WHAT I HEAR...

The voices of all the people I have talked to ring in my ears long after we have spoken.

Each have their own voice.
Their own unhappiness with our government.
Their own displeasure with the way the City is being run.
Their own issue.
But they all had one thing in common.
They all have minds which can process information, realize logic and appreciate sound thinking when they hear it.

Who are they?
They are our neighbors.
They are from our communities; the north, the south, central downtown and the west.
But within those boundaries and labels there are:
neighborhood associations,
volunteer organizations,
non-profit entities,
City employees,
retirees,
housewives,
policemen,
teachers,
advocates,
security guards,
artist,
accountants,
students,
out of town visitors,
government employees for the County, DEP, SFWM
and many others.

I have talk to
residents,
business owners,
and elders who have lived here over 85 years, some more!
All voters in this City.
All stakeholders who are directly impacted by this City's government.

People have said they are tired of the bad news.
Tired of the lawsuits.
Tired of the crime.
Tired of the bad water.
Tired of the panhandlers.
Tired of the over development,
Tired of the politics.
Mostly just fed-up with government gone wild.

I hear them talking about the corruption,
as one woman in Baywinds recently asked me:
"How did we get here?"

That question can apply to just about any of the issues I hear citizens talk about.

Sadly, I think I know how we got here.

I also believe I know how to get us moving out of the current direction we are headed.

The Charter is our guide us.
The duties and responsibilities of the City Commission and the Mayor are clear.
The current system of checks and balances has been corrupted by politics.

One easy answer;
good honest independent legal advise for the Commissioners.
The best interest of the public would be served
if the Commissioners had their own legal counsel.
Currently all City Staff is employed at the will of the Mayor.

Why is this important to know?
Consider this: if the City Attorney is asked by the Mayor to prepare a case or position regarding a particular issue, how then, can the same attorney give an unbiased counter-opinion without disclosing the deficiencies of the initial opinion or position? (And still save his/her job?)
In other words: How does one state both sides
and still deliver the full truth or facts
without compromising a directive?

This is simply one area which ties the City Commissions hands when making well informed decision with which to vote.

There are other areas of currently disproportionate power which is hindering the ability of any City Commissioner to do a good job.

I keep going back to the last staement in the Grand Jury’s report:

STRONG MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Under the strong mayor format of government, there are virtually no checks and balances to the mayor’s power. There is no independent recourse to address grievances under this form of government. This Grand jury recognizes that the City commissioners have a responsibility to speak in a strong voice when representing their views. Commissioners simply agreeing with the strong mayor, rather than standing up for their constituents best interest, do a disservice to the City and its residents. The issue of a strong mayor is for the resident voters to address. The residents must evaluate if this form of government to determine if it still supports the best interest of the citizens of the City of West Palm Beach and the City itself. This Grand Jury understands that such a change would be accomplished through referendum.