I just got off the phone with the City Clerk's office and we were discussing the impending Special Election for Deerfield Beach District 2. The City Clerk, Ada Graham Johnson, in my mind is more than capable of working within the law to see that "we" get the fair and equitable election that is called for under the law. My concern is not Mrs. Graham Johnson, but her bosses who could potentially utilize the law to delay and postpone our Special Election. Now this is just conjecture and I have no proof, but a case can be made for improprieties on behalf of the City to have reason to intentionally delay this election. But again this is just me playing devils advocate...
Keeping that in mind, I have been advised that the idea is now being tossed around that because our City's charter, which requires a special election no sooner than 45 days and no later than 75 days, does not provide an adequate time-frame to adhere to state laws regarding notice, polling place contracting, hiring poll workers, etc... that our Special Election may not take place within the 75 day City Charter prescribed time-frame. Now, this is reasonable and sounds good, almost as if the City has the interest of fair and equitable in mind when planning this event. I won't hold my breathe, though.
Ada Graham-Johnson insisted that she is doing her best to ensure that a fair, equitable, and timely election is held for District 2. I have no doubt in my mind that Ms. Johnson, who has family who resides in District 2, would do her best to ensure that this takes place as soon as possible. Ensuring that District 2 gets the duly elected representative that the people want, in the most cost effective and timely manner. My concern is that it is possible to draw this out and every effort and every avenue needs to be exhausted to make sure that our City Charter is upheld and it's people get the prescribed remedy to this situation in as timely a manner as possible.
Due to past events that have adversely affected District 2 (including acts of the City Manager(s), City Mayor, and others), and my perception of the attitude shown by certain City Commissioners towards District 2, I have no confidence in our City Commissioner and our City's Management to do the truly fair and equitable thing. They have not in the past, so why should we expect them to now.
Now, that they have exactly what they wanted. A City run without all the voices of the people being represented. I for one am appalled and afraid that Deerfield Beach is now going to be run Business as Usual. Which if past practice serves as a guide, means we better all be mindful before our City Coffers are bare, our Beach and Pier will be owned by a developer, all of our City employees will be laid-off in favor of privatized services, our Fire Department will belong to BSO, and our police well, that's another story for a later date.
I want most desperately to believe that our City is working for the betterment of all of the City's residents, but far to many instances have occurred that tell me to be careful and wary of the City bearing gifts.
We understand that this is an unprecedented event and our City Clerk's office is doing their due diligence to adhere to state and local statutes and ordinances to pull off this election in a fair, equitable, and timely manner. At the time of this post no concrete date has been set, but I will keep you posted. I have heard that it might be July 19, 2011, which is about 96 days from the date of the removal.
*If no Commission Meetings are cancelled or postponed and they continue having them as scheduled once every other Tuesday, then "WE" citizens of District 2 will have had no representation for about 7 City Commission meetings. All I know is that we better be as vigilante, watchful, and mindful as possible while they pass legislation without our representation.
Keeping that in mind, I have been advised that the idea is now being tossed around that because our City's charter, which requires a special election no sooner than 45 days and no later than 75 days, does not provide an adequate time-frame to adhere to state laws regarding notice, polling place contracting, hiring poll workers, etc... that our Special Election may not take place within the 75 day City Charter prescribed time-frame. Now, this is reasonable and sounds good, almost as if the City has the interest of fair and equitable in mind when planning this event. I won't hold my breathe, though.
Ada Graham-Johnson insisted that she is doing her best to ensure that a fair, equitable, and timely election is held for District 2. I have no doubt in my mind that Ms. Johnson, who has family who resides in District 2, would do her best to ensure that this takes place as soon as possible. Ensuring that District 2 gets the duly elected representative that the people want, in the most cost effective and timely manner. My concern is that it is possible to draw this out and every effort and every avenue needs to be exhausted to make sure that our City Charter is upheld and it's people get the prescribed remedy to this situation in as timely a manner as possible.
Due to past events that have adversely affected District 2 (including acts of the City Manager(s), City Mayor, and others), and my perception of the attitude shown by certain City Commissioners towards District 2, I have no confidence in our City Commissioner and our City's Management to do the truly fair and equitable thing. They have not in the past, so why should we expect them to now.
Now, that they have exactly what they wanted. A City run without all the voices of the people being represented. I for one am appalled and afraid that Deerfield Beach is now going to be run Business as Usual. Which if past practice serves as a guide, means we better all be mindful before our City Coffers are bare, our Beach and Pier will be owned by a developer, all of our City employees will be laid-off in favor of privatized services, our Fire Department will belong to BSO, and our police well, that's another story for a later date.
I want most desperately to believe that our City is working for the betterment of all of the City's residents, but far to many instances have occurred that tell me to be careful and wary of the City bearing gifts.
We understand that this is an unprecedented event and our City Clerk's office is doing their due diligence to adhere to state and local statutes and ordinances to pull off this election in a fair, equitable, and timely manner. At the time of this post no concrete date has been set, but I will keep you posted. I have heard that it might be July 19, 2011, which is about 96 days from the date of the removal.
*If no Commission Meetings are cancelled or postponed and they continue having them as scheduled once every other Tuesday, then "WE" citizens of District 2 will have had no representation for about 7 City Commission meetings. All I know is that we better be as vigilante, watchful, and mindful as possible while they pass legislation without our representation.
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