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Thank you, enjoy your visit and come back ya' heah.
December 26, 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.NSB CHARITY BALL
Kudos to Kaye Walker. The charity ball she ran raised almost $50,000 and it all goes to charity. Excellent job and thanks for caring about those less fortunate. The SHADOW encourages everyone in the City to put next years Charity Ball date on the calendar and attend. Not only will you have a fun evening with some good food and cheer, but you also contribute to the folks in need.
2. KWANIS CLUB OF SEV STRIKE IT RICH EVENT
Kudos to all those who volunteer their time for this event, which, like the Charity Ball above, raises about $40,000 for the Kiwanis charities which focus on the children of SEV. If you know a Kiwanian, shake his hand and say thanks. And put next year's date on your calendar for a fun time.
The Shadow thanks all who volunteer for the wide variety of charities in NSB and think the City could learn a lot about what is important from them.
Mayor Barringer:
When I took this job you told me about the Shadow and then you told me that the local newspaper in Daytona was in your pocket. The next thing you know they will be writing negative articles about me. And just what do you plan to do about Henry? He keeps going after my email’s and you know what means. And about my raise…… it is expensive up here in Ponce Inlet but at least we have real restaurants on the water here.
PAM
1.FIVE COMMISSIONERS SITTING ON A WALL, IF ONE SHOULD HAPPEN TO FALL!
No loss what so ever. They ignore the taxpayers, spend money they do not have, provide no oversight of the Utilities Commission, and give money to their friends (MDC). They even compete for business with their own private sector. None would be missed.
2. WHO PAYS
Who pays for the trash pickup at the Marine Disaster Center and SEV Chamber sites?
Where is the money from the sale of the three antique fire department engines that was to offset the new engine purchase?
If Waste Pro now does City trash pickup, what did the city do with the mini trash truck, better known as the trash mule, that they stole money out of the storm water management fund to buy?
Thanks for Stopping By and You Are Visitor Number:
122611 -
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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.
experience on the water.
4. Reform, partial at this point, of Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority. Involvement by the County Council and reasonable oversight as well as reasonable rules and regulations. Job done when money eventually is not given to friends and only used for attracting more heads in beds;5. Exposing Community Redevelopment Agency as making grants in violation of conflict of interest laws. Think Schilsky and the odd resignation of Tom Williams. We believe the last has not been heard about this resignation;6. Exposing of what looks like possible corrupt use of public money (CRA) to enhance Mayor’s business in Maitland. Exposed by NSBNEWS;7. Sellout of City to Homebuilders group which appeared to bargain for elimination of fire marshal position in exchange for agreeing to a lesser amount of reserves being transferred to permit office; we do not like this but when you find yourself wrong (as the City did) you got to give up something. And besides, it was another Gummey loss in court, so we will make it a win on that count.8. Opening of Marine Disaster Center leech center which is squatting on 27 acres of prime State property, a million or so dollars in grants for their free building and an outstretched hand; we are still working on this…..9. Opening of Wal-Mart at I-95 and SR 44, thereby establishing the newly named Coronado Shopping as one of the new shopping areas and further sealing the doom of Canal Street a viable commercial district; now it is time to really get down to dealing with what we want Canal Street to be and we suggest a visit to Sarasota or Fort Pierce to see how it is done. It has potential, but not as a direct compete to the big box stores. It needs to be unique enough to attract visitors and that does not equal fake Christmas trees and another art center like Sally's Hub.10. Continuing to employ Frank Gummey as the City lawyer at a base cost of $374,000 per year, Liz Yancey as Park and Recreation at over $150,000 per year, and a greens keeper (translates Liz’s husband John) at the municipal golf course for three times what the position is worth. This badly needs work and we are on it. It is more than time for him to go and go quietly before more taxpayers figure what he costs.11. We are adding a number 11, as we think there remains much to do about the past behavior of Bert Fish Hospital, including the costs associated with their properties and who the main benefactor was while they were taxing you to death to balance their books. We are working on that one also.2. TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP
There was a meeting last week of two groups which are striving to help the poorest segment of the population-----destitute families. One of these groups focused on mentoring kids from families which needed help. The Shadow believes that the City of New Smyrna Beach does not even have the needs of these families on their radar as they fund a worthless and unneeded Esther park, an unneeded and duplicative fire station, the Marine Disaster leech group free home, all while simply ignoring the need for more low rent housing. While Habitat for the Humanity raises almost $50,000 at a charity ball, the City gives $130,000 to a group of self proclaimed eco tourists and future fish farmers of the world who ran a water taxi business into the ground, otherwise known as the Marine Discovery Center. And the CRA gives $400,000 to the owner of the Pennysaver building on Canal, who could well afford to renovate his building on his own (and we have reason to believe was going to anyway before the CRA dumped the money in his hand.) Next time you see the Mayor and any of the other blind mice on the City Commission, ask them how they justify this when citizens of the town are starving and in desperate need. Make them answer you….
The City is overtaxing you both over and under the table. When they consider Sally’s almost obscene demand to increase the subsidy for her latest artist hobby scheme, let the Commission ask itself if that is a good use for money with a country with an 8.6% unemployment rate and 60 Minutes running articles on homeless children living in cars. Or how about Florida and Volusia County’s employment rate of 10%. Every clergyman in the country should be angered over these crazy inversions of common sense of priorities. They all have ministries that help the poor and should be demanding action from their elected officials, who spend their time thinking up dumb ways to spend tax money.
As to the SVAA, the Shadow is finally obtaining a proper overview of the excesses of the prior management and the Board, including most of the current Board of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority. Almost none of its extravagant grants have been made with any regard to the guidelines for spending its money. A $3,000 grant to light up Canal put no heads in bed. See attached list at he LINK for more of this disappointing management of the taxpayer’s funds. But $3,000 would provide a lot of families who need food with decent meals. It is hard for the Shadow to look at this list and not feel that the responsible people in our community can be that satisfied with this abandonment of those among us who are in need. The Shadow is not suggesting that would be appropriate for SVAA money to be used to defray housing costs, only to point out it is an example of misplaced priorities.
Some of the Canal Street merchants have contributed to a fund primarily designed for tutoring and mentoring the young. But as a group the Canal street merchants could have at least matched the SVAA “grant” for their street and given the money to a church group that helped feed the elderly. Now that we think about it, why doesn’t the Chamber donate at least the equivalent of the SVAA grant they receive to monitor a brochure stand, to the Salvation Army, Catholic charities, or the Jewish Charities group in Ormond giving backpacks to poor kids. Is that asking too much?
How about spending a few more thousand on the Old High School building and converting it into a homeless shelter? Sell the kayaks you bought for the MDC and which belong to the taxpayer, and use the money to feed the hungry. While you are at it, when was the last time you inventoried this City property? Bet you would be surprised how poorly it is maintained. Now the Shadow believes that the average taxpayer in New Smyrna Beach would rather do as we suggest or if not, keep the money in his or her own pocket or spend it on something other than two days of entertainment for day trippers, kayak rides, or pub crawls on Flagler. It is about time the people who run this City begin to really run this City in the best interest of all. The Shadow would volunteer to work on a committee to accomplish this so that no one goes hungry in this city ever. How about the rest of you. Remember, ask the Mayor where he is on this (if you can find him in town) and maybe Hathaway also if you break him away from his :round out my pension” campaign.
1. 10 MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL ISSUES AND CHANGES IN NSB TOP TEN (The wins are in italics and the rest still need work)
1. Reform of the fire department and probable consolidation with Volusia County in a unified system. The number of fireman has been reduced by a third and rumor is rampant that consolidation for most stations in the County will occur in March. Congratulations to Chairman Bruno and County Manager Dinneen and his staff;2. Reform of the police department management following the reorganization submitted by Palmer Wilson in August 2009; our thanks to Palmer for sharing his expertise with the City for the betterment of the taxpayer and we think, to Pam for eventually listening.3. EVAC absorbed into County government and dismemberment by local inefficient fire departments defeated. Now, locals, sell those needless ambulances. NSB, and get rid of the boats also; the USCG, VCSO and Florida FWC have plenty of boats and more Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Hanukkah
To All The Shadow Readers
We Hope You Are Spending This Wonderful Holiday Season
With Family and Friends.
May Your Life, Family, and World Be Blessed
With All Of The Wonders of The Season.
But Let Us Not Forget Our Service Men and Women In Harm's Way Around The World. We At The Shadow Hold Them In Our Hearts And Minds Every Day And Hope You Can Find Time To Say A Prayer For Their Safe Return
And
If You See One Somewhere, Walk Up, Thank Them, And Shake Their Hand. But Most Importantly Tell Them You Are Glad They Are Home!
A Short Edition Of The Shadow Follows, With A Full And Powerful Issue Next Week!
The Shadow and His
Shadow Team
NORMAN’S CORNER
ITS’ ME AGAIN CHAIRMAN BRUNO
Just wanted to to say Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you and the rest of the Council. You can rest assured i will be on the job next year trying to keep you posted on this illusive Waterfront Loop that Tony and Holley keep telling me is here. Figure most of the elves associated with it have gone home for the holidays, so I will pick up my search after the first of the year. However, I hear there is a part of it in Maitland, so I am headed over that way next week for some free (taxpayer paid for) food at some new restaurant that is on the loop over there.
Will keep you posted and have a great New Year.
Your servant,
NSB Norman Normal
P.S. I will have to send you my new phone number as Tony and Holley cut off my service when they saw me having lunch with a short guy with a video camera.
NO BLOGS THIS WEEK; WILL PICK UP AGAIN NEXT WEEK WITH SOME OF OUR BEST.
