“Things can’t keep going this way,” Mayor Bill Shearon said.
Shearon and some Bradenton Beach residents spoke out March 3 against the city commission’s Feb. 23 actions and no one who spoke on the subject appeared to be happy.
On Feb. 23, the commission met without Shearon present to discuss potentially diminishing the mayor’s role from administrative head of the city to that of a liaison between the commission and city departments.
Bradenton Beach residents John Metz and Jo Ann Meilner, former Commissioner Janie Robertson and others spoke out, telling commissioners to be careful, warning them of potential ramifications of their actions.
Metz said, “We the voters believe you (commissioners) should carry out the will of the people. This is a political play.”
Robertson warned the commission that by removing the mayor’s powers, they’re “asking for trouble.
“You’re all going to have to come in every day and vote on the things (Shearon) has to decide,” Robertson said.
Metz said commissioners were trying to interpret the charter to their liking. “That’s not your job,” he said.
Meilner said only the voters of Bradenton Beach could change the city charter and suggested the various resolutions to the charter are illegal manipulations. “You’re not representing the people fairly,” she said.
Meilner also spoke earlier in the meeting but was quickly quieted after calling for the dismissal of city attorney Ricinda Perry. She was not allowed to state her reasons.
Former Bradenton Beach Mayor Jack Clarke was the only public voice in city hall commending the commission for its Feb. 23 actions.
“I’m proud as a citizen of what this sitting commission has done,” Clarke said. “You are on the right track using our charter as a guide.”
Clarke also was silenced after commenting on Shearon’s remarks from the March 2 issue of The Islander.
Clarke said Shearon’s March 2 comments show that he is willing to let the city “crash and burn.”
The city charter states, “The mayor is the executive head of the city government. In addition to duties as a voting member of the commission, the mayor is responsible for administrative oversight of the city government. The mayor has primary responsibility for ensuring the city operates in accordance with the policy mandates of the commission.”
Commissioner Ralph Cole said the Feb. 23 meeting wasn’t intended to diminish the mayor’s powers but to seek clarification on the city charter with the help of other commissioners and the city attorney.
Shearon, who was excused from the Feb. 23 meeting for the funeral for partner Tjet Martin’s father, responded to the commission’s actions via email.
In his Feb. 29 response, Shearon listed what he believes to be his powers and responsibilities as executive head with administrative oversight.
Shearon wrote:
• The mayor is the supervisor of the department heads and the liaison for department heads and the commission.
• The mayor has the authority to approve services or discretionary expenses to his allowable limits.
• The mayor has the responsibility to be proactive addressing concerns, a reactive approach fails to provide accountability.
“This is how I believe every mayor has done it before,” Shearon said March 3. “This is what I feel I was elected to do.”
Shearon pushed the commission to continue the discussion but commissioners wanted to reschedule to 1 p.m. March 8, during a workshop at city hall.
“Why?” Shearon asked in frustration. “You discussed it for two hours last time.”
Cole restated he originally just wanted clarification on the charter.
Vice Mayor Ed Straight agreed.
“We do have a right to clarify, ‘Straight said. “Our job is to serve our constituents and to make the right decisions. I think a workshop will help us work out the details.”
Shearon agreed with the commission to continue the discussion to March 8. That meeting was to take place after The Islander went to press this week.
“I just want to get everything straightened out,” Shearon said.
Bradenton Beach comments denied
Mayor Bill Shearon said he denied former Mayor Jack Clarke’s right to speak during a recent meeting because he believed Clarke’s comments were inflammatory, in disregard to the city’s pledge of public conduct.
Shearon also said Jo Ann Meilner’s comments were silenced on request from the commissioners.
For more information about free speech in a public forum visit www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speaking-at-public-meetings.
To read the Bradenton Beach comments Click Here