For the first time the Commissioners have an 8 year term for themselves on the ballot. We need this to pass. It bans outside employment. So what that they get a raise in their salary. This is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned. VOTE YES!! The issue is in the Miami Herald today. There is a second charter change proposed. I have to think about that one. "Should the time allotted to obtain sufficient signatures to place a citizen initiative on the ballot be doubled?"
I like the part about the time being doubled but I am not sure if I like the provision within this second item that places citizen's initiatives on the next general ballot. Does that effect RECALLS? If it does I don't want it. Have to do some research. It could mean that if we petition a recall of someone like Natacha Seijas, we would have to wait a year instead of up to 90 days to vote on it. Here is how the Recall Provision reads now:
"The procedure on a recall petition shall be identical with that for an initiatory or referendary petition, except that"So that means the charter change would give us more time to collect signatures for recalls, changing it from 60 to 120 days. That is very good. But would that mean the election date would be extended (BAD) if not for the "EXCEPT THAT" clause that specifically gives a time window:
"4. The Board of County Commissioners must provide for a recall election not less than 45 nor more than 90 days after the certification of the petition."Home Rule Charter
In the "EXCEPT THAT" section of recalls, clause 4 specifically gives the amount of days. So does the "EXCEPT THAT" guard the recall petition's shorter number of days till election from this proposed charter change? If so I like this second charter change, if not I don't. Voters have such short memories -- you want that recall election ASAP!!! Lawyers, what are your opinions on this?
14 comments:
What???
You could be right, but it is intolerable to accept that these guys will have 8 more years of open incompetence and corruption--and we are going to pay them $90,000 for that!
You know that instead of getting paid directly for outside "work," their spouses or close relative will get paid, hardly sub rosa.
I voted NO. Let someone figure out how to give them real term limits in a year or so.
I will be voting "NO". Eight years in addition to 16 years or more for some of the sitting commissioners? Absolutely NOT!
I will never vote to give these vultures a healthy salary. Perhaps if they could be trusted more than they are now, but with this bunch? NEVER!
Does anyone really think they will change if they are making more money? Does anyone really think they will not continue to have outside jobs and find some sordid excuse/reason to allow it?
Get real people. The only way to stop this continual corruption is to vote this lot out and if we don't do it, then let us all suffer! Taking this ballot route to rehabilitate them? What a joke!!!!
You 2 can cut off your nose to spite your face. WE WILL NEVER GET BETTER than this. You can always do a countywide petition to get exactly what you want -- good luck with that.
You are being short-sighted.
Vote Yes and Yes please, otherwise they will be commissioners for life, our life!!
The spouse or relative issue is a good one but remember David Rivera's issues went public and are still under investigation.
hmmmm. Will any of these guys have to resign because they can't afford to accept 92k salary? In some cases it will be a salary increase in others it will be a cut in pay.
Can they decline the salary and work for free and be employed?
Can they still run the family business as a volunteer?
Don't obsess over the salary they will always find a way around it. Who cares? Got over the salary and focus on term limits.
After reading the ballot carefully and even more carefully reading what was there and not there, I voted yes for both amendments. I wasn't too happy with the way the issues were co-mingled and I did not with giving incumbents another eight years to wreck our county but we will have the chance to vote them out of office when the amendments become effective and before they get a chance to sit for another eight years.
The members of the County Commission did not appear there by magic or fiat. They sit on the County Commission because we elected them and keep electing them in spite of knowing the extent of their misbehaviour. Then, we complain and groan to each other but still vote them back in.
ALL we need to do is VOTE. The voters giveth and the voters taketh away.
This will be the one and only time to get term limits passed in our life time. we have to pass it! And if you dont like the incumbent, organize and vote the creep out. There are six Commissioners up for re election in August. So, if you aren't happy with their representation, gather your community activists and identify someone to run against the incumbent, someone who is actively involved in the district and that most people could get behind. Do it the old fashioned way, the way Katy Sorenson took out Larry Hawkins. GRASSROOTS GET OUT THE VOTE! it's about time we organize for something that will have a productive end result. So first pass term limits, then vote the bums out.
I am strongly in favor of these reforms. If we don't vote for the term limits now, we won't get another chance.I suspect we will see several incumbents refuse to run again in August if they are precluded from any outside work. It will chase away those who get those special consultant side deals and have a cleansing effect.
I thought this was the much sought after Recall Bell Special Election. Damn!!!
Unfortunately, I agree with your read.
This isn't a poll it is an endorsement --
If you don't like either of these items, you can blame the Charter Review Task Force.
Both of these ballot items were adopted exactly as the Task Force worded it.
They specifically said that the term limits should be prospective - going forward from the time of adoption.
If you offer a real salary instead of making being Commissioner a hobby for the wealthy and retired, then you will attract a much bigger pool of challengers.
If this one doesn't pass, none will.
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