New Commission's First Day on the Job
The first full meeting of the new Fort Lauderdale City Commission was a doozy.
In a marked difference from the brief, and generally short on substance meetings of former Mayor Jim Naugle's City Commission, yesterday's meeting of the new Mayor Seiler Commission took on most of the pressing issues of the day.
Mayor Seiler apologized multiple times for "loading up the agenda", but said there was a lot to do and he and his Commission were ready to get to work. And get to work they did!
Rogers .... Dubose .... Roberts .... not Rodstrom ....... Seiler (the real Rodstrom)
Get an eyeful of just some of the lofty items they discussed yesterday:
.... considered the Property Appraiser's plan to reduce home values
then.....
..... stopped much of the City's discretionary spending
..... curtailed City Employee travel
..... agreed to install cameras to catch red light runners ( revenue producer!)
..... canceled Capitol projects they felt weren't worthy
..... approved Neighborhood Enhancement projects ( but reduced program by 10%)
and also .....
..... picked a new Vice-Mayor (former Chief/Commissioner, now Vice-Mayor Roberts
..... asked Advisory Boards to add "note to the Commission" on their minutes for important issues
..... talked of gearing up City's Centennial celebration plans
..... picked firms to deal with the City's foreclosure properties
............................. and then it was a little after midnight, and they called it a day (or a night!).
Only time will tell if this group will keep up the pace, and deal with the problems that are facing our City...
...................... but yesterday was a good start!
Tim,
Though I had to leave at approx. 9 pm, it was a fascinating and highly substantive discussion...and definitely heralds a new, more business-like and well-considered approach to Fort Lauderdale city governance. As an 'arms-length' observer, it sure looked to me as if we have a Mayor and Commissioners that care more about the overall direction of the city and it's future than ever before...and I applaud them on great first step taken throughout yesterday and last evening's meetings.
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This could be a good start. Most cities of our size, and much smaller, spend at least this much time in weekely City Council meetings. Now, let's see some results from the new politicos, and let's see our taxes slashed and spending cut to a reasonable level.
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Thanks Tim. Glad you young folk can stay up that late. ;-] Linda
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Yes it was a great start and what a refreshing change and was it not great to see how Mayor Seiler kept the commission focused on the issues and the bigger picture !!!
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So far it looks and sounds like a "team effort" is emerging! How refreshing for a change.
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Thank you for the report Tim! I was counting on you, since I had to leave at 8pm. I experienced a room full of HOPE!
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Sounds as though it was a wonderful fresh beginning, however my gut feeling is that the beginning is only to get better. You watch & see!
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ahhh.... no Teel, no naugle, No Moore !
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Oh how I agree with you on this 100%.
Another term with these "idiots" we would have lost our city for sure.
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Wow! Mayor Seiler's off to a great start. Did anyone else notice a new sense of confidence and purpose in Commissioner Rodstrom?
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Rodstroom and Roberts were so dumb siding with the police union to avoid cameras! What do they have to hide Tim, maybe all the minority people they beat up before they lock them up. Roberts and Rodstroom are out of touch!
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Know what your talking about before you spout off. The camera's will cost taxpayers $4 million dollars. This money can be spent elsewhere where it is sorely needed. Like Sieler said, "We didn't have camera's for 98 years why do we need them now?"
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I can only take that Charlotte for 5 minutes. Is it me or has anyone else noticed how arrogant and rude she is? Constantly interrupts and never has anything meaninful to say. She also has 0 memory, she didnt even realize she wanted cameras in the cop cars before she just voted against them.
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Gerri,
Before she did not "want" cameras in the police cars. She approved the expense. There is a difference. Also, I think that Seiler made it clear in the meeting that both the old chief and the new chief felt that they were a luxury or a "want" instead of a "need". Seiler also made it clear in the meeting that this was a Gretsas want and not a law enforcement crime fighting need.
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I do not believe it is only you. I have noticed it a few times as well how arrogant & rude "Blondie" can be along with a few people that I have spoken too along the way.
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Yes! I was trying to be tactful when I said "confident and purposeful," which translated into realtalk, could be "rude and arrogant."
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