmm, doesn't everything eventually come back around to Judi and her personal experiences). Mario Diaz is very confident and commanding, and he will fill in for what's lacking in Ginny, Dan, and Judi. They need him, because they can't function on their own.
DeleteAt the same time, Mario has something in common, in a way, with Mac and Art. Mario wants to do a wonderful job, so he can leave us in (I think he said on his application) 3-4 years for a better-paying job. But he'll need the manager credential, plus some accomplishments to show for his time here. (He can't make that parlay with only 3-4 aimless months.) And while Mario intends to accomplish something, for his own purposes, Mac and Art want a better Village, for our benefit. So the three of them will work together. And Mario will guide the other three to agree to function.
The only exception is that at least Ginny and Dan are under Milt Hunter's thrall, and Milt can't bear anything that costs money. So if Mario (and Mac and Art) come up with something that costs money, Milt will instruct Ginny and Dan to resist it. Judi won't care, and she might well go along with them, since she has already declared them her alliance.
Average time of a city manager in Biscayne Park at six months or less
ReplyDeleteThis is not true, unless you count interim managers as part of the averaging, and they are supposed to be short term.
DeleteIn the last 60 months we’ve had for city managers do the math doctor Mario Diaz won’t last 12 months until we dismantle the commissioners in Biscayne Park and get rid of the mayor and let the governor appoint officials this mess is going to continue on and on and on and with Mac Kennedy at the helm we’re in big trouble Waste of Biscayne Park funds he’s a bad commissioner for Biscayne Park It’s not about Biscayne Park it’s all about him Self-centered Individual that for somehow got on the commission seat we have a fire crack on our hands
ReplyDeleteI bet you $1000 this new city manager won’t last a year !!
ReplyDeleteYou make an interesting proposition. My first reaction was to say that if you only observe, and you don't do anything to try to influence the situation, I'll take your bet. But then, I also have to consider the possibility of someone else who might have influence over this situation, and who might like to see either you or me lose a bet. It's a great shame you didn't reach out to me privately to offer me this bet. And had you done that, I would have required your promise that you would only observe, and not do anything to try to influence it.
DeleteCome on doctor you know the truth how dysfunctional the commission body and Mayor is This is a mess it’s been going on six years I’ve seen it revolving door the governor needs to stop it Appoint real officials these are a bunch of clowns they have nothing to do with that time but attend these meetings wasting Biscayne Park funds It’s very wrong you’ve been here since 2005 you’ve seen more than me We have x police chiefs that are in prison right now for god sake’s Stead of writing these blogs do something write a letter to the governor help the people of Biscayne Park doctor Keep writing him until he finally dismantles Biscayne Park The governor is the only one that could help the residents of Biscayne Park 3000 people 1200 homes That been ripped off by these clowns
ReplyDeleteLuigi/Louie/"hot dog king," I think you said you've been here for five years. If that's right, then you moved here when the Commission was David Coviello, Roxy Ross, me, Bob Anderson, and Barbara Watts. Does that sound familiar to you? Do you remember manager Heidi Siegel? Is that when you moved here?
DeleteHeidi resigned, and that Commission hired Sharon Ragoonan. For all I know, Sharon would be here today (no subsequent turnover), except for Tracy Truppman, Jenny Johnson-Sardella, and Will Tudor. If you object to the disruption and destruction they caused, you can blame the Village residents who voted for them. That's our system, just as it is everywhere in this country, and in many countries. That's democracy, not a sign of a broken system that needs state intervention. And besides, one of the last people on earth I would trust to help BP, or anyone, is Ron DeSantis.
We had a chance to turn this all around a couple of weeks ago. We did not capitalize on that opportunity. That was our choice. Did you vote? Do you want to say for whom you voted?
But in any case, we have hired a new manager. He is very confident, he seems very knowledgeable, and I think he will be persuasive. I think he will neutralize what is grossly dysfunctional about the majority of the Commission. I certainly hope he will. You want him to have a long enough and successful term as manager here? That's what he wants, too. And it's what Mac Kennedy and Art Gonzalez want. So the ship might get righted after all.
If you voted for Judi Hamelburg, or Will Tudor, or if you didn't vote, then this is your fault. It's not the fault of the Village of Biscayne Park, and it's not the fault of democracy. And if you did vote, and you voted for Mac, Art, and me, then it's the fault of your neighbors who thought Commission elections were a popularity contest, or an opportunity to choose Commissioners based on gender, instead of based on demonstrated devotion and a sensible approach to problems.
Dr. Jonas make a difference help the residents of Biscayne Park please write a letter to the governor and expose what’s going on he will listen to you because you were a commissioner you’ve seen it hands on don’t let this continue don’t let these clowns get away with it
ReplyDeleteYes Doctor I’ve seen all those people around including Sharon has been in my home Mr. manners. has been in my home All I ask if you can at least tip the governor off what’s going on you know what’s going on it’s bad If you want to do something and be remembered This will be your legacy dismantle Biscayne Park commission and mayors Yes I voted for Art thinking that it would make a change but he’s just became another clown in a different costume these commissioners are using the commission seats for their own personal agenda we have one particular Commissioner that’s exchanging information with his spouse/husband I looked up the charter you cannot get advice from a spouse or an outsider it’s against the charter rulers He’s doing it on a daily basis When we vote for a commissioner we get one commission at time we don’t get a couple Meaning 2 people it’s only one You cannot involve a spouse in commission meetings or their opinions it’s not allowed Make the difference Dr. write the governor as quickly as possible remove everyone in the commission remove the mayor have the governor officially appointed people
ReplyDeleteLuigi/Louie/"hot dog king," I thought Art did a wonderful job in his first meeting. He didn't say a great deal, but he didn't have to. He came across to me as exactly the Commissioner Art Gonzalez I hoped he would be. And I have every confidence that we'll see more of his approach as time goes by. I'll be very satisfied if we do.
DeleteMac is unbelievably energetic and creative. In my opinion, with which you are under no obligation to agree, he is a very positive force on our Commission. If there was any downside to Mac, it would be a version of the downside there was to Roxy Ross: each is such an excellent and powerful Commissioner that lesser people, including Commission colleagues, get jealous and want to rebel against them. Mac excites more of that, because he has a very active and dramatic style. But he's smart, exceptionally well-organized, and he wants the best for this Village. As I said, that's my opinion, and you don't have to agree with me.
Please check the Charter again. It does not say what you think it says. Not only is a Commissioner welcome to get input and advice from other people, including the Commissioner's spouse, but generally, you and all of us would want that. We want someone who doesn't simply know all the answers, and doesn't have to ask any questions, or take anyone else into consideration. What you're thinking of is the proscription against a Commissioner's spouse being on a board at the same time the Commissioner is a Commissioner.
The governor of Florida is a moron. He is useless, and his main effect is to undermine and be destructive. No, I would not reach out to him for help, even if I needed help, and even if I had a way to reach out to him.
I'm sorry my neighbors elected Judi Hamelburg to the Commission. For all I know, she might be a nice person. But she does not have the makings of a good Commissioner. And the fact that she is one complicates the functioning of the Village.
I hope you won't think it's necessary for you to keep restating your point. I got it.
When a commissioner gets voted in They don’t get a vice commissioner Fred And that’s exactly what’s happening we have a commissioner and we have a vice commissioner that’s against the law
ReplyDeleteIt’s not two for the price of one you’re incorrect We need our governor to help the situation Biscayne Park is doomed by many dark days ahead And it’s not fair to the 3000 1200 home taxpayers These commissioners are still getting free cell phones what’s the purpose of a free cell phone ?? So they can call there Vice commissioners we used to have Roxy and Chuck as commissioner and vice commissioners We can’t have that conduct continue any longer Chuck ran the show he was the ringleader Roxy was the commissioner she did whatever Chuck wanted thank God that era is over but this behavior and conduct cannot continue of commissioner and a vice commissionerIf you condone this and you don’t do anything about it knowing what’s going on being you’re an ex commissioner you owe it to Biscayne Park to help and reach out to the governor
ReplyDelete