Angry words from officials and the public are leaving a bad taste in the mouths of people in Bradenton Beach.
Tensions are running high on both sides of the dais as the Bradenton Beach commission continues to slog through the forfeiture proceedings against Mayor Bill Shearon.
In a special meeting Oct. 28, the commission adopted procedures to guide the process, but not before hearing from disgruntled citizens. The comments to all five elected officials, as well as city attorney Ricinda Perry, were harsh.
David Johnson started things off on a contentious note with an email that was read into the record by clerk pro-tem Terri Sanclemente.
He began by lambasting Perry for amassing fees of almost $20,000 for her work on drafting the forfeiture resolution and went on to note that Perry also should express gratitude to Bradenton Beach taxpayers on behalf of her husband, who works for Blalock Walters, the law firm that evaluated the unfounded harassment claims brought forward by three public works employees.
But Sanclemente was halted from her reading, as commissioners ruled that Johnson’s comments violated the pledge of public conduct. They opted to enter the letter into the record without reading it aloud.
Barbara Schelin then took the podium to deliver some harsh words regarding Commissioner Jan Vosburgh, who was running for re-election against Tjet Martin in an election being decided as The Islander went to press.
“I have watched with horror and dismay the proceedings going on in the city of Bradenton Beach,” Schelin said.
Referring to Vosburgh’s campaign pledge to “restore democracy,” Schelin added, “This is ridiculous. What she and Commissioner Clarke are proposing (regarding the forfeiture proceedings against Mayor Shearon) is an overthrow of democracy. In some circles you might call this a coup.
“If you are unhappy with the mayor, you’ll need only to wait another year,” she said. “That’s how this process works.”
Jo Ann Meilner then offered a broader criticism of the commission while defending Shearon’s attempts to rectify what she termed a long term “pattern of neglect” of city business.
Next was a letter from Robert Lincoln, an attorney with Icard Merrill of Sarasota, representing ELRA Inc., Ed Chiles’ BeacHhouse Restaurant corporate entity, in a lawsuit against the mayor.
Sanclemente again did the honors, reading the nearly four-page missive into the record. The letter included a defense of the forfeiture procedures that were later adopted by the commission, as well as Lincoln’s suggestions as to what might constitute grounds for forcing Shearon out of office.
These included allegations that Shearon expended funds not specifically budgeted, violated Florida’s Sunshine Laws and held more than one government office at the same time.
Lincoln claimed the mayor violated some standards of conduct for public officials.
John Metz, a retired attorney, offered comment regarding his belief that the forfeiture process violates procedural due process.
“Ultimately this is going to be reviewed by a court somewhere down the line,” Metz said, noting that the commissioners would have to tell that court that they were the people who initiated the proceedings, served as witnesses, prosecuted the case and made the final decision.
“It’s a rigged system,” Metz stressed, adding that a child could see the flaws.
“Last week,” he said, “the clerk talked about bringing kids here so that they could see how democracy works. I think if you tell these kids what this system is, they’d tell you it’s not fair. And that’s what due process is about.”
The sparring then moved to the dais, as Clarke addressed the mayor personally. After blaming Shearon for “polarizing this city,” Clarke said, “If you really place the best interests of Bradenton Beach and the health and welfare of its residents above your own, save us the anguish and, yes, the expense of these proceedings, and resign your position as mayor.”
Noting that he was “disappointed” and “offended” by Clarke’s comments, Shearon retorted, “Let me be very clear: I will not resign.”
The next meeting of the commission, including the forfeiture discussion, will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Is the City of Bradenton Beach paying Robert Lincoln for services rendered or is he offering them pro bono on behalf of Ed Chiles, Jack Clarke, Ed Straight and Jan Vosburgh?
Is it merely a coincidence that the attorney representing Ed Chiles in the ELRA dispute involving the the mayor, his partner and Jo Ann Meilner(until he was elected mayor and removed himself from the lawsuit) is the same attorney offering up his opinion regarding the forfeiture proceedings? Things that make you go hmmmm…..