For The Best We Can Be... Whatever The Cost

We face the unusual situation of having only one incumbent in this year’s election to evaluate.  After reviewing our Meet the Candidates Night and hearing from each candidate, several points have come to light. But before we get started, I wanted to mention one of the things that I find most unattractive during elections is that of a candidate choosing to belittle or smear their competition instead of relying on their own platform to gain support. It’s gross, it’s ugly -but I also understand that it’s part of the process for some. 

This brings me to the campaign efforts of Fred Jonas (the incumbent) in his bid for re-election. Below are excerpts from his communications regarding his fellow candidates and neighbors:

·   “One of my friends described the approaches of these candidates who have never actually had to deal with this kind of material as "pandering and naïve." 
·    “If I get re-elected, we will still have two new, uninitiated, clearly poorly informed Commissioners.     If I don't get re-elected, we'll have three.” 
·   “Even if I get re-elected, I wind up with two of these new colleagues that is way behind the curve regarding what the task is, and how to manage it. And we've already had a lesson in what happens when we get Commissioners who don't know what they're doing and have no agenda.” 
·  Why would you assume that uninitiated people would somehow be wiser or more insightful? “How would you expect that to happen on the basis of no information or educated insight?” 
· “I represent an option, and the option is "For the Best We Can Be." If you prefer some other option, like "For the Least We Can Pay" … or something else, you can talk to the other candidates. Vote for them.”
·  “The question is whether they will squeeze their eyes shut, and stick their fingers in their ears, so they can proceed as they told themselves and their neighbors they would, or they will have to learn to think very differently about things they simply did not know.”
·  It’s easy, if you don't know much about the details and do not have to make decisions, to complain about how the Village runs now. You're complaining, and so did the four candidates who have not been involved.”
· “I hate to say this, but we're going to get two or three new Commissioners who are completely uninitiated and unprepared for this task.”
·   And the fact that none of them can articulate an agenda, apart from displace Fred Jonas, "listen to residents," and sharpen pencils, is of great concern. We will all be subject to their agenda, whether they have let us know what it is in advance, or not.” 

Now, as mentioned these are just a sampling of what the incumbent has put out there. Of course Fred forgets (seemingly an issue for him lately) to mention that all new Commissioners are at some point “uninitiated and unprepared” as was he. So, let’s now discuss his premise. He is beating the drum loudly about his superior experience and knowledge as opposed to the other 4 candidates. But what results back up his superior experience and knowledge over his term in office? So far from what I’ve seen, none have been produced.

As demonstrated during our MTC event, the incumbent made several mistakes regarding the $200,000 additional taxation ordinance he voted to support just last year. His reply was (excerpt): “I was not given the questions in advance, and if I forgot an action, I hope I can be forgiven. My memory is imperfect.” Nope, I’m not buying that. Further, he not only claims to have "forgotten" supporting an important financial issue, he also didn’t even understand the structure of the ordinance he was voting on! This was verified in our Fact Check post when he rebutted another candidate saying “assessments are not an end run around the millage. You cannot have a millage of 9.7 and an assessment. The assessment is part of the millage.” Everyone I have spoken with knew that this special assessment was in addition to our 9.7 millage- as this was discussed during the meeting(s) at length. That is what created all the pushback from our taxpayers and why the attempt ultimately failed.

He has since decried that the mere mention of his mistakes were “personal attacks” against him in an effort to deflect the topic. The point should be made that there were 3 candidates who were listed as making mistakes, yet only the incumbent took exception to the Fact Check article. So, I’ll leave it up to you, our readers to determine his alleged knowledge and experience, or lack thereof.

Let’s move along-

Fred also wrote this on his blog recently (link: http://biscayneparkfla.blogspot.com/): “They’re less prepared than I was. The "attorney" (Jenny) was a prosecutor in another state, and is now a litigator. What's that got to do with municipal government? The ex-law enforcement officer (Will) was a federal marshall. What's that got to do with municipal government?”

Ok… so I'm confused, what does being a psychiatrist got to do with municipal government? Could it be perhaps the endless “War and Peace” length convoluted emails that we are bombarded with when asking a simple question? Now I can only speak for myself, but his pretzel logic replies (that never quite seem to address the main question) are not only tedious… but also not constructive from an elected official. Just answer the question in a concise manner and stay on topic, Please! I’ve read War and Peace once already…thanks.

As to his smarm regarding Jenny being a prosecutor in another State and being a litigator here- I am at a loss to what perceived problem he finds with her background as she has been active on numerous boards and has performed admirably according to her peers. 

Fast forwarding to Will Tudor’s background description of “The ex-law enforcement officer was a federal marshal,” the incumbent seems to have “forgotten” the rest of Will’s resume. Why do you think that is?

This is what I received from Will when verifying his credentials: “I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and currently hold a certification as a Certified Fraud Examiner from the ACFE. This credential denotes proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection, and deterrence. In addition, as part of my duties as an examiner/auditor, I have experience in forensic accounting, financial statements analysis, and annual audited financial statements review. Each of these areas makes me extremely qualified in dealing with budgets.

Furthermore, I spent close to a decade in federal law enforcement as a Deputy US Marshal. I believe that this background provides me with a unique knowledge into the needs of law enforcement. This will allow me to have an educated discussion with the Village Manager and the Chief to determine the best use of our resources, as well as, ensuring that the monies appropriated to the annual police budget (currently 43% of total expenditures) is spent wisely and to the full benefit of the residents. Hopefully, we will find savings within this budget that may allow us to transfer savings over to the Village's reserve fund.”

To me, Will’s experience and background sounds far more extensive and useful to our needs than in the incumbents telling. How about to you? 

As to the incumbents’ declaration of “They’re less prepared than I was”… well, let’s now examine that in a little more detail, shall we?

Yes, the incumbent has been a staple at meetings, events, and had served on boards. Check. I can also tell you that his purpose in attending Commission meetings was to serve the role of Chief Heckler and Instigator of the Commissioners during that time.  So his “preparation” was to insult and incite Commissioners (in person) during the meetings- and then run home to further his narrative on his blog. Use the link provided above to go back to years 2011 forward and read for yourselves. You’ll find excessive condescension and name calling, insults, and other derogatory remarks made about fellow residents. Afterwards, just ask yourself "is this the type of person I want representing me and our Community?"

So What Does Fred Stand For? HIGHER TAXES- WHATEVER THE COST

There really isn’t a whole lot of meat on the bone as far as the incumbents’ personal initiatives during his term. But one theme has remained persistent throughout- and that is, as our title suggests, For the Best We Can be... Whatever the Cost (I just modified his slogan a bit). He has been steadfast in his push for higher taxes- in any and all forms possible to fund "his vision” of what the Village should be. For starters, this ideal is in direct conflict with our Charter and the Citizens Bill of Rights, but… who reads that thing anyway?

Below are some excerpts from the incumbent regarding his ideas on taxation:  [sourced from his blog]

4/23/15: Fred: What we can hope for is a gradual increase in property values, which then also leaves us hoping some Village residents will move away, so their homes can be acquired by new residents who will pay more taxes. I even asked the Commission to agree to charge residents $8 per home per year for public art to enhance the Village.

4/25/15: Fred: If it costs $200 more per property per year, or $500 more per property per year, to provide infrastructure for ourselves, and we're unwilling to pay it, have we disqualified ourselves as entitled to exist autonomously?

4/28/15: Fred: Suffice it to say that the Village is our home. Like our personal homes, it needs maintenance. As we do with our personal homes, we need to pay it costs to maintain our "home." If the millage doesn't cover the cost of maintenance, we need to pay the money out of our other accounts. We are not at all "capped out." We have simply come to the easy end of raising the millage. We can raise it above 10, and perhaps we should.

One neighbor replied saying: If we follow Fred's advice - millage over 10, more and more special assessments - we will end up pricing ourselves out of existence as buyers will be turned off and sellers will be stuck. He forgets it's not just the various maintenance items we need to fix, our fixed costs (insurance, utilities) continue to rise. We can't possibly keep up just with more and more taxation.

Fred: Let's move this along. Let's agree to fix the streets, including providing functional drainage, and to improve the medians. Let's plan ahead to erection of a wall along the track, to improve noise control and to limit unwanted access. ($$$$$$- MH)

4/29/15: Fred: Our taxes are not something being done to us. They are what we agree to pay ourselves to have what we have, and to maintain it. (Huh? - MH) They may feel the same way about taxes calculated as 9.7 mills, or 10 mills, or 15 mills, or an extra assessment.  In my opinion, 9.7 mills was a mistake. It should have been 10, at least. And we need to annex. And we need to assess.

So his only answer to all problems is just MORE TAXES!



His response during a planning and vision session was, “I don’t care what we do- as long as we do something.” Brilliant! Talk about a well thought out fiscal plan of action! For me, that’s a scary statement coming from one who has a vote on matters that affect us all.

So, any idea of smaller government, greater employee efficiency, part-time employees- and/or  interns,  or additional outsourcing of services in order to reduce expenses all seems to be off his table. Nope… just more taxes! Tax and Spend…Spend and Tax.

I’ve already referred previously to our Citizens Bill of Rights. The very first entry reads, "this government has been created to protect the governed, not the governing.” Does anyone reading this truly feel that this Commissioner is following the spirit of this directive?

Question, where is his concern for our elderly residents on fixed incomes? Or, the many others who find themselves financially strapped during this difficult economy?  Who is protecting them? Or is his vision only- “hoping some Village residents will move away, so their homes can be acquired by new residents who will pay more taxes?”

In closing, he also has been badgering the other candidates stressing that they “have no agenda.” My thoughts are that this may be due to them simply wanting to avoid him and his challenges due to not wishing to get sucked into his never ending vortex of debate. And if so, I can’t say that I blame them. Or, maybe he wasn’t paying attention during our MTC meeting. Because I heard them talking about issues to include: reducing expenses and adding to our reserves, listening to residents, providing proper oversight and outreach, and looking into our police budget to firm up the contract negotiations.

I will now go on record saying that I did support Fred during the last election. So, I was one of the 6 votes that got him in office.  Things change… 

Standing Watch,

Milton Hunter

The Biscayne Parker

Disclaimer: For the few who have contacted me regarding my views or opinions during this election please understand that I am in no way bound to limit my views or statements due to this blog. I waive no right to offer my opinions or concerns. I am not an elected official nor tied to Sunshine or any other such law. I will remain focused on the blogs mission statement. And that is to report on relevant Village issues that have been researched, are accurate and represent information deemed important to us all.