LTE Roundup
Lilliputian officials are protecting the status quo
July 07. 2006 6:01AM
Where's the outrage when we as citizens are not only discouraged, but prohibited from being active in our government? Where's the outrage when people who represent us are made to pay the price personally and financially?
Where is the outrage when right in our own back yard such abusive challenges are occurring? Eileen Roy, an elected School Board member is being ostracized for doing her job to speak for better schools and a fair workplace for employees.
Most outrageous is what is happening in the life of Charlie Grapski, a progressive political citizen-activist and a state House candidate. Grapski is representing all of us in challenging actual or perceived governmental wrongdoings in the land of Lilliput (Alachua), where some local Lilliputian officials - Clovis Watson and city council members - are out to get him. I'm thinking that a lot of people have a lot to hide, and the big guns are being brought in to protect the status quo.
Where is the outrage when Grapski is literally locked out of his community and terrorized by a system meant to protect its people? Eileen Roy and Charlie Grapski deserve our support. Where is the outrage? Get involved in your government.
Adele Franson,
Gainesville
Watson isn't a member
July 08. 2006 6:01AM
Gainesville Sun
We have recently become aware of the actions of Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson as described in your June 24 article, "Alachua Manager switches parties and blasts Democrats." Your reporter indicated that this is unusual "since city managers ... tend to be reserved about their own political views."
Not only are we reserved about our political views, professional city managers who belong to both the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) voluntarily subscribe to a Code of Ethics which expressly prohibits such action.
Tenet 7 of our Code of Ethics requires that we "refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators." Our members shall not run for elected office or become involved in political activities related to running for elected office. They shall not engage in other campaign activities. A copy of the ICMA Code of Ethics is available online at www.icma.org
It is important to note that Watson is neither a member of FCCMA or ICMA (although his resume posted on the City of Alachua Web site indicates he is), and that his actions are not representative of the ethics or values of our members.
Lee R. Feldman,
President, Florida City and County Management Assoc.
Robert O'Neil,
Executive Director, International City/County Management Assoc.
Incompetence or felony?
July 02. 2006 6:01AM
Gainesville Sun
As a past president of the Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association, with over 20 years experience investigating and firing county employees, I marvel at the recent events in the Sheriff's Department and the fact that the Internal Affairs chief wasn't fired. The sheriff and the "investigators" can't seem to discriminate between "normal" incompetence/misbehaviors and what actions quite likely amount to felonies.
For instance, they found that he didn't work 15 to 20 hours per week for which he claimed compensation. At the very least this requires the falsification of public documents (probably a felony) to defraud the public. And at his pay rate (for two years) it is worth $50,000-plus. How much is grand larceny?
And using public employees for personal ends? This cost Tom Adams his job as lieutenant governor and probably the governorship. Again, a terminable, and most likely, a prosecutable offense. To use a technical term, he is either someone's "pet duck" or he has things on his superiors (and who is in a better position to get that than Internal Affairs?).
Perhaps someone in law enforcement could research these things when they get a break from harassing citizens who try to demand the public records act be enforced. Probably the biggest insult to the taxpayers is his salary - over $100,000. Sheriff Oelrich has built an enviable empire that appears to be coming undone. What is the best way to get out? Why, run for higher office.
Gary Wheeler,
Gainesville
July 07. 2006 6:01AM
Where's the outrage when we as citizens are not only discouraged, but prohibited from being active in our government? Where's the outrage when people who represent us are made to pay the price personally and financially?
Where is the outrage when right in our own back yard such abusive challenges are occurring? Eileen Roy, an elected School Board member is being ostracized for doing her job to speak for better schools and a fair workplace for employees.
Most outrageous is what is happening in the life of Charlie Grapski, a progressive political citizen-activist and a state House candidate. Grapski is representing all of us in challenging actual or perceived governmental wrongdoings in the land of Lilliput (Alachua), where some local Lilliputian officials - Clovis Watson and city council members - are out to get him. I'm thinking that a lot of people have a lot to hide, and the big guns are being brought in to protect the status quo.
Where is the outrage when Grapski is literally locked out of his community and terrorized by a system meant to protect its people? Eileen Roy and Charlie Grapski deserve our support. Where is the outrage? Get involved in your government.
Adele Franson,
Gainesville
Watson isn't a member
July 08. 2006 6:01AM
Gainesville Sun
We have recently become aware of the actions of Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson as described in your June 24 article, "Alachua Manager switches parties and blasts Democrats." Your reporter indicated that this is unusual "since city managers ... tend to be reserved about their own political views."
Not only are we reserved about our political views, professional city managers who belong to both the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) voluntarily subscribe to a Code of Ethics which expressly prohibits such action.
Tenet 7 of our Code of Ethics requires that we "refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators." Our members shall not run for elected office or become involved in political activities related to running for elected office. They shall not engage in other campaign activities. A copy of the ICMA Code of Ethics is available online at www.icma.org
It is important to note that Watson is neither a member of FCCMA or ICMA (although his resume posted on the City of Alachua Web site indicates he is), and that his actions are not representative of the ethics or values of our members.
Lee R. Feldman,
President, Florida City and County Management Assoc.
Robert O'Neil,
Executive Director, International City/County Management Assoc.
Incompetence or felony?
July 02. 2006 6:01AM
Gainesville Sun
As a past president of the Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association, with over 20 years experience investigating and firing county employees, I marvel at the recent events in the Sheriff's Department and the fact that the Internal Affairs chief wasn't fired. The sheriff and the "investigators" can't seem to discriminate between "normal" incompetence/misbehaviors and what actions quite likely amount to felonies.
For instance, they found that he didn't work 15 to 20 hours per week for which he claimed compensation. At the very least this requires the falsification of public documents (probably a felony) to defraud the public. And at his pay rate (for two years) it is worth $50,000-plus. How much is grand larceny?
And using public employees for personal ends? This cost Tom Adams his job as lieutenant governor and probably the governorship. Again, a terminable, and most likely, a prosecutable offense. To use a technical term, he is either someone's "pet duck" or he has things on his superiors (and who is in a better position to get that than Internal Affairs?).
Perhaps someone in law enforcement could research these things when they get a break from harassing citizens who try to demand the public records act be enforced. Probably the biggest insult to the taxpayers is his salary - over $100,000. Sheriff Oelrich has built an enviable empire that appears to be coming undone. What is the best way to get out? Why, run for higher office.
Gary Wheeler,
Gainesville
posted by Catreona at 7/09/2006 04:08:00 PM
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