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Home My WebLink About1999 06 22 Regular ATTACHMENT "A" FROM: Commissioner Miller June 21, 1999 SUBJ: THE MAYORS LAWSUIT AND THE CITY ATTORNEY QUESTION. TO: Paul P. Partyka, Mayor City of Winter Springs Mr. Chairman, Once again I call on you to show the maturity and leader- ship expected of you as the senior elected official of this City, and end the saga of your law.suit against this City. For two years now, you have deliberately taken a stand adverse to the unanimous position of this Commission. refer here to your lawsuit against this City, in which you cavalierly insist only you have the unilateral right to hire and fire City attorneys whenever it suits your whim. Your position is wrongheaded. The courts have advised you of this. Our Charter does not provide you with this authority, and your court case challenging the Charter of this City has already cost the taxpayers of Winter Springs, over $32,000. Your lawsuit was recently rejected unanimously in a 3 to 0 vote by three Justices of the 5th District Court of Appeals. That Court also rejected your request for recon- sideration of your case. That Court unanimously found that the Charter of the City of Winter Springs is a Mayor-weak form of government. The Court concluded that the City of Winter Springs Charter allows you, as Mayor, only to recom- mend that the Attorney be terminated, but that your recom- mendation must be ratified by the City Commission. I was advised last Friday, that you have now appealed the high courts decision to the Supreme Court of Florida. Let me make it unequivocab1y clear that the taxpayers and vot- ers of Winter Springs are intensely annoyed by your conti- nuing stubborness in this instance, because of the associ- ated cost to the City required defend its Charter. Espe- cially because you have also publicly refused to repay a penny of these costs to the City. I am told by many that you are the only Mayor in 40 years who has deliberately chosen to misunderstand the Charter. Even after a unanimous decision of 3 to 0 against you by three high court jus- tices, you still refuse to understand. page 1 of 3 There is another point I would also like to clear up at this time. You have stated repeatedly from this dias that the City's relationship with its attorney for the past 18 years has only been with one Attorney in his personal capacity. And since that attorney was not present, we should find another. This Commission has never concurred with your interpretation. Recently, you stated publicly that you had proof to support your case. You will recall that I asked you for copies of this proof. I have reveiewed the three documents you provided to this Commission: these do not support your case. In fact they refute your argument. They clearly show that for more than two decades now, the City of Winter Springs has never had an exclusive agreement with anyone attorney, but rather, with a series of law Firms: 1. Prior to November 1982 (18 years ago) the city of Winter Springs dealt with the law firm of Pepper. Kruppenbacher. Hamilton. and Sheetz. (See Enclosure 1) 2. Until September 1988, (12 years ago) the city of Winter Springs dealt with Bryant, Miller. Olive. Lan~. and Kruppenbacker. It is also noteworthy here to point out that the name of Mr. Thomas Lang also appears as City Attor- ney on City Hall's 1984 memorial bronze wall plaque outside in the lobby of this building. (See Enclosure 2) 3. Until May 1990, the City was dealing with the law firm of Parker. Johnson. Owen. McGuire. Lan~ and Kruppenbacher. (See Enclosure 3) 4. Since May 1990, the City has been dealing with the Firm of Kruooenbacker and Guthrie. Let me conclude my remarks by repeating that the voters and taxpayers of Winter Springs are intensely disappointed with your lack of maturity as Chairman of this Commission. They are saddened by your refusal to acknowledge the Courts decision. They are annoyed by your cavalier attitude regarding the waste of their taxes for your lawsuit. Most eggregious, is their frustration over your continuing refusal to work smoothly and harmoniously with this Commis- sion during one of the most critical times in the develop- ment of the City of Winter Springs. page 2 of 3 G t- Once again, Mr. Mayor, for the third time, , publicly ask you to end this divisive effort of yours which continues to keep you at odds with the will of the people of Winter Springs. Robert S. Miller Commissioner City of Winter Springs 3 Encls: 1. Ltr of November 23, 1982. 2. Ltr of September 9, 1988. 3. Ltr of May 25, 1990. . " . . -' TE: I am submi o r firm's m nth1y i to be p rties. \ I I \ : I I I b'o ! I , 1. : I L MEMO.RA.NOUM ---------- . ~A~~~ ~ ~ /1/,13)[/:;"- ~ JOHN TORCASO TY ~F WINTER SPRINGS COMMISSION MEMBERS C. KRUPPENBACHER, , HAMILTON & SCHEETZ 1982 jundtion with our appointment as City Attorney, the fOllowing proposal for compensation for ces:: $3~O.OO retainer be provided for attending 11 regularly scheduled meetings.and workshops f tl1e City Council. he douncil will be billed $50.00 an hour for 11 ~ime spent in researching questions posed o tHe City Attorney and for all time spent in outine .activi ties such as reviewing deed estrictions and land use proposals, attending pecial sessionB, attending conferences on behalf f the Council and at the direction of the Council nd d!isposing of routine City business including ego~iations on behalf of the City. he Cbuncil will be billed $75.00 an hour for 11 l~tigation, legislative liason work, dmin~strative appearances, and extraordinary ! epre~entation of the Council. .ill! b 11s are t.o be itemized and are to be submitted to1th~ ity kanager for proce9sing~ : I ~nyi s bjsct matter not addressed by this proposal b~lled in accordance with an agreement between the I I I i FRANK C. KRUPPENBACHER i I I , I \ ; I / CAJCt...OCl.J/l-E. .t Di k Ci Y of Win erjS 11 6 E. Sta e Ro Wi ter Spri 'gs~ Re; Lega~ i i I l!c nfirm our discu8sions and verbal representations o~m'ssio~ regarding our legal services for the r!S rj.ng., Florida. I I squssed, we have been honored to serve the City irlgs for seven or more years withou any fee increase. u~in sses however, costs have finally caught up e Ino must increase our rates fer services. Per n,l t erate increase will be effective October ~at indrease will be as follows: I 1. $9' .qo gation, l~st xpenses i 1 pIes or . osts ing Char, es\, 2. A 5010. 0 per month charge for attendance at City Co ission m et~n s. 3. $9;.06 lit gation, ,lu uti ity work, e be n accord nc '. " ID y , A"''''OAL.L. "N. t't" ~.. ~I.ICY 'l. ......""IS ~\.,"It r. ....UO~I. C ,.......... c. "RU,. NIlAC"C" a":"e~t.tIE'" oJ. I\U. K Tt10f04A, ,. l.A.N .J. C"RIIIT''''N loA ""':AT wl\....OH q, "'ILL II .... ..oa':"T OI.IV DALC ,. ..,cr".: L'" ft"UCHACL o. Wh.. .Uo.. I I I 0" CO",,,'r;," t:.. , "'uua IU~Y"" T Dick: to Ci As we d inter Sp ill all us and discussi' 988. Th' LAW orF'ICCS '1', M1LLER. OL1Vlt, LA..No Aloin KauPPENBAOHER .' .~a 4:1 '~'.'J " 'j~~ "( i,( Ii :)0 WEST L.UCr:ANE CIPCL.i: (321101) POST O""ICE eox :1387 (3~eoe'33a7l 011 1..0fJ;1O, P LOX IDA 10407) 4z:).eClil NlI:w "I'I;:)"K o,.,.'C& '00 \vA,,"," .TFtEET HEW YO"K. New YO"K 1000. 1~lll ~e:H!0311 September 9, 19BB TA'-I.A"I"..U: O,.'\C& aOI BOUT" ..c)....c).: .TR~':T SUITE ~oo .. TAl.l.A.........:c. !"'~Oqu:)A. 32.~OI ~""" :~... .... '. ,_ _ (.041) ~a'~..I~ LL',.;:;,~":~ :t:'.~;~~~l! ty Manager rings d 43~ lorHla 32708 C:T.: .. :.et,..". :. . . ... . \';) ~.I"'........ oJ, l:.;,U) !">.' ..:-.,:" , I. - ;~,.~. -:.. ervices for City of Winter Springs, Florida er Hour for all legal services rendered including cosBs and expenses. As always, no costs e incurred without YOur prior approval. or ~xpenBes are COUrt reporters, filing fees, elephone charges, etc. er hour for all legal services ~endered including osts and expenses, associated with the City's uding any bond-related matters, which shall ith bur existing practice. e /J(;.t.,l) S\lIee 2... /~/ frY v-v V Ci/j.~1 :"" ,. /k p cc: ) ~988 1\s ah, J '" City of w4nt a tionshi . ; Should y~u ter, do 'ot; h : I 1 I I I ; I I 1 D"ck Rozans S tember 9 P e Two Tom , I I I I I ' Lanb, : E q. I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to represent r S~ringsl and we look forward to our continuing ave 'any questions about this or any other sitate to call. I I I I i I I I I : I ..PARKER. J :JiAi ill · -- -- - ,- -- o.lolldo 0/1<. 1300 8AA.'\trr ru.zA . :llll saJlli ORASGE A\ 'D.H . ORlAl-.'lXl. PI.Oll:tl,o. 32801 TI:LEI'!<OI.,!: (~071.1!.'l910. fN:SIM1:.E: (~7) U).JI~C ax. ll>1lI. 0"," O!()O LAKt ......,V.AI-: PlAZA. ~li ~O~lr.l'8)ERA~ H:GH\,-^V. kCCA ~"',"'OK. fU)lUi:lA ))4)1 TI:LHHO:-IE: (-107> )Ql.0)<l0. PAC:Sl:-lllE: :'07l )Q2-c~2 , t~ l!'j T~ 1';.1 .' I . , ~, .." nl ... .~..,._. .::.. on : joh:lSon . - It"~~~~~:~~:, - .. .I'\n -- -'----... ;-:~~~ :':;-........:... -'_.~~~: ~:~~~: .. . _.., _..~'" -r UI - -. .. -"-- .--.......-.. _n, _ _n___ ----- -- ~i':: _u_ -- _ ~ ..:.,;.n.. .. .-.-... :, CYlprn:y . ::'D>~!d --":'_~"'!!~ - inftl' I .- ---.,.. ..1__ .... J . _"_ ~..!!'k ~ -~ ~~ MI:rl!n1!~~ . ~ O!-n~e!tn .... f~I",.t i. Rnshko - ----~_:-.~i !A..J,:"-"=,: :.'!~ ~F~~ ;,;:; - ,': ~ -::-~:::: ;leX 286 :~':".:::"':'" ;'~;';;;;:';,,)l Cl I ! I I ! I I \ I ~~@~uw~~ JUN 1 ]990' :CUr of WINTEf< ~~RING3 ary MANAGER CfS~ M....It~1!IClt~ May 25, 1990 I Rich r4 R City Mana er City o~ W'nterl Springs 1126 E96t S.R. 434 Wint. r \SP inqs, FL 32708 Dear R~ch rd: I F r ! s e time, Frank Kr'..l.ppenbacher has worked on you.r behe f ias a menDer of pa::-ker, Johr.son. Frank and the firm have!a~re d to concl~de their relationship ef~ective 5:00 p.m.j MBY!lSf 1990. Mr. Kruppenbacher will be associating with a ;ne T hw.l firm. Until otheJ:'"wis8 notified through tv!r. Krup etiba her, any written or telephor.ic communication dire te!d 0 him should be sent to the following address: j F ar.:k . Kruppenbache!', Esquire 1 5 ~e t Central Boulevard, Suite 1100 oland , FL 32801 I T lerh ne: 648-1544. I I Mrl. i K uppetlbacher has informed the =~rm that on or abouft May 17, 1990, he received written authorization that all ~Wi~t r Springs matters be released from further reprse~t tion by this firm effective May 18, 1990 at 5:00 p.m. I D Irihg the ensuing several days, this firm, in conj ~c~i n with Frank, has taken an inventory of pending mattrslw ether opened or closed. All op n and closed files are being transferred ~o Mr. Krup enha her's new location no later than Tuesday or wednesdty, May 29-30, 1990. mat ers that were being '>Jorked by attorneys oi:her rf ruppenbacher directly or under his assistance, I I I I #AIc4DSUI(E 3 a d ms have been completed on all such files. These s r port~s have been provided to Mr. Kruppenbacher. i n lly, this firm recognizes your desire to transfer ait rs t~ Mr. Kruppenbacher effective May 18, 1990 at p m. A, and expenses incurred through the comp i n of transfer of the files and withdrawal of repr nation by this firm will be forwarded to you under sepa e over. Both Mr. Kruppenbacher and this firm have agre t at p~yment of all 6uch bills should be remitted to P e, Jdfinson. In addition, prior to the bills being Sent r Krhppenbacher and representatives of Parker, John 0 "11 teview all bills for accuracy, necessity, and reas n bl nesd. This will be done prior to any bill being sent t ou ~or payment in order for you to be assured that t e feeh and costs for services rendered are as accu a e nd rleasonable as possible. I d itioh, our Bookkeeping Depart.uent is cur.:-ently revi. w~ng all past billing to determine if there are any "out tand ng ~CCounts receivable" which ~ay have Occurred ei th .r it rough lack of payment or partial payment. If suchl' is he dase I representatives of Parker, Johnso::1 in conj nCt!ti n with Mr. Kruppenbacher will meet and di9c~ss thee' u stantling balances to insure accuracy from the firm s s andplbint. Also I during i.:.he ~ransi tion, i 1: is pOSS.b~e hat cost items which have been incurred but not yet eC~i ed by Parker, Johnson may not have been included in t e ifi a1 tiill. You \I,ill be billed separately if that situ tibn arises either by Parker, Johnson or Mr. Krup~enba her'~ new firm. We are hopeful that all bills will b~ comp~eted no later than May 31, 1990. If ques'iors ari13e over the bills, you need to jointly corom nira e with this firm as well. as Mr. Kruppenbacher. No bIll m y be. changed without approval by this firm. D~riLg our joint meeting with Frank, we have gone over ever +c ive and closed file for the City. Frank has aS8U ed! u th~t all matters have been accounted for and he will rete ve these matters as discussed above. Sine e did not have the opportunity to discuss this trens~c i n with you prior to receipt of your authority for ja s er df files, we are, therefore, asking YOt;. to acknd Itd e reteipt of this letter and return a signed a copy o;t e fi~m as well as Mr. Kruppenbacher. That way, all art'es can be assured that the transition is SUcce sIu and complete. Enclosed is a self-addressed, I I- I I I I PARKER · MlqIAUO ! nvelbpe and two copies of this letter for your ceo Tee are various matters in which litigation is pend' nJ' which will result in this firm having to draft moti n 0 withdraw and for substitution of counsel. o e alf of the firm, we Wish to thank you for your nume. 0 S courtesies and professionalism shown during the time tha the firm has been handling your matters. We app~ c~ate th. trust and confidence that you have shown in the i~m as well as your patience and cooperation during this. p~ri d ot transition. I , Very truly yours, l I I I AGRE1 t~ . I I he t:ransf OWEN, MCGUIRE, I I By: above. Ma.nager I I I .- I I / ! ATTACHMENT "B" FROM: Robert S. Miller June 21, 1999 SUBJECT: THE NEED FOR AUDIENCE RESPECT FOR THE CHAIRMAN DURING CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS TO: Paul Partyka, Mayor City of Winter Springs During the workshop with Ms. Randi Sutphin on June 7, 1999 regard i ng Par 1 i amentary Procedure, Ms. Sutph i n rep.eated 1 y emphasized the importance of the Chairman maintaining audience order at City Commission meetings. You will recall this workshop was called because of serious concerns expressed by all of the Commission members regarding the Chair's conduct of past meetings. At the very next Commission meeting of Monday, June 14, 1999, disruptive elements in the audience repeatedly called out to the Chair, interrupted the Chair disrespectfully without first being recognized, and generally behaved towards the Chair in a contemptuous manner. Such audience behavior is unacceptable. I now also have before me a threatening letter from a citi- zen of Tuscawilla. He was one of those who repeatedly interrupted last Mondays proceedings by shouting rudely at the Chair from the audience. In this citizens letter, he puts you on notice in writing... that, "HE WON'T GO AWAY OR SHUT UP." (See Enclosure 1) This citizen justifies his infantile argument on the basis that, as a 28 year resident and a voter, he has the right to interrupt the Chair and the proceedings any time he wants. He also invites the chair to sue him if the Chair disagrees with his rude and disrespectful behavior during City meetings. suggest, Mr. chairman, that you ignore this citizens ridiculous reasoning, and instead, use your authority as Chairman of these proceedings, to ostracize this citizen from these meetings for a month or more, the next time he interrupts a city meeting. I would strongly remind you also, Mr. Chairman, that this same citizen has already been warned in writing about his errant public behavior during an earlier Commission meeting. At that time he not only mouthed obscenities repeatedly at the Chair, but was pub- licly seen making disgustingly lewd and lascivious. hand gestures towards the chair. (See Enclosure 2 and 3) page 1 of 2 Mr. Chairman, the taxpayers, the voters of Winter Springs, and this Commission, are fed up with your toleration of those in the audience who continue to disrupt these pro- ceedings, interfere with the process of government, openly mock the rule of law, and demean you and your authority as Chairperson. 3 Encls: 1. Scott's Ltr of June 15, 1999 2. Statement of January 25, 1999 3. Mayor's ltr of Jan 22, 1999, to Harold Scott page 2 of 2 June 15, 1999 City of Winter Springs (Fax No: 327-4753) Attn: Mayor, Commission, & City Mgr. (1) It is obvious, anyone attending a commission meeting, in the City of Winter Springs, goes for the shear enjoyment of watching those on the dais conduct themselves in a manner only becoming a matter of relativity to the overall stupidity of today's politicians. Or, could they be associated with a TV cable crew filming of an upcoming episode of the "Comedy Hour (sr"? Too bad our $86,000.00 audio/visual blunder, by current city management, doesn't work and isn't connected to cable TV. I would have. loved to be able to record the video oflast night's episode. It wasfunnyl You must admit, this commission makes "Saturday-Night-Live" appear as a top rated SlUlday morning choir session.. The only thing missing was make-up. and that includes your female participant of this Winter Springs "road show". Although., one could detected somewhat of an artistic cosmetic aurora to the MartinezIMiller complexion configuration and their respective representation. Mr. Mayor, you could relate your position. as the governing factor of this so-called commission meeting, to the likeness of a "ring-master" of a frivolous and a comical rigged "review or ole' fashioned minstrel show". You have more than "three.rings" to over~see and conduct by the exposure your prowling hoard of clowns destined to be corralled. This circus is truly overly rigged and burdened with the abundance of clowns! Still, you try to shut me up, but the group you have on the dais could put a two~ thousand.year-old mwnmy to sleep. But, you forgot one aspect; -- I'm a voter, and also a citizen of twenty-eight years in this city. I WON'T GO AWAY QR. SHUT UPU Some, on the daist belong to the "mummy-dub", and the "Martin County Marauders" (McLemore/Guthrie), which allows all to get away with the shylock style of manipulating and maneuvering of City monies, agendas. and legal representation (?). All control, therefore, is overwhelming. Guthrie was dismissed from two prior county positions (you could write another book on him), andMc~more's job was eliminated. until after he left Martin County, then re-instated. The City of Winter Springs, through manipulations of Frank Kruppenbacher, P.A., 2ot!!!!s.k with both. This is just "PAGE ONE" of what shall be provided to the citizens, news media, and~payeI'S of the City of Winter Springs. If the powers-to-be of the City don't like what Lwrite or say..... you have an alternative ______~ , \\ / SUE ME m If any of you have the guts!! .. (phone nwnber & address on record). Hey, Guthrie sniff on FS166 (you and Kroppenbacher need a good high! ) STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER MILLER - ') AT WINTER SPRINGS COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 25, 1999 REGARDING HAROLD SCOTT'S PUBLIC LEWD AND INDECENT BEHAVIOR AT PUBLIC MEETING OF JANUARY 1', 1999 Recent disruptive behavior by a certain member of the public at the public meeting of the City of Winter Springs is intolerable. At the public town meeting of January 13, Mayor Partyka was advised by this commission that Mr. Harold Scott, a resident of Tuska- willa, on two specific occasions during the proceedings that night, had behaved in a totally inappropriate manner. First: Mr. Scott glared hatefully towards several members of this commission on this dias, not only Commissioner Martinez" and repeatedly mouthed a verbal provocation so clearly that members of this commission could understand him, while others in the audience noticed, understood and were offended. What he repeatedly stated six times in a row at this Commission was: "You are ******* Liars!" (the missing expletive which I will not mouth here in public was the F word). ) Second: Mr. Harold Scott next placed his right hand over his groin, making nine slow deliberate and pronounced up and down movements with his right hand, in a manner best described as self- gratification, and during this process he conti- nued to glare with hatred and contempt at several of the Commissioners on this dias, including myself. Not understanding the reasons for his perhaps emotionally unstable and deranged actions, I interrupted the proceedings to inform you of his inappropriate behavior. I would like to remind you Mr. Mayor, that only minutes before Mr. Scott's offensive and unprovoked public display described above, this entire commission respectfully sat here and listened to his three minute public presentation to this Commission. At no time before, during or after his pre- sentation, did anyone on this dias interrupt Mr. Scott... no one on this dias was rude to Mr. Scott".J no one on this dias criticized anything Mr. Scott had said... and for cer- tain... no one on this dias mouthed obscenities at Mr. Scott, nor provoked him in any way. ) Citizens of Winter Springs, when advised of Mr. Scott's disgraceful lewd and lascivious public display here two weeks ago, responded, ", hope the Mayor threw him out, the guy should have been told to stay our for a couple of months until he learns how to behave in public." I move that this Commission formally instruct you to issue another written notice to Mr. Harold Scott which contains all of the following four points: 1. Inform him that his i nappropr i ate conduct here on the night of 13 January 1999, cannot be countenanced. 2. Inform him that because of his outrageous public behavior on 13 January 1999, that he is banned from future proceedings in these chambers. for a period of two calender months, to commence from the date of your letter. 3. I nform him that a future repetition of such behavior will constitute grouds for his permanent exclusion from city proceedings. 4. Suggest to him that he seek psychiatric and medical help for anger management and to control of his emo- tions publicly. ) / ,./. L/~;:~4i~, .> Robert S. Miller Commissioner, District One Winter Springs CC: Mayor Partyka Commissioners City Manager Chief Dan Kerr \. ) ,', 'I ~ t CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434 WINTER SPRINGS. FLORIDA 32708-2799 Telephone (407) 327-1800 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR January 22, 1999 Harold Scott 911 Augusta National Blvd. Winter Springs, FL 32708 Dear Mr. Scott: By direction of the City Commission as given to me at the meeting of January 11, 1999, I am notifying you that the commission felt your visual actions directed towards Commissioner Martinez were inappropriate. It is my desire to have all citizens be treated with courtesy and respect at City Commission meetings. In turn citizens should treat the City Commission with courtesy and respect. ) Any inappropriate actions whether verbal, visual or physical will be handled promptly in whatever method I may choose, which may include being asked to leave. It is my hope that this action would be unnecessary. Thank you for your future support in this matter. )?~ Paul P. Partyka 'Mayor .) .\ . ,.---- U.L. ATTACHMENT "c" Mayor City Conunissioners City Manager City Attorney City Oerk *~e,,,ep -, 1u~ {) 1 \999 I iER sR~~ Cl"f'( OF t~ ~;..Ll I i ! Today you are embarking in an effort to stabiliz~ proceedings during commission hearings in order to offer a semblance of professionalism to handle an agenda with smartness and precisi~n in order to benefit the people that appear before us which in turn is a benefit to the City of Winter Springs and its residents. Since my first year in office and because of the hardships imposed on debate by the Sunshine Laws, I have asked for a:prompt ~elivery of our packages prior to hearing nights in order to ~ead, prepare and at least be able to discuss the issues without the usual and ongoing delays. I asked quite some time ago and the commission agreed, that the City Manager and the staff provide to us without deltly a copy of any application to develop, etc., filed with the City at the time the app. is filed, in order for us to start familiarizing ourseltres with the proposed project. This happened once and thenl it stopped. What do we as a commission need to do to have staff comply with such a simple request? It is essential that we as legislators have a heads up on everything affecting the administration and the operation of our City in order to improve on the services to our cbnstituents. Do we need to engage in personal harangues while in public? Do we need to address remarks demeaning to another member in public merely because one of us does not like th~ staten1ent made by the other? Do we need to satiate our over inflated egos while on the podium at the expense of the agenda and of the public? Do we need long, winded speeches on simple subjects merely to demonstrate our qualities as public speakers? Do we need to change the format of the agenda ~chedule to satisfy one or two voters merely because this is an election year? lAi/0.I/i999 13: 13 4075955303 PAGE 02 We have taken issues and argued over them for onths and finally end up voting on the original basic concept wit a minor change. I have noticed a new trend; that of the "motion er." Legislators who hog the floor with winded, nO~9ubstance s eches and--upon exhausting their rhetoric--make motions. They how no consideration nor regard for their fellow commi sioners who have been waiting to speak on the issue. The Chair th n allows a motion to, " call the question," and is a participant of thi orchestrated effort to silence possible dissention. ed them into . At the end, one of es a.motion to We have taken small requests by citizens and tu debatable items that last for weeks, unnecessaril the strongest objectors, who has had his fun, approve. We need to establish some procedure by which 0 remedy the existing situation. We need staff to provide us with information e Iyon. We need to debate issues on merits and need. We need to definitely assure each conunissionerla time at bat each and every time debate is required. I We are supposed to set the rules for efficiency dEg hearings and not set precedent by electioneering from. the po ium. We cannot allow public input once public input's closed, as was done recently and at the late hour of 10:30 PM Jhen half of the agenda was still not completed. If you want votJs go knock on doors. We need to keep our personal peeves out of the public eye and record. I We need to better spend the time we waste by d~bating quick, soluble issues on the nlore pressing concerns th~t are moving our city I forward. I I This conunission has done great work in the p~~ year and one half. And we can do better if we set aside personaliti~s, dedicate ourselves to the task, and consider the fact that we are eleqted to represent not I I ... to dictate and that the health, welfare and well ing of our residents should be our utmost priority when making dec ions. I do hope this is taken in the constru.ctive spirit' which is meant. I regret that I cannot be there in person to face y u as I speak, the way I like it, but apparently it is not the Lord's .sh. Thank you - God Bless and good luck. Edward Martinez Jr. Commissioner PAGE 03