Seiler Blunders
I'm a fan of Jack Seiler.
Seiler
He's one of those rare public servants that truly believes in serving the public, and he's been doing it quite capably for many years. And I've been impressed with his service as Mayor of Fort Lauderdale these last couple of months.
But last week he screwed up.
Here's what happened.
Earl Rynerson, who most of you will remember ran for the Mayor's seat against Seiler, received a letter to his business last week.
It was from Seiler's office, Seiler himself, ( on City stationary ) and it encouraged Rynerson, and other local businesses to advertise in a private business venture.
Now Rynerson has been on the war path against Jack for months, after coming in a distant third in the Mayor's race. His web site often seems bitter, and, in my opinion, flaky on many issues. But Seiler's letter gave Earl some valid ammunition to criticize him with this time.
Here's a link to Rynerson's site that included Rynerson's criticism of the letter, and the actual letter.
http://abetterftlauderdale.com/?p=246
Rynerson
Here's the problem.
The venture Seiler touts is being done by Dolph Map, a private company, but Seiler's letter glosses over that. The letter states that the City was "working" with Dolph to produce it. It says important City numbers and programs will be on the map. It explains that businesses could sponsor it, and that they should "not delay". It's called the official sounding Fort Lauderdale City Mapping Project.
The problem is, it is not a City endeavor, was not brought before the City Commission for public review and discussion, not competitively bid, not really associated with the City at all.
And to make matters worse, Rynerson ties the Dolph Map Company with contributions to Seiler's political campaign, and campaign signs that Dolph erected on their coveted Federal Highway location during the Mayor's race. Apparently, former Mayor Jim Naugle did the same thing for Dolph, which should have sent up a red flag for Seiler right there!
I don't believe there was anything sinister or nefarious in Seiler's actions, just a mistake he should admit to and move on.
Now that's the way I see it. But if I'm wrong, I have a back-up plan.
It's the Fort Lauderdale City Landscaping Guide. The publication, free to the public, will answers all questions about our local Fort Lauderdale landscapes. Since I'm a recognized expert in the field, it's a natural. The Guide will explain how to plant for droughts, what trees to plant, what City departments can help and how.
And of course, it will be quite profitable for me, having that introductory letter from the Mayor's office!
He's one of those rare public servants that truly believes in serving the public, and he's been doing it quite capably for many years. And I've been impressed with his service as Mayor of Fort Lauderdale these last couple of months.
But last week he screwed up.
Here's what happened.
Earl Rynerson, who most of you will remember ran for the Mayor's seat against Seiler, received a letter to his business last week.
It was from Seiler's office, Seiler himself, ( on City stationary ) and it encouraged Rynerson, and other local businesses to advertise in a private business venture.
Now Rynerson has been on the war path against Jack for months, after coming in a distant third in the Mayor's race. His web site often seems bitter, and, in my opinion, flaky on many issues. But Seiler's letter gave Earl some valid ammunition to criticize him with this time.
Here's a link to Rynerson's site that included Rynerson's criticism of the letter, and the actual letter.
http://abetterftlauderdale.com/?p=246
Rynerson
Here's the problem.
The venture Seiler touts is being done by Dolph Map, a private company, but Seiler's letter glosses over that. The letter states that the City was "working" with Dolph to produce it. It says important City numbers and programs will be on the map. It explains that businesses could sponsor it, and that they should "not delay". It's called the official sounding Fort Lauderdale City Mapping Project.
The problem is, it is not a City endeavor, was not brought before the City Commission for public review and discussion, not competitively bid, not really associated with the City at all.
And to make matters worse, Rynerson ties the Dolph Map Company with contributions to Seiler's political campaign, and campaign signs that Dolph erected on their coveted Federal Highway location during the Mayor's race. Apparently, former Mayor Jim Naugle did the same thing for Dolph, which should have sent up a red flag for Seiler right there!
I don't believe there was anything sinister or nefarious in Seiler's actions, just a mistake he should admit to and move on.
Now that's the way I see it. But if I'm wrong, I have a back-up plan.
It's the Fort Lauderdale City Landscaping Guide. The publication, free to the public, will answers all questions about our local Fort Lauderdale landscapes. Since I'm a recognized expert in the field, it's a natural. The Guide will explain how to plant for droughts, what trees to plant, what City departments can help and how.
And of course, it will be quite profitable for me, having that introductory letter from the Mayor's office!
To paraphrase Lord Acton: politics corrupts and absolute politics corrupts absolutely! Gremlin
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You are right Tim... Jack needs to admit he made a mistake. So far I believe he is an asset to the City.
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Interesting position for you to take on this, Tim! But some kind of ethical transgression on Seiler's part as Rynerson's email basically accuses him of? No way.
This is clearly 'much ado about nothing'...it's a long-established practice of 'city gets an updated map for free' situation...and as I understand it, the map thing may even predate Jim Naugle! It's also a typical example of public/private ‘contract publishing’ partnerships done all over the country and all over the world to provide, AT NO COST TO THE CITY OR TO THE PUBLIC, a valuable informational resource for residents and visitors that helps to promote Fort Lauderdale specifically (beyond the purview of the CV
By the way...it's not like these maps are some kind of 'money machine' that some supporter of Seiler is making significant profits by doing. Hell...if someone nets a profit AT ALL when doing something like this, it's meager at best! And that is first-hand experience...and exactly why I DON'T waste my own time trying publish advertising maps!
Personally and professionally, I thought Rynerson's email was way off base by accusing the Mayor of some kind of ethics breach here...and, in my opinion, has made himself look petty, jealous and vindictive rather than 'civic-minded'. And that’s a shame because that tends to denigrate the value and the credibility of the good ideas and suggestions he DOES occasionally have.
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You guys want to punish one Mayor but city records show that this has been a customary practice for longer than 25 years....several Mayors back. To single out this one is irresponsible.
If the method needs to be changed, perhaps now is the time, but to make it personal is very petty....especially since neither you Tim or Rynerson bothered to verify that it has been going on for so long....even during your terms Tim.
If you believe a competitive process is needed than that should be the proper approach but to imply that Seiler gains is just not true. Rynerson comes over as a bitter loser with an ax to grind and certainly isn't interested in dealing in fact.
The economy is bad all over and the city continues to look for business to help bail out the city's expected reduction in income. We can't have it both ways and in this case if you want to compete the proces, remember the cost to do that is again out of the city's funds (your and my pockets).
Next year open a dialog on the map but frankly we need every tourist we can get and spending any monies they are willing to part with and if our maps send them to local businesses...I for one say "good for us".
We have such very big issues facing us as a city. We have an ethics ordinance force by Naugle, Teel & Rodstrom that won't even let our electeds offer help to any charity or organization that has had their funding cut or is just in need of a higher profile individual that supports the cause.
Revise the existing ordinance to address the real subject and take out the petty stuff. We want our elected officials to help the public when they need it..let them do that! Now Earl...why don't you take a positive approach and come up with something than can have some meaning.
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it just doesn't pass the good smell test. I voted for Seiler and I hope he recants the offer.
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Tim:
Thanks for your comments on this matter -- I always appreciate and value your thoughtful input. However, I think it is important that your readers and bloggers get the full background on this issue.
In late March or early April, I was asked by Dolph Map to sign an "introductory letter of support" that the prior Mayor had signed. As you know, Dolph Map is a well known, locally owned business that has been here for decades and for generations.
Before signing the letter, I was told that the Dolph Map project provides a "free" Fort Lauderdale map to our residents, tourists and businesses, and I independently verified that fact.
Safeea (the Mayor's assistant) also confirmed for me that the prior Mayor had signed a similar letter for the free city map. (In fact, former Mayor Dressler also recalls signing a similar letter back in the 1980's).
Before signing the letter of support for the free city map, I then confirmed that there would be no cost, expense, or charge to the City; no City staff or resources would be utilized; and, no City postage, stationery, or envelopes would be used.
When I signed the letter of support for the free city map, it was simply a one page letter (there was no form on the page).
Dolph Map then picked up the executed letter of support, and that was the end of my, or the City's, involvement.
Quite simply, the City has not spent, and will not spend, any money on this map project. Further, I did not receive, and will not receive, any benefit from signing a letter of support for a free city map to be distributed throughout South Florida. However, Fort Lauderdale residents, visitors, and tourists will receive the benefit of a free city map at no expense to the City, and Fort Lauderdale businesses might receive some benefit during a very difficult economic climate.
If after reading these facts, and after reading George Q. Public's excellent response, you still believe that something wrong or improper was done, then I sincerely apologize. I was merely trying to promote our great City and provide free city maps at no cost to our City.
Best wishes.
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My opinion Jack, (Mayor Seiler) you did no harm, nor do you need to aplogoize for any wrong doing!
Promoting our city with "free city maps" where is the harm?
Ask me, "Duke of Earl" LOL ~ IS SIMPLY PISSED OFF THAT YOU WON & HE LOST IN THE ELECTIONS.
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I would have to agree that this is much ado about nothing.
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Thank You Tim for stating what you believe to be Right so many times. I feel some people want to be nice and understanding and do not want to hurt their relationship with someone in power, or because he is a nice person they want to stay on the Team.
Tim you have shown to me that you will see things for what they are. And when we do not, it is just not good for the long term growth of our City. I believe we have all made mistakes and will continue to make them from time to time and someone in Public Office must except View points from their constituents. I do not believe anyone that brings the issues to the Table should be labeled a Trouble maker or a sour loser or petty.
The City is Healthier when differences are heard and Expressed and made public on any topic large or small. That is why Tim Smith Blog and George Mihalu George Q. Public Blog and Earl Rynerson Better Fort Lauderdale Web Site and Cal Deal Fort lauderdale observer Web Site has made our City Better !!!!!
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My letter looked like it came from the City, so did the envelope. did the map company make them up without your knowledge Mayor? if so, seems like a crime has been committed.
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Tim ...I want to make it clear...... Mayor Seiler, you made a mistake and I would ask you to admit your over sight.
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Thank you, Tim, for being an independent thinker on this. (By the way, explain to me one of these days how I come across as bitter or flaky, I'll work on trying to minimize that. The only thing I'm bitter about is that swollen City budget we have...)
And for those who think I have an “ax to grind” with Jack, well, I don’t. I think he was doing a relatively reasonable job for his first two months (with the exception of approving the $300K to a consulting firm for another “study” for Riverwalk…). He speaks as though he understands the need to significantly cut the budget and I & many others are waiting to see what the final numbers look like for our new budget this fall. (I think it could reasonably be cut $150M without impacting City Services, but I'm afraid our Commission will wind up making less than $40M in reductions...)
And no, I don’t think Jack is “lining the pockets” of Dolph Map, even tho the Dolph family was a supporter of his. This project frankly isn’t that big of a deal to justify any kind of backroom antics.
However, I still have five concerns:
1: The letter mis-represented the facts. It was NOT a City Project. And Seiler signed the letter. Therefore, he misrepresented what the project was about. (Up until yesterday, I still thought it was an approved City Project.)
2: If it was not a City Project, then how could it have gone out on what appears to be City Stationary and sent out in a City envelope to make it look like it was? Did someone in the City approve this and give out a mailing list to Dolph?
3: Seiler says he signed the letter and doesn’t know what happened to it after that. This concerns me more than the other issues in that perhaps other things are going on without his knowledge…
4: He says other Mayors have done this in the past. That is no reason to continue doing something that’s wrong. More questions should have been asked by him before he signed that letter.
5: Finally, I believe that a City Ordinance specifically prohibits what Jack did: "No member of the city commission shall knowingly solicit or accept any donation for any third party from any person or entity that is
doing business with the city." Don't know if Dolph does business with the City now; I'm sure thay have in the past-
In summary, I think if he just acknowledges that he screwed up and is more diligent in the future, we can put this to bed.
Earl Rynerson
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Please explain to me why you stopped my Commissioner (Cindi Hutchinson) from collecting for admiral causes ( non profit), but the Mayor of the City can beat the bushes for a profit company?
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Mayor Seiler explains this in his answer above. I think his answer should put this to rest once and for all. This is much ado about nothing. Mayor Seiler was trying to promote the City as any Mayor or Commissioner should do. There was nothing improper here, and he "checked it out" before he wrote the letter in the first place. I believe if he had any doubt about doing it, he wouldn't have signed the letter. End of story.
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Tim Smith sits on Steve Kelly's editorial board. Steve Kelly and Earl were in bed together through the campaign. Tim just plays nice to you when you became the front runner. Did Tim ever publicly denounce all the lies Earl said about you? NO!
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OK- My 1st comment is to "resident"-you apparently are an insider,as you seem to know alot about the inner-workings of the city-perhaps you are Naugle...
If you have any integrity as a resident of the city, and have had knowledge of this practice happening for at least 25 years,why in the hell haven't you stood up against this injustice?
Yes, injustice it is, if one company-(perhaps one that has been feeding the campaign coffers of all the Mayors serving during those years) is the only one being offered this special treatment-profitable treatment at that!
Furthermore resident, you go on to say that Commissioner Smith had knowledge of it during his time in office.
I would be willing to bet that Smith did not know, because if he did,he would have not have kept silent about it-he has a legacy of standing up for what's right regardless of the backlash.
The bottom line is this- IT'S UN-ETHICAL, UNFAIR , and IN-EXCUSABLE behavior, and I am saddened to read the comments from those of you that think this is a trivial matter.
I can only hope that none of you aspire to become a politician, or a leader in the community for that matter.
Thanks Tim, for once again risking alot of %#!# to do the right thing
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Wrong - it doesn't take an "insider" to ask a question...I called the city directly and asked questions when Rynerson's report came out...something he should have done before writing his report - it would have given him more credibility and would have had some history and facts with it.
Secondly, I did not condone the practice but merely said if it needs to be changed then lets do it. Please don't assume you know what I think.
I did point out that city records show it was an on-going practice during Smith's terms of office (and going back to before Naugle) - I did not say he knew or participated but clearly a practice in place at the time. It was not a challenge to Smith or intended to slur him in any fashion but to just show that it was going in even during Tim's terms whether he was aware of it then or not. Would Tim have found issue with this then...I doubt it but would probably have suggested that the offer be extended to anyone wanting to do something like this. He hasn't indicated he found a problem with the practice today but just that it needs to be offered to all interested parties...the city as a whole benefits.
The intent here wasn't to make this trivial as you seem to imply but you should not be so quick to make it personal either. Seiler offered an apology "If after reading these facts, and after reading George Q. Public's excellent response, you still believe that something wrong or improper was done, then I sincerely apologize. I was merely trying to promote our great City and provide free city maps at no cost to our City." Now the City Attorney has weighed in saying it does not conflict with the Ethics Ordinance.
Seems that Seiler had no separate or personal agenda and I would expect regardless of the attorney's ruling, he will make sure a different method is used in the future. Unethical...I think that accusation is the unfair one.
Either way..Smith gave plenty of space and time to the issue and now has the chance to self promote and print his own landscape guide and could probably get a city encouragement letter too....that is what he indicated he might like....perhaps he can make it profitable and give it out to the city and public as well.
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much, much bigger issues to be concerned about. thanks for pointing it out, but lets move on and not get sullied by negativity. pull up the bootstraps and move forward with unity and strength! we all have much to do, together.
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Since you always have something to say....
Since you sit on the editorial board of Steve Kelly's papers, did those papers and Earl Rynerson spread outright lies about Seiler's residency and other matters during the campaign?
If so, why would you remain on the editorial board of a paper that engages in dirty politics since you have made it clear in your book and on here that you detest dirty politics?
No worries Tim, I doubt you will respond.
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.... I think you need some help with your bitterness toward Steve Kelley.... Our candidate (Seiler) won, and all of Kelley's candidates lost.... why don't you give it up ....ciao, Tim
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