These are all the Blogs posted in February, 2012.
Tuesday, 28
SNYDER ASKS MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER:SUGGESTS MAYOR’S ACTION TRIGGERS HIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Mayor John Holic, February 22, 2012, wrote an Interoffice memo to Finance Director, Jeffrey L. Snyder, entitled “Employment Status.” The Mayor wrote, “On November 7, 2006 the qualified electors of the City of Venice approved an amendment to the City of Venice Charter concerning the Finance Director position. This amendment changed your position from a charter officer to a department head. For unknown reasons, the last three city managers failed to implement this voter mandated change.
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:54 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 27
MAYOR'S CHANGES TO CITY FINANCE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION FACE CHALLENGES.
Mayor John Holic acted to end various parts of the City Finance Director, Jeff Snyder’s compensation, using the rationale that in 2006 the City’s voters ended the position as a “Charter Officer.” Snyder had signed a contract with the City before the change in the Charter was approved.
Since 2006, Holic noted in a Venice Gondolier story published February 25, (link below), three City Managers have failed, in his mind, to reduce Snyder’s contractual benefits. The City Managers we
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Venice Gondolier Sun.
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:19 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 26
Jazz Times Publishes Scott Martin's Tribute to Clare Fischer.
Hey! You read it here first.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Jazz Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:27 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Legacy Park Moves Closer to Development
Plans for Legacy Park, 10 acres, east of the train station and bordered on the north by Shakett Creek, were displayed in a workshop at City Hall, by City Engineer, Kathleen Weeden and Val Raney, of the Engineering Staff who wrote the grant that resulted in the State matching Venice funds for the purchase of the Park Site. ( for an extended story see the article by Terry O'Connor in the Herald Tribune--click link.
Raney and Weeden deserve the major credit for planning the proposed
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
The Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:25 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Friday, 24
Vern Buchanan's Fund-Raising Notoriety Spreads from Sarasota to National Press.
With several investigations underway, including a reported Grand Jury, Vern Buchanan's problems appear to be increasing and seemingly embarrassing the National Republican Party, who named him a top fund-raiser.
From the Sarasota Herald Tribune to the New York Times National and NY editions, Buchanan is getting negative attention.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
New York Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:12 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Thursday, 23
Employee Survey Details Complaints About Council Member Micro-Managing
On a number of occasions I have commented on what I see is inappropriate micro-managing by Council Member Bob Daniels, and sometimes Emilio Carlesimo and Jeanette Gates.
Here is what the employees have to say:
Employee Survey
January 2012
Of the 257 employees, 40 returned the survey. The completed surveys may be read on the S-Drive at S:\Administrative Services\2012 employee surveys. A summary of the responses follows:
Question 1
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:15 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Interesting look at the Short Term Rental Folks.
Here is a recent update of information from Sue Lang to the City Council on the Short Term Rental Issue
From: suelang99@hotmail.com
To: council@ci.venice.fl.us; abulloc@ci.venice.fl.us; cminor@ci.venice.fl.us
Subject: RE: Addendum To: Let's Look At The Plaintiffs
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:57:56 -0500
Here is the missing/incomplete information from the previous email sent Feb. 19, 2012 "Let's Look at The Plaintiffs"
There were 221
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:40 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 19
Correspondence Between Mayor Holic and Former Council Member Sue Lang: Facts on Short-term Rentals
Dear Ms. Lang,
Thank you for your comments.
Sincerely,
John Holic
>>> sue lang 02/19/12 12:07 PM >>>
Editor's Note: It is hoped that the City of Venice will vigorously defend the suit recently filed by the individuals named, none of whom had any license or permission from the State of City to rent short-term. Lang points out that contrary to statements by Council Members and staff, other ordinances are in place, including Sarasota County. Note: ther
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:19 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Saturday, 18
Airport Administrator Rozansky asks Mayor Holic to Sign a Letter to the President: Issue Not Clear
Venice Airport Administrator, Chris Rozansky, forwarded a lobbying letter to Mayor Holic asking him to join a list of Mayors opposing new fees for certain airport operations. At the time of this message, only one other Florida city had signed.
Here is the email to Rozansky and his reply, followed by the Lobby's letter to President Obama.
WHAT IS IT MAYOR HOLIC IS BEING ASKED TO BE AGAINST?
As you will read, there is a new fee for certain "segments"
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:40 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Wednesday, 15
DANIELS TO 400 RESIDENTS OF GOLDEN BEACH AREA OF CITY, "DROP DEAD!"
Almost 40 years ago, then President Gerald Ford, declined to help NY City when it was having fiscal problems. The NY Daily News headline was "Ford to NY: Drop Dead" Neither Ford nor Daniels used those words, but the spirit seems similar to me.
Here is an exchange of emails from Daniels to Inside Venice concerning the "short-term" rental issues and other things which are irrelvant, but on which Mr. Daniels is wrong--as usual.
Re: COUNCIL DELAYS DECISION ON SHORT-TERM
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:01 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Tuesday, 14
COUNCIL DELAYS DECISION ON SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE UNTIL LITIGATION SETTLED
correction: In an earlier edition of this story, Council Member Bob Daniels was incorrectly identified as "Bob Gates." Perhaps a "Freudian Slip." Regrets.
The City Council discussed the issue of short-term rentals at length, before deciding to wait for a decision in the litigation challenging the City’s Ordinance. At present rentals in single family areas, ( short-term rentals in commercial and multi-family areas are not affected), are allowed for less than 30 days for three times in one y
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:38 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 12
Short Term Rental Ordinance To Be Discussed By Council, Tuesday, Feb. 14
The history of Venice and short term rentals in single-family residential areas has a number of turns and twists and the issue will be considered again, Tuesday.
Here are some of the factors:
Some years ago some people began buying properties, perhaps to “flip” them as the housing market boomed. When that market began to slide, some converted them into short-term rental properties, in some instances closing in garages to make extra bedrooms. Some three or fo
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:37 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 6
One More Time: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Play Clare Fischer's "Pensativa," 48 Years Ago.
This could be called an "All Star Tribute" since the band is a super collection, typical of Art Blakey. Freddie Hubbard, Trumpet; Wayne Shorter, Tenor Sax; Curtis Fuller, Trombone; Cedar Walton, Piano; Reggie Workman, Bass and Blakey on Drums.
Even the recording studio was All Star quality, Rudy Van Gelder's studio, February 10, 1964
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Clare Fischer's Pensativa by the Jazz Messengers..
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:49 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 5
Composer, Musician Clare Fischer's Obit Published in the New York Times.
Last week I published a Memoriam of Clare Fischer by pianist Scott Martin, who was a great admirer of Fischer. Today, the New York Times published an obituary of Fischer reflecting many of the same things. Herby Hancock's view of Fischer and Scott's are on the same beat.
"“Clare Fischer was a major influence on my harmonic concept,” the jazz pianist Herbie Hancock is quoted as saying on Mr. Fischer’s Web site (clarefischer.com). “He and Bill Evans, and Ravel and Gil Evans, finally.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
New York Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:23 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Saturday, 4
Bruce Lebedun Comments on Construction Board Article.
editor's note: This came to IV as a comment by email, but I felt it contained significant information so am posting it separately.
Thank you for once again reporting the truth. I would like to direct you to Florida Statute F.S. 489.103(9) the handyman exemption: summarized, if you're not advertising yourself as a contractor(plumber) and the job is less than 1000.00 dollars you can change out a toilet or a faucet without holding a plumbing license. That statement came from
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:42 AM in Category:
Inside Venice
Thursday, 2
CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME YET.
The newly assembled Board bumbled through four complaints, three on unlicensed contracting and one for assisting unlicensed contracting. Unfortunately, they had not been properly prepared for the issues before them, and so spent a good bit of time asking the wrong questions, and not necessarily focusing in on the real issues before them.
Having said that, it is their first meeting and so some unfamiliarity with the turf and with the process is understandable.
Assistant
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:26 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
