Marty Dover watches Council Closely and Makes Sense in her Email to Mayor Holic
Thanks to Venice, Florida on Facebook for making this email available.
Mayor Holic and Council Members;
During budget discussions at the Aug. 23 city council meeting, I was deeply concerned by Emilio Carlesimo's motion to remove $50,000 from the city manager's budget--a decision that was postponed until the special meeting on September 2. Such a reduction would undoubtedly result in the layoff of City Marketing and Communications Officer Pam Johnson. Carlesimo indicated
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:24 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
To Be or Not To Be... Will the Council and Charter Retirees Pay Full Fare, Part Fare or No Fare?
The City Council is wrestling with how much, if anything, the six retirees, and, according to Alan Bullock, Administrative Director-soon to be seven, will have to pay for their health insurance during retirement.
At present they pay nothing, since in 2003, the Council approved a change to the personnel manual that said that retirees paid the same amount for health insurance in retirement that they did while active.
The problem is that was "nothing." And continues to
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:05 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Herald Tribune's Eric Ernst Sees the Toscana Isles Tax Gift to the Wealthy for What It Is-Bad Idea
Eric Ernst has a very high batting average with me through his reports and commentary. We occasionally have disagreed, but he has a difficult task, since I am always right.
He is right on in this opinion column. Here are a few samples and the whole column is on the link below.
"George Santayana were alive today and living in Venice, he had have a good line ready for a proposed development called Toscana Isles: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:16 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Further Communication on Referendum Language Between Mayor Holic and Marshall Happer
These emails provide readers with further information about the proposed language and its possible ambiguity.
>>> Marshall Happer 08/24/11 3:52 PM >>>
Dear Mayor Holic:
I congratulate you on your leadership in dealing with the difficult health insurance referendum issue. In my opinion, letting the citizens of Venice decide the issue via a clean Referendum question is the right thing to do.
I would like to call your attention to a possible mi
Posted By Ed Martin at 8:15 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Mrs. Gates and Council Members With Family Health Coverage Facing $1453.56 Monthly Health Insurance
Morgan Skoegard found yesterday's Council discussions of how much Council Members would pay for health insurance, if they paid the full costs, confusing.
There have been recent discussions of (round figures), $200, $400 and $621, per month, but that seemed too low for the full costs of health insurance. So he asked Alan Bullock, the City's Director of Administration, what the full costs would be.
As as result, he and Bullock may be among the few who know the facts.
Posted By Ed Martin at 5:03 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Council Compensation Chair--Land Use Tax Break: Too Close For Comfort?
As printed in the Venice Gondolier Sun, 8/20/2011
CONNECTIONS?
Major John Holic appointed Jeffrey A. Boone Esq. to a new commission charged with making recommendations about the mayor’s and city council’s salary, benefits, etc., and recommendations for modifying the city charter.
Holic established the committee, having each council member nominate a commission member, with council approval. He made clear that his choice for chair was Jeffrey Boone
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:53 AM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sue Lang Comments on Eric Ernst's HT Column
I add my appreciation to Sue's for Peg and Mike Tomanio's efforts on behalf of the City and its citizens. _Ed
*****
This morning's Trib had an Ernst column featuring two Venetians who contribute a lot to Venice. What Eric didn't mention in his article on their volunteer efforts reporting cracked or hazardous sidewalks, is that this came about because former City Manager Marty Black asked Council in 2008 to approve an Ordinance that would have penalized property owners for not repor
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:13 AM in Category:
Inside Venice
Planning Commissioner Happer Replies to Mayor Holic About Possible Illegal Calamaras Council Action.
Happer, "However, I urge you to employ outside legal counsel (since the City Attorneys were beneficiaries of this amendment) to review this action and recommend the proper legal action that the City should take in this regard. MMH"
****
In an email at about 7:30 p.m. last night Marshall Happer replied to the Mayor about his wish the Compensation/Charter Committee would consider that the awarding of free health benefits and lifetime free health benefits for retired (6 years of service) appears
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:03 AM in Category:
Inside Venice
This is one Guru Worth Listening To: Appraising Perry's Electability.
Nat Silver is a master statistician, former Baseball Statistician who has developed algorithms which he has used to predict elections. He missed by one vote the exact electoral college division in 2010. And he made the prediction some months before the election. The NY Times hired him as inhouse poll expert, etc.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
NYTimes.
Posted By Ed Martin at 10:54 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Mayor's, "Don't Ask" letter to Marshall Happer Deserves A Reply
[sent to Mayor Holic, all members of council, M. Happer, Ed Martin, Kim Hackett]
Mayor Holic:
First off, your history is a bit -- no scratch that. Your history is way, way, off. The part that Happer is looking at, i.e., how council members and their families were given FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR LIFE, has not been seriously looked at as far as the legality of the practice. In fact, that aspect has been studiously avoided.
Posted By John Patten at 11:57 AM in Category:
Guest Bloggers
John Patten Writes the Mayor in Response to the Letter to Marshall Happer
John Patten has sent IV a copy of a long letter to Mayor Holic. Rather than publish the letter as a comment, I am posting it as a Guest Blog for ease of reading. You will find the link to Guest Blogs on the Right of this page. Scroll down.
Here is the beginning:
"First off, your history is a bit -- no scratch that. Your history is way, way, off. The part that Happer is looking at, i.e., how council members and their families were given FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR LIFE, has no
Posted By Ed Martin at 11:52 AM in Category:
Inside VeniceTuesday, 16
Mayor Holic to Marshall Happer: Stop asking questions about past Healthcare for Council decisions
Without comment which is, I believe, unnecessary. For background see Happer letters on City email server and reported on IV earlier this month.
*****
Dear Mr. Happer,
I have been made aware of your requests for information to Lori Stelzer regarding past records of the City regarding Council compensation going back, in some cases, to 1958. I appreciate your interest in this topic and know full well that you have the right as a citizen to request any document you wish and that th
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:59 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
BREAKING NEWS: PLANNING COMMISSION DECIDES TO GIVE AIRPORT CHANGES TO COMP PLAN MORE STUDY.
A report to Inside Venice from a first-hand observer of today's Planning Commission meeting confirms that the Planning Commission voted 6-0, (one member absent), to consider the changes proposed by the Airport Director only after additional study.
Several changes were presented by Chris Rozansky which would eliminate for the City's Comprehensive Plan provisions designed to protect neighborhoods from property seizure by the City. Another provision would have not required the airpo
Posted By Ed Martin at 6:03 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 15
Changes to Comp Plan Before Planning Comm. tomorrow weaken protections at Airport, and Height limits
letter to PC and Council as a citizen of Venice.
Dear Chairman Snyder and members of the commission,
I am concerned about the proposed amendment CP 2, which essentially considers only the perspective of airport users and not the greater good of the City.
The proposals with regard to the City's unwillingness to condemn houses (4.4) would undo a decision made after considerable study by the Council and our advisors, both planning and legal. The current
Posted By Ed martin at 7:58 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Herald Tribune Has Winner in Online "Ticket:" New "Hotlink" on left of main Inside Venice page
Ticket is a colorful collection of restaurant reviews, arts, music and more. Usually a weekend edition of the H-T part, it now is online, with some daily short offerings as well as the weekly edition.
I like it and thought you might. Convenient here without having to look for it.
Posted By Ed Martin at 4:46 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 14
Proposal to Change Comp Plan re: Airport Draws Citizen Comment and Concern,
The following is a response from Mayor Holic and the incoming email from the Jorgensons. It is important to clarify the City's intent when it proposes to change the Comprehensive Plan.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen,
Thank you for your comments. I have not seen a proposal to change or delete policy 4.4 yet and will study it closely if it is proposed.
Sincerely,
John Holic
>>> Carol Jorgensen 08/12/11 2:12 PM >>>
Dear Sirs and Madam:
<
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:25 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Inside Florida and Inside Venice: Editorial page editor Tom Tryon comments on Scott Healtcare
Tom Tryon, Herald Tribune, takes a look at how the Legislature and Governor benefit from low-cost healthcare. And you though Venice invented this stuff.
Naturally, I agree with his views, in essence elected officials should pay a fair price for benefits, but he discusses the subject more thoroughly. Click the link.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:05 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Saturday, 13
Instead of my ranting over the Republican's failed Economic Policies, Read Republican economist's.
Stalwarts of earlier Republican administrations have discovered that the Emperor, (conservative Republican Type) has no economic clothes.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
NY Times.
Posted By Ed Martin at 12:51 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Friday, 12
Marshall Happer to City Clerk, "If...I am sure the City Attorney Will Want to Revise his Opinion."
See the letter below, raising the question of legality, specifically, of the existing health benefit. This proceeds the letter published yesterday to Alan Bullock, Director of Administration.
Dear Lori:
I have received from you a copy of Mr. Thomas Brener's email dated July 21, after the conclusion of the last meeting of the Compensation/Charter Committee on July 20.
I would like to request the following:
1. Copies of the MP3 files for the
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:09 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Thursday, 11
Compensation and Charter Commission: Smoke, perhaps Fire?
Cruising the City Email system I have found several inquiries from Member, Marshall Happer, who seems to have some interest in facts, records, etc. Perhaps I missed them, but I have not seen any other inquiries from the Chair or Members, or perhaps they are not on the public email, or something?
See this interesting inquiry from "Gentleman from North Carolina." (originally, if not lately.)
Alan:
I am trying to understand the sequence of amendments to the
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:43 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
NEW BLACK-BOONDOGGLE WILL COST VENICE ABOUT $3 MILLION IN REVENUES: COUNCIL,"HEY LET'S CONSIDER IT"
Council just approved a rezoning for the Toscana Isles project off Knight's Trail Road, bordering, in part, the concrete and asphalt plants. The proposal allows 1000 multi-family units and at least 300-up to 600 single family units.
This was a very good deal for the developers, because they did not have to provide additional buffering for the industrial areas and reduce units. Caveat Emptor is the word.
WE LOVE VENICE
One thing I learned to watch out for
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:55 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Tuesday, 9
Health Benefits to Infants and Children Cut; Governor Refuses Federal Funds for Those Purposes
It is difficult for me to express fully my disgust with the Governor of Florida and those in the Legislature who have advanced his purposes.
I pointed out in an earlier posting, that he had killed the information site that provided citizens with costs of various competing insurance companies.
Now this, essentially inhuman behavior.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Florida Independent.
Posted By Ed Martin at 9:05 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Monday, 8
MARSHALL HAPPER WRITES COUNCIL MAKES MY TOSCANA CONCERNS LOOK LIKE A FIRECRACKER COMPARED TO SEMTEX
Dear Marshall,
Thank you for your comments. As always, they are well thought out and complete,
Sincerely,
John Holic
>>> Marshall Happer 08/08/11 12:30 PM >>>
Dear Mayor Holic and Members of the Council:
At your Tuesday, August 9, 2011, meeting you have on your agenda for approval, the 2nd and Final reading, for the rezoning of the 407 acres of the new proposed Toscana Isles development property from CG
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:06 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Chuck Schmieler, A Member of Council Compensation and Charter Review Committee Writes to Council
Chuck Schmeiler writes a thoughtful letter to Council. Like this writer he has confidence that many people in Venice will take a thoughtful look at this matter before any referendum vote may be taken.
The Sarasota Herald Tribune this a.m. has another thoughtful contribution on this topic. After reading Schmeiler's letter you can click on the link to read the Trib editorial.
August 8, 2011
Dear Mayor Holic and Honorable Members of the Venice Florida City Co
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:48 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Sunday, 7
City Council Approval of Toscana Isles Project: “Customer’s-- Caveat Emptor!”
A few years from now new residents of Toscana Isles in multi-family residences who tire of the noise of dozens of garbage trucks rolling up and down Knight’s Trail Road on their way to the County “Landfill” ( read garbage burial grounds), up to about 100 feet from their windows, or who live along Gene Greene Road who are impacted by the noise, dust, etc. from the industrial mining and asphalt activities a similar short distance away, (from Home Plate to First Base is 90 feet), will wonder why t
Posted By Ed Martin at 1:33 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Saturday, 6
Rosemary Vauzanges Comments on Health Insurance/Medicare Issue.
Rosemary Vauzanges, who has been active in the referendum drive concerning Council Health benefits, submitted this as a comment on an IV report based on Jim Bennett's analysis. As her comment was on an older article, readers might be likely to miss it, so I am presenting it here.
My position on this issue is simple. Let Council members buy health insurance while they serve at an appropriate price. That price would be determined by analysis of comparables, e.g. wages, comparable p
Posted By Ed Martin at 2:24 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
Tuesday, 2
Obama the Winner for 2012, A view from London, Montreal
Seeing Obama as having claimed the middle ground and with a good platform for running against the tax-breaks for the wealthy, a London Telegraph analyst writes in the Montreal Gazette as well. Interesting view from a bit of distance.
Click Here to Link directly to this article publisheed in the
Montreal Gazette.
Posted By Ed Martin at 3:07 PM in Category:
Inside Venice
