New Steps

Two years ago Gina King and I ran side-by-side for separate seats on the Zephyrhills City Council. We did the things campaigners do: We visited the city’s sewer plant, we spoke at candidate’s nights, we shook hands at the (then) city’s single polling place, Alice Hall. In the end Gina won, I lost, but not by much. We both had visions of bringing a little more light, a little more common sense, a little more class to city government.

Now, on the eve of a new election season we both realize that those modest aims are more difficult to accomplish than either of us would have dreamed. The entrenched power structure of the city; the embedded self-interested folks and worst of all, the appalling apathy of the citizenry just can’t be changed by the few who truly care about the direction the city is traveling.

Gina did her stint on Council and did, indeed, bring to light some of the more egregious goings-on. The under-the-table deal that pay favored councilperson’s health insurance to the tune of sometimes double their ‘honorarium.’ The sneaky renaming of 6^th Ave. despite a city ordinance that spelled out how such renamings should be done. The wholesale annexation of developments without determining whether the city’s resources could service them The amazing loss of a half-million dollars from the city’s coffers. These, and more, were the kinds of things that popped out when she began to kick over the anthill that is City Hall. But Gina’s was only one voice.

Now, it appears, she is not going to run to reclaim her seat. And more’s the pity.

What we want to point out as forcefully as the written word will allow, is that until the citizens of this town rise up and demand to be heard there will be no change in how things are done around here. The good-ol’-boy network, the government-by-pals, the waste and inefficiency will continue. The only time there is even a hint of life from you, the voters, is when you perceive a threat to your own self interests – a development that might invade your privacy, a potential that a new development might flood your yard or home. Then, and only then, do you stir yourself to voice your sentiments. That, my friends, is disgusting.

Arjay Morgan

Aaah, Some Sense Here

The Zephyrhills City Council faced a difficult choice: cherry pick a juicy tidbit from the Charter Revision Committee's offerings, or do the right thing.

It took some doing and some cogitating, but eventually Clyde Bracknell, the longest-serving councilperson did the right thing.

We speak of the reform that would have restructured council and the terms of office of the councilpersons.

The intent of the Revision Committee was to present the voters with a package that would have reduced Council by one seat; given the mayor a real seat and a real vote, and increased the terms by a year. It was feared that when the package went to Council the councilpersons would simply cherry-pick by submitting the longer terms (3 years instead of 2) to the voters and let the rest of the package die.

That's exactly what they did. Voting your own self interest is an easy thing to do.

Then the flack began.

Councilperson Gina King got together her own set of Citizen Initiatives, but since council had dragged its feet for so long she only had two weeks to get the requisite signatures. To no one's suprise the test wasn't met.

Then, Monday night, Bracknell moved to strike the increased terms. His motion passed. So, councilmemebers will continue to serve two year terms, the voters don't get to voice their choice and the original package, which was a major restructuring of the makeup of council died a'borning.

The Mayor, Cliff McDuffie, brought up a major point. He wondered how to educate the voters on the charter revisions which will be on the ballot. To be honest, with the legalese that will be on the ballot it would take a Philadelphia lawyer to understand what it's all about. And, voters being voters, they will tend to vote against anything they don't understand.

Voter education was a concern of the study committee and the members, more or less, signed on to do some explaining, but that was before Council had its way with the proposed charter document. As a member of the Committee I was willing to support the document we produced. I'm not so sure I support the folded and spindled document Council turned out. It doesn't look a whole lot like what the Committee labored to produce.

We'll see.

Arjay Morgan

Political Weasel Words

If you want a straight answer to a question here are two folks you don’t want to ask: lawyers and politicians. Here’s proof of the latter.

We just wanted to know if a group of like-minded individuals could run as a "ticket" in the non-partisan Zephyrhills municipal election.

We asked the City Clerk, Linda Boan, and she opined that there was nothing in the City Charter to prevent it. Just to be on the safe side we wrote a letter to the county’s Supervisor of Elections.

Here’s that letter:

January 29, 2006

Hon. Kurt S. Browning

Supervisor of Elections

West Pasco Government Center

7530 Little Rd, Suite 110

New Port Richey, FL 34654

Dear Mr. Browning:

If possible, I would like a written opinion from you regarding formation of a ‘ticket’ of candidates for the upcoming City Council election in Zephyrhills.

I have spoken with Linda Boan, the City Clerk, and she can find no prohibition in the City Charter. I have spoken with Trish in your Dade City office and she was going to get back to me if she could find a prohibition in the State Statutes. She hasn’t called.

The proposal is simply this:

There are three Council seats open this election. The idea is to field three candidates who would campaign and advertise their candidacy as a group – say Three Good Men for City Council. However, for election purposes they would each be running as a nonpartisan individual with separate organizations, treasurers, etc. The only difference would be that the three would band together to purchase advertising materials in the name of the group, but would simply split the expense three ways and report the expenditure on their individual expense reports.

In no way would their mutual candidacy be considered a political party, it would just be an association for a single election. The voters would still have to cast their ballots for the individuals since that is how they would have to appear on Election Day.

Since time is of the essence in this election season, I would appreciate a timely reply since it would make no sense to move this idea forward if somehow it was not permissible.

Sincerely,

Rj Morgan

Here’s Browning’s reply

February 6, 2006

Pursuant to your letter dated January 29, 2006, please be advised that I do not have the authority, under Florida Statutes, to issue written advisory opinions regarding election law. Legal opinions may only be provided by the Attorney General of Florida or the Secretary of State through the Division of Elections.

However, I would remind you that candidates are treated independently from one another except when the statutes specifically states (sic) that they run as a "ticket." This would included (sic) the office of President of the United States and Governor of the State of Florida.

I wish I could give you a more definite response but I am unable to do so.

/s/ Browning

xc: Linda Boan

Yeah, your guess is as good as mine. Fact is, if we wait for an answer from either the state Attorney General or the Secretary of State the election will be over. Watch your local political signboards for developments.

Arjay Morgan