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November 21, 2011
DEAR PAM
We realize that you have limited resources available for pursuing cost reduction projects, so we have decided to help you with draft letters. This will free you up for important things, like dealing with all the serious problems of the police and fire department pensions. Hope this helps you formulate your position to the Mayor.
NOTES
1. CORONADO SHOPPING CENTER: SR 44 AND I-95
On Black Friday Tony Otte will count cars in the parking lot at the new Wal-Mart and the Mayor will serve left over chili at Canal and US 1.. Wanna bet where most of the shoppers will be?
2. MORE NONSENSE FROM THE SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA ADVERTISING AUTHORITY.
They claimed six employees and there are four, two of whom are part time. They said 24 volunteers and we see around 10 (LINK). We asked for copies of post event filings and none have been forthcoming. Under the prior director there were none. We asked for copies of applications for funding so we could compare two consecutive years. Did we tell you that according to the SVAA rules, money can only be paid after the submission of a post event filing showing whether the expenditure successful put heads in bed!
The redacting authority references made on the LINKED PDF appear to reference Florida Statutes 1) 119.07(4)(a) authority for a charge for reproduction, which is not an exemption for redaction, and 2) 741-463 exempt status for addresses, cell and phone numbers, and social security numbers for victims of domestic violence.
Neither of the documents organizational or content presentations are indicative, in the Shadow's view, of management oversight originally demanding a $110,000 salary at the taxpayers expense. The Shadow will have more to say on this issue next week.
3. NOT GETTING ANYWHERE UNDER VIGNETES, SO LETS TRY NOTES.
HEY CHAIRMAN BRUNO, AN UPDATE FROM NORMAN
Chairman Bruno, I just wanted to update my resume and tell you I have started my trip along the new NSB Waterfront Loop and will be writing some nice hype for use by the SVAA. If Tony and Holly can get away with it, so can I. I am sure I can do better than the billboard on I-95, especially when there is no need for the facts. You know good writers always visit the scene of the crime.
Just give me a call on my CRA funded cell phone..
NSB Norman Normal -
P.S. I moved from Gnarly to Traders unpermitted outside bar but I am having trouble seeing the water. Traders is on the Waterfront Loop in NSB according to Tony and Holly. Or did they confuse it with the bait shop next to the City Marina?
Mayor Barringer:
Just because I rent in Ponce Inlet, I have nothing to do with their lawsuit. Do I get my raise after I get rid of Liz? And there is more than enough money there for a couple more Port-a-Poddies for your new SUP friends so they don’t have to use the back of the AOB for an outhouse (Yes I Saw their web-site video and was not impressed.)
PAM
1. HOW DOES A LEASEE PROHIBITED BY ITS CONTRACT WITH FWC AND THE STATE TO SUBLEASE ----SUBLEASE ?
Did the City approve a roadside sign for a an organization who is not the lease of the property the sign represents? Did our overpaid City Attorney fail to read the leases involved and correctly determine who the current lease of the property was? Did the City arbitrarily violate the ECH approved leases which prohibited sublease?. So how does somebody who is not a lease apply for and complete a City sign application that is subsequently vetted by the City Attorney and then put up an “approved” sign? Who was this NEW SUBLEASEE you ask? Well of course our good friends over that MDC that get everything done behind the scenes by the City.
Mr. Mayor, take down this illegal MDC sign on the North Causeway directing people to the old high school site. The Marine Disaster Center applied, and Mr. Gummey approved it, but the MDC is not the leasee of the property and the leases prohibit any further sub-leasing. That makes, in our view, the application illegal on its face. But then this is just another example of the special interest focus and fast tracking of this city government. Maybe ECHO should get a refund for the violation of its grant award; we think that is good idea. The City Manager could then use the $130,000 they blew on this MDC fantasy to fix the crumbling sea wall on Flagler.
2. SEE CHANNEL 9 NEWS CLIP ON UNEEDED AMULANCES IN EAST VOLUSIA COUNTY
CLICK THE LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO:
A million here a million there and it soon adds up to real money. Look we all know the fire departments wanted ambulance equipment so as to pressure the County to split up EVAC. They are running out of fires and emergencies and wanted to beef up the amount of work for their troops. Deland, for example, has eliminated advanced EMT positions. The work diminishes, the lazy boys get worn out, and management tries to find more work. Consolidate the fire departments in Volusia County and do it now before any more taxpayer money is wasted by the cities. Once done, the Shadow suggests that we also put back in place a rational volunteer program and save some more money. Until some strong leadership and decision making is accomplished at the County level, we will continue to see wasteful spending and anti-consolidation rhetoric like came out of the Edgewater City Commission meeting last week, where they reluctantly agreed (after their City Attorney told them they should) to pay the fines sanctioned on their fire department and chief by the State for violating transport rules. While one can debate the correctness of the chief’s decision to transport (the State has already done so and said it was wrong), one does have to do so with full understanding of the foolhardy, at all costs, refusal to consolidate fire services at the county level by the locals. In today’s world it just does not make economic sense to do otherwise. The current drive by NSB to build another fire station within a mile of a county station is but another example of this foolishness at work. The video by Channel 9 says it all.
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BLOGS: A STATEMENT BY THE SHADOW
The Shadow generally does not edit BLOGS. Very profane comments, even in only first letters, and attacks accusing anyone of a crime are deleted or reformed even when they are about public officials. Personal attacks upon the publisher that are devoid of content are deleted. But not always. Not all postings are essays on important subjects. Not all are fully cogent. On the real positive side, there are way more than 100,000 postings over the last few years and many are excellent tip offs as to funny goings on in Mayberry. Many also are excellent essays on relevant topics. Do our readers a favor and stop attacking the opposing political party as commies or reactionaries. The Shadow does edit for spelling.
easiest way to get a copy, which was presented to the Commission at an OPEN MEETING was to ask the auditor for another copy.
The auditor said that it worked for the City and that it would not provide a copy to the Shadow, a known taxpayer. Similarly the underlying documents for finding that the municipal golf shop was losing stock and equipment was missing from the automotive repair shop, the Shadow was told, could only be supplied by the City. The City has stated that such documents do not exist. The purpose of the Shadow inquiry was clearly to find out where and how the golf course “loan” money had disappeared, despite constant statements by Commissioner Hathaway that it was a loan and would be paid back.
Where did the “loan” go? Well without any discernable reason the auditor shows up at a Commission meeting to explain how the golf course was worth $2.750 million and could be used as the underpinning of a fund carried on the budget books as valid. Was this a coincidence? Heck no, it was to give credence to the proposition that the “loan” may someday be repaid. Of course they all had amnesia and forgot that the loan was for $4 million, and they had trouble recalling anything. The Commission did dimly recall that the golf course Board only “promised” to pay back $ 750,000. They will forget that next year.
But let us now turn to the auditor’s role in this fiasco. The golf course property has a reversion clause and cannot be sold. The Golf Course pro said so at the meeting where the auditor spun her fantasy value of the golf course. Moreover the other two clubs, Hidden Lakes and Sugar Mill, are only assessed at about $700,000 each. The County Appraiser’s records are on the net and one would assume that “comps” were used by the auditor to determine this fantasy value. The auditor should have known this before adopting a phony value.
So we have the city employee, the golf pro, describing the reversion clause, the City Commission, including “Mr. Fiscally Responsible” Hathaway repeating the payback promise and the auditor telling us the place was valued five times or more than any other reasonably close golf course, but less than the “non-performing bond”; the meeting rivaled the old Twilight Zone shows. We suspect that the “City” suggested the golf course had value, but it is for an auditor to do due diligence before stating it as a fact. In this case we do not believe it was done.
In final analyses the Shadow has concluded the relationships between the City Manager and the James Moore company are well beyond the “footsie” stage. The auditor works for the City Manager and refuses to provide a taxpayer copies of their reports. Who does Pam work for? An excellent question.
2. THE SCHILSKYS: FATHER AND SON
Chad Schilsky sent a letter dated November 8, 2011, to the Community Redevelopment Board withdrawing his grant request for improvements to his restaurant at Pine and Flagler (LINK). The Shadow believes that either he or the Mayor got cold feet over the political mess occasioned by their arrogant grab for taxpayer money.
Now let us turn to Dad, Mike Schilsky, who blogged that grant money was not tax money. As the Shadow stated in a response to one of his blogs, we think his fantasy helps explains his son’s ignorance and arrogance. The Shadow also believes it is more important what values you teach your children than how long you have lived somewhere. We never heard that arrogance was a virtue. Does being born here 60 or 70 years ago make your views more logical? When will a ”transplant” be allowed to challenge your arrogant determination that you and your son can steal their tax money? We have no gripe about DROP, except that it should be abolished as it serves no public purpose and costs the taxpayer a lot of money. As we just said, it should be abolished, but an employee would be crazy not to take advantage of it if offered.
We hope that last week’s front page report from Volusia County that confirmed CRA money is tax money helped the senior Mr. Schilsky (and others that may not realize that CRA money is tax money pure and simple) understand what the complaints by the public on the CRA are all about.
3.PORTS--- JUST MORE TAX SCAM IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE
The following Blogger has it right:
Date: 11/10/2011, 3:53 PM
Name: Ports Snorts
Ports are another scam in Florida.
“Taxpayers send taxes to their respective Counties for "Ports". There are a few high functioning Ports on FL: Jax, Miami, Everglades (Ft. Laud), Tampa, Canaveral, Palm Beach. These Ports make money, generate jobs AND still get tax $$. THEN, it is mostly our tax $$ that get lumped and managed by a GSE called Florida Ports, that redistributes those tax $$ based on their politics...much like a CRA or an SEVAA, they (appointees and Fl Port Manager redistribute taxes once again based on their own politics).
Volusia County wants to stay in the game with Jax-Duval, Miami-Dade, Brevard, etc. because it feels good to get to go to the exclusive club meetings for coastal counties...
Don't forget FL Inland (Waterway) Navigation District (F.I.N.D) taxes...remember...Bouchelle is an old F.I.N.D (tax funded dredge and fill) site that made somebody a bunch of $$, so is Yacht Club Island...ask the Baldwin (Funeral) boys about scamming F.I.N.D tax funded "islands"...ask Edgewater about using F.I.N.D sand (sand belonging to the people of FL) as fill for their new ParkeTowne (now a Brownsfield) AND how Edgewater tried to steal and sell F.I.N.D sand to Restoration (until they got caught - Oops!) ”
Our County Council is up to its eye balls on this one. The Shadow and others in the past needled them on taxing for a Ponce Inlet port that will never be built. The County Council then changed its legal name, but not on your tax bill (The Shadow gave the County Tax Appraiser’s Office an heads up on that for next year), to the Coastal Authority and added 18 additional employees. When questioned about why the added employees, the Shadow was told they were there only for administrative control and are not part of the authority’s budget and therefore not to be paid for out of Inlet tax funds. The Shadow says to the County Council, how about abolishing this useless tax all together and give the taxpayer a break.
F.I.N.D (Florida Inland Navigation District) is another tax which is primarily a fountain of favors for its political appointees—one from each county. Yes that is right, another set of people spending your money that you did not vote for. The bureaucratic State agency seems to approve almost any proposal, and then the political appointees make a selection. The first review by this “system” permitted staff to temporarily approve dredging of a man made canal even though its rules limit its use of its funds to natural waterways. Similarly it passed on as valid dredging in the intra coastal waterway right of way a sandbar that is at the mouth of the man made waterway. This canal is locally known as the Calore canal and serves the upscale and expensive Venezia neighborhood where many of the elected ones powerful friends live.
The Shadow believes the US Army Corps of Engineers told them otherwise. On a second review this project failed and did so because it was not a natural waterway and had nothing to do with the ICW. So much for adequate staff work by the F.I.N.D staff. Politically they divvy up the money. The Shadow was pleased that it was involved with those who killed this waste of taxpayer money. We urgently suggest that the Governor get rid of F.I.N.D and all of its’ expensive and unneeded staff; the Army Corps of Engineers can handle the ICW without their politically directed help. If you keep the tax, let Governor Scott decide where the money can best be used.
And while you are at it, ask the Mayor when the City will be collecting the $15,000 of city tax dollars they spent on the failed project up front; he knows the addresses of the culprits in Venezia and if he forgot, he can check his election campaign records. And don’t let him claim they are doing a tax assessment, as the County Tax Appraiser has no record of any such assessment. Lets go Venezia folks, pony up the money We wonder if these are the 1% at work?.
1.WHAT IS WITH THE AUDITOR FOR NEW SMYRNA BEACH? JAMES MOORE AND COMPANY CPA, APPARENTLY WORKS FOR THE CITY MANAGER
Audits by CPAs are for the purpose of ratting out management to the elected officials or a company’s board of directors. In the 2009 audit, of the 17 specifically designated problems, the auditor identified a non performing loan in the City reserves. The auditor ordered it removed. The City Manager was using it as an asset in the City Reserves to make the reserves seem larger than they actually were. In the proposed 2011 budget there is no apparent mention made as to how to rationalize the $4 million dollar loss caused by the $3.4 million originally spent on renovating the municipal golf course. The 2009 audit made the City take that expenditure out of the City reserves and City manager, apparently with the help of James Moore and Company, made the loss disappear. The Shadow wanted to know where the money spent was in the budget.
The Shadow did, however, made a mistake and thought the City had omitted from its Internet files the 2009 audit. Based on that assumption, the Shadow then thought the
THE COUNTY COUNCIL IS THINKING OF HIRING “RED” TO SUPERVISE THE CHICKENS IN THE NEW SMYRNA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. RED LIKES GIVING $400,000 TAX GIFTS FOR FRIENDS ON CANAL AND IS GREAT AT BUILDING PARKING SPACES. HOW ABOUT THE COUNTY COUNCIL REVIEW THESE BOONGOGGLES. RED WOULD RATHER LOOK AT REAL CHICKEN HOUSES. [P.S. RED IS IN THE PICTURE TO THE RIGHT]
Date: 11/14/2011, 6:22 AM
Name: To 574
Proud &Positive... My A**!!
When I pay $6,500. in property taxes in NSB and watch morons such as tony and holie , jack & lynn, a-dam and pommie and the rest of the city crew along with burp fish, flush my hard earned money you can't but have a Little bit of Negativity-
Remember the Christmas tree...
Date: 11/14/2011, 7:43 AM
Name: bea
Shadow well done! front page very informative. to bad the city leaders forget that some of us live on beachside and have to deal with traffic, no sidewalks to walk on, and drunks that are dangerous, as long as the merchants are happy let's just break laws all over!
Date: 11/14/2011, 7:58 AM
Name: Merry, Merry, Merry
572/Merry Smith, Do you talk like you post?
Post reads like whining drivel.
You don't seem to have a grasp on business.
Your model is based on pity. You write like a "communist", that is I should give my money to a shopkeeper so that they might stay in business - not because they have goods or services I want to buy.
Really, like CRA, you believe I should buy moo moos, over priced surf wear/t-shirts or beers on Flagler...to (what?) support a neighbor. You really sound like Marx or NSB CRA and SVAA. From me according to my ability to your failing pals according to their needs.
But thanks "Merry", you have neatly and clearly stated the position of the same Chamber of Commerce (not really) that has as their President a guy who introduces himself saying he sues for a living; an Executive Director who padded her resume and advocates for her family's business over other member businesses "working behind the scenes", not to mention sits in CM Pam's lap; lets outed/under investigation serial con artist Looter sit on their board of Directors. Of a CRA that has yet to actually do a an encompassing COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT (housing, infrastructure, public use, commercial...) and instead props of the failing business sector with capital improvement graft (the call them grants) and pointless advertising money. Of a NSB CC that has no clue about governance or leadership; of a County CC hiding all their dirty little projects, including their seedy Ad Authorities and FAILING Ocean center.
You, Merry and the above cadre you so echo are the central reason NSB is such a failure. YOU collectively believe in tax $$ funded welfare over the free market.
Proof is in out there. There are NO accomplished successful commercial investors putting money into NSB. None.
AND the longer we allow the Munis to run these tax-funded welfare projects, instead of large infrastucture projects (paved roads too) the longer the accomplished grown up investors will stay away.
Date: 11/14/2011, 5:45 PM
Name: To 593
You want an economic plan? Well here it is.
1. Stop focusing on nice to have projects in the middle of recession; e.g., stop with the badminton court on the beach, bathrooms in a parking lot, and giving money away to the MDC which produce no income for itself much less revenue for the city.
2. Tell the City manager she has two months to fix the fire pension problem and reduce overall union contract costs, or she is history.
3. Cut all discretionary spending to nothing right now and that includes Sports Complex, Arts give aways, Friends of Canaveral, etc.
4. Prioritize spending on essential services, police, fire and public works.Fix your infrastructure so when a new business does look, they see focus and service delivery. Get rid of the overhead in all three department.
5. Tell Gummey to hit the road, along with his retired part timer and get a young, aggressive lawyer to handle the small problems of this city.
6. Initiate a real policy of transparency and inclusion with every board and committee in the City having at least 50% membership from the out crowd, .e.g., Mr Schilsky's "transplants."
7. Stop deals that have no merit or can't stand the light of day; e.g., the questionable hotel deal (not that the hotel is bad, just deal itself) and the "lets dredge for our friends" or the "That's Amore fiasco."
8. Stop the CRA right now, dead in its tracks and give the rest of the money back to the County and use the other 50% city funds to offset costs to run the city as a whole. Stop giving it away to the bar hoppers on Flagler.
9. Demand the county fix the SVAA and get professionals to run it. And while you are at, get the State to abolish the hospital taxing district as who would move here and pay more to the hospital than to the City government.
10. Collect current value rent on all city property unless the organization can show it is a genuine 501c. Start with an eviction notice to the Anglers, followed by one to the Chamber moochers.
That said, establish a true economic office and send them out to beat the brush for new business for relocation. When you do that and get someone to visit, show them this is open, competitive environment that does not cater to the good old boys and really wants to be the destination of choice for our beautiful beach and river.
Now you may say these are just the gripes of the bloggers, but in reality they are a measure of what is wrong with the city and its current leadership. Plain and simple I ask you if all you had was enough money in your pocket to either buy dinner for your family or go to the movies, which would you do. My guess, buy food for your family. See what the city has been doing? Going to the movies on your dime. It is as clear as that.
Date: 11/14/2011, 5:58 PM
Name: Mr. Ed
To the previous poster:
Your comments sound like my Christmas List.......
For the past several years...........
Date: 11/14/2011, 10:49 PM
Name: To OCCUPY CITY HALL
Lets see those commissioners who approved Gummey's excessive contract are Plaskett and Hathaway. Oh, I forgot Hathaway is running away as quick as he can from the both Gummey's contract and the fire pension board. Interesting to note that both remain a problem. And he now wants to go screw up the County.
Oh Yes, both of the commissioners were also the ones that approved signing over the Anglers Club property to the SBA should the Angler's fail to pay their note. Could have fixed the lease problem right there as they had the club over a barrel. But then these are special people..
AND TO ROUND IT OUT ON TUESDAY......
Date: 11/15/2011, 7:53 am
Name: 2 608
608,
I have encouraged Henry to have an "amnesty day" or wake of sorts for the Loots and the Observer. When folks can come and tell their Boob Loot stories. Where better?
I envision weeping Chamber officers, women and wimpy men too, (not meaning to be sexist) sobbing out sorry stories of Loot's equal opportunity misogyny and how he shamed them into making bad decisions. The Sock Puppet could stand up and blame him for everything, the Downtown Clown might even get his job back by telling tales (NOT). Doggy H could tell how his buddy dumped on him. Kenny B could relate how even he, a suing attorney, could not overpower Loot. Plenty of Flagler grifters could come forward and shed crocodile tears. CC Judy could "pray" over his rotting stinking "reputation". SVAA Nicole Carni (now just where are those FL Corp documents naming her a CFO - huh Jimmy D?) could tell some tales about the good ol' days strong arming at the Chamber, Flagler and SVAA...
Gee, I miss Kilgore, what a great lampoon that would be...maybe a scene from the funeral of Charlie on 2 and 1/2 Men - spitting girlfriends and all, or a dangerously irreverent Last Supper.
Last edited by nsbshadow at 11/15/2011, 9:12 am
SKIPING FIRWARD TO SUNDAY..
Date: 11/20/2011, 4:49 PM
Name: Why Welfare?
What is the problem in New Smyrna? Why can't local businesses promote themselves?Why do they depend on governments so much?
Last Monday, the 14th, was an active day on the Blog. Here are some highlights.
The Shadow Wishes All of Its Readers A Very Happy Thanksgiving And Encourages All To Remember The Less Fortunate At This Time Of Year With A Donation to The Salvation Army or Another Charity of Your Choice
