There seems to be a pattern emerging. Anyone who asks the City to follow the rules laid out in its Comprehensive Plan is now being hounded as if they are a criminal. If the Sun newspaper this week is to be believed any 'thing' which prints the facts is also now in danger of being shut down.
According to the Islander it was Valerie Fernandez, PAR's lawyer, who instructed Michael Barfield. Coincidental? Maybe. On the other hand who has the most to lose by the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development codes being adhered to?
Respectable citizens who have worked tirelessly for years are being defamed by our local papers and accused of running a shadow government. Yes there does appear to be a shadow government but it isn't these people!
Nobody has asked what any of those being accused have to gain out of all this. Financially? Nothing. Collectively they all have the same aspirations - to retain the quality of life everyone has come to enjoy in the City.
Does anyone really think Robin Wall wants to spend hours pouring over codes and ordinances prior to meetings double checking the City's work and then giving up her time to actually attend all the meetings? And yes if you attend these meetings you will know that she frequently points out errors being made. The residents of this City owe her a huge debt for helping to keep the status quo for as long as she has. Duke Miller, a City Commissioner for many years and highly respected by the community for very good reason. He started the blog as a voice for the citizens. I took a moment to look back at the blog over the last few months and was actually very impressed at the quality of the comments - highly informative information on many different issues substantiated by facts. What grounds does Mr Barfield have to shut down something that is reporting the facts?
Ultimately if it is a criminal offence to try to ensure that our Comprehensive Plan is followed then yes we are guilty.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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I understand that earlier today Commissioner Stoltzfus and P & Z Boardmember Jim Connolly had lawsuits served against them by Valerie Fernandez and Ricinda Perry. There now seems little doubt as to who their client is. It is hard to see how their client is working for the greater good of the City. If one reads the above article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune then it seems more than likely that the City could be bankrupted by their actions. Ironically at a meeting a few weeks ago a Commissioner (or was it the Mayor? I am afraid I cannot remember) alluded to just that, and said that in the event of that happening Holmes Beach would buy us! Well Holmes Beach may not buy us but it would be quite likely that we would be joined with them. Was this always the intention I wonder.
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