A spokesman for the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office said Jan. 23 that it has almost completed certifying the 119 petition signatures submitted by a political committee formed to recall Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon.
The committee was formed in December by former Commissioner Peter Barreda, who said his reason for doing so was to bring the city back to a sense of normalcy.
According to state law, if at least 100 signatures are certified, the city clerk will allow Shearon the next five days to answer the charges in a 200-word rebuttal.
After receiving the rebuttal, the clerk will prepare a “Recall Petition and Defense,” consisting of a recall statement, the rebuttal and lines for more signatures.
The recall committee will then be required to obtain the signatures of 115 voters, or 15 percent of 763 eligible voters in the city, to be filed with the clerk within 60 days. Those who sign the first petition would be allowed to sign the second one as well.
Meanwhile, in addition to facing recall, Shearon is facing forfeiture, set out by Vice Mayor Jack Clarke in 2014.
Commissioners voted 4-1 Jan. 22 to delay the hiring of an attorney who would provide advice during a possible continuation of the special forfeiture meeting they began Dec. 2. Shearon cast the dissenting vote.
Commissioners decided to submit names of attorneys to the city clerk by Jan. 28 for inclusion in a discussion on whom to hire at their Feb. 5 meeting.
Clarke initiated the proceedings against Shearon by alleging misconduct.
Shearon then filed suit against the city to prevent commissioners from suspending him, claiming the process was flawed.
Shearon refused to give up the gavel at the Dec. 2 hearing, prompting commissioners to continue the meeting until legal advice could be obtained.
City attorney Ricinda Perry asked to be recused from the process and the commission agreed.
Perry recommended hiring outside counsel, but the city has no procurement policy.
Since Dec. 2, Clarke researched attorneys for advice on the matter. He mentioned two attorneys Jan. 22 and suggested whoever is hired review the charter and forfeiture resolution and attend a special meeting that would be a continuation of the Dec. 2 meeting. He suggested hiring an attorney for five hours at up to $275 per hour.
“It’s been almost two months since we decided on Dec. 2 that we wanted lawyers,” Clarke said. “Nobody lifted a finger but me.
“I have not seen the scope of work, the tasks that are to be performed,” Shearon said, adding that Clarke was not directed by commission to look for an attorney.
Looking around the dais, Clarke said, “Commissioner (Janie) Robertson shrugs. Commissioner Robertson shrugs a lot.”
The other commissioners decided it would be improper to hire an attorney without each commissioner having an opportunity to do similar research.
Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said she understands “where you are coming from Mr. Mayor, but I think that we are making this way too complicated and we are kicking the can down the aisle. Let’s get it over with. It’s not like those attorneys there are friends of his,” referring to Clarke’s suggested hires.
Robertson said it would be fair to allow each commissioner to bring suggestions for an attorney.
“We would not get in as much potential trouble if we did it that way,” she said.
Commissioner Ed Straight agreed with Robertson. He appeared to be concerned with avoiding future litigation.
Well as the old adage goes with this island “Follow the money” it will always lead to one individual who is most likely driving this nonsense and when one municipality decides to fire a twenty year veteran that advised them to hire a lackey, (that is as guilty for driving this nonsense as the one individual) it makes you believe everyone that supports the Mayor are involved in an exercise in futility despite being the most pro-active Mayor for transparency and accountability within the City of BB. No wonder Department heads want him gone. Pathetic is certainly an accurate description of whats going on in this city.
This is pathetic. Every time I pick up this paper, this little island of people seem to feel so politically threatened they run to get lawyers and file motions before talking like normal people. Many of you are life long island residents, and you are constantly involved in petty litigation because you “think” this island is like your own personal country. The red tape involved with this island is ridiculous. And it’s all designed with one thing in mind… to keep the people who have lived here all their life in total control. They don’t like the new mayor because he’s not a lifer, so it’s been daily court visits and motions. All of you should feel ashamed of yourselves. As this comment began it will end, all of you are truly pathetic.