tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47705958625769736212024-03-05T17:26:54.725-05:00North Bay Village Reality Based CommunityThis is a blog from a long time resident and is focused on the issues facing North Bay Village, Florida, the most densely populated municipality in the state. Opinions expressed are my own but facts are facts. I welcome comments and even guest posts.North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.comBlogger713125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-30199431456462885092022-02-16T17:48:00.001-05:002022-02-16T17:48:24.791-05:00The Commission Is Hearing the Velken Issue Tomorrow Night<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi79UcxfBG0G5KNE4BN4qweMdtasnfXM5aW2dxooX3wXYxz3cRogQ0vFV55HWm-UnkMIgFCX5JhC227jijEYY6GSPCuzJJgAAzqjgc-YFb1eLI9MMR-eLiBKIqm_jLa40tZnZ1J_o1otMiIyM2E-L_oSIWDTXkZRUV7sQx-yLg-OFg_aaFEL8ut1UwR=s284" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi79UcxfBG0G5KNE4BN4qweMdtasnfXM5aW2dxooX3wXYxz3cRogQ0vFV55HWm-UnkMIgFCX5JhC227jijEYY6GSPCuzJJgAAzqjgc-YFb1eLI9MMR-eLiBKIqm_jLa40tZnZ1J_o1otMiIyM2E-L_oSIWDTXkZRUV7sQx-yLg-OFg_aaFEL8ut1UwR=w467-h291" width="467" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br />The issue at hand is an invoice from the Florida Retirement System for $472,546 that arose from the way Lewis Velken, who was presented to North Bay Villagers as police chief and then village manager in 2018, failed to comply with the FRS rules regarding retirement. For a detailed view, click <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2022/01/the-bill-for-pension-fraud.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Commission has this item on its agenda for tomorrow February 17, 2022 and while it won't be resolved tomorrow night, they will have to give direction to the legal staff, law enforcement and accounting. The responsibility weighs on the five elected representatives, not the state and not the staff. They need questions answered. </span></p><div><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Questions to resolve:</span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Was Velken ever an employee or a contractor? </span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Velken was never a North Bay Village employee. No one is disputing that. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Indications are that he may not have been a valid contractor either. There was never a written contract, there is a dispute on whether there was an oral agreement, the Commission certainly never approved a contract and nobody seems to know how much money was proposed. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In the case testimony, former Village Manager Marlen Martell, Lewis Velken and the payee of record, Stephanie Leon, all gave different figures. That doesn’t look like a contract. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Did the Florida Retirement System accept that Velken was a contractor after the Administrative Law Judge June McKinney ruled he was? </span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Definitely no or they would not have settled with Velken. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Was Velken even authorized to approve invoices and disbursements for his own pay? </span></span></h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Since Velken was not an employee of the Village and Velken did not have a written contract approved by the commission, this is a key point that must be answered. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Should North Bay Village accept that Velken was a contractor? </span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Probably not. Without a signed, commission approved contract, one way to look at it is that Velken was basically just a guy that showed up at the office. I'm surprised that the North Bay Village continues to refer to Velken as a contractor. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Isn’t this criminal fraud? </span></span></h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It could be. I understand that the State Attorney General’s office is looking at the matter and I hope there are other criminal investigations. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In my opinion, the Commission should formally request (by resolution) that the Florida Attorney General assign an investigator to assist other Law Enforcement to analyze and investigate the situation. The state may not be needed but it's better to be prepared. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">What are the odds that North Bay Village will have to pay the $472,000 fine to the FRS? </span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In my opinion, very high if North Bay Village continues to insist that Velken was a contractor and continues to take an argumentative position with the FRS. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The odds might improve greatly if North Bay Village considers the possibility that the Village itself was a victim and works with the FRS to investigate the situation. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Wasn’t Velken also police chief? </span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Yes, well, he was presented as such but never had a contract or was an employee. The Village did submit an affidavit to the FDLE stating Velken was a full time employee, but that was wrong. Since law enforcement authority comes from the employer, there could be issues around this. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Was this the only non compliant payment or contract? </span></span></span></h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">There is no definitive answer for this. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I have proposed to the Financial Advisory Board that they request a full accounting and legal review of all contracts and third party payments from November 2017 through February of 2019, the time frame that this issue was happening. The Commission should absolutely instruct the staff to do that now. NBV does not need another surprise bill. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In my experience, when there is misallocated money, it is never just once. It's time to put it all out there. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Kevin Vericker</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">February 16, 2022</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></span></div>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-89539510477449911452022-02-02T13:21:00.003-05:002022-02-02T13:30:52.667-05:00Anti Fraud Measures In North Bay Village<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQZvttsjj4RQTtEGs3ptr6tJNa1lt6_NLZTaroSu2zC6hp1WM_ORTOKt-x_1B3jbKF0mU9IMdrkkxoo0aZ8WBgkmce7Qnf47ofPjY6p8ml4WPna0vyEkm0oBe8TBGPgCUNAUwd6KEXu21TS_PoIfhR8FyU1x-ApTNJOJ9f5TiXKOLmv5vVCwbdBc2i=s323" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="323" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQZvttsjj4RQTtEGs3ptr6tJNa1lt6_NLZTaroSu2zC6hp1WM_ORTOKt-x_1B3jbKF0mU9IMdrkkxoo0aZ8WBgkmce7Qnf47ofPjY6p8ml4WPna0vyEkm0oBe8TBGPgCUNAUwd6KEXu21TS_PoIfhR8FyU1x-ApTNJOJ9f5TiXKOLmv5vVCwbdBc2i=w569-h265" width="569" /></a></div><br /> In my last <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2022/01/velken-never-had-written-contract.html" target="_blank">post</a>, I wrote about 2018 and the lack of controls that would have prevented someone who was neither an employee of North Bay Village nor had any approved written contract from submitting, approving and signing payments to himself from Village funds while evading Florida Retirement System and Florida Statute rules for his own benefit. In the piece, I wondered what has changed since 2018 that would prevent a repeat of the same. After publication I received a detailed response to my questions from Deputy Village Manager and HR Director Carla Gomez. Honestly I'm impressed. <div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">First - What Is This All About?</h3><div><br /></div><div>On January 5, 2022, the Village received an unexpected invoice from the Florida Retirement System for $472,546 as its penalty in a scheme perpetrated by Lewis Velken to avoid complying with FRS rules. Velken was never a North Bay Village employee and never had a written contract with NBV yet he was first sworn in as police chief then moved to Village manager under the shambolic administration headed by Connie Leon Kreps. </div><div>From at least August 2018, while he was "interim village manager", Velken submitted invoices for his own services to the village, approved the invoices and signed the checks along with then Mayor Kreps. </div><div><u>Velken was not an employee and had no written contract with the Village. </u> </div><div>In most organizations, this would have raised huge red flags. It is standard government accounting practice that every non-payroll disbursement needs to refer to the legislation or contract that supports the payment. In 2018, in North Bay Village, this didn't happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>North Bay Village in 2022 is faced with a huge issue - what to do about the $472,546 fine. That has to be addressed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Looking at that impending payment which would kill our reserves, I also wanted to know two things - </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Has NBV fixed the holes that allowed an individual to pay himself without a contract and a careless mayor from signing those checks? </li><li>Is there a plan to recoup the more than $70,000 noncompliant payments?</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Answers From The Village - YES AND HOW</h3></div><div><div><br /></div><div>These are the questions I posed to Village Manager Ralph Rosado and HR Direct/Deputy Village Manager Carla Gomez. The answers are very detailed so I have taken the liberty of summarizing them. For the full response, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T2abn1pb7aWb_3vhb4JGqQDcvAtT7W6c/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a>. </div><div><i>1. Are you currently reviewing employee training and procedures on the need for Village disbursements to be clearly supported by more than verbal agreements? </i></div><div>The short answer is “Yes” </div><div>Following the consulting assessment done by Alvarez & Marsal in 2019, the Village updated the accounting and procurement procedures. These are detailed in the report but for the purposes of the real question, “How did a non-employee who had no written contract manage to get paid?” it’s clear that in 2018 the procedures were not in place. </div><div>They are now. </div><div><i>2. Are you working on clearly laying out a procedure for staff to report suspected non-compliance and fraud?</i></div><div>Again, there is a very long answer but the short answer is that the current administration requires employees to submit an affidavit if there is reason to suspect non-compliance or fraud in payments. This was not the case in 2018 and it’s a good thing. </div><div><i>3. Is there a plan to recoup the disbursements to Stephanie Leon PA (Velken) as they were noncompliant with the Village policies?</i></div><div>Legal is reviewing this as an option. </div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Alvarez & Marsal Report</h3><div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, I had forgotten about the Alvarez & Marsal Report. So let’s cover that now. </div><div>When Mayor Brent Latham, along with Commissioners Julianna Strout and Marvin Wilmoth first took office in 2018, it was clear that the Village was out of control. </div><div>As it has emerged now, nowhere could that be more clear than the fact that someone who was not employed by the Village nor had a written contract with the Village was able to oversee the payment of over $70,000 to himself without any alarms being raised. </div><div>Latham took charge immediately and one of his first big moves was to bring in a consulting firm, Alvarez & Marsal, to do a bottom up assessment of North Bay Village and its processes. </div><div>The result was a comprehensive set of recommendations. North Bay Village Manager Ralph Rosado created and executed a tactical plan based on the recommendation and for several years reported monthly to the commission on progress. In my view, the most critical aspect has been the rebuild of the Finance Department with strong anti-fraud measures. Fraudsters will always probe for weakness but North Bay Village is no longer a sitting duck. </div><div>For a complete look at the Alvarez & Marsal Report, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sgumKsZnkSMntJaOpQFpru1m43oE3o6M/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a>. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">People Fought Mayor Latham and The Commission About This Report</h3><div><br /></div><div>The entire Commission agreed to hire Alvarez & Marsal but Latham took the heat. A failed mayoral candidate and former commissioner who was on the dais in 2018 kept JAQ’ing (“Just Asking Questions” as the kidz say or used to) wondering why it was so costly. Others began accusing random people of missing money. But Latham and the Commission persisted and the final report provided the roadmap to reform. </div><div>It's been a long hard road and North Bay Village has not yet closed this chapter, and it won't until the fraudsters make the village whole, but the Village has shut down an opportunity for a repeat performance. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>February 3, 2022</div><div><br /></div></div>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-77562887030961200072022-01-31T11:50:00.004-05:002022-01-31T13:09:14.442-05:00Velken Never Had A Written Contract<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSGbvvDoTgCWwREu17taV2PJFacH1w6bgVyI_34VYFlG-gx-k8Y9Q3xTGgyUPg5rshHy9_DmNcGjgZbQRHrjqmav0hOM2OnCzvckaRdyhbm5YWVZZ_juAxfgIEx6xsVOEgpYrnMT-62GZiVo4xJU_SXv6nAHg-v8PIYCMdG6a5-28IlJXMfrXdVW5x=s850" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSGbvvDoTgCWwREu17taV2PJFacH1w6bgVyI_34VYFlG-gx-k8Y9Q3xTGgyUPg5rshHy9_DmNcGjgZbQRHrjqmav0hOM2OnCzvckaRdyhbm5YWVZZ_juAxfgIEx6xsVOEgpYrnMT-62GZiVo4xJU_SXv6nAHg-v8PIYCMdG6a5-28IlJXMfrXdVW5x=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Easy to miss in the talk about the Village taxpayers getting a bill from the Florida Retirement System for $472,546 to settle pension claims against Lewis Velken is that Velken was not an employee of North Bay Village and Velken never had a written contract with the Village. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 2018, Velken was approving $70,357 invoices by himself and for himself while Mayor Connie Leon Kreps was signing the checks over a 5 month period in 2018. More checks were issued in January 2019. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">None of the compliance systems that are supposed to protect against fraud stopped this or even alerted the Village. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nobody ever publicly asked why the police chief who became the Village manager was not an employee, or why there was no written contract. Not the people who processed the invoices, certainly not the Village manager himself as he already knew, nor Mayor Kreps as she signed the checks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even stranger is that Lewis Velken reported on a 1099 that he received $48,570 with the rest apparently held back by his billing agent, a cool $21,787 (31%) presumably for "admin costs" but it does bring up the question of where did that money go?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2018 Was A Crazy Year</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">An estimate of the costs of 2018 that were laid out to settle ill advised legal maneuvers, severance payments for long term employees, "agreements not to sue" by contractors, and other settlements, are somewhere around $1.2 million taxpayer dollars and now the Village is on the hook for an additional $<a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2022/01/the-bill-for-pension-fraud.html" target="_blank">472,546</a> in fines to the Florida Retirement System for allowing this fraud to happen. </div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">It Could Happen Again</h3><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are surely criminal investigations going on as to how an individual could use a third party to avoid pension obligations. I am assuming that it will include those who facilitated the payments and it remains to be seen if anyone will be held accountable. </div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, the Village government is focused on containing the scandal by refusing to talk about it publicly and being annoyed at the FRS for holding the Village responsible. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Commission who will ultimately decide the strategy in how the Village pays this has not called for a special meeting to discuss the issue nor private shade session to discuss legal strategy. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Village Manager, citing "legal concerns", has refused to answer questions about if the policies and procedures have been updated to prevent this kind of fraud in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe everyone is just hoping that it will go away if they don't say anything. That strategy clearly failed in February 2019 when it was the official stance of the newly elected commission. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just as concerning is that the well paid auditors never flagged the systems failures that led to an individual not employed by the Village or even contracted to submit, approve and have disbursed tens of thousands of dollars.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Focus On The Here And Now</h3><div><br /></div><div>The taxpayers and residents of North Bay Village need reasons to trust their government before they allow a half a million dollars to slip away. </div><div><br /></div><div>The five commissioners who represent the taxpayers have an obligation to explain what they know and what they don't know. The commissioners and the public need to be absolutely certain that this cannot happen again. </div><div><br /></div><div>The commission should insist, in public, that every existing contract and retainer be reviewed for potential abuse. The commission should also make sure that any agreements exceeding the Charter limit of $10,000 to $15,000 per year have their explicit approval by majority vote. </div><div><br /></div><div>The commission should review, in public, the HR and Accounting procedures that have been put in place to flag potential fraud, protect employees who flag these issues, and residents who expose the same. </div><div><br /></div><div>The commission should by resolution ask state and federal authorities, including the FRS, to assist the North Bay Village police investigation into the fraud. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Village Manager should be prepared with an assessment of what has changed since 2018, steps that are being taken to recover the money fraudulently disbursed, and what steps are being taken with the auditors to strengthen the defenses against fraud. </div><div><br /></div><div>There need to be criminal investigations into the fraud. North Bay Village police can't do it alone. They will need state and federal help and the commission should request that on behalf of the Village. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Is Anyone But The Mayor Stepping Up?</h3><div><br /></div><div>Nope. </div><div>Well, the Mayor is. It's been over a week since Mayor Brent Latham broke the news about the FRS bill, which you can read here at the <a href="https://northbayvillage-fl.gov/an-update-from-mayor-brent-latham/" target="_blank">Mayor's Blog </a>on the Village website. </div><div><br /></div><div>Latham has been absolutely laser focused on the critical aspect of this fraud, demanding that the Village have in place the accounting compliance and the HR policies needed to prevent this from happening again, now or in the future. He's been pretty consistent on this since 2019 when he first came into office. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The 4 Other Commissioners And The Village Manager</h3><div><br /></div><div>The mayor can't do this alone. Under our system of government in North Bay Village, the mayor is one voice among five, holding equal power as the other four members. </div><div><br /></div><div>We know where the mayor stands. The silence from the other commissioners is deafening. At least two commission members must request the type of special public meeting required to review these issues. </div><div><br /></div><div>None have done so. </div><div><br /></div><div>The commission has not scheduled a special meeting to discuss the issue and instead has suggested that it might be one item among many at the yet to be publicly scheduled February meeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Village manager has not made any statements about how they intend to address the issue internally or externally. </div><div><br /></div><div>According to sources, the Village is planning to negotiate with the FRS to bring the amount owed under $250,000 so it will be covered by the Village's tax payer funded insurance and maybe they won't have to think about it again. </div><div><br /></div><div>If the residents say nothing, North Bay Village can continue to be ripe for the picking by anyone with the nerve and desire. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>January 31, 2022</div><p></p>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-35358518952735997252022-01-24T17:54:00.463-05:002022-01-26T22:36:40.586-05:00North Bay Village Taxpayers Invoiced $472,546 For 2018 Pension Fraud<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL22jQ_vt9akXUyOHg0PQ_j3QH-oeQP7ifIP9kd5nTl-yvkHlK_YTxu3oKrHvnYnNfKTqrjh3Lth_dpJqEJRB6P2p--96HQ272OWz5U3sBqD_cUfxnIOjRaOe3o3WDIVoRYGeyt0LxMFh0kui7t_deIuGl-0Z8D_gWe1l0-ZOU8YcFlGsxKsnzigJ5=s612" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL22jQ_vt9akXUyOHg0PQ_j3QH-oeQP7ifIP9kd5nTl-yvkHlK_YTxu3oKrHvnYnNfKTqrjh3Lth_dpJqEJRB6P2p--96HQ272OWz5U3sBqD_cUfxnIOjRaOe3o3WDIVoRYGeyt0LxMFh0kui7t_deIuGl-0Z8D_gWe1l0-ZOU8YcFlGsxKsnzigJ5=w657-h437" width="657" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On January 5, 2022, Kathy Gould of the Florida Management Services department sent two invoices to North Bay Village to cover the costs of the Lewis Velken pension fraud. One invoice is for $345,653 for half Velken's DROP payment and the second is for $126,893 for pension overpayments, totaling $472,546. </div><br /> </div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lewis Velken Settled A Claim of Pension Fraud.</h3><div><br /></div><div>In April of 2018, retired Miami Dade Police Lieutenant Lewis Velken was sworn in as North Bay Village's Chief of Police. In August of 2018, Velken moved over to become Interim Village Manager where he served until January 2019. </div><div><br /></div><div>It turned out that when Velken was sworn in as Police Chief, he was not actually a Village employee, a fact that was never made public. Instead his pay was routed through a 3rd party, alternately referred to as a friend and in one deposition as his sister-in-law, Stephanie Leon, a Miami Lakes Realtor. </div><div><br /></div><div>This was done so that Velken did not have to repay his DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) payment of $691,307 and suspend his pension payments while he worked for North Bay Village. </div><div><br /></div><div>The scheme was first made public in 2019, here in this blog, and the Florida Retirement System this month settled the claim with Velken by accepting a payment of $345,653 or half the DROP Payment and disallowing the final 5 years of Velken pension which will reduce his benefits significantly.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Florida Retirement System Says North Bay Village Owes The Rest</h3><div><br /></div><div>Under state law, North Bay Village is jointly liable with Velken for the payments and the FRS wants North Bay Village to pay $472,546 for its part in the scheme to circumvent the FRS rules. That means the taxpayers are expected to pay for this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Their reasoning is based on <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0121/Sections/0121.091.html" target="_blank">Florida Statute 121.091 (9) (c) (3)</a> which reads </div><div><blockquote> A retiree employed in violation of this paragraph and an employer who employs or appoints such person <u><b>are jointly and severally liable for reimbursement to the retirement trust fund</b></u>, including the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund and the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund, from which the benefits were paid.</blockquote></div><div>It is the phrase "<u style="font-weight: bold;">Jointly and severally liable"</u> that comes into play. That says that both the individual (Lewis Velken) and the employer (North Bay Village) are liable to make the FRS whole. North Bay Village may be liable. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How Did This Even Come About?</h3><div><br /></div><div>For people who were not here in 2018, when the Village was led by Mayor Connie Leon Kreps and Commissioners Laura Cattabriga, Andreana Jackson and an empty suit from North Bay Island, it's hard to explain how crazy things got so I will refer you to this article in in the<a href="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/north-bay-village-fires-sam-bejarpolice-officer-investigating-extortion-plot-tied-to-city-leaders-10299773" target="_blank"> Miami New Times</a> or just scroll through this blog. </div><div><br /></div><div>The particular facts in this case are that in April 2018, after firing Police Chief Carlos Noriega (later reinstated), then Village Manager Marlen Martell needed to find a new police chief and recently retired MDPD lieutenant Lewis Velken was recommended. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was a problem According to FRS rules, if you retire from one FRS employer (Miami Dade), you are ineligible to be hired by another FRS employer (North Bay Village) within 6 months or you must repay your retirement benefit ($691,000 for Velken in a lump sum and a monthly pension check) Wait 6 months and it gets easier and wait a year, it's free and clear. </div><div><br /></div><div>Velken did not want to return his money or short his pension check, and apparently didn't want to wait. </div><div><br /></div><div>This part is undisputed and based on the sworn testimony of both Velken and Martell in their court testimony. </div><div><br /></div><div>Velken contacted Stephanie Leon of Miami Lakes and had her act as contractor for his payments to be routed to him thereby claiming to be a contractor, not an employee. </div><div><br /></div><div>This part is disputed. According to sworn testimony by both Velken and Martell, they ran the proposal by Norman Powell, the North Bay Village attorney at the time, and Powell said that he did not see a problem with the arrangement. From Lewis Velken's testimony in his complaint against the FRS. From :</div><blockquote><div>STATE OF FLORIDA</div><div>DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS</div><div>CASE NO.: 19-2746 </div></blockquote><p>Transcript Vol. 4 Page 433 where Lewis Velken was testifying about how this came about: </p><blockquote><div><i>And what is your understanding of the relationship between Mr. Powell and North Bay Village at that point in time? </i></div><div><i>Velken: At that point, I was told that he was lead counsel for the village. So, he had the ultimate say as to whether or not this would be an appropriate arrangement to -- or agreement to go into. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Q And what did he advise? </i></div></blockquote><blockquote><div><i>A He [Powell] said that he didn't see anything wrong with it, that he was going to research it further, but there was nothing wrong with it, since they had other contracted employees. And if there was any issues, that by the next day, he'd let them know in the morning, because they had scheduled the sweaing in ceremony for later on, for the 18th, in the evening. </i></div></blockquote><div></div><div>In the same hearing, Martell recounted that same story. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although Velken as a 30 year policeman and Martell as Village Manager should have known better in my opinion, they both state they were relying on legal advice from then Village Attorney Norman C Powell. </div><div><br /></div><div>Powell denies that he knew about the arrangement in his deposition and called it a "complete fabrication" in the <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article225553155.html" target="_blank">Miami Herald </a> article about the issue. </div><div><br /></div><div>But he did know about it by September of 2018 when he wrote a series of emails to then Labor Attorney David Miller asking him to prepare an actual full blown employment agreement with Velken. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What Role Did The 2018 Commission under Mayor Kreps Play?</h3><div><br /></div><div>None. Well, not publicly. </div><div><br /></div><div>You see none of the people who knew brought the issue to the commission for a vote. </div><div><br /></div><div>Connie Leon Kreps later stated that she signed the checks for Stephanie Leon (no known relation) and did not question why our Village Manager (Velken) was paid through a 3rd party. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been told that 2 of the commissioners approached Powell in September of 2018 and on page 458 of the transcript referenced that unnamed commissioners approached "lead counsel Norman Powell" to organize Velken's permanent hire. </div><div><br /></div><div>On September 5, 2018, Norman Powell sent a series of emails to the Village labor attorney about creating a permanent employment agreement. These email are published <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2019/02/legal-amnesia.html" target="_blank">here</a> in an earlier blog entry. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Buckle Up. It Gets Weirder. There Was Never A Contract.</h3><div><br /></div><div>It turns out Velken never submitted a written contract to the Village</div><div><br /></div><div>It seems that Velken/Leon never actually had a signed contract with the Village. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even though Leon was invoicing and receiving payments for Velken's service and Mayor Kreps was unquestioningly signing them and the Village Manager and Attorney at the time knew Velken was not an employee, there was not even a written agreement for his services and the actual amount agreed orally varies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Checks were just being cut and disbursed without a contract and without commission authorization. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Don't We Have Checks And Balances Against This?</h3><div><br /></div><div>Yes. The Charter is very clear that any <a href="https://library.municode.com/fl/north_bay_village/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIAD_CH36ADPOPR_PUVISU_S36.25PRRE" target="_blank">contracted arrangement exceeding $15,000</a> must be approved by the commission. That did not happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Charter is also clear that any employee or contractor who knows of a situation <a href="https://library.municode.com/fl/north_bay_village/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIAD_CH38COINCOET_S38.37HOCOELAPVIOFVIEM" target="_blank">violating local, state or federal laws is obligated to report the violation</a>. Nobody did. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Charter is very clear that the same applies to elected officials, including then mayor Kreps. That did not happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>There could be an argument that the Village cannot be responsible because the individuals involved in the scheme hid the information for reasons of their own. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">If They Hid It, How Come We Have To Pay?</h3><div><br /></div><div>The FRS probably doesn't care about how it happened. Seriously even I get tired writing about this. The FRS is simply holding North Bay Village liable and will leave it up to North Bay Village to go after the individual actors. </div><div><br /></div><div>In his statement on the matter, Mayor Brent Latham writes "<i>Rest assured that Mr. Velken and his facilitators, and not the taxpayers of North Bay Village, will pay the cost of any wrong doing in this case. </i>"</div><div><br /></div><div>You can and should read his whole statement here: <a href="https://northbayvillage-fl.gov/an-update-from-mayor-brent-latham/">https://northbayvillage-fl.gov/an-update-from-mayor-brent-latham/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am not a strip club lobbyist so I don't have lot of municipal law under my belt, but I suspect that the Village will have to pay the full or a negotiated amount out of tax revenues and then pursue the individuals who actually effectuated the caper. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Where Are Those Individuals Now?</h3><div><br /></div><div>Lewis Velken himself terminated his unwritten contract in January of 2019 when the story broke. Velken previously sent a notice to the Village with an Intent to Sue if his pension was revoked. Whether or not he is able to do so is an open question.</div><div><br /></div><div>Velken is currently working as a <a href="https://www.indiancreekvillagefl.gov/police/police-staff-directory" target="_blank">Reserve Police Officer in Indian Creek</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Marlen Martell was let go in August of 2018 after 105 days on the job and collected $127,000 in severance and an agreement not sue North Bay Village, plus a year's health insurance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Norman Powell's agreement with the Village was terminated in February of 2019 in exchange for a payment of $85,000 not to sue North Bay Village. Powell is currently suing me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Former Mayor Connie Leon Kreps left North Bay Village. </div><div><br /></div><div>Former Commissioner Andreana Jackson, who may have known, resigned from the commission after the Commission on Ethics found she had profited from a village sponsored children's event. </div><div><br /></div><div>Former Commissioners Laura Cattabriga and Jose Alvarez continue to lurk around North Bay Island asking questions. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">By The Way, Kevin, Where The Hell Have You Been?</h3><div><br /></div><div><i>Last July, I left North Bay Village when I decided to retire. I am living in San Luis Obispo, California. San Luis Obispo, which may be the Spanish for "halfway between LA and San Francisco on the coast", is a lively coastal college town and it looks like the retirement destination. I'll always love North Bay Village but California has been calling for many years and it's looking good. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>January 26, 2022</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-32238975504663534012021-02-21T13:58:00.001-05:002021-02-21T14:34:58.766-05:00Woman of the Year 2021 North Bay Village Style<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-GmilI4Uhh08WrVWexpaFzCrUIGGihMdmcvltq1cuca5DjDH4GHTO3LQV7X66nGcyV9YDXgaKPkZhRJUBIJyGSk2e0BLGi42akZR8jIEpXb7r6zE1Qw13znUmwp4h9tx5Fez74PQGu0/s231/sissyanddoug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="218" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-GmilI4Uhh08WrVWexpaFzCrUIGGihMdmcvltq1cuca5DjDH4GHTO3LQV7X66nGcyV9YDXgaKPkZhRJUBIJyGSk2e0BLGi42akZR8jIEpXb7r6zE1Qw13znUmwp4h9tx5Fez74PQGu0/w302-h320/sissyanddoug.jpeg" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissy Shute & Dr. Doug Hornsby (spouse)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Two years ago, in March of 2019, North Bay Village for the first time made a point of honoring the unique and often overlooked accomplishments of North Bay Village Women. I wrote about it at the time <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2019/03/an-exciting-cloud-of-dullness.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It was an exciting moment and in line with North Bay Village's history of progressive inclusion. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the time, I wrote of something that surprised me. Excluded from the women honored was Sissy Shute. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sissy Shute has played an outsized role in our community. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">She has dedicated her efforts to community improvement in her neighborhood (North Bay Island), in the Village at large and here in Miami Dade County. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her personal efforts and willingness to help one on one alone would be worth recognizing. One big one that stands out to me is her tireless promotions of food distribution efforts by David Richardson, the Miami Beach commissioner. This has been a tough year for all and many people facing "food insecurity" meaning that buying food means other essentials like rent and transportation suffer are reluctant to come forward. Sissy's enthusiastic involvement in this effort has put food on the table of North Bay Villagers who might otherwise not have had access to food for themselves and their family. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Nevertheless, her contributions have gone well beyond this informal effort. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Sissy founded and keeps the North Bay Island Crime Watch going and is now leading the expansioni the program throughout the Village. She herself paid for the cameras at the NBI Gate House. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Sissy has led the beautification efforts through the North Bay Island Garden Club. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Sissy has been a tireless advocate for the Optimist Club programs to support North Bay Village youth programs. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">On a much larger scale, her involvement in getting clean government in North Bay Village has been critical. Sissy's political activities have included epic parties at her house to invite the entire Village to meet and get to know our current mayor, Brent Latham, and Commissioner Julianna Strout during their campaigns, as well as bringing former Congresswoman Donna Shalala to North Bay Village among others. Sissy took a lot of heat for her efforts to get a clean dais but persevered. We all benefited. </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: justify;">An Award Shows What We Value</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">This March, the Commission will be honoring those women who have made significant contributions to North Bay Village's civic life. Each commissioner can put for the names of those who will be honored. Mayor Brent Latham has nominated Sissy Shute for her consistent and valuable service to North Bay Village. Latham has also nominated several other notable women. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Honoring Sissy Shute is not just a nice thing to do. The honor would be well deserved for her of course. For our community, it will make a strong statement that constructive resident involvement and the often unsung efforts to help those most in need are both our values and our aspiration. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Commission this year should correct the oversight made in 2019 and put front and center our most involved resident, Sissy Shute.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>February 21, 2021</div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-36705908475936762922021-02-12T12:54:00.006-05:002021-02-12T13:16:49.254-05:00The Revolution Is Dull<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIac9FvDL6-EoCttQzVA6xxbRTut4Cf3KgFIUxYzX0cm1adYk-n-8o-6Qw0cmtkfjj9rPQeMOFuyIb2tnxUTyFmX2MmOXidct-_P51N2oPdrLdagnQh7Eyg6J2WqD2D7QJ_l0W9B5Ea8/s639/bored+cat.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="639" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIac9FvDL6-EoCttQzVA6xxbRTut4Cf3KgFIUxYzX0cm1adYk-n-8o-6Qw0cmtkfjj9rPQeMOFuyIb2tnxUTyFmX2MmOXidct-_P51N2oPdrLdagnQh7Eyg6J2WqD2D7QJ_l0W9B5Ea8/w320-h213/bored+cat.jpg" title="I thought it would be more interesting" width="320" /></a></div>On Tuesday night, Feb 9, 2021, the radical change from the dysfunctional North Bay Village Crazy™ to a commission led by adults and focused on what's best for North Bay Village finally made it into code. After ~2 years of hard work, the commission and the administration brought the design for the Island Walk, the update to the Causeway zoning, the Seawall design and the Green Code to a vote, with all of them passing. <div><br /><div>To see the excellent recap of the meeting, click <a href="https://mailchi.mp/nbvillage/recap-of-last-nights-regular-village-commission-meeting?e=d5d7349884&fbclid=IwAR3jZr_8GgfOdnFGQso84t_a0UwInjXZDK_YZbYdP6uKGPLI3m6GtOVFhsc" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The commission led by Mayor Brent Latham and supported fully by Commissioners Wilmoth, Streitfeld and Chervony, evaluated the painstaking work done by the community and moved the items ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div>They did this knowing the plan is not perfect, knowing that there will be changes needed in response to new situations, knowing that there will be unintended consequences that must be addressed. But it turns out that when you do the hard work and you understand the process, you can manage the implications. </div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">What Was Revolutionary About That? </h2><div><br /></div><div>It is after all what they are supposed to do. But think about it. In the last 10 years, our Causeway has become urban blight as the previous commission ignored the problem and continued to grant variances solely to make it more profitable to flip a property than to build on it. </div><div>The remnants of the lunatic mob that ran our commission continue to whine and complain, anonymously of course because they have no courage. that somehow North Bay Village loses when it's not a profit center for nonproductive uses. </div><div>The Ordinances themselves were not the sole result of staff and commission. We currently have almost 40 North Bay Villagers actively serving on boards and reviewing the many dimensions of the legislation that passed. Nearly 100 residents participated in the #NBV100 planning sessions and continue to bring their viewpoints to the table. </div><div>The wants of the community - more parks, better retail, access to the bay, resiliency - have all been incorporated and developers have a clear path to a profit without destroying our village. </div><div>But that's not the revolution. That's a reform. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Real Revolution Is Trust</h2><div><br /></div><div>I claim no special expertise in planning, zoning, resiliency or finance. There are smarter people than me in these fields and the Village has sought them out. </div><div>I do however have a pretty good handle on what residents are thinking and saying. </div><div>For the first time in a decade, I am hearing from residents who actually trust our commission to do their best for the Village. That includes residents who disagree with parts of or even the whole plan. For the first time since 2010, residents are able to get a full picture of what's being discussed and why. </div><div>This is radically different and most members of the dais deserve credit for their transparency, specifically Vice Mayor Wilmoth, Commissioner Chervony and Commissioner Streitfeld, but the leadership in transparency has been Mayor Brent Latham. Even if it's green and ugly, Latham has put it out on the agenda so everybody knows what they need to know. The public and his colleagues are better informed than at any time I remember in North Bay Village. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">It's Perfect Then? We Can Stop Looking?</h2><div><br /></div><div>Nah, wish we could. </div><div>Even at Tuesday's meeting, the nasty little people were poking. In a professional misjudgment, our clerk read into the record an anonymous troll throwing feces at the mayor. It was signed "North Bay Island Residents" but was sent from Romania so there's that. </div><div>Anonymous postings have no place in any conversation, least of all in public meetings, but they do illustrate the dark side of what people are saying. I hope going forward North Bay Village will comply with its previous meeting requirements and those of all our peer cities and only allow comments that have a name and a contact. </div><div>There will be needed changes. I want to see more emphasis on walkability than I am seeing while others feel that the look of the buildings is more important (I have no taste at all) while others are more concerned about traffic impact. These conversation can and will happen. </div><div>For right now, let's all appreciate that after all we've been through we can trust our government. </div><div>That's the revolution. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>February 12, 2021</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><p><br /></p></div></div>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-15405747599891337092020-11-20T11:06:00.003-05:002020-11-21T09:47:11.910-05:00Vice Mayor Marvin Wilmoth and The Quiet Power of Resiliency<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M-H9G6siwFkLMTe8Hvm4W9aZIS_lrnSRbUYvVJBa0pxDA9PR40DZ3TkyTdGqWSwHcTY9qFyz0RyQp1tgImzOXVNBlMt2WbUvgD5ptb0PPCLKSwNFAsC9f0JP_8heqaIKnADPxL2evjQ/s2048/Wilmoth_Marvin_IMG_0848_00002.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M-H9G6siwFkLMTe8Hvm4W9aZIS_lrnSRbUYvVJBa0pxDA9PR40DZ3TkyTdGqWSwHcTY9qFyz0RyQp1tgImzOXVNBlMt2WbUvgD5ptb0PPCLKSwNFAsC9f0JP_8heqaIKnADPxL2evjQ/s320/Wilmoth_Marvin_IMG_0848_00002.jpg" /></a></div>The biggest permanent challenge to continuing life on two fragile islands in the middle of Biscayne Bay is resiliency in all its aspects. <p></p><p>North Bay Village has to repair and replace its infrastructure. New buildings and homes have to be built for the long haul and older ones hardened against an increasingly unstable climate. North Bay Village has to stop our contributions of poisonous runoffs to the Bay and our residents need to learn to live with the changes that are happening now from King Tides to more and stronger storms. </p><p>Vice Mayor Marvin Wilmoth has been quietly and methodically working with the North Bay Village Resiliency Task Force to do just that. The Resliency Task force is headed by a local resident who is also an experienced UN treaty negotiator, and Wilmoth is the political face and advocate for the money and expertise that North Bay Village efforts will require. </p><p>North Bay Village can't fix our local problems alone. </p><p>We are actually very fortunate with our elected representatives. </p><p>Mayor Brent Latham is seemingly everywhere with constituent services and ceaselessly promoting North Bay Village in the South Florida landscape, while Commissioner Julianna Strout has done a terrific job of bringing services and events to our often overlooked city. Both of these are outsized, extroverted personalities who are able to use logic, benefit and personal charisma to show why North Bay Village is worth the investment and attention and they both get results. </p><p>Vice Mayor Wilmoth is a different sort of influencer. His many accomplishments don't lend themselves to press releases or short posts Wilmoth is more of quiet servant mentality who lets his work speak for itself. </p><p>The work Wilmoth has done with external organizations such as the Florida Inland Navigation District, the Waterfront Access Project has brought benefit to North Bay Village. The Florida Friendly Fertilizer and the Single Plastic ordinances he promoted have been effective in both the short term and laying the foundations for the future. This work has brought us grants for resiliency improvements and needed expertise from county and state government agencies, while balancing personal property decisions with needed development. </p><p>I hope when the commission meets on Monday, they will keep Marvin Wilmoth as Vice Mayor. The title matters. It adds substance and prestige to the work Wilmoth is doing and brings the effective weight of the office to serious conversations. </p><p>Having the Vice Mayor as the voice of resiliency shows that North Bay Village is serious about our biggest challenge of adapting to a new climate. </p><p>We are so much better off than we were two years ago and now is the time to build on that especially with the addition of the experienced Commissioner Chervony and the bright young environmental lawyer Commission Streitfeld to an already powerhouse commission. </p><p>It's an exciting time for North Bay Village. The Commission has unprecedented opportunities to lead our city through the current crisis and into success. I'm pretty confident they won't blow it by treating the office of Vice Mayor as an honorary trophy to be passed around and will retain the first Vice Mayor I remember who knows how to leverage the office for the good of the Village. It does matter. </p><p><br /></p><p>Kevin Vericker</p><p>November 20, 2020</p>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-63232515948321604852020-10-08T13:23:00.011-04:002020-10-19T12:11:59.102-04:00Florida Man Amendments <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QF6IprXYXXMhbkBEpi5TbUlLkAlIJe_cKSiucUhfxbpCOLAyn_PW1jEodFBVi8OlcwG3j4AEiJDVUWBSr0Qdj5OjAkuzwVe77-y_isMNE-p8FR9aUkAHk3oM2ZEL7z7PJIRJv6ZSq0Q/s750/750px-Flag_of_Florida.svg.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QF6IprXYXXMhbkBEpi5TbUlLkAlIJe_cKSiucUhfxbpCOLAyn_PW1jEodFBVi8OlcwG3j4AEiJDVUWBSr0Qdj5OjAkuzwVe77-y_isMNE-p8FR9aUkAHk3oM2ZEL7z7PJIRJv6ZSq0Q/s320/750px-Flag_of_Florida.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>UPDATED on October 19, 2020 - Usually, I keep this blog focused solely on North Bay Village but I am reliably informed by my license plate that we also live in a state called "Florida", a Spanish word meaning "Coño, why are there so many bugs?" Florida of course is still famous for holding elections a lot and then not figuring out how to count the votes. <p></p><div>One of the many amusing aspects of "Florida" elections is that each time around, some of the voters get to decide constitutional changes in a section of the ballot called "What The Hell Does This Mean." </div><div>Most voters simply check yes and move along. </div><div>Well since this is 2020 and I have also heard there is an election maybe coming up in November, I thought I might weigh in on this year's crop because it's 2020. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the summary. </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Vote Yes on 2 & 3 Then Walk Away. </h3><div><br /></div><div>Before you go any further, read them at this link. <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_2020_ballot_measures" target="_blank">BallotPedia</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll cut and paste here:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Amendment 1</b> - States in the state Constitution that only U.S. citizens who are 18 years old or older can vote in federal, state, local, or school elections.</div><div><i>My Analysis: </i>This is some gaslighting bullshit. The Constitution currently states that "every US citizen who is 18 years old or older can vote" and this changes Every to Only. It's here as a racist propaganda piece tagline to create the impression that non-citizens are allowed to vote currently which is not true. Dead citizens can vote and live citizens are prevented from voting but non-citizens cannot. </div><div><i>Chance it will pass: </i>100% It's racist, insulting and xenophobic or as we call it in "Florida", a crowd pleaser. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Amendment 2</b> - Raises the minimum wage in Florida to $15 over 6 years. </div><div><i>My Analysis: </i>Who the hell can live on less that $15 per hour? Of course we should do what our state leggers have not had the courage to do. </div><div><i>Chance it will pass: </i>51% and even it does, the legislature will find ways to derail it like they did High Speed Rail and restoring voting rights for people who completed their sentences. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Amendment 3 - </b>Establishes a top-two open primary system for state office primary elections. </div><div><i>My Analysis: </i>I dislike government involvement in party primaries. If you are a Democrat, Republican, Green Party, Libertarian or other, it should not be the government's responsibility to take charge of your nominating process. </div><div>Still this reform would open the primaries to independents, who are paying for the primary, and put the top two vote getters, regardless of party, on the ballot. It's the case in California and it's working pretty well It's also nearly true in the "non-partisan" Miami Dade elections and we always seem to wind up with a good candidate and Esteban Bovo, so we should do it. </div><div><i>Chances it will pass: </i>100% Chances that the Governor will prevent its implementation: 100%</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Amendment 4 </b>- Requires voter-approved constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at a second general election.</div><div><i>My Analysis: </i>Florida Power and Light, and several other large snowflake companies feel victimized by the amendment process, and want to take the current system which requires a 60% majority and force all amendments to be voted on again so if their interests are not protected, they can figure out new ways to subvert the process. </div><div><i>Chances it will pass: </i>40% But since it is confusing as hell, and voters are not that bright, maybe 90%</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Amendment 5</b> - Increases the period during which a person may transfer "Save Our Homes" benefits to a new homestead property from two years to three years</div><div><i>My Analysis - </i>Our legislature has one damn job - pass the budget and fund the state. They do this through taxes. It's their job and they can easily do a little bit of work and come up with changes to the tax code. If we have to do their job for them, we should all get $15 per hour. </div><div><i>Chances it will pass:</i> 100% because it's taxes. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Amendment 6 - </b>Allows a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran</div><div><i>My Analysis: </i>Please! Do we have to do everything ourselves around here? What do our state electeds even do?</div><div>Of course the additional disabled veterans surviving spouse should get the additional Homestead benefit. I'm not a monster. But our legislators are and have not taken action on this because they are a Republican led legislature so they hate veterans. </div><div><i>Chances it will pass: </i>Depends entirely on the Republican turnout in this election. It Republican turnout is high, it will fail like everything else they do. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Next Up: Rest of the Ballot</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-a213a41d-7fff-db32-a892-804ee7751ae9"><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"><colgroup><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Ballot Question or Candidate</b></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>My Reasoning</b></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Miami Dade Clerk of the Courts</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Harvey Ruvin - He’s been there since 1992 and is a former North Bay Village Mayor, His experience and steadiness show very well and he keeps things nonpartisan and professional The Adult in the Room. </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">School Board</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Russ Rywell and Lucia Baez-Geller. I honestly don’t have a strong recommendation. I find both of them competent, engaging and strong. I do like Rywell for his knowledge of the community relationship with TIES and I do like Baez-Geller for her knowledge of student needs. </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Supreme Court Retention Carlos Muñiz</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO - he’s a complete toady. Appointed by Pam Bondi, he’s a reliable obstructionist who has tried to block medical marijuana, supported voting restrictions, voted to fund religious schools and he’s weird looking.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Court of Appeals Monica Gordo</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO DeSantis appointee who somehow manages to miss that the Everglades should not be drained. </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Court of Appeal Eric William Hendon</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YES Scott appointee who is a reliable vote on housing issues for mixed use economic developments</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Court of Appeals FLEUR JEANNINE LOBREE</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO DeSantis appointee who consistently votes against holding police accountable.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Court of Appeals Thomas Logue</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO Scott appointee. He is not bad but he is too process oriented for my taste. </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Court of Appeals Bronwyn Catherine Miller</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO Another Scott appointee who served as part of the State Attorney’s office and showed a remarkable hesitancy to prosecute corruprtion (In fairness to her, Kathy Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney, never actively prosecutes corruption, so she was just following orders, I guess. And her name is cool)</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span id="docs-internal-guid-92fb0dfd-7fff-31fb-b652-28c0bc14f709"><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"><colgroup><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All Three County Amendment</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YES - they are simple clarifications of existing language in the Charter</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div></span><div><b> </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>October 7, 2020 </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-18469612428237235672020-10-01T14:46:00.001-04:002020-10-01T14:46:10.405-04:00North Bay Village Community Policing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbI4w3Zkr6pwLyuMIuOZYuJr_FOOhPY48gv0nL_rNCpUsezAMzctbUDxpXgejFpEI8gaHlX6jI_EoFEIc-PGXjwikzLnyKkUlvJJyedfAxwhLkdATaW0yL4sCbVrYCdQmuZ-rFCmuGpE/s835/Community+Policing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="835" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbI4w3Zkr6pwLyuMIuOZYuJr_FOOhPY48gv0nL_rNCpUsezAMzctbUDxpXgejFpEI8gaHlX6jI_EoFEIc-PGXjwikzLnyKkUlvJJyedfAxwhLkdATaW0yL4sCbVrYCdQmuZ-rFCmuGpE/s320/Community+Policing.png" width="320" /></a></div>There's a lot in the news nationally about "Defunding The Police." <p></p><p>Like so much in these contentious times, the slogan misses the mark. The actual discussion to have is are the police focused on the right programs and actions in addition to enforcement. Do the police improve the community relations? Are they going beyond enforcement and actively engaging in prevention? Does the community trust them? </p><p>In North Bay Village, we've seen both sides of that coin and come out on the better side. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">History Time</h3><div>In the last decade, the North Bay Village police were warned not to engage with the residents and had significant consequences for them if they did. Crime went up, residents lost information they needed to keep themselves safe, and it was a major contribution to the decline of North Bay Village. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 2017, when our new chief Carlos Noriega came on, he moved the needle on that. He got the officers back on the street, supported Crime Watch, got our kids in PAL at Miami Beach and consistently seeks out opportunities to improve the relations in the community. Hell, I joined him in a Critical Mass ride through the Village! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUX8F_6AeHG__yLPpsvJeYkKrLHfYLpA-RhOuDRpP8cYn6U_MLng1rV0t_DGNPrcAhFpyXk9yYv4Osmgjf-pDUkb_c18aAxpgwIP_ByFEt6xNOA9gVHg_koUTxWEvNFKfozzowyN5UbY/s960/Bolo+Bicycle+Theft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="770" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUX8F_6AeHG__yLPpsvJeYkKrLHfYLpA-RhOuDRpP8cYn6U_MLng1rV0t_DGNPrcAhFpyXk9yYv4Osmgjf-pDUkb_c18aAxpgwIP_ByFEt6xNOA9gVHg_koUTxWEvNFKfozzowyN5UbY/s320/Bolo+Bicycle+Theft.jpg" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">It Pays Off</h3><div>Last week there was an issue with stolen bicycles, not a major crime in its own right but important to the owners of the bikes and to the atmosphere of our Village. </div><div><br /></div><div>The police decided to get active on the issue. They contacted the building, met with the management of the building, were handing out fliers to the residents with the Be On The Lookout shown here on the right, and were assessing the vulnerabilities in the building with an eye towards making it safer. </div><div><br /></div><div>All great things. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then this happened. The suspect in the thefts decided to return to the site. And our cops were right there. And he got arrested. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now all of this might seem like small potatoes and dumb luck and maybe the second part is true - it was dumb to return to where you were jacking bikes - but it's not. </div><div><br /></div><div>It shows a police force that is consistent and involved in the life of the Village. This is not an occupying enforcement agency. It is a true public safety force. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's no secret that the bulk of our budget goes to the police and that can and should be questioned and justified. We ask a lot of our police, they deliver and that costs real money but our police force is one of the best reasons to live here. They are part of us. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kevin Vericker</div><div>October 1, 2020</div><div><br /></div>North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-68280945644021499502020-07-28T17:54:00.001-04:002020-07-28T17:56:13.969-04:00Powell Is El Portal's Opportunity Now<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkG-N4i3k3WYkw83BqOIjxG7r9dZMalv4x3KphqaznhfKYqX15sAjC_PyY12vfmk6UUIFVvA10zvIGuZSwySmIVfHPR1SbKMS3iMxtrgyW6_86CNu2bUlE_T94agg66yug1rAl9gqZZU/s1600/village_Attorney_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkG-N4i3k3WYkw83BqOIjxG7r9dZMalv4x3KphqaznhfKYqX15sAjC_PyY12vfmk6UUIFVvA10zvIGuZSwySmIVfHPR1SbKMS3iMxtrgyW6_86CNu2bUlE_T94agg66yug1rAl9gqZZU/s1600/village_Attorney_Web.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Unique Lawyer</td></tr>
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Norman Powell, former North Bay Village municipal attorney, has brought his special brand of municipal lawyering to El Portal where he is up for permanent installation as their Village Attorney after a year or so of interim lawyering. Powell is of course unequaled in his skills as a municipal attorney as a result of his many weeks of experience in the field of municipal lawyering and has shown many ethics. </div>
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Blogger Stephanie Kienzle, who like me is being sued by former North Bay Village attorney Norman C. Powell, writes about the latest <a href="https://www.votersopinion.com/2020/07/28/el-portal-councilperson-vimari-roman-challenges-votersopinion-to-a-duel-%f0%9f%a4%a3%f0%9f%a4%a3%f0%9f%a4%a3/?unapproved=87596&moderation-hash=a48c5594333e680ad13e5afa8b80d341#comment-87596" target="_blank">employment seeking</a> situation at our sister village El Portal. </div>
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Like in North Bay Village, how Powell came to be interim attorney is all very murky and lost in the annals of time. Just a happenstance, perhaps a chance encounter at a club, perchance a glance across a crowded party bus, and jobs just fall into his lap because Powell, he's that good. </div>
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In El Portal's case, their commission have talked about this many times. Like former Commissioner <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2020/07/andreana-jackson-pleads-guilty-to.html" target="_blank">Andreana Jackson</a> of North Bay Village, the commissioners of El Portal have looked deep into Norman's extraordinary <a href="https://www.citynmb.com/DocumentCenter/View/709/Registered-Lobbyist-List-2016-?bidId=" target="_blank">resume</a> and have been tempted, deeply tempted, to just say "The hell with any RFP's. Let's just hire the man before he gets away." but because of the crippling fear of bloggers the Village of El Portal tonight <i>may</i> decide to go out to bid. </div>
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Which might not be good for Norman Powell, whose unique legal theories benefited so many here in North Bay Village. Lewis Velken, Andreana Jackson, Marlen Martell and others come to mind. </div>
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You see, in the RFQ, the Village of El Portal requires the successful candidate to have 7 long years of experience in the field which is a really long time. </div>
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The candidate must be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, with a
minimum of 7 years’ experience in the practice of municipal law, with increasing
levels of responsibility. It is preferable for the candidate to also be a member of a
U.S. District Court within the State of Florida. </blockquote>
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Yet less than 3 years ago, Norman C. Powell was explaining to recently installed commissioner Laura Cattabriga that he needed a big severance package built into his contract because municipal lawyering was a new business for him. </div>
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So if they vote Yes for the RFQ, Norman might have a big problem. But more importantly, El Portal would miss out on the excitement and fun that Norman Powell brought to North Bay Village. </div>
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I hope they vote No and forego the requirement for 7 years experience. </div>
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North Bay Village is dull since Mayor Brent Latham drove poor Norman away (physically attacked him according to Commissioner Andreana Jackson.) Since Norman left, we haven't had </div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2019/01/our-interim-village-manager-lewis.html" target="_blank">A Village Police Chief / Manager who really didn't work for us at all. </a></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2018/07/mayoral-candidate-laura-cattabriga-pays.html" target="_blank">Employees collecting over a $127,000 in compensation when they leave within 4 months</a>. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2018/09/whats-worse-than-getting-slapped.html" target="_blank">Lawsuits by legal departments against citizens.</a> </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article210957759.html" target="_blank">Nasty headlines in the press </a>(except for Andreana Jackson last week.) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2018/12/strip-club-lawyer-attends-christian.html" target="_blank">Our attorney is very boring and probably never gets caught bringing a gun on to a plane. </a> </li>
</ol>
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In fact, it's kind of Dullsville around North Bay Village. Covid, bridge failures, employees employed, boring meetings, arguments over dog parks, hardly anyone arrested. </div>
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I urge El Portal to take a look at how much interesting life is with Norman C. Powell as your attorney. Exciting FEMA <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article237665964.html" target="_blank">investigations</a>, invigorating meetings, Harold Mathis! Don't be chumps. Go for the fun. </div>
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Kevin Vericker</div>
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July 28, 2020</div>
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North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-51873398781558428592020-07-27T17:20:00.001-04:002020-07-27T17:22:37.796-04:00Rachel Streitfeld - This Is What Class Looks Like<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrj9dw-o31gjmWNev1LnThk5EODlCK_4XMwjbkQkGHlDgndqBAz1tB1dz5rAXvf-Hto1l8u7y1lDLpW8VZKrCIjfvn30rwcnppuJrxzBuigIDnWagIauw4Mu1qKXQ0LVeeGuo0mOgmdo/s1600/rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1050" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrj9dw-o31gjmWNev1LnThk5EODlCK_4XMwjbkQkGHlDgndqBAz1tB1dz5rAXvf-Hto1l8u7y1lDLpW8VZKrCIjfvn30rwcnppuJrxzBuigIDnWagIauw4Mu1qKXQ0LVeeGuo0mOgmdo/s200/rachel.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel Streitfeld</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, the Commission held a short special meeting about how to deal with the vacancy created by former commissioner Andreana Jackson's removal following her guilty pleas to Extortion and Abuse of Influence. </div>
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The Commission could have appointed an immediate replacement or called for a Special Election to replace the Commissioner from Treasure Island. </div>
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They chose, rightly in my view, to postpone any action until August 20, which is the last day for candidates to qualify. </div>
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Right now, today, there is only one candidate for the seat from Treasure Island. Rachel Streitfeld, an experienced environmental lawyer and a strong presence in our community, filed last week to be on the ballot for November 3, 2020. If there is no other candidate by August 20, her election is automatic. </div>
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Streitfeld really wants to be a commissioner. She's bright, involved, hard working, energetic and filled with ideas about how to move North Bay Village forward and deal with our unique environmental challenges. </div>
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I want her to be commissioner. We need her at the right time. </div>
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If you need any proof of why she's a great choice, look no further than her comments to the commission this morning: </div>
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...this election should represent a clean slate – a new day for North Bay Village – and I want it to be as fair and proper as it possibly can be without even the slightest hint of impropriety. I do not want to be tied to the story of the embarrassing and shameful headlines that we saw last week. Our village is so much better than last week’s headlines. I want to be part of our future, not our past. So, regarding the appointment on your agenda today, I encourage you not to pre-empt the election. </div>
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Think about that. </div>
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Streitfeld could have spent her time politicking and manipulating to be appointed today. An appointment would have set her up with an incumbent's advantage if she does draw an opponent, making a win in November much easier, or might have scared off a potential challenger, leaving the commission itself with questions of legitimacy. Like our previous commission. </div>
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Streitfeld didn't do that. She's ready to earn the position and I look forward to seeing her on the dais at the right time. </div>
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Kevin Vericker</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
July 27, 2020</div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-29633074947704614432020-07-22T18:14:00.002-04:002020-07-22T19:01:48.070-04:00Andreana Jackson Pleads Guilty To Extortion <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXs4rklleUFQZ7BUJVbQ6VM85aeA6I6oXMxQu_7a1QGjHGPbZ3K6RXF6yupZ90an1WAyfroBvlRou9PUFMlqJzvFXMBe46rFN4gkH1Iwlco-KrCwMF7_lcjc9fkBWCGQKFf_1y2zVMc/s1600/Andreana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXs4rklleUFQZ7BUJVbQ6VM85aeA6I6oXMxQu_7a1QGjHGPbZ3K6RXF6yupZ90an1WAyfroBvlRou9PUFMlqJzvFXMBe46rFN4gkH1Iwlco-KrCwMF7_lcjc9fkBWCGQKFf_1y2zVMc/s200/Andreana.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Commissioner Andreana Jackson</td></tr>
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Commissioner from Treasure Island Andreana Jackson pled guilty today to charges of extortion and abusing her position. <br />
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As part of her plea bargain, the court agreed to "withhold adjudication" on the extortion charge if Jackson resigned from the North Bay Village Commission, agreed to serve 100 hours of community service, pay $3,950 in fines and complete a year's probation. "Withhold adjudication" is a fancy way of saying the conviction will not be noted. <br />
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Jackson was represented by Miami powerhouse attorney Ben Kuehne and the matter was dealt with in minutes with the judge agreeing to the terms. You can see it here in the <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article244407702.html" target="_blank">Miami Herald</a>.<br />
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In 2017, Jackson sponsored an Arts & Technology fair at Treasure Island Elementary School here in North Bay Village. She collected about $13,500 and in turn was "paid" $2,950 for doing so, while representing the event as an official North Bay Village event. The extortion part of the charges was allegedly that local developers were led to believe that their projects would be looked at more favorably if they contributed, while the abuse of influence charge was about presenting an opportunity for personal gain as a public service. <br />
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The Miami Dade Commission on Ethics opened an investigation in 2018 and quickly involved the State Attorney's Office.<br />
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As of today, Jackson has resigned from the North Bay Village commission and accepted the terms of the plea bargain.<br />
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<h3>
November 2017 - The Month That Changed Everything in North Bay Village</h3>
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On November 4, 2017, then Commissioner Jackson sponsored the Art & Technology Fair at Treasure Island Elementary with the money from private donors. </div>
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On November 12, 2017, I got a call from Commissioner Jackson, who I had strongly supported for commissioner and who I saw as a bulwark against the increasing chaos on the dais, asking me if I thought it was a good idea for her to support firing Robert Switkes, our then Village Attorney. </div>
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I was shocked. Switkes and Frank Rollason, the then Village Manager, were the firewall between the destructive impulses of former mayor Connie Leon Kreps. As Charter staff, Switkes and Rollason could count on 3 commission votes to keep them in place. </div>
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So I was shocked but I was not suspicious, not yet. Jackson told me that she was very concerned that nothing was getting done and that Commissioner Hornsby was not clear if he was legally entitled to his seat and she just thought that Switkes might not be doing the job right. </div>
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We talked for about an hour and I thought she was just bouncing the idea around, as we had done many times before on many subjects. In fact, she promised me she was not going to go forward on it. </div>
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On Tuesday, November 14, 2017, after making another assurance that she would not be pushing for that move, Jackson joined Mayor Connie Leon Kreps and Commissioner Jose Alvarez in a sneak firing of Switkes late in the evening, with no discussion and no consideration. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current Commissioner Jose Alvarez</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4lL12O2OY37X9dPeF7vcwH3xm9ed28erkpENpX8bdEUOKgH5zjMReCoEcNynahvZS5DLS2vojQh-oau8bA2CDlPeftmLWN-GB_8oz5iDqKpajpzq9CdvtAdm8IDnGb-QMDWdQXriboM/s1600/ConnieBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="272" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4lL12O2OY37X9dPeF7vcwH3xm9ed28erkpENpX8bdEUOKgH5zjMReCoEcNynahvZS5DLS2vojQh-oau8bA2CDlPeftmLWN-GB_8oz5iDqKpajpzq9CdvtAdm8IDnGb-QMDWdQXriboM/s200/ConnieBW.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Mayor Connie Leon Kreps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx34EXjMxpjL6mQ13KXsqpkfdfNHFhrmWQfldYXjleCVCN_C_4gbZ6l5jR6w83u5G1Uy9iCFvKraG-nMVDvd4fmkYYrdzqj8Xuv0q7lU6PCUAaL5sDjHrQOzYcyapv_F-iOYCAhiCCu8/s1600/andreans+jackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx34EXjMxpjL6mQ13KXsqpkfdfNHFhrmWQfldYXjleCVCN_C_4gbZ6l5jR6w83u5G1Uy9iCFvKraG-nMVDvd4fmkYYrdzqj8Xuv0q7lU6PCUAaL5sDjHrQOzYcyapv_F-iOYCAhiCCu8/s200/andreans+jackson.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Commissioner Jackson</td></tr>
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We know what followed. A year of destruction. Hundreds of thousands of dollars paid out to prevent employees from suing us. A commission reduced to blithering nonsense. Hornsby's illegal removal and of course, Norman C. Powell advising on all of it.<br />
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November 2017 was the pivotal month when Andreana Jackson, a woman I had known to be involved, open minded and often acting as the sane counterbalance to a commission spinning out of control, decided to join the crazy. Jackson quickly became good friends with the same mayor who a year before had smacked Jackson at a Children's Event (<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/364996421/2016-12-28-Incident-Report-Comm-Jackson" target="_blank">Police Report Here</a>.) and had nothing but insults for Jackson.<br />
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Now I wonder, was it always about the money? <br />
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Throughout 2018, Jackson's consumer credit lawsuits managed to get resolved. Village Attorney Norman C. Powell even discussed providing her complimentary legal advice to deal with them while under oath in another case, the Noriega firing. <br />
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In October of 2018, Jackson can be seen <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article220553990.html" target="_blank">on camera </a>breaking election laws to help Laura Cattabriga get elected.<br />
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I know I shouldn't feel bad for Andreana Jackson, and given the light treatment she received in court today, Jackson will probably be okay.<br />
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I don't know what goes through a person's mind that they can switch like that. Was it the money because it was very little? Was it the power because it accomplished nothing? Was it the faux "respect" of the people who disliked her? <br />
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Even after all the terrible things she did since November 2017 - attacking Yvonne Hamilton, defending the indefensible contract of Lewis Velken, obstructing the hard work of her peers in 2019 and 2020 as they tried to put things right, I still feel sad.<br />
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I'm not a great believer in redemption. I know I should be but I believe we are the sums of our choices and Jackson's have been very bad choices indeed. Yet I hope she can move somewhere else and rise above her past. Jackson was once a good person.<br />
<br />
Kevin Vericker<br />
July 22, 2020<br />
<br />
<br />North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-45360927823938208592020-07-13T14:58:00.002-04:002020-07-13T15:33:45.820-04:00Elephant in the Room<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcmf50PNlBQZ_zSQLf95rPpRUAQsAwk7vOv8LLb8FeO3mWKL2TVOl_TPdLWlFrJtPFlduMEaaUZ-DBMpSpBwekbLF3cgWX0JD2u76Fynark95d6mLnCDdSn_5gjnsuZw_s5xuC9F0gSo/s1600/800px-Elephant_in_the_room%252C_AnnaSofia_M%25C3%25A5%25C3%25A5g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcmf50PNlBQZ_zSQLf95rPpRUAQsAwk7vOv8LLb8FeO3mWKL2TVOl_TPdLWlFrJtPFlduMEaaUZ-DBMpSpBwekbLF3cgWX0JD2u76Fynark95d6mLnCDdSn_5gjnsuZw_s5xuC9F0gSo/s320/800px-Elephant_in_the_room%252C_AnnaSofia_M%25C3%25A5%25C3%25A5g.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bene Riobó / CC BY-SA <br />
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
We are discussing the wrong things in North Bay Village.</h4>
There is a budget fight, a usual annual ritual, about the projected spend for FY 2021, to include a small decrease in anticipated revenue because of the current economic downturn.<br />
<br />
There is an entirely fictitious fight about micro units being the housing options of choice for new development. <br />
<br />
People are getting locked down on solving the wrong traffic problems, focusing solely on Volume (Number of Vehicles) while ignoring the bottlenecks created by poor traffic planning and a causeway that is too wide.<br />
<br />
Yeah, too wide.<br />
<br />
Members of our commission are busy trashing other members of the commission behind their backs but unable to articulate what ideas would move the Village through the storm.<br />
<br />
And while this nonsense is going on, with busy people pretending they are doing important work by doing a lot of work, the Covid storm is swirling all around us.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Hold Up. You're saying the budget, the development and the traffic don't matter?</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwYnEZB3HcHxoQCqNO2-thRVKJeMm_Ku9VuYI6nM9sMdVQsWpj9QinGYGbTLKakzOLOv3gnIyuqnSw2Sn0Irz9ojxIrFbIQjCq4hyARZFu6yO5A8qvFAsgDf0KjIF2g5P2y6oUgci-Fs/s1600/wrong-question.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="941" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwYnEZB3HcHxoQCqNO2-thRVKJeMm_Ku9VuYI6nM9sMdVQsWpj9QinGYGbTLKakzOLOv3gnIyuqnSw2Sn0Irz9ojxIrFbIQjCq4hyARZFu6yO5A8qvFAsgDf0KjIF2g5P2y6oUgci-Fs/s640/wrong-question.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
What I am saying is that we are asking the wrong questions. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Budget: </b>We continue to talk about costs when we need to talk about value. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Simple example: The statement, "The Police Department is 67% of our budget." tells me nothing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What residents need to know is what the police department does, how much of it they do, will they be doing less or more of it next year, what is the value of the thing they are doing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Did you know that nearly 20% of our police budget goes for things that are really social services - camps for kids, school resources, elder checks, welfare checks, family disputes, neighborhood crime watch? No you didn't know that because our budget only reflects the costs. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By the way, this has been true of most Police Departments since the 1980's. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our crime rate is very low on its own and when compared to other areas of the same size, is even lower. What value does that bring to our properties? I've seen studies that it can mean as much as 20% higher values. What social value does that build? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These questions need to be answered before anyone can talk about the budget and it's time to work on it. The responsibility lies squarely with the budget proposer to provide a justifiable statement of outcome and value. Otherwise, there's no point. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The budget will not relate spending to value received and we can't have a serious discussion without that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Micro-Units: </b>The modest proposal to allow smaller apartments in a single building, the fire station and probable Village Hall was hijacked into a frankly class based discussion about who we let in our Village and then spun to be an unsupported generalized panic spread about North Bay Village being taken over by STVR's. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First of all, not everyone needs or wants to live cowering behind a gate in a single family house or a Soviet style block of flats gated and removed from the community. Older people, people starting out, people in transition have all been the tenants in micro-units throughout the country and this was proposed as one possibility for this building. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now you may not want to live in one. That's fine. But eliminating the option because you are afraid people without a lot of money might live there, or you've decided it's all STVR's and a conspiracy, and then announcing that this is the plan for the whole Village is just annoying. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Traffic: </b>Traffic congestion is a result of three major functions </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Volume: How many cars. </li>
<li>Velocity: How fast the cars are able to move. </li>
<li>Flow: How well the cars can move. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Every new development starts with people screaming, "Too many cars" and the modest proposal that the Causeway could be a street, not a high speed road, is met with cries of "No. We'll never fit." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But you know what? You're wrong. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>We Do Not Have A Volume Problem, We Have A Flow Problem</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Have you ever stood on the median islands and observed the traffic at rush hour? Of course not. Who would do that? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, wait. I did. Several times. And here's what I saw. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Large clumps of three lanes jockeying for speed and position. </li>
<li>Long empty stretches. </li>
<li>Large clumps of three lanes jockeying for speed and position. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't want to brag or anything, but I paid attention in math class. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is clear there are not "too many cars." The issue is that traffic Velocity flows at variable rates with people in the middle lane typically being passed on the left and right lanes because there is space to do so, the lights are badly timed if at all, and we add in the talented Miami drivers. Even if you go there now with our reduced Covid traffic, you will see cars driving at different speeds and clogging the road at the lights. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Flow is a function of design and Velocity is controlled by flow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The question is not about Volume (capacity) but about management of traffic and that's where the solutions need to be. No new development will make it worse and it won't get better on its own. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cagY6FgYpbOqHAfsSsiCDwn_sHTsqSvttu0FjZOrOeOCSCq8TlrUXPHtfXHNJx2-Om9yB7UrL1VMOIzuV32iqgh4Ev5-W5KV-LaybAptq9pjmcpwr2xiTrtfplC9QRle8Z14clOXZiw/s1600/math+is+hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cagY6FgYpbOqHAfsSsiCDwn_sHTsqSvttu0FjZOrOeOCSCq8TlrUXPHtfXHNJx2-Om9yB7UrL1VMOIzuV32iqgh4Ev5-W5KV-LaybAptq9pjmcpwr2xiTrtfplC9QRle8Z14clOXZiw/s320/math+is+hard.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<h2>
Alright, Wise Guy, What Should Be Focused On? </h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
More math, unfortunately. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You've seen the news. Yesterday and today, Florida broke all records in the sheer numbers of Covid Cases for everywhere. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But that only tells you part of the story. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The most concerning part to me is the infection (positive) rate with as of today July 13, 2020 is <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/2020-07-13-new-normal-dashboard.pdf" target="_blank">26</a>% in Miami Dade County over the last 14 days and is growing daily. Since testing is now widespread, that probably means 1 out of every 4 people you meet are infected and remember it takes an average of 5 days to get the results so that number is outdated the minute it's reported. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hospitalizations in Miami-Dade for Covid are double the discharge rate for Covid which does not bode well for our hospitals. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One bright(?) spot is that death rates are declining but they are the ultimate lagging indicator. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And guess what? There is nothing on the J<a href="https://northbayvillage-fl.gov/agendas_minutes" target="_blank">uly 14th Commission agenda</a> about how we are going to deal with what looks to be an imminent replay of the shutdown. Nothing on the agenda about how we are going to deal with kids going back to school part time or at home full time. Nothing on the agenda evaluating what's worked so far and hasn't worked. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nope. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just like the cost decision over value, just like the fictions of traffic gridlock and micro-units, our five commission members and our paid staff are just going to look serious and concerned and go on acting like it's all normal and nothing is normal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
July 13, 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-11800863733874295402020-07-04T12:50:00.002-04:002020-07-16T10:55:59.973-04:00July 4, 2020 North Bay Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguswUJ1yl3PwV3GMRNdjjWOK1EMVvP0zuoL8BuMnaRmKnw0qG5X-TE3opLNgYQrmk8MMvcQYKP7GPwPPOq81OkZkdRu5igqjpY4PIP6jFUOZgamJjf6RQP8yOiKc_sLWI2AcsJmXbQHFU/s1600/4th-of-july-fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguswUJ1yl3PwV3GMRNdjjWOK1EMVvP0zuoL8BuMnaRmKnw0qG5X-TE3opLNgYQrmk8MMvcQYKP7GPwPPOq81OkZkdRu5igqjpY4PIP6jFUOZgamJjf6RQP8yOiKc_sLWI2AcsJmXbQHFU/s640/4th-of-july-fireworks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today marks Independence Day in the strangest year I've seen in my nearly 65 of them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were coming out of a nearly 3 month lockdown hoping for a better summer but we're back with curfews and restrictions and record breaking numbers of infections spreading. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So that's a bummer. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, let's look at the things that are demonstrably better than 2 years ago, shall we? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
We Have a Stable Government</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Two Years Ago: </b>I don't want to dwell on that past but remember at this time 2 years ago, we weren't counting Covid cases. We were counting settlements not to sue the Village. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In July of 2018, we had already paid out more than $150,000 to 2 employees who respectively worked for 4 months and 1 month for the Village and who were not fired for cause. The environment was so bad that we had to add in big sums of money to get them to agree not to sue. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By the end of 2018, we had spent nearly $500,000 settling various personnel matters caused by the bumbling of the last administration. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our administration was spiraling out of control and the meetings were bizarre rants and personal vendettas. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our police chief/village manager did not even work for us and that fact was kept from most of the commission and all of the residents. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Today: </b>Coming into this mess, Mayor Brent Latham spent the first year fighting the old battles left behind by the strange antics of the previous administration and took the right first step of assessing where we were and how to get out of the hole. It worked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We now have functioning boards, a commission that does not spend its time settling scores on imaginary slights, a legal department that does its job, and a staff that is transparent. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's not perfect but the arguments are public and resolvable.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
We Have Green Space</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The dog park was never a serious consideration for the previous administration but in less than 2 years we have a bright shiny new dog park in the neighborhood with the most apartment dwellers, a welcome community addition and a long needed space for a pet loving populace. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
More excitingly to me and others, the Treasure Island Elementary School greenspace is open to us. A huge jewel of a field on our most populous island is available to us and plans are already underway for improvement. For years we have struggled with the limited amount of greenspace available in the Village and the last administration did nothing to help the circumstance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It took a mayor willing to negotiate with the School Board and present a plan that works for all to make it happen. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brent Latham did that. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
The Boards</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeah, I know I mentioned those before but this is big. Before 2019, boards were dying or non-existent. The Commission reached a point where it was possible to shut down residents who wanted to speak at Good & Welfare about their issues with the Village and the legal department even initiated a lawsuit to prevent their antics from being made public. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Village was choking on its own bad information. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In 2020, we have:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li>A Resiliency Task Force chaired by a former treaty negotiator for the United Nations working on how we survive climate change, supported by a top environmental lawyer. </li>
<li>An Animal Control Board that is making a difference in the feral cat problem. </li>
<li>A Resident Services Board that is focusing the Village's efforts on helping people through the Covid Crisis. </li>
<li>A Financial Advisory Board which includes a retired M-D County auditor, that will not stop questioning and probing until there is a clear answer on how and when our money is spent. </li>
<li>A Planning & Zoning that the commission actually listens to. </li>
<li>A Community Enhancement Board that actually innovates and considers the impact of community wide decisions. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brent Latham, along with Julianna Strout and Marvin Wilmoth, led the way by appointing and working with serious residents to get the best advice they can. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
It's Not Perfect</h4>
<div>
Think about the quality of the arguments we're having first. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is strong concern about our financial planning in the economic crisis and how our money is handled. The streets repaving project is taking too long (in my view) and should never have involved the same contractors we worked so badly with before. The cost of the police is rising again and we need to know the value. We are having the same argument about outsourcing waste management, a service the residents love. Business Development is at a standstill. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These are good and healthy arguments. These are the arguments we should have. But for so long we were just trying to figure out how much worse it would get under the previous administration that the sensible arguments seemed like a luxury. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
There's a Lot More to Do</h4>
<div>
If you read this as sunny and optimistic, you don't know me well. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's serious stuff on the table. How do we move forward with increasing infections daily? How do we help the residents hurting now and today while planning for a better village? How do we deal with the inevitability of sea rise? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is an election coming up and I am already hearing about how we have the "worst" possible government and the people unbothered by actual facts fear mongering about micro-units and reduced traffic flows while denying that flooding is getting worse. Instead of hearing how to make finances better, I hear accusations. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But don't forget, before we had a mayor, Brent Latham, who we can trust, we could never have had these conversations. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've often said "If you do things the right way, you tend to do the right things." and that's what Latham and the two useful commissioners, Strout and Wilmoth, have done. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Argue on Facebook. Make stuff up. Grandstand. But please get some perspective. Compare to other cities (El Portal melting down over FEMA rejections, Surfside commissioners giving each other the finger, whatever the hell is going in North Miami Beach) and compare to where we were just 2 years ago (North Bay Village giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars not to get sued, commissioners reduced to screaming incoherence and whatever the hell the village manager was doing with his third party payment scheme) and remember who fixed this when it's time to vote. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
July 4, 2020</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-57054358978493122032020-06-16T15:01:00.001-04:002020-07-16T10:58:21.800-04:00Budget Time And Questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r2bsU5iebyjNMGH77R1X_oOC4A6sOmIQ9uK1pGVrk1lkwmD6U-u0Gf8cGOK_NKvjJfzFwODkDWjU_u5DuwfTFNGUOWPGNWGRF5d_OHiveJym6Yz3_MDJw_wZfujDruN3N19OkswAjlE/s1600/question-mark-surrounded-by-money-rszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="800" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r2bsU5iebyjNMGH77R1X_oOC4A6sOmIQ9uK1pGVrk1lkwmD6U-u0Gf8cGOK_NKvjJfzFwODkDWjU_u5DuwfTFNGUOWPGNWGRF5d_OHiveJym6Yz3_MDJw_wZfujDruN3N19OkswAjlE/s320/question-mark-surrounded-by-money-rszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Tonight at 6:30 there is a meeting of the Financial Advisory Board. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if you've been following these meetings, it's quite a show. If you haven't but are interested, I try to break it down here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's dive into the questions. </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How much money do we have?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How much money are we spending? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How much money will we have?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How much money will we be spending? </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's actually about it. I mean, seriously isn't that what always starts discussions about finances?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So why is it so complicated? </span></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First An Accounting Joke? (Yes, Accountants Have Jokes and They Are Funny)</span></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtbTwEwfLbX9KvgYA9wAK9Y-O8SqKP9G7f1m9qsPrdeSUvG6KOpYQSHHCboSqhbjIFmbhNOqeo0sG9MznLqBcYVrZhenoAWN2XssfuQ_ZFH8xGe6WaMSncX3Jo0nAk6IzUnBIOvBKc7g/s1600/2%252B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="460" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtbTwEwfLbX9KvgYA9wAK9Y-O8SqKP9G7f1m9qsPrdeSUvG6KOpYQSHHCboSqhbjIFmbhNOqeo0sG9MznLqBcYVrZhenoAWN2XssfuQ_ZFH8xGe6WaMSncX3Jo0nAk6IzUnBIOvBKc7g/s400/2%252B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get it? It's pretty funny. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
Okay, First Questions First</h4>
<div>
In municipal government, the standard for the answers to how much revenue came in and how much spend went out is answered annually through a report called the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) which certifies the numbers from the previous fiscal year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In normal years, the CAFR is completed and presented by March 31st. <br />
<br />
This is not a normal year and the final has not been delivered.<br />
<br />
That's a problem. It's important for the FAB to know why the delay and what the anticipated due date is. Once they have the report, that will give them a guide to our current financial situation.<br />
<br />
That question must be answered. <br />
<br />
On the board and on Facebook posts, there is a disagreement over how much we should have in the utility reserve to repair our utilities. <br />
<br />
Board Members Richard Chervony and James Rosenberg point to Charter and Ordinances that show we should have around $2m in the reserves and it looks like we don't.<br />
<br />
The administration does not accept that reserve number and says that the law is unclear.<br />
<br />
That question must be answered. <br />
<br />
There are serious questions about how much revenue will decline next year as we enter the post Covid Lockdown recession. The administration thinks it will noticeable but approximately $800k. The Board has expressed their belief that it could exceed $2m if the reserve question is that we must have $2m in the reserve fund.<br />
<br />
That question must be answered.<br />
<br />
<h4>
The Participants Are Talking Right Past Each Other</h4>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjipv6N9pkreWHJB6Eg5VDNez6zYCVK4Yc_wPMvUfmh17geGQiIUvZ4r5Kkix6XM_UR1W2e3BHvQK0oRgH9nM09xLCB9wgGed_Jud7oXmVkreUYVnV2FhmTsMbVhmhsX9NlzrinhZx9SA/s1600/red+yellow+green+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1300" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjipv6N9pkreWHJB6Eg5VDNez6zYCVK4Yc_wPMvUfmh17geGQiIUvZ4r5Kkix6XM_UR1W2e3BHvQK0oRgH9nM09xLCB9wgGed_Jud7oXmVkreUYVnV2FhmTsMbVhmhsX9NlzrinhZx9SA/s320/red+yellow+green+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I've recommended personally the following.<br />
<br />
If it's ugly or suspicious or just plain difficult, the FAB has to be able to count on village administration for clear answers to clear questions. And the questions have been clear. This is a time for candor. <br />
<br />
When you can't agree on the question or the premise of the question, the FAB has to note the importance of the answer and report that back to the commission.<br />
<br />
In the military, there is a commonly used technique of RED, YELLOW, GREEN. <br />
<br />
Unanswered questions have their implications flagged. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">RED - </span>The Mission cannot proceed without this information.<br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">YELLOW</span> - The Mission can proceed in its planning but the answer must be available before execution.<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">GREEN</span> - The Mission can be executed and the data point as it can be.<br />
<br />
In my view, the Financial Advisory Board should code their questions. Here are some examples.<br />
<br />
Red Flag Question - Must we have a $2m reserve for utilities? If yes, hold everything and restructure.<br />
Yellow Flag Question - Why is the CAFR late? What effect will this have on budgeting and planning?<br />
Green - Do we need a full time CFO?<br />
<br />
I believe this will get the discussion unstuck and I hope they follow it.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Revenues and Cash</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AF8gU2dEKIWP2RQ1lzPuqJhb4h7h2X_Q4jaByvvjBalm_9VOJKjz_iZZm1-MGb7T-qhuj0z7o6zn6PUyxlbu7sm9TIfnVifk099k4hWR2z8IArIzVFJBQU-mVpBiUS6m1zmDjdd-AuY/s1600/Increase+Revenue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AF8gU2dEKIWP2RQ1lzPuqJhb4h7h2X_Q4jaByvvjBalm_9VOJKjz_iZZm1-MGb7T-qhuj0z7o6zn6PUyxlbu7sm9TIfnVifk099k4hWR2z8IArIzVFJBQU-mVpBiUS6m1zmDjdd-AuY/s320/Increase+Revenue.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The great Molly Ivins once wrote that in her experience, the problem with poor people is that they don't have any money. <br />
<br />
The Village depends on many sources of revenue - property tax, fees, State and Federal, grants and other sources. Our revenue is likely to fall so we have to look at new ways to bring in more.<br />
<br />
Earlier this month, I proposed that the Budget Board request an accounting of how much the Village paid out owing to the truly disastrous personnel decisions in 2018. In a quick look, I could see $450,000 in personnel payouts. This was not the result of taxpayer's negligence. It was a broken commission following bad advice. I think the Village should explore recouping that money that was spent on bad advice. The Board did not make that request.<br />
<br />
The Village has easements throughout the islands that are used for private purposes. Why not charge a reasonable rent for those? It's legal and easy and could raise $200,000 for services annually.<br />
<br />
That $650,000 in the next year, surely money we could use now.<br />
<br />
My point is that the Village needs to explore every avenue to save costs and increase revenues. <br />
<br />
You can't cut your way to prosperity or tax your way to stability. The people would really like to see some more creative thinking on these issues and it starts with getting the questions right.<br />
<br />
Kevin Vericker<br />
June 16, 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-40778940605179486332020-06-11T13:35:00.001-04:002020-06-11T13:43:19.765-04:00Not An Isolated Island<h1 class="_2cuy _509y" data-block="true" data-editor="6jtk5" data-offset-key="cepop-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cepop-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="cepop-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Updates Week of June 8 2020</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cepop-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;">A lot went on this week. </span></div>
</h1>
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<ul>
<li><span data-offset-key="99jp5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The Curfew was lifted. </span></li>
<li><span data-offset-key="99jp5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Pools and Gyms are opened.</span></li>
<li><span data-offset-key="99jp5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The Beaches are open. </span></li>
<li><span data-offset-key="99jp5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The Dog Park is open. </span></li>
<li><span data-offset-key="99jp5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Many other services are opening. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
Before we get to the details, I want to point out something extraordinary and in my view confidence building about the North Bay Village Police Department. </div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The day after the Minneapolis death of George Floyd, May 25, our Police Chief Carlos Noriega ordered a top to bottom review of North Bay Village Police procedures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The day after! </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before the nationwide protests, before the discussions, the Police Chief made sure to be absolutely clear that the use of force is a last resort, the Duty to Intervene when a cop sees abuse, and reviewed the many aspects of PD training that keep the citizens and the police safe. That's what kind of community we are and what kind of Police Chief we have. Noriega doesn't wait to do the right thing. Never has. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Monday</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> - Marvin Wilmoth Harbor Island Commissioner and Vice Mayor, led the commission in a vigil remembering George Floyd. It was broadcast on Facebook Live and attended in person by 50 people or so at Vogel Park. It was a peaceful, respectful community statement against racism. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> - At the Commission Meeting, there was a lot but I thought I would break it down below. </span></div>
</div>
<ul class="_1bv0" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 12px; padding: 6px 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li class="_2cuy _509q _3kpz _3kq0 _3kq1 _3kq6" data-block="true" data-editor="6jtk5" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="clear: both; counter-reset: ol0 0; direction: ltr; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
The George Floyd Murder - The Commission unanimously passed a resolution brought to the dais by Commissioner Jackson condemning the killing and restating the commitment of North Bay Village to inclusion and equality.
</div>
</li>
<li class="_2cuy _509q _3kpz _3kq0 _3kq1 _3kq6" data-block="true" data-editor="6jtk5" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="clear: both; counter-reset: ol0 0; direction: ltr; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
The Services - The Commission instructed the Village Staff to plan for the inclusion of a services portal and a position to help North Bay Villagers struggling with unemployment, food insecurity, school, housing and other issues. The Commission recognizes that North Bay Village can't solve the worldwide problems but can help our community navigate them.
</div>
</li>
<li class="_2cuy _509q _3kpz _3kq0 _3kq1 _3kq6" data-block="true" data-editor="6jtk5" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="clear: both; counter-reset: ol0 0; direction: ltr; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">P</span><span style="color: #660000;">R</span><span style="color: #bf9000;">I</span><span style="color: #38761d;">D</span><span style="color: #073763;">E -</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> </span><span style="color: #741b47;">2020</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> -</span> The Commission proclaimed Pride Month 2020. North Bay Village has always been an inclusive community but for for 8 years, the previous mayor and her crew ignored Pride every year while greedily lapping up campaign money from the discredited SAVE organization. Mayor Latham promised and delivered.
</span></div>
</li>
<li class="_2cuy _509q _3kpz _3kq0 _3kq1 _3kq6" data-block="true" data-editor="6jtk5" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="clear: both; counter-reset: ol0 0; direction: ltr; line-height: 18px; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="7a4de-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Finances - There are long standing questions about our reserves and how we account for our utility bills, but the Commission heard these clearly and directed the Village staff to stop pretending not to understand the questions that the Financial Advisory Board brought up and to answer them. Be prepared for a long budget fight. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Wednesday - </b>The beaches re-opened. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Things that Need Addressing - </b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The big one is the Island Walk. Village Manager Ralph Rosado has allowed the Moda walk to stay closed with no clear path to re-opening. Whether he has the need to do that is a question and it's time for the commission to start modifying Emergency Powers so that it is not a convenient political excuse for the Village Manager. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next one is when or if the playgrounds re-open. Kids don't social distance and it may be a long time but now would be a good time to publicize what conditions must be met for the playgrounds to be re-opened. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Finances need to be in order. Right now, there are serious questions about how much we have in reserve, how we are funding services from the utilities, what the real impact of the economic downturn is. I keep seeing people talking past each other and that makes me nervous. </span></span></div>
<div>
It's going to a long hard road out of the lockdown, into the recession and through the civil unrest. I hope we have the right people on staff to take us through this.<br />
<br />
I do know we have the right mayor and a commission that usually does the right thing.<br />
<br />
Time to come together and figure out this new normal thing.<br />
<br />
Kevin Vericker<br />
June 11, 2020</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-67814434045896139982020-05-13T16:39:00.000-04:002020-05-13T16:54:52.761-04:00Tangled Webs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's how not to run a government. Do what North Bay Village has on the Boards and ADA Issue.<br />
<br />
Step 1: Create a fake crisis.<br />
<br />
Step 2: Don't back down from the story.<br />
<br />
Step 3: Set fire to taxpayer money to prop up the story.<br />
<br />
<h3>
What Happened?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since this is the "Reality Based Community", let's talk about the known facts. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last Wednesday, a resident had a discussion with the Village Chief of Staff and expressed his concern that not having captions on the live broadcast of meeting could leave the Village vulnerable to a lawsuit. The conversation was reported to the Village Manager, discussed with the Village Attorney, and then the Village Clerk cancelled all the board meetings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That was last Wednesday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When the board members reacted badly to this and the members of the commission reminded the staff that they did not have have the authority to cancel these meetings, the Village Manager, the Village Attorney and the Village Clerk refused to back down. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They even refused to put the item on the commission agenda for nearly six days. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally, reluctantly, and incompletely, the Village Manager put an item together on Monday night that was a hastily written quote for closed captioning to be installed at some undetermined future point. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Committing To The Pretext</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxNvVG6f14cOw4Wv3_EaidRZlQtjkxrzvdmO925A2jSeVpXCCg8qZffu82yhaT69e3q4Fko83oyl1rgXhnmy0J3IzIZNpnnblExYYslw38Q8V1j09boQBo7pCbHdDUkbP1m9LAMYYQzU/s1600/you+wanna+get+nuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxNvVG6f14cOw4Wv3_EaidRZlQtjkxrzvdmO925A2jSeVpXCCg8qZffu82yhaT69e3q4Fko83oyl1rgXhnmy0J3IzIZNpnnblExYYslw38Q8V1j09boQBo7pCbHdDUkbP1m9LAMYYQzU/s320/you+wanna+get+nuts.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Constanza Commits To The Lie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Remember the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_(Seinfeld)" target="_blank">Seinfeld Episode</a> where George lies about having a house in the Hamptons and won't back down? Yeah, it was a little like that last night. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The staff ran out and hired two ASL interpreters for the Zoom meeting. This was an absurd move for reasons I will explain below. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyhow...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The item came up for discussion. It started with our Village Attorney explaining that he heard rumors that someone might could be sending a demand letter. He spoke with the Manager and the Clerk and he recommended that the board meetings, none of which were scheduled between then and the commission meetings, be cancelled. He really wishes he could say more but you know, legal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Apparently, the Village attorney has extensive experience in this area, experience that he never thought he might share with the commission prior to this. He regrets very much that the statement was "terse" and that people didn't understand for some reason. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Village Clerk then stated that it was not her intention to make it a "harsh email." Sorry about that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At no time did either of them discuss whether they have the right to cancel the meetings without consulting the village commission who has the only authority to do that. None of the dais members expressed any concern about that either. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the meantime, the ASL interpreters were showing on the screen, except for when the comments about the situation were read. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Solving the Wrong Problem</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An important part of a power grab is to aggressively solve the wrong problem. Okay stay with me here. <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Warning, there will be numbers. </i></span> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSfQr9CuV7ecHqlKh-NVThQiMqLjQJouiLvaNAaPWrsxVOK-1vTJt3aRjyZ3FR3FoL_Rg_z1upSA79eUGqriIPdBLMtHJeQfGIMHURRYY6FaFRicZm6PcMbkkW5rdFVPzSXamw9xHvZs/s1600/asl+captioning+deaf+preferences.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="630" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSfQr9CuV7ecHqlKh-NVThQiMqLjQJouiLvaNAaPWrsxVOK-1vTJt3aRjyZ3FR3FoL_Rg_z1upSA79eUGqriIPdBLMtHJeQfGIMHURRYY6FaFRicZm6PcMbkkW5rdFVPzSXamw9xHvZs/s640/asl+captioning+deaf+preferences.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
There are an estimated 2 million Americans with profound hearing loss that cannot be corrected with devices such as hearing aids. The vast majority of these people lost their hearing later in life and consequently, only about 25% of the profoundly deaf community are fluent in American Sign Language. And American Sign is a different language with different syntax, grammar, and sentence order. <br />
<br />
You will often see ASL interpreters at live events because that is the best way to communicate in person and live but it does not account for 70-75% of nonfluent signers.<br />
<br />
Of the 3% of the deaf population who claim ASL as their native language (meaning language from birth), most consider themselves functionally bilingual which in the United States means fluency in written English/Spanish. <br />
<br />
So last night, in order to prop up the pretext to cancel the boards, the Village spent a fair chunk of change on a service for ASL interpreters. A service that was not likely of any benefit to anyone.<br />
<br />
<h3>
What About Closed Captioning? </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yeah, what about it? Well here's the thing. At least two of our platforms already have machine generated closed captioning. Facebook Live, for example, where I was watching, was busily generating captions, for free. YouTube Live will also machine caption the broadcast if you have more than 100 subscribers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Closed captioning will allow all hearing disabled people to follow the meetings, as long as they are English fluent and additionally help those with limited English. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's not a perfect solution. Machine Captioning is good and if you follow our meetings on Facebook Live you can quickly turn it on to get a sense of how good it is. Here's a quick screenshot while I was watching. I noticed very few errors although there were omissions when the participants did not speak clearly into the microphones. It was a lot like Voice to Text on my phone or Google Translate Live. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XbnbplS7Qlgw-3GmzxY62gp60JHvztpd30xH7nuZkRw3nrJDEf7zELIeGu6k5LLjgC6Xx2vMiqKso4KOv2hPmXUiYXuCD521fCW_maMA850nC6jfuUenPbPDyHUq5FLHhfrzknrmGJQ/s1600/Facebook+Live+with+closed+captioning+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XbnbplS7Qlgw-3GmzxY62gp60JHvztpd30xH7nuZkRw3nrJDEf7zELIeGu6k5LLjgC6Xx2vMiqKso4KOv2hPmXUiYXuCD521fCW_maMA850nC6jfuUenPbPDyHUq5FLHhfrzknrmGJQ/s640/Facebook+Live+with+closed+captioning+-+Edited.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Yellow, the Manager is Talking and the text is in the lower left hand corner. For Free. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The estimated accuracy of Voice to Text Captioning is 85% under normal circumstances but with proper elocution and awareness that usually goes to the mid 90's. You train the machine and it trains you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The big advantage is that reaching 95% of your hearing impaired audience is better than just reaching the 25% who may be ASL fluent. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
But Does That Comply With ADA Section 508?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Maybe not. It might. It might not. But it is good and shows intent. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Generally, the gold standard is Live Captioning. That is when a stenographer captures the conversation and using a specialized machine like in the courthouse. That same stenographer then reviews the transcript, compares it to the recording and makes any necessary updates. That's like 99% and has consistently been regarded as fully compliant and is generally considered best for remote and broadcast meetings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's more effective, cheaper, less intrusive and accessible to a broader audience than ASL.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
So That's The Decision For The Short Term? </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No. Naturally not. That would make too much sense. The short term solution will be to contract ASL interpreters. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
At Least The Board Meetings Are Back, Right? </h3>
<div>
<br />
Well, probably. None of the three charter officers brought it up, the commission did not instruct them by motion to do it, none of the commissioners clarified if the charter employees have the power to preempt the commission's rights. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The mayor did say he thought the boards were back on and the Clerk kind of nodded, so maybe? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As of today, at 2:54 PM on May 13, the meetings all show as cancelled. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q-RsY2svCTsx9mZ8rM-jnYBIIdbhCODosM0jWJj_6zC6vdo4PUlVFF_qM0pbFJCm48wmXjHwsU-vzSgNgq1U-rkx5vP-ryUv1I3JSu9NiMgMy8OYOYiF-plN657oRTYwol6mrlu0SE0/s1600/Screenshot+2020-05-13+at+1.54.08+PM+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="886" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q-RsY2svCTsx9mZ8rM-jnYBIIdbhCODosM0jWJj_6zC6vdo4PUlVFF_qM0pbFJCm48wmXjHwsU-vzSgNgq1U-rkx5vP-ryUv1I3JSu9NiMgMy8OYOYiF-plN657oRTYwol6mrlu0SE0/s640/Screenshot+2020-05-13+at+1.54.08+PM+-+Edited.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2:55 PM on May 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This morning the mayor did send an email saying they were back on in due time. The Village Clerk followed up an hour later not specifically stating the meetings were back on but that she is looking forward to them being back on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, the charter officials may find other circumstances to cancel the boards because apparently that's their prerogative now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Recap</h3>
<div>
<br />
The Village Staff finds the boards irritating. Actions must be taken:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Step 1: Create a fake crisis.</u><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As soon as the "lawsuit" word was mentioned, the Attorney, Clerk and Manager sprung into action and cancelled the board meetings. The information was second hand and then third hand. The resident being cast as the villain has stated that he never threatened a lawsuit but inquired if we are at risk of legal action. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Even though there were no board meetings to be affected, and even though the staff specifically does not have the right to cancel the meetings, they figured it was best. </blockquote>
<br />
<u>Step 2: Don't back down from the story.</u><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To their apparent surprise, the volunteer members of the boards did not appreciate being treated this way and at least the mayor made clear that this seemed a lot like usurpation on their part. Insubordination is the word I would use. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Rather than doing what responsible people do when caught up in a conflict, which in this case would have been to say "Sorry. We over reacted. We'll put the item on the agenda and let the commission decide." they took it to a new level, ignored the commission item for 6 days, hired ASL interpreters for the commission meeting, kept the board in limbo, smirked their way through the item, did not agree until pressed to reinstate the board meetings, and then didn't think it sufficiently important to set up the board meetings this morning until prodded by the mayor. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For its part, the commissioners did not assert their powers, left the over reach unremarked and in one stunning comment by one of the commissioners, expressed that the board members should be "taken care of." Uh, no. The Board Members are writing the proposals for funding, creating and executing programs to help Village residents facing the crisis, trying to keep our wildlife in control and helping small businesses. The Boards are the unpaid caretakers, but I digress. </blockquote>
<br />
<u>Step 3: Set fire to taxpayer money to prop up the story.</u> </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now let's go really nuts. The Village staff found two amazingly expensive captioning systems and in all fairness, appeared to recognize that even a commission as compliant as this one would not pay that, so they are working full steam ahead on finding a solution. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Among the people they are not working with to find the solution are the Board Members, the resident who innocently asked the question about legal exposure, the <a href="https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/resource/hiring-qualified-speech-text-providers" target="_blank">National Deaf Center</a> who kind of wrote the book on it, any hearing impaired individuals in North Bay Village, the Boards, <a href="https://www.nad.org/" target="_blank">The National Association for the Deaf</a>, or any other useful resources. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Nope. They have just proposed useless and expensive stopgaps rather than just admit they thought they'd get away with it and focus back on the critical issues. </blockquote>
<br />
<h3>
My Apologies</h3>
<br />
I sincerely hope that this posting does not come across as "terse" or "harsh." and I'm very sorry if the staff for some reason feels that way. I understand that the key to success for important, secure, well paid employees is to never, ever back down. As long as they can count to 3 on the dais, why should they? <br />
<br />
To those who wonder how I got all these facts and figures, I <a href="https://lmgtfy.com/?q=when+to+use+asl+versus+captioning" target="_blank">Googled</a> them. Unlike our staff.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<div>
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-6087080234626988702020-05-09T11:29:00.003-04:002020-05-09T11:35:06.767-04:00Shut It Down<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLOgsxhJi_BTCivPIPG7xktyhBtfbm3TpPuf-o_o0WShkIAn68P512QB9hB187zfUZJnc6X8cUxoOK-RRXmql4pnkBVJtayY8r8trBnsQAjz5hbsSRmrYDN-QDkiodtvGKZPCAgGRLho/s1600/ADA+Message+Boards+-+Edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1239" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLOgsxhJi_BTCivPIPG7xktyhBtfbm3TpPuf-o_o0WShkIAn68P512QB9hB187zfUZJnc6X8cUxoOK-RRXmql4pnkBVJtayY8r8trBnsQAjz5hbsSRmrYDN-QDkiodtvGKZPCAgGRLho/s320/ADA+Message+Boards+-+Edited.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The text that started it all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
The Issue</h2>
<div>
As has been reported here previously, all the Board and Village meetings have moved to the Zoom platform. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday night, a resident expressed concern that the meetings were not subtitled to the Village management. This is a legit concern and has been true for years. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What happened next was a whole new level. </div>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Shut It Down. Shut It All Down!</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvjpYADSpfnoAqAtmjwoeviJ5s4lQeXIsU8TTguK37pvYLpABzDxdxsFqHqkD4jnwW2EVd2R0qWTS01VEgD6_o0OS2CkxN_Y_po_2psKl019ZV5bPrloQ8n47rSrDSTu7uoYe1o4AE8w/s1600/hair+on+fire_blog+post_pic1_v2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="975" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvjpYADSpfnoAqAtmjwoeviJ5s4lQeXIsU8TTguK37pvYLpABzDxdxsFqHqkD4jnwW2EVd2R0qWTS01VEgD6_o0OS2CkxN_Y_po_2psKl019ZV5bPrloQ8n47rSrDSTu7uoYe1o4AE8w/s200/hair+on+fire_blog+post_pic1_v2.png" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no, a complaint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
Rather than simply saying, "We get it." and noting that every single meeting has the exact same notice on its agenda that if someone requires assistance under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Village will provide that assistance, and going forward with the plan to include auto-captioning in the redeployed web site. the Village Manager, the Village Attorney and the Village Clerk got together and decided that the best solution was the cancel all the board meetings, except for Planning & Zoning because that might inconvenience the developers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then just to add to the fun, the two boys got the Village Clerk to put the email under her name because ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now Follow This Closely Because It Matters</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Boards don't report to the Village Attorney, the Village Manager or the Village Clerk. It's right there in our Charter, Article 6. Just like the Village Attorney, the Village Manager and the Village Clerk report to the commission, the Boards report to the Commission. The Boards can't fire the Village Clerk, the Village Attorney, or the Village Manager and they can't fire the Boards. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That right belongs only to the Commission. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>But There Is An Emergency, Right? </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
No. While the staff's neglect of ADA compliance is near legendary, remember this is the group that installed trash cans to block the sidewalk and then argued that 36 3/4 inches were more than enough for a wheelchair until they could no longer keep a straight face and set them up properly, there is no imminent threat. In fact, there is a Commission Meeting for this Tuesday and the same staff could easily have put that issue before the commission, their bosses, and brought the viewpoint up. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is a general belief that they did not do this because there was grave danger that the commission might not have shut down the boards. That would be a terrible result for the staff which prefers not be questioned or work in the sunshine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So shutting the down the boards, legal or not, and ignoring the commission struck them as the best option. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
But Corona Virus! Won't Somebody Think of Corona Virus?!</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xKlVO6sMfFi3OO46AkwycBNuf6x4H5esnWYh8tEQRoZEwy2EKKK1Ny_Ak3O3CwmcFnP3PK3YGSGnHCEuFk6Vnb5GeMQg0xvGGnXDJ_2vtyLlkfrgnFxNWtlBda1pbvX4WOXbZYsl0CY/s1600/pee+on+my+leg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="575" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xKlVO6sMfFi3OO46AkwycBNuf6x4H5esnWYh8tEQRoZEwy2EKKK1Ny_Ak3O3CwmcFnP3PK3YGSGnHCEuFk6Vnb5GeMQg0xvGGnXDJ_2vtyLlkfrgnFxNWtlBda1pbvX4WOXbZYsl0CY/s320/pee+on+my+leg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
This cheap trick of pretending that a simple question and concern was so overpowering didn't go over well with many of the board members. </div>
<div>
After all, they didn't volunteer to work for the paid staff and being believers in open and transparent government, they complained. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The staff do not have the power to shut down the board meetings without commission approval. </li>
<li>Why did it have to be done immediately when there were no scheduled meetings before the next commission meeting?</li>
</ul>
<div>
The Village Attorney decided to weigh in. He sent an email to the Village Clerk who forwarded it to the board members. The email contained many words. Some of them interesting. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For example, Daniel Espino wrote "<i>Please know that the Village Clerk did not unilaterally cancel your meetings. She cancelled the meetings in consultation with the Manager and m</i>e." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well okay then. The email the village clerk sent was signed by her but seriously, shouldn't everybody know that the discussion was done in the back rooms? Note that this does not include anything about consulting their boss, the Village Commission. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then follows a bunch of words "Working Hard!" "Corona Virus!", "Not Enough Money!" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptosTeJYFqN7lWZ_8CPsvvoBk0G843GvDcn7mu-0aWBIlL0gw6DLlPr57ZHiSbfY_rxtQev2iMntPXTucSmo7oZ_9Mb-_noD1kC2GPHn5FEu04b7b7yAJzsV3p8iZU4MUprDmeEJpuSU/s1600/Gaslight-750x400+-+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptosTeJYFqN7lWZ_8CPsvvoBk0G843GvDcn7mu-0aWBIlL0gw6DLlPr57ZHiSbfY_rxtQev2iMntPXTucSmo7oZ_9Mb-_noD1kC2GPHn5FEu04b7b7yAJzsV3p8iZU4MUprDmeEJpuSU/s200/Gaslight-750x400+-+Edited.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Gaslight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div>
<div>
Then, my favorite sentence from the email "<b style="font-style: italic;">As of right now, no boards </b>(sic)<b style="font-style: italic;"> meetings have been disrupted</b>," </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's all take a moment to think about that. "<b>No Boards have been disrupted."</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can almost hear the unspoken "you idiot" at the end of that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our highly paid attorney is saying "Yes. We cancelled all the board meetings. But we didn't "disrupt" them. How could we "disrupt" what isn't happening? Stop hitting yourself." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Okay, But Why Is This Important?</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33B2Z8yloogxPnIniQGl8JtLYuWRffbvXRcsgQDvosnNH0mynE79PqiXzenfjgeb4dwuNf0ufG6062feChY12lNk5haV4jjnXQb2B-kirptCJwGF7WXUYJNvpIwi_eQU67c7ZGuARLPE/s1600/why+does+this+matter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33B2Z8yloogxPnIniQGl8JtLYuWRffbvXRcsgQDvosnNH0mynE79PqiXzenfjgeb4dwuNf0ufG6062feChY12lNk5haV4jjnXQb2B-kirptCJwGF7WXUYJNvpIwi_eQU67c7ZGuARLPE/s1600/why+does+this+matter.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's important for two big reasons. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Village Clerk, the Village Manager, and the Village Attorney pushed aside the commission on a flimsy pretext and put the Village in danger in an ill-advised attempt to shut out the boards. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Commission needs to assert its authority and clearly restrict the overreach of their direct report employees. This action is a direct attack on the commission and should not be tolerated. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Far more importantly, the Village is in crisis. The world is in crisis. The slow roll virus and the fast crashing economy have turned everything upside down and at a time when North Bay Village is facing record unemployment, residents plunged into poverty, education disrupted and even food hard to get, every voice matters. That well paid employees take advantage to shut out voices they find unpleasant is a serious warning sign that we may not have the right people employed to work us through the crisis. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After all, they'll go on to other jobs in other cities but we live here. And the boards need to be a full partner in getting the Village through what lies ahead. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have already been contacted by several of the more active board members (not from mine) who are considering resigning unless this is fixed now. I think we should hold off and see if the commission shows the courage to take charge and then decide. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As far as the non-existent threat of a lawsuit, let's be really clear. Disability rights are civil rights. They are basic and ADA is remarkably flexible in finding ways to include people. We currently comply and in particular one board has been fighting a losing battle with the charter officers to improve our inclusivity, one of the boards they want to shut down. The Village Manager, the Village Attorney and the Village Clerk are using this deceitful pretext to shut down the boards. This is an exploitation of handicapped residents and I hope they at least have the decency to feel bad about that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
May 9, 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-38539322893846907632020-04-25T12:04:00.001-04:002020-04-26T09:29:36.669-04:00Zooming In On The Commission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pkxMQHX5bANQBSfsq3f282x3ln34rnmyzzetQ8MIAG2f_GFhslnG9QuWIlDg_xaY0cPn4Jgenf88QBvbUgBLfSCXLA8GHMB1jKNVjiqdIEPxp7T8r4Dcc5RiLjKIdErbcuXbVjL391k/s1600/Carole+Baskin+on+zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="975" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pkxMQHX5bANQBSfsq3f282x3ln34rnmyzzetQ8MIAG2f_GFhslnG9QuWIlDg_xaY0cPn4Jgenf88QBvbUgBLfSCXLA8GHMB1jKNVjiqdIEPxp7T8r4Dcc5RiLjKIdErbcuXbVjL391k/s320/Carole+Baskin+on+zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
Doing It Remotely</h3>
<div>
<br />
The North Bay Village Special Commission Meeting for April was held on Zoom, the video conferencing software with a viral spread outpacing Covid 19. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Zoom is everywhere hosting cocktail parties, weddings, classrooms and government meetings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It actually went okay with no major incidents. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am amused that the commission which comprises a much younger demographic than most of the involved residents did not seem to be familiar with some of the basic tips and tricks about tele-meetings. Camera angles matter, people! Lighting is important! Backgrounds should match the theme and tone! Digital natives, indeed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Seriously, when several of them were not in the dark, the cameras were jumping and the background kept shifting. Here's a helpful article on "<a href="https://floridapolitics.com/archives/325151-how-to-not-look-like-a-hostage-in-your-next-zoom-meeting" target="_blank">How Not To Look Like A Hostage</a>" during a remote meeting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xVoZsdYmuadRMmT1tCoYG9Y3ml2c1TDUeo8UXG58-WBd7t4n9vFmkGztKqjl_KPNkc8S-e8gnE03aV-OZ6blt6EDbtQKkXsI5l5HjO_x0qwDpC5hZSHLn9BqjMpGMV_D4GFd1JVZPr8/s1600/oprah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="634" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xVoZsdYmuadRMmT1tCoYG9Y3ml2c1TDUeo8UXG58-WBd7t4n9vFmkGztKqjl_KPNkc8S-e8gnE03aV-OZ6blt6EDbtQKkXsI5l5HjO_x0qwDpC5hZSHLn9BqjMpGMV_D4GFd1JVZPr8/s320/oprah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
The Future of Meetings in North Bay Village</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the foreseeable future, the Village will be meeting on e-platforms and that was the first order of business. Village Attorney Dan Espino reviewed the legal technicalities of complying with Sunshine, the procedures for quasi-judicial hearings, and how the Village meetings can be conducted. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mostly legal stuff but it is part of the "new different" as new ways of conducting government business moves forward. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All board meetings are scheduled in May and will be done remotely and most likely the commission meetings will be online as well. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
On To The Work At Hand (In Order of Interest To Me)</h3>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>My Favorite Part: </b>No snark. No sarcasm. There was an example of how well a staff and a commission can work together. When Commissioner Strout brought up her concern that the Village Emergency Order is open ended and stated her desire to put a time limit on the order so that the commission would be in charge, it was immediately brought out that having an Emergency Order that might not be in place could interfere with FEMA funding, the ability of the Village Manager to respond quickly to new circumstances and could impede operations. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's the thing. Both concerns, Strout's that the Village Commission needs to be in charge of extraordinary measures and Rosado's that extraordinary measures need to be, well, extraordinary, could have resulted in both sides digging into position and forcing a useless shutdown. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Village Attorney, in his role as counselor, stepped in and helped the commission and staff get to a place that satisfied the needs. Essentially the Commission will at each meeting review the existing Emergency Order and decide with the Village Manager if it needs to be amended, eliminated or continued. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This was a great example of what being useful looks like and I think it should happen more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Not everything has as clear path to effective compromise as this issue but the first step should always be how to get the mutually agreed upon goals in a mutual process. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well Done!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpHGTkHjvXYlCiPWJiAqs9rUOId-6ukYlfB8_nYg_SyX8xpdjaEPoSeuOR5A9hrgOYwTHJck9USov_Oz0oBhABl25um9rq-fCMvNbMPczz9VryWfp3ZRVliobXON3E6br5Ifx0dLBHkg/s1600/fiscal+blinders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1200" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpHGTkHjvXYlCiPWJiAqs9rUOId-6ukYlfB8_nYg_SyX8xpdjaEPoSeuOR5A9hrgOYwTHJck9USov_Oz0oBhABl25um9rq-fCMvNbMPczz9VryWfp3ZRVliobXON3E6br5Ifx0dLBHkg/s320/fiscal+blinders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
Fiscal Uncertainty</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An area that didn't go so well was the discussion about what happens now to our finances. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The well thought out concerns of our Financial Advisory Board were brought forward and they paint an alarming picture of potential shortfalls in the money available in the next year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Village has been running its own projections with identified cost savings that show substantial mitigation of the problems and potential cost cutting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But for the discussion on this, it felt like everyone was talking past each other. The Village staff were focused on how the year will end up and starting to project cash inflow based on near normal projections for next year while the FAB is focused on the potential for massive economic downturns. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In my view, the bottom line is we have no way of knowing and at this point, the Village needs to working hard with as much possible expertise as it can find to chart this out. The Financial Advisory Board needs to understand and challenge these assumptions. Combined they have to figure out:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>What the Village needs to do - Keep the Streets Clean, Keep the Public Safe, Balance the Books, Issue the Permits, and so on while figuring out what it takes to do that. </li>
<li>What the Village can afford - this scenario planning. Once we agree what's important to do, figure out what it costs and what revenues will cover that. </li>
<li>What the Village should do - most organizations cut the obvious first - layoff employees, cut salaries, cancel customer facing services, etc. These cuts are like sugar rushes. They quickly dissipate and leave everyone poorer. Instead it's time for an honest look at where we can improve our processes and get the most for every dollar spent. It's complex, tedious work but we need to know the value of every outcome and the effect of cuts before any decisions are made. </li>
<li>For its part, the Financial Advisory Board needs to be less focused on specific tactics and sharper on desired outcomes. How we get to the goal matters. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Nothing definitive came out of the meeting regarding finances and we should worry. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
And "Jesus, God Almighty, Why Are You Wasting Everyone's Time" Moment - The Hornsby Matter</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlnGLArHjgU-Y4KE33CaEEEtRYYvXIpnkRqeX2hKoemRUIPYpPVlOhSi0yVYCH4UB1DFK87FYmzKfjP4STF7adOaM3EFplSDJztDPMQSPOO5BJt_vTUHBCpNMwpz5wkVPXIsK_YVKEio/s1600/commission+april+23.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlnGLArHjgU-Y4KE33CaEEEtRYYvXIpnkRqeX2hKoemRUIPYpPVlOhSi0yVYCH4UB1DFK87FYmzKfjP4STF7adOaM3EFplSDJztDPMQSPOO5BJt_vTUHBCpNMwpz5wkVPXIsK_YVKEio/s640/commission+april+23.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual Screenshot of Commissioner Jackson as she<br />
explains her reasoning for reconsideration of the Hornsby<br />
matter (lower left hand corner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Last month, following the court decision that the removal of Douglas Hornsby was a straight up violation of due process rights and that the absurd justification used by Commissioners Alvarez and Jackson that Hornsby's appointment was invalid <i>ab initio </i>(Latin for "sez me") was utter nonsense, the Commission voted 3-2 to approve a settlement for Douglas Hornsby that partially repays some of his legal fees in fighting this removal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In a weird twist, Commissioner Jackson voted Yes to settle while Mayor Brent Latham voted No. Latham cited his concern about the ongoing cost to the Village from cleaning up the messes that these two scurrilous commissioners made. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, Commissioner Jackson went searching for her soul following the March 12 meeting and announced on March 13 that she wanted to change her vote. Of course she thinks she found her soul on Facebook and used that medium to announce her discovery. Specifically she reached out to Laura Cattabriga, admin of an odd little Facebook Group and failed candidate, and had it posted by her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wKOp-9EATGNRgQCyq53HHlbT3_9ekWcorwEDUxP9LRfgYpZccHTWgZhOe0dZD8Q30eCeHB2TTRkzfcfFYFRJqYD11lPPPv-e5dgvNJ2B4pqel0hhHlGiS0OECidz3yywT91xXGxWTmQ/s1600/jackson+post+on+facebook+march+13+2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="868" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wKOp-9EATGNRgQCyq53HHlbT3_9ekWcorwEDUxP9LRfgYpZccHTWgZhOe0dZD8Q30eCeHB2TTRkzfcfFYFRJqYD11lPPPv-e5dgvNJ2B4pqel0hhHlGiS0OECidz3yywT91xXGxWTmQ/s640/jackson+post+on+facebook+march+13+2020.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So the commission had to take time to deal with this shameless nonsense in the middle of important work about like lives, health and safety. They did take the time and voted 3 to 2 to let the settlement stand. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Naturally, the two commissioners, Jackson and Alvarez voted No because they broke it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The past should be past but you can't move forward without dealing with it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the next commission meeting, someone should introduce a Resolution of Censure for these two. Their feckless behavior as they presided through the chaos of the last administration needs to be noted and acknowledged. Our government and community are still suffering the fallout and it's time for the three useful commissioners to draw a line in the sand. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, that's what I got. See you online!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
April 27 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-19983604967154008492020-04-17T09:45:00.000-04:002020-04-18T10:16:22.562-04:00It's been what... a month? <h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Figures</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapBvKxxAWoP8dpl6i6k1VrcuM9NCTy01QhDSnxYWNMPwY6KHYLYrhkgFVTU4YikH0Dwj2igbEaZKwxm2BFzXxm84pxwfFE2l4wmHrOYjNWUPNnM5cPndXFZeevJSQQnI9lrftfoVPhTs/s1600/Florida+Total+Cases+april+15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapBvKxxAWoP8dpl6i6k1VrcuM9NCTy01QhDSnxYWNMPwY6KHYLYrhkgFVTU4YikH0Dwj2igbEaZKwxm2BFzXxm84pxwfFE2l4wmHrOYjNWUPNnM5cPndXFZeevJSQQnI9lrftfoVPhTs/s640/Florida+Total+Cases+april+15.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April 15 2020 Source <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429">Florida Covid Dashboard</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynu69I1LSMU5VkeHTjThADoUwC54H0bN7XTo82wL1DXFoVxSCxCTIvBLDBVpdATvLj7GRWgyfsSgiDiD6BWmZpJ9xhbWWwqN5cBnqHMDywDA2oRK7LpA0wqB0wIKWcpHq7x0sJ0Ht81s/s1600/Zipcode+33141+Cases.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynu69I1LSMU5VkeHTjThADoUwC54H0bN7XTo82wL1DXFoVxSCxCTIvBLDBVpdATvLj7GRWgyfsSgiDiD6BWmZpJ9xhbWWwqN5cBnqHMDywDA2oRK7LpA0wqB0wIKWcpHq7x0sJ0Ht81s/s640/Zipcode+33141+Cases.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April 15 2020 Source <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429">https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Florida Dashboard paints a grim picture. On March 17, 2020, there were 70 positive cases in the state. By April 15, 2020, there were 22,897 and testing has barely begun. The tests are not widespread, there is much debate as to how prevalent the virus is and how deadly the virus is. But even with this sample size, and make no mistake, it's a sample, the news is pretty devastating.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Response</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
North Bay Village was among the first communities in Florida to take direct action. By March 12, 2020, the Village Manager Ralph Rosado had enacted the Emergency Powers provision of the Charter and took charge of the Village response. Any South Florida municipal manager is used to the Emergency Powers since they are always used in hurricanes, but this was a new circumstance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
North Bay Village, led by Mayor Brent Latham and Dr. Rosado, was one of the first to issue a "Safer At Home" directive that laid out the framework for social distancing and self isolation. Closing the parks, the baywalk, and setting up time and space for residents to move outside quickly followed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the meantime, the schools stopped meeting in person on March 16 and recognizing that the main source of food for many students was the school breakfast/lunch programs, the school system set up a meal distribution at TIES and Police Chief Noriega staffed it with school resource officer Amy Suarez. During "Spring Break", the Village provided meals to children and instituted a food program for seniors through the county resources. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There have been multiple food distributions for people in need, spearheaded by Commissioner Strout and Mayor Latham and executed by the village, staff and volunteers. Even today, April 16, there is one in place at Village Hall. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As neighboring towns and cities implemented curfews controlling traffic overnight, Police Chief Noriega decided to do the same here in North Bay Village to prevent the Village from becoming a gathering spot for people kicked out of the Beach and Miami, giving the officers discretion to not harass legitimate people outside but stopping gatherings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Throughout it all, the Village communications have been clear, timely and useful. As we are buried under a torrent of orders and information that we could never have imagined would happen, the manager, the police, the staff, and the mayor have consistently been out there talking, listening, explaining and adjusting. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then it happened. While the case load in North Bay Village is very low, less than 10 known cases, a worker at the Presidente tested positive, another on the administrative staff in North Bay Village did as well. In both cases the Village put out a response that was serious and realistic. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In response to the direct question "Are we safe?", the mayor pulled no punches and said "No. No one is. That's why we keep reminding you to stay home." This type of clear communication, unwelcome as it might seem, is exactly what a concerned, intelligent community needs.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, the Police Department and our first responders were tested and according to an internal email sent out yesterday by the Police Chief, there has been one inconclusive positive and the rest were negative, which seems to be the result of instituting and strictly adhering to safety protocols early on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Uncertain</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
According to the University of Washington <a href="https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/florida" target="_blank">models</a>, Florida has not yet peaked. We can expect peak hospitalizations around May 3. That date has changed in the past and to a great extent it shows the success of social distancing and other measures, of which North Bay Village was an early adapter, and the date may move again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The key takeaway is "This isn't over." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the meantime, it's likely the schools will not reopen this year. There are plans to plan for businesses reopening and how and nothing is normal. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In fact, we need to rethink everything. I am not going to use the cliche "The New Normal". Instead I prefer to call it "The New Different" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is no question that business and markets will stay depressed for some time. There are no miracles on the horizon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The commission meets next week, tentatively, remotely and need to have the conversation about what North Bay Village will look like in the near future (May, June...) and what it might be like if the planned projects and financial commitments the Village is counting on don't come through. I expect we will see a vigorous plan for the next phase but it's too soon to know what that phase is, so for right now, the Village is functional, our garbage is being collected, our needs are being met, and that's not a bad foundation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
That's It?! No Complaints, No Snark?</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Who Wrote This and What Did You Do With Vericker?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hell, yeah. It's North Bay Village and North Bay Village Crazy™ stays strong. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBwUf1jSuhl5mOMBbipGyJaagYnXQlrqdn9oMFAu6-1XlNZn48zV-nRpLgnCIWE2VUELF260odIUy62P-ZQgRwafokCsEwph8eWDzW2zb8EvUNZA4K_utbVQZqgYFqDsFMsDfAODO28/s1600/yomamalittering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="534" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBwUf1jSuhl5mOMBbipGyJaagYnXQlrqdn9oMFAu6-1XlNZn48zV-nRpLgnCIWE2VUELF260odIUy62P-ZQgRwafokCsEwph8eWDzW2zb8EvUNZA4K_utbVQZqgYFqDsFMsDfAODO28/s320/yomamalittering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Over on the Facebook groups, you can see people are throwing their latex gloves in the street and even more stupidly are flushing them down toilets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYT1cSUut74ETWk3aWmZWZTrc0lVYwqzeefJcBYdGy2YDxpo97DstfTjBrcb7UYLxyNrExTNPYHmyl93XICaAiLCAIgWNHWPMLbDIXcA-pgWh8v5f4qbosV-Rh7PObhlwpzx80DrFbo2o/s1600/Petty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYT1cSUut74ETWk3aWmZWZTrc0lVYwqzeefJcBYdGy2YDxpo97DstfTjBrcb7UYLxyNrExTNPYHmyl93XICaAiLCAIgWNHWPMLbDIXcA-pgWh8v5f4qbosV-Rh7PObhlwpzx80DrFbo2o/s1600/Petty.jpg" /></a></div>
County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez took time out of their busy schedules to snipe at each over whether the exact same order should be called "Safer at Home" or "Shelter in Place", thereby wasting space, newsprint and precious brain cells on a stupid beef.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, it turns out that former North Bay Village Manager Frank Rollason, decried as the Devil Incarnate by the previous North Bay Village ruling junta, is running the Miami-Dade Emergency Response Center and by all accounts locally and nationally doing a good job. The former mayor, the defeated mayoral candidate, and the two useless members of the commission all expressed their admiration and apologized for how they treated him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
And Speaking of the Useless Ones </h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Neither Commissioner Andreanna Jackson nor Commissioner Jose Alvarez have been seen or heard from in the last month. Nowhere. I mean, Safer At Home is a good idea but the other commissioners have used the time to communicate and make themselves available to help. Not these two.<br />
<br />
Except Jackson claims she found her soul and her soul is telling her to pay a stupid political game on the Hornsby settlement and she wants to reconsider her vote to clean up the unholy mess that she caused because apparently her soul is leading her to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_(cosmogony)" target="_blank">Chaos</a> , the original state. So according to a sparsely viewed Facebook post, Jackson wants to reconsider her vote for sanity in the Hornsby matter. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW5g8J4Z8l07v8Ol9e9rBsrT_GPeAl9H8X5fd0MRcEB0uAIrf6TodoTHIaIsRPvwGUQmbIIxl3eOKxEuReSrq0TlMwaV0b73vNq3dQ-rGg7FWx8xmvqxCxpF6PPoLEKLFD868lyI5zF4/s1600/emptysuit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW5g8J4Z8l07v8Ol9e9rBsrT_GPeAl9H8X5fd0MRcEB0uAIrf6TodoTHIaIsRPvwGUQmbIIxl3eOKxEuReSrq0TlMwaV0b73vNq3dQ-rGg7FWx8xmvqxCxpF6PPoLEKLFD868lyI5zF4/s200/emptysuit.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commissioner Alvarez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXs4rklleUFQZ7BUJVbQ6VM85aeA6I6oXMxQu_7a1QGjHGPbZ3K6RXF6yupZ90an1WAyfroBvlRou9PUFMlqJzvFXMBe46rFN4gkH1Iwlco-KrCwMF7_lcjc9fkBWCGQKFf_1y2zVMc/s1600/Andreana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXs4rklleUFQZ7BUJVbQ6VM85aeA6I6oXMxQu_7a1QGjHGPbZ3K6RXF6yupZ90an1WAyfroBvlRou9PUFMlqJzvFXMBe46rFN4gkH1Iwlco-KrCwMF7_lcjc9fkBWCGQKFf_1y2zVMc/s200/Andreana.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andreanna Jackson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
And of course, The Alternate View</h3>
</div>
<div>
There are a number of people sloping around town spreading rumors about massive, hidden infections in the Village work staff and asking "interested questions" with no intention of getting answers. I won't name them, because I can't afford to buy a vowel, and I have some pity on how awful it must be to have so many, many personalities in one person, but I will note that if your news sources are a disgraced Village employee and two crows living in a tree on Center Bay Drive, it's probably best to retire from public discourse. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
April 17, 2020</div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-21232012897440278352020-03-10T11:50:00.001-04:002020-03-10T11:55:28.167-04:00March 12 2020 Agenda<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuopGpvMt1t6CLaGbXDp_-JDM34sX8VVGa7Xd7SCgZ85-VECW4X1Vl_CrLyXSC9xvbdL1iDBrCgeQalP9-waDOSh-oz71XBBuciAxdeZzXA-8YkaYCbas7SG4hr7Z7vNM5jLQu70rIpI/s1600/spock+logic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuopGpvMt1t6CLaGbXDp_-JDM34sX8VVGa7Xd7SCgZ85-VECW4X1Vl_CrLyXSC9xvbdL1iDBrCgeQalP9-waDOSh-oz71XBBuciAxdeZzXA-8YkaYCbas7SG4hr7Z7vNM5jLQu70rIpI/s320/spock+logic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really didn't have a cool cartoon so I went with this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Owing to Purim, the usual Tuesday evening commission meeting this week is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 PM. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The agenda, <a href="https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fnbvillage%2F42021f958a7dd942cc53b0c489bb1f7f0.pdf&embedded=true" target="_blank">available here</a>, is jam packed and there's a lot to be decided. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For purposes of this post, I am breaking it out into <i>4 </i>sections by topic. </div>
<h3>
Topic #1: Fixing The Past and the Hornsby Matter</h3>
<div>
<br />
The commission will vote on a settlement offer to Doug Hornsby, a former commissioner pushed off the dais in 2018 in what the Florida 11th Judicial Court found to be a violation of due process. You can find dozens of articles and in my blog by simply <a href="https://lmgtfy.com/?q=north+bay+village+hornsby" target="_blank">searching</a> "North Bay Village Hornsby" on Google. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The key issue the court found was that the use of the unsubstantiated legal theory that Hornsby's appointment to the commission was never valid violated the clear and simple due process requirements of our charter. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The settlement offer is for $100,000 to reimburse for legal fees. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The commission needs to approve or reject this mediated settlement. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If they approve, the Village will pay $25,000 from our budget while the rest will be covered by insurance. If they reject the settlement offer, we're back in court. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This miscarriage of justice, the illegal removal of Hornsby, is being "questioned" by several of the people who perpetrated it for their own benefit. The usual nonsense. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two of the sitting commissioners, Andreana Jackson and Jose Alvarez, voted without comment to support Hornsby's removal and caused this mess. In an ethical world, they would recuse themselves but neither seem particularly bothered about doing either the right thing or doing things the right way, so we'll see how they go. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Opinion: Hornsby has been more than generous in trying to be made whole in this degrading process and the commission would be well advised to accept the settlement. It sucks that $25,000 of our money has to pay for the bad judgment of Jackson and Alvarez, and the crap legal advice they followed, but it will be much more expensive not to settle. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Alvarez and Jackson are rumored to be up for re-election in November. It would be stupid to re-elect them. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Topic #2: Density</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQC26pd_YXgKoG6ObAJgOaUmDzud1xVG3L5QgIzTwzoTpKIIx9PZo1EHRmzb-pI9q5TZk2TTz-UtDlzdmub0VZfOWLKFvaEP7fnz6leeXoFHsXAkkekyunM32wnnGMPI_SQtkx0QBm5A/s1600/Density+Formula.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQC26pd_YXgKoG6ObAJgOaUmDzud1xVG3L5QgIzTwzoTpKIIx9PZo1EHRmzb-pI9q5TZk2TTz-UtDlzdmub0VZfOWLKFvaEP7fnz6leeXoFHsXAkkekyunM32wnnGMPI_SQtkx0QBm5A/s200/Density+Formula.png" width="184" /></a></div>
<div>
Next month, DPZ will present their full recommendations on the North Bay Village 100 plan. I'm not going into detail in this post as there is a lot to cover, but the hot issue at the moment is density, specifically in the single family neighborhood on Treasure Island and for new multi unit construction on Harbor Island. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To recap the issue, in a draft recommendation, DPZ suggested changing the zoning code to allow up to 100 units per acre on Harbor Island, up from 70 units currently, and to allow townhouses in the single family neighborhood on Treasure Island. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nobody has identified where that suggestion came from. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A Treasure Island resident quickly gathered signatures from the single family houses on Treasure Island, 140 of them, nearly two thirds, requesting the commission to not change the zoning to allow multi-unit construction in the neighborhood and several Harbor Island community members strongly oppose increasing density due to concerns about the impact of increased density on traffic, environment and livability. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Thursday, there will be no final vote but the petitions will be presented about TI and the concerns noted about HI. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Opinion: This came out of left field. The increased density suggestion was not brought up in the public workshops and has all the earmarks of a developer inspired suggestion. The commission should end the discussion with a resolution instructing DPZ to deliver the final without the Harbor Island and Treasure Island density changes, or at least two versions. There's too much history and concern to let this go forward and it could derail the whole plan. It would be simple for the commission to do it and it's clear it's what the residents want. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<h3>
Topic #3: Hiring a Chief Financial Officer</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz5800E-JzIQ6W2D0e46RovYu0tqdFJ1FtR2UmGL69VbslasLE6ghJquRKVQE8nddn5-oMa2YywPoRC42IesMGKW5kuqRfgCClL5qJUauHQxRBUtPB5RcEPGOF8e_dTIpOSqTQNEhyphenhyphenrk/s1600/Fort+Lauderdale+Sewers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="800" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz5800E-JzIQ6W2D0e46RovYu0tqdFJ1FtR2UmGL69VbslasLE6ghJquRKVQE8nddn5-oMa2YywPoRC42IesMGKW5kuqRfgCClL5qJUauHQxRBUtPB5RcEPGOF8e_dTIpOSqTQNEhyphenhyphenrk/s320/Fort+Lauderdale+Sewers.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One map of the neglected sewer impact in FTL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
A candidate named Stanley Hawthorne has been recommended to be our Chief Financial Officer. Several residents, including members of the Budget Oversight Board, have expressed concern that his experience is in public administration operations and not in public finance. Hawthorne was also part of the group that allowed the <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-sewage-leak-fort-lauderdale-20191210-kz3pgfu5fna7pgrv5nf7ktia6e-story.html" target="_blank">misspending of Fort Lauderdale's funds</a> for sewer modernization and we've seen how that worked out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The commission will be discussing the relative merits of hiring Hawthorne over the other candidates and will decide whether to endorse the hiring of Hawthorne or instruct the Village Manager to look further. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Opinion: This does not look right. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<h3>
Topic #4: Our Charter</h3>
<div>
<br />Commissioner Julianna Strout is leading a discussion item on the Charter. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is a serious need for review of the Charter and in particular the strange amendments that the Commission in 2018 put there while ignoring the well crafted recommendations of the Charter Review Board. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Charter is our foundational document and it matters that it reflect who we are and who we aspire to be as a community. I hope this gets the serious attention of the three useful commissioners and I hope the outcome is a full Charter review to get it right. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
There's a Lot More</h3>
<div>
<br />If you only attend one commission meeting this year, make it this one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thursday, March 12, 6:30 PM Village Hall 1666 JFK Causeway. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
March 10, 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-83178828325243770122020-02-21T11:12:00.002-05:002020-02-23T17:59:16.827-05:00Everywhere At Once - Communicating and Growing<h3>
The Old Way - Say Nothing</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuQCW8olUnuzLByRU_K6AW-sGA4MuOb54z1Lmv8Klg8iqQY-kd4RPCdD4VMHlSu-HSJQDkjzac4UMwmxbrg3b_JhSnZrdRaO-LR7TUUVYjcAlIOEYMy1kzMXnYQsUGrCoHbZULqIj64o/s1600/Shadow+Money.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuQCW8olUnuzLByRU_K6AW-sGA4MuOb54z1Lmv8Klg8iqQY-kd4RPCdD4VMHlSu-HSJQDkjzac4UMwmxbrg3b_JhSnZrdRaO-LR7TUUVYjcAlIOEYMy1kzMXnYQsUGrCoHbZULqIj64o/s1600/Shadow+Money.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Guess Passing Money Under The Table To<br />
Is a Form of Communication. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last administration took obfuscation and made it an art form. <br />
<br />
I was constantly amazed at their willingness to openly disdain the public requests for information, let alone for any semblance of discussion about important issues. <br />
<br />
Well, of course it turned out they were hiding some pretty nasty stuff so I get it now.<br />
<br />
Fun fact though. Connie Leon Kreps has joined the mayor's Facebook page at #<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/857568831361845/" target="_blank">OurNBV</a> and I for one am waiting breathlessly until her first post. You should join it too. It's a great resource for North Bay Village.<br />
<br />
Now it's not fair to simply compare our current mayor, Brent Latham, to the previous mayor. That bar is way too low. What I do want to talk about is how much Latham communicates.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Mayor Latham Way - Communicate Everything</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo2zMv_22t-tXlf1HGQrixdTUASt1GxF23Kz4AhHiBA7zbZEoH76nJKxpn7ulMvWfdJW6w5oRAT6A-eYDnDYAVUrR6wvPhNKY0GAKheTlmzRquirMSwACdNTAM4ZLTxb-bnWokNSIB58/s1600/featured_How-To-Be-Everywhere-At-Once-In-Real-Estate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="702" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo2zMv_22t-tXlf1HGQrixdTUASt1GxF23Kz4AhHiBA7zbZEoH76nJKxpn7ulMvWfdJW6w5oRAT6A-eYDnDYAVUrR6wvPhNKY0GAKheTlmzRquirMSwACdNTAM4ZLTxb-bnWokNSIB58/s320/featured_How-To-Be-Everywhere-At-Once-In-Real-Estate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Scene In Latham's Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've compared Latham (favorably) to atoms that show up in two places at once, which is a real thing that happens and you can read it about it here in <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a18756/atoms-exist-two-places-simultaneously/" target="_blank">Popular Mechanics</a>.<br />
<br />
Latham saw very few community events and those that were in place were focused on a theme so he started a Village wide Restaurant of the Month, basically a Happy Hour where anyone in the Village could show up, meet neighbors, see a business and talk to the mayor.<br />
<br />
Latham's first big project was the Charette, designed to get as many Villagers into one place to talk about what the Village is and what it realistically can be. #NBV100 is going to form the basis of a coherent strategic plan moving forward. <br />
<br />
Latham has attended as many of the board meetings as he can and made his mobile his constant companion. He's been featured at meetings on resiliency throughout the region and nationally and even took time to pen an op-ed on the Village efforts in the <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-op-com-latham-north-bay-village-florida-climate-change-20200205-5gmxcv4dxne7rbqxh22hvvwgqq-story.html" target="_blank">Sun-Sentinel</a> so when you Google North Bay Village, you see something other than the dire headlines of the past.<br />
<br />
Now in the biggest move, he's opened a Facebook Group called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/857568831361845/" target="_blank">#OurNBV</a> so he can directly discuss the plans for the future with a group broader than the usual suspects, the ones who show out up at town meetings. And by the way, he's taking some heat for it from people who believe government is too complicated for the governed but that's not a core principle with him.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Cool. So Why Bring This Up? </h3>
<div>
<br />
We have a Mayor who communicates constantly and acts on new information. That's a good thing.<br />
<br />
We have a new Public Information Officer, Malarie Dauginikas, who has an excellent background in publicity, reporting and social media use. Her boss, Village Chief of Staff, Mario Diaz, is 100% supportive of getting the information out so we can expect good things there. I will write about those efforts in a separate post.<br />
<br />
Remember though that in our system of government, the mayor is only one among five and for anything to happen, it takes at least three votes from the commission. <br />
<br />
None of the other four, Vice Mayor Wilmoth, Commissioners Strout, Jackson, and the other guy, have made any effort at all to reach out to residents. This is not great for the residents and it's bad for the commissioners. They are spoon fed information about the Village and have little first hand knowledge of the issues affecting Villagers or access to the vast amount of institutional and community knowledge their constituents have.<br />
<br /></div>
But in the meantime, at long last we have a mayor who talks with us, to us and even sometimes at us and we are much better off for it.<br />
<br />
Kevin Vericker<br />
February 23, 2020North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-39485479009833835112020-02-11T23:23:00.002-05:002020-02-24T09:24:25.444-05:00Alright, If They Have To. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBsI-0J1xciM3fsjHA_tlSq3MXPT4Kt8ksDmHwYhSj4OLLWX0LoZcNw_dHsgh0MsJOL1hh5cENgL1vaTNhMM3t2htJmg3qrPyfj6qUmuP4MdtV3YQxPtQypFiVLVN5pFshThX4EzxIZM/s1600/business-commerce-manager-management-jargon-office_worker-technical_jargon-ktan459_low-2f69z2m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBsI-0J1xciM3fsjHA_tlSq3MXPT4Kt8ksDmHwYhSj4OLLWX0LoZcNw_dHsgh0MsJOL1hh5cENgL1vaTNhMM3t2htJmg3qrPyfj6qUmuP4MdtV3YQxPtQypFiVLVN5pFshThX4EzxIZM/s400/business-commerce-manager-management-jargon-office_worker-technical_jargon-ktan459_low-2f69z2m.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
At tonight's streamlined commission meeting there was one item of substance. A completely fake "discussion" about the role the Village might play or might not play in Social Media.<br />
<br />
<div>
Actually, they were talking about the Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/nbvvoice/" target="_blank">North Bay Village Residents Speak</a>, and whether or not issues brought up on the Facebook page should be addressed by the Village. </div>
<div>
Our very well paid attorney, Dan Espino of Weiss Serota, who so far has not found the time to brief the commission on the financial risk presented by the Velken case nor to explain what it means to the Village that our public easements have been stolen from us by private property owners, found time to research an opinion that "oh oh, talking to people can be dangerous so best not to engage." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our Deputy Village Manager, Mario Diaz, presented a compromise plan that I worked out with him and managed to speak for 20 minutes without once acknowledging that the only trusted source of information in North Bay Village is the Residents Facebook page or that the plan was worked out with the Facebook administrator - uh humm - ME. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our Village Manager, Ralph Rosado, who wouldn't have his freaking job if it wasn't for the combined community efforts of the Facebook page only heard ONE THING - DON'T POST ON NORTH BAY VILLAGE RESIDENTS SPEAK. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our commission members, three of whom don't bother to talk to residents in any forum and I am specifically referring to Vice Mayor Marvin Wilmoth, Commissioner Andreana Jackson and Commissioner Mary Kramer's husband, sat there just staring, while Commissioner Julianna Strout talked about reading the page and reaching out (not borne out by any activity on her part but whatever...) and our Mayor at least had the grace to acknowledge that the page has been a civic good and that it was damn hard work to keep it going through one of the most corrupt administrations in North Bay Village history but then started complaining that sometimes people bring issues there that belong elsewhere. Which is precisely the point. It's the Village Administration's job to get the conversation to the right place. No different than if someone told them about a problem while on line waiting for coffee. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ofaqk_F28kNA4QRPVPbHBP2FbgLyC7Crq4e3whveK4ZaE_t6eqHO7K6i8kjJzy_ZKKXpeojopEsD1LSHduiYdfN0DPwM6hAxeBlvjHW4oSv50GyZWYeih19BEETzV0N6FAIhDVM9hDk/s1600/complaint-department-closed-44883287.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ofaqk_F28kNA4QRPVPbHBP2FbgLyC7Crq4e3whveK4ZaE_t6eqHO7K6i8kjJzy_ZKKXpeojopEsD1LSHduiYdfN0DPwM6hAxeBlvjHW4oSv50GyZWYeih19BEETzV0N6FAIhDVM9hDk/s320/complaint-department-closed-44883287.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<h3>
Instead of Doing Their Jobs, They Sit Around Worrying About Other People</h3>
<div>
<br />
The fundamental issue here is trust. The Village has not yet earned the trust of the residents to get the right information at the right time.<br />
<br />
They are working on it. Hard. And making strides. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Latham has seemingly been everywhere at once and Rosado has finally started to communicate the successes he has led, but both of them rely on a volunteer force of Facebook moderators and community leaders to get their message out. And then feel free to dismiss the efforts with no acknowledgment. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
A Little History</h4>
<div>
The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/nbvvoice/" target="_blank">North Bay Village Residents Speak</a> group began 10 years ago when we were being lied to about the developer's plans to put a strip club behind Channel 7. After that threat went away, I decided to keep it going because there was literally nowhere else to get any information about North Bay Village. Without any publicity or marketing, it grew to over 2000 members and over the years was the place where it was brought to light that:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>We didn't have Police Chief or Village Manager because Lewis Velken was working informally as a contractor without any written agreement. </li>
<li>Commissioner Douglas Hornsby was removed illegally from his seat. </li>
<li>Treasure Island Elementary crashed and without the pressure of the Facebook group would either be a D school or shut. </li>
<li>During Hurricane Irma, it was the only source of information in the Village. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
And too many issues to enumerate here. Just scroll through the posts from 2018.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
No wonder that commission hated it. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXs4rklleUFQZ7BUJVbQ6VM85aeA6I6oXMxQu_7a1QGjHGPbZ3K6RXF6yupZ90an1WAyfroBvlRou9PUFMlqJzvFXMBe46rFN4gkH1Iwlco-KrCwMF7_lcjc9fkBWCGQKFf_1y2zVMc/s1600/Andreana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DXs4rklleUFQZ7BUJVbQ6VM85aeA6I6oXMxQu_7a1QGjHGPbZ3K6RXF6yupZ90an1WAyfroBvlRou9PUFMlqJzvFXMBe46rFN4gkH1Iwlco-KrCwMF7_lcjc9fkBWCGQKFf_1y2zVMc/s200/Andreana.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andreana Jackson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN7XHQTG2LtmFDH506uFAygTg50Tp98Rmgo916drHUY2xUw8x53qbT35a_k4ZnaQoa3OpAH2a4GkJZ1LETopgk-dnhnJMtldzqvPHoORmlhSwRDh-MbeAa821JtM_V0WVLTV4RGZBFFE/s1600/emptysuit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN7XHQTG2LtmFDH506uFAygTg50Tp98Rmgo916drHUY2xUw8x53qbT35a_k4ZnaQoa3OpAH2a4GkJZ1LETopgk-dnhnJMtldzqvPHoORmlhSwRDh-MbeAa821JtM_V0WVLTV4RGZBFFE/s200/emptysuit.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary's Husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Andreana Jackson walked away when she decided that it was more personally beneficial to try to please the former mayor than do the right things by the people who supported her. </div>
<div>
Mary Kramer arranged for her husband to be on the commission, where he has done virtually nothing. NO, PEPE, YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOWNTOWN EXPRESS. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Both of these were active collaborators in the mismanagement of North Bay Village. Read the transcripts and the depositions. It's no surprise they don't like the information out there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
But What The Hell Is Wrong With This Administration? </h4>
<div>
In a dizzying change from the lies and cover-ups of misdeeds in the last administration, I find myself fighting for the last year to get out the information about the things that are going right in North Bay Village. Not what I expected. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In spite of management's best efforts to keep under wraps the success of our police department, the professionalization of our staff, the long overdue dog park, the free transit WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PEPE, the streets finally being mostly done, the excellent work on the hurricane, the airily dismissed <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/nbvvoice/" target="_blank">North Bay Village Residents Speak </a> has persisted in getting out the information that for some reason this successful management wants covered up. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think our Village Manager, Commission, and Attorney are so deeply ingrained in believing that the people who pay them, the people they serve, are nothing more than bothersome noise, to be managed, not spoken with. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm pretty disgusted. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div>
February 11, 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-49139206976369568122020-01-25T16:17:00.003-05:002020-01-26T12:16:16.762-05:00Differing Claims in the Velken Matter Could Leave North Bay Village Broke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDllTnTROZylsJKeAkkCYEwwoduxVshppEUooviHQlo7oqedCZMAeqdvuTKBY9uYt-QbS-wFmXXy6e0eUJ2nzrJ3EKGeP8IW9ibBqQ2G3_NajE2l-d0FeDKngPSHM2rDIV-7GFeghZ1So/s1600/get+it+in+writing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDllTnTROZylsJKeAkkCYEwwoduxVshppEUooviHQlo7oqedCZMAeqdvuTKBY9uYt-QbS-wFmXXy6e0eUJ2nzrJ3EKGeP8IW9ibBqQ2G3_NajE2l-d0FeDKngPSHM2rDIV-7GFeghZ1So/s1600/get+it+in+writing.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Velken matter has been sent to a judge after the Department of Administrative Hearings heard an appeal from our former contractor, Lewis Velken, who worked as both NBV Police Chief then Village Manager, was told his status as a "contractor" rather than an employee was invalid and appeared to be an end run around the FRS rules that prohibits employment in an FRS agency within 6 months.<br />
<br />
The Florida Retirement Systems demanded that Velken repay a total amount of $691,307.41 in retirement benefits he collected. Velken says he doesn't owe it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are two "Proposed Judgments" on the website at the DOAH which the judge will have to decide. To see them yourself, go to the DOAH website and enter <a href="https://www.doah.state.fl.us/ALJ/SearchDOAH/default.asp?blank=true" target="_blank">Case # 19-002746</a>. Then select the Dockets Tab. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neither side is disputing the baseline facts. Both proposed judgments agree that:</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Velken was never an employee of North Bay Village. He was paid through Stephanie Leon PA, a lifelong friend, who set up a business specifically to "lease" employees. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Velken and the Village Human Resource Manager at the time were told by the FRS that there was no way around the 6 month requirement. (Note: Velken claims that the information provided by the FRS was inaccurate.) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">There was never a written contract with the staffing agency and the Village and there was never a commission resolution agreeing to this situation. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And from the witness transcripts in the hearing, there were three different figures listed as compensation - Velken believed it was $132,000 per year, then Village Manager Marlen Martell thought it was $110,000 per year and Stephanie Leon thought it was $133,000 per year. This is mentioned in the FRS Proposed judgment and refers to the transcripts. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Velken's Proposed Judgment further states that Village Attorney Norman C. Powell was consulted on the arrangement and according to the transcript of the testimony, said he saw no problem with the arrangement. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Powell denied any knowledge of the arrangement at all in the <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article225553155.html" target="_blank">Miami Herald article </a> calling it a "complete fabrication". But Velken's attorneys seem pretty confident that Powell approved the arrangement. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Both sides have presented their view and it's now up to a judge to decide. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's hard to know what the judge will decide but in my opinion, the absence of a written contract is a big red flag. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And Florida law states that if an attempt to defraud the FRS is found then "<i>The employee and the re-employing FRS agency will be jointly and severally liable for reimbursing any retirement benefits paid to the employee. §121.091(9)(c)3, Fla.Stat. (2019)</i>."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This means that the Village could face penalties as well if the judge decides against Velken, and Velken has already sent a letter to the Village stating his intention to sue if he is forced to repay the money. </div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
But Before We Go:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb8m5V5yzoEjHLEAqu42lJ7Vl-7yEeC2HixrcQdMVxa_m1ylESj6F3lYT09ttejCNz6TpeiuZ0vImb4JUse95WGu20qIQ1wKRwKtLu0I39odCLf-1vBI6sFV3UTzVrXFLvUlpa4kQEXM/s1600/what+the+hell+were+you+thinking.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="420" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb8m5V5yzoEjHLEAqu42lJ7Vl-7yEeC2HixrcQdMVxa_m1ylESj6F3lYT09ttejCNz6TpeiuZ0vImb4JUse95WGu20qIQ1wKRwKtLu0I39odCLf-1vBI6sFV3UTzVrXFLvUlpa4kQEXM/s320/what+the+hell+were+you+thinking.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The question must be asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How did a 20 plus year police veteran, a village manager, an HR manager, and a former mayor all of whom have admitted they knew about the arrangement and who presumably knew that there was never a resolution brought to the commission or any written contract, decide to let this happen? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And while he denies initial knowledge, why did our former Village Attorney Norman C. Powell, who definitely knew by September of 2018, never bring it to the commission? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/opinion" target="_blank">opinion</a> is that that thought they would get away with it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And they almost did. If it hadn't been for social media and this blog, the whole thing would have never seen the light of day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I have been the object of hard attempts to shut me up (Powell is "suing" me and the former mayor threatened to) and soft attempts to stop information flowing (the Village refusal to engage with citizens.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If it hadn't been for this blog, we'd never have known. That's why I write it. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'll keep you informed as soon as there is definite ruling. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
In the Meantime, Here Are My Highlights From the Proposed Judgments</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>From the DOAH Proposed Judgment:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
54. According to Mr. Velken, the salary negotiated was $132,000.00. Tr. 438.
55. According to Ms. Martell, the negotiated salary for Mr. Velken was
$110,000.00. Tr. 190.
56. According to Ms. Leon, the negotiated salary for Mr. Velken was
$130,000.00 annually. Tr. 139.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>From the Velken Proposed Judgment:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
32. Ms. Martell then took Mr. Velken upstairs to discuss the contracted employee
arrangement with the Village Attorney, Norman Powell. (T-2-185, 186, 189; T-4-432, 469) It
was Mr. Velken’s understanding that as the Village Attorney, Mr. Powell had the final say as to
whether such an arrangement would be appropriate. (T-4-433, 469) Mr. Powell said that he did
not see anything wrong with the arrangement and that he would research it and let them know if
he found out anything to the contrary. (T-4-433)
33. Ms. Martell advised Mr. Velken that Mr. Powell told her that everything was okay
to proceed. (T-4-434) NBV has contracted with other agencies for individuals to provide
services in other high ranking Village positions such as the Director of the Planning Department,
the Village Engineer and Public Works Director. (T-2-200; T-3-345) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mr. Wrains discussed the Agreement with Village Attorney Norman
Powell, who had approved this arrangement, as well as had Ms. Martell. (T-3-355, 382)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kevin Vericker</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
January 25, 2020</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770595862576973621.post-84713504251996954812020-01-09T15:40:00.001-05:002020-01-09T15:45:47.814-05:00It Could All Go Off Course<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tkPQDbTcV_MSrY2BQ0H_QJm7ys5juNndd6cy9UuL74Vm6uqlNwhsmkzTvitBwB7KQ3RRimDRgt4DHc-W3h0yZTo1wJGmDNtjHpvkpZA5EceQyxQZgkYYWpb3kUHTwJCSsMFDZW0VQG8/s1600/clown+disaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="760" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tkPQDbTcV_MSrY2BQ0H_QJm7ys5juNndd6cy9UuL74Vm6uqlNwhsmkzTvitBwB7KQ3RRimDRgt4DHc-W3h0yZTo1wJGmDNtjHpvkpZA5EceQyxQZgkYYWpb3kUHTwJCSsMFDZW0VQG8/s320/clown+disaster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2020/01/new-year-new-village.html">Last entry</a>, I posted about the relative good shape the Village is in as the world enters the 2020's. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But no one can afford to pretend it's all blue skies from here on in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes. The commission is no longer a dysfunctional circus acting out dramas of little interest to real people and the employees are <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2020/01/new-year-new-village.html">actual</a> employees rather than contractors, but the last administration has left a number of land mines that could derail the recovery.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The most visible ones are the two useless commissioners, who aided and abetted in every piece of the destructive insanity throughout 2018. Neither one contributes to the commission or the village and 2020 should see a goodbye to them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidatbt6s91Q2-3PgavCvhJFNf_EdhPojkkvOG6nanJYV5D27JxgLy9H529jtCKM_oTvIrIvzl5UQjddCGRfoWCD0zvW4FLFOtu5QF-nCL1LRe3lkXHv2FA9uJ1Pbd5kSk1iLgiqSt-uCE/s1600/emptysuit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidatbt6s91Q2-3PgavCvhJFNf_EdhPojkkvOG6nanJYV5D27JxgLy9H529jtCKM_oTvIrIvzl5UQjddCGRfoWCD0zvW4FLFOtu5QF-nCL1LRe3lkXHv2FA9uJ1Pbd5kSk1iLgiqSt-uCE/s200/emptysuit.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commissioner Jose Alvarez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fMNT0o0_2jp2TedSaeG00LRnCPR5RFZHpe_KgfuDijreGkX7uunSTKQhi76MYv8QnTOUphJYMcbkpyeuNDlaHUJS6xG3hxlZ5ONB4QenI524IgoETDea5rRELvW1FevJk3AHQ0fB5nI/s1600/Andreana+Jackson+Taiwan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fMNT0o0_2jp2TedSaeG00LRnCPR5RFZHpe_KgfuDijreGkX7uunSTKQhi76MYv8QnTOUphJYMcbkpyeuNDlaHUJS6xG3hxlZ5ONB4QenI524IgoETDea5rRELvW1FevJk3AHQ0fB5nI/s200/Andreana+Jackson+Taiwan.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commissioner Andreana Jackson<br />
(No I don't know what she's doing)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But there are less obvious and far riskier issues yet to be resolved. And of course a crazy one. Let's start with that.</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
People Are Supposed To Give Back Government Property. </h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CLP464iMAtWtJh_S-2wSHmxHDPq7R41-QNZ-FJ9IAntxboqZsxnSWYffSrEqAiippDCWHRGUjad5ggNernCs8Gm16PX6unqgi5eb6UJrAvrXwB27KI4DTDc7E2Utr1ql-iv1Qu_0Rzg/s1600/YEAH-IF-YOU-kiok81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CLP464iMAtWtJh_S-2wSHmxHDPq7R41-QNZ-FJ9IAntxboqZsxnSWYffSrEqAiippDCWHRGUjad5ggNernCs8Gm16PX6unqgi5eb6UJrAvrXwB27KI4DTDc7E2Utr1ql-iv1Qu_0Rzg/s320/YEAH-IF-YOU-kiok81.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It seems that one or two former electeds and a former charter officer failed to return taxpayer owned property when the taxpayers decided that their services were no longer needed. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reports are that these include village phones, at least one village computer, a whole server's worth of data, id cards and for some reason, badges. The Village has been trying to recover these for some time (since November 2019 at least) and so far have been ignored. So there's an item on the commission agenda next week to compel the Village to take action and explain that these were not lovely parting gifts. </div>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Hornsby Lawsuit Awaiting Settlement Following Finding.</h4>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 11th Judicial Court of Florida found last July that Douglas Hornsby had been <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article233347832.html">removed illegally </a>from the dais. Now the Village is entering into mediation with Hornsby as there are considerable legal bills, above and beyond what the Village spent in this ill begotten move, and other damages. The amount could be huge. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's my view that Jackson and Alvarez, both of whom voted for the removal of Hornsby, and who should have known that the process being used would never stand up in court, should recuse themselves. After all, they weren't part of the problem, they were the problem. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Who's To Blame For Lewis Velken?</h4>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On March 6, 2019, the Florida Retirement System notified former North Bay Village Police Chief Lewis Velken (and interim manager) that he had violated the FRS rules with his <a href="http://www.nbvreality.com/2019/01/our-interim-village-manager-lewis.html">arrangement</a> to be paid through a third party. Velken was ordered to pay back $691,307 dollars and his ongoing benefits were reduced or eliminated. Velken is currently appealing the ruling stating that his arrangement did not violate FRS rules. It's Case No: 19-002746 and the details can be found <a href="https://www.doah.state.fl.us/ALJ/searchDOAH/default.asp">here</a>. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Velken asserted that he was legitimately working for a contractor in his response and not in violation of the rules. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There's no clear view of how this works out but Velken's attorneys have reportedly already put the Village on notice that Velken might sue in the event of an unfavorable decision. </div>
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Given the uncertainty, the Village Manager at the time said under oath that the arrangement was made by then Village Attorney Norman Powell, who in turn was quoted in the <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article225553155.html">Miami Herald </a>saying "<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "lyon" , serif; font-size: 17px;">“That’s a complete fabrication,” Powell said. Now both of these people are gone but if the Village is sued and loses, the taxpayers are on the hook for a large amount, which could include the </span>$691,307 DROP, lost pension benefits and legal fees. </div>
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It's pretty urgent that the Village form a strategy now if they are to defend against this. </div>
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You Can't Just Ignore Things.</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2cBfmPh0JK5f7zlNjv_jNZunKSX9ipLqxbDA-toT0u3u3aEcnRCVxvh5DBIeTvrdnS6T_yhxvjvl8bNofi2w2pTrLyITEyY_vavMOgeSYpPeQT-LDBX-ZZvMDr4LnXvaKie6ZLS-Vn8/s1600/Headinthesand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="414" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2cBfmPh0JK5f7zlNjv_jNZunKSX9ipLqxbDA-toT0u3u3aEcnRCVxvh5DBIeTvrdnS6T_yhxvjvl8bNofi2w2pTrLyITEyY_vavMOgeSYpPeQT-LDBX-ZZvMDr4LnXvaKie6ZLS-Vn8/s200/Headinthesand.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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There's still a lot of cleanup left over from the reign of lunacy that preceded 2019. </div>
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Two of the above are financial threats but there are other toxic spills that need to be addressed by the commission, and solely by the commission. </div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">There were a series of useless and in some cases destructive Charter amendments put on the 2018 ballot. In particular, a Citizens Bill of Rights mirroring the County Charter, that does not contain any agreed up investigation or enforcement methods, a nepotism amendment that does not define "affinity" and makes no sense, a series of amendments to hobble the village administrator, and others. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Through most of 2018, Zoning hearings were not held as "quasi-judicial" as required by Florida procedure and it is possible that the decisions made during these are not enforceable.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Regardless of how the Velken pension turns out, there remain legal questions raised by the FOP as to police actions taken while he was acting as police chief and if he was able to sign contracts as Village Manager. These need to be made clear. </li>
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<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
2019 Was A Good Year</h4>
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It started out contentiously with the old guard protecting their positions and that took a lot of energy. Jackson and Alvarez are not productive. The new administration got ahead of itself sometimes but overall, a good year, not just in contrast to the previous year but by any measure. </div>
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The holidays are over. The Commission will be back next week and it's time for a plan to finish the job they started. </div>
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Kevin Vericker</div>
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January 9, 2020</div>
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North Bay Village Reality Basehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08400076444761668683noreply@blogger.com0