The George Gretsas Story - A Greek Tragedy
If you follow local politics, ever, last night's Commission meeting was not one to miss!
Fort Lauderdalians had been waiting months to find out the fate of the controversial City Manager George Gretsas.
Though all the details weren't ironed out about his future as City Manager last night, one thing is for sure - Gretsas had a very bad night.
feeling the pain
At first, things seemed to be going George's way. The assembled crowd of citizens were overwhelming in their support of Gretsas. Some even coined it a " Gretsas love fest". One favorable commenter even compared the vibes to Woodstock!
But then the hammer dropped!
First in line was Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, Gretsas's most outspoken critic.
She blasted Gretsas, and then, in a "smoking gun" type moment, produced 18 employment contracts that she said Gretsas had signed shortly before the new Commission was sworn in. The contracts gave Gretsas a dastardly edge. It allowed Gretsas to "fire" those 18 employees, but in doing so award long expensive severance packages to them. Gretsas could cause the City some financial pain before he were let go.
Charlotte's "smoking gun"
Then it was Commissioner Bruce Roberts' turn. In a blistering attack, Roberts, who has had a long and not so pleasant relationship with Gretsas, moved to not extend Gretsas's contract, and the motion was seconded by Rodstrom.
Roberts - "off with his head!"
Not so fast, cried out Gretsas's Commissioner supporters, Rogers and Dubose. Both sang praises of Gretsas and seemed at times perplexed, and other times angry with their colleagues.
Dubose Rogers
And then there was Jack !
As expected, the vote was two-two. Mayor Seiler would be the swing vote.
No one knew what Jack would do, not even Jack. But as he sat listening to two of his colleagues's fervent opposition to the Manager, Seiler decided he could not offer Gretsas another three year contract. He explained that it was Gretsas's job to make a believer out of Rodstrom and Roberts, and he had failed to do so. The friction left behind could be crippling.
Seiler lectures the Manager
In one of the most open and transparent displays of political discourse I've ever witnessed, Seiler publicly told Gretsas he shouldn't have pushed for a three year contract -
- "didn't I tell ya George? didn't I tell you this morning not to go for the three or nothing approach?"
Gretsas could only manage a weak "yes, you did". Seiler added that he had told Gretsas to get his support out to the meeting, do what he could.
The meeting ended with a decision to discuss Gretsas's future with the City at a future City Commission conference meeting, now that his contract had been officially "non renewed". Gretsas has another ten months left on his current contract, and the door was left open (though just a tad) for a reconciliation down the road.
Gretsas could not be reached for comment.
Stay tuned ! ........... Tim P.S. thanks to Cal Deal and Art Seitz for the great pictures!
Fort Lauderdalians had been waiting months to find out the fate of the controversial City Manager George Gretsas.
Though all the details weren't ironed out about his future as City Manager last night, one thing is for sure - Gretsas had a very bad night.
feeling the pain
At first, things seemed to be going George's way. The assembled crowd of citizens were overwhelming in their support of Gretsas. Some even coined it a " Gretsas love fest". One favorable commenter even compared the vibes to Woodstock!
But then the hammer dropped!
First in line was Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, Gretsas's most outspoken critic.
She blasted Gretsas, and then, in a "smoking gun" type moment, produced 18 employment contracts that she said Gretsas had signed shortly before the new Commission was sworn in. The contracts gave Gretsas a dastardly edge. It allowed Gretsas to "fire" those 18 employees, but in doing so award long expensive severance packages to them. Gretsas could cause the City some financial pain before he were let go.
Charlotte's "smoking gun"
Then it was Commissioner Bruce Roberts' turn. In a blistering attack, Roberts, who has had a long and not so pleasant relationship with Gretsas, moved to not extend Gretsas's contract, and the motion was seconded by Rodstrom.
Roberts - "off with his head!"
Not so fast, cried out Gretsas's Commissioner supporters, Rogers and Dubose. Both sang praises of Gretsas and seemed at times perplexed, and other times angry with their colleagues.
Dubose Rogers
And then there was Jack !
As expected, the vote was two-two. Mayor Seiler would be the swing vote.
No one knew what Jack would do, not even Jack. But as he sat listening to two of his colleagues's fervent opposition to the Manager, Seiler decided he could not offer Gretsas another three year contract. He explained that it was Gretsas's job to make a believer out of Rodstrom and Roberts, and he had failed to do so. The friction left behind could be crippling.
Seiler lectures the Manager
In one of the most open and transparent displays of political discourse I've ever witnessed, Seiler publicly told Gretsas he shouldn't have pushed for a three year contract -
- "didn't I tell ya George? didn't I tell you this morning not to go for the three or nothing approach?"
Gretsas could only manage a weak "yes, you did". Seiler added that he had told Gretsas to get his support out to the meeting, do what he could.
The meeting ended with a decision to discuss Gretsas's future with the City at a future City Commission conference meeting, now that his contract had been officially "non renewed". Gretsas has another ten months left on his current contract, and the door was left open (though just a tad) for a reconciliation down the road.
Gretsas could not be reached for comment.
Stay tuned ! ........... Tim P.S. thanks to Cal Deal and Art Seitz for the great pictures!
Mayor Seiler is a Statesman Thank You !!!!
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Congratulations to Mayor Seiler! Despite the "love fest," he stayed with his principles and political expertise.
And good for those who spoke in opposition to renewing Mr. Gretsas' contract, in the middle of all that organized praise. Where were all those City employees who have complained for years? Were they afraid to speak up? Another telling sign.
Thanks to Commissioners Rodstrom and Roberts, too, for their preparedness and research.
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Commissioner Rodstrom is the best commissioner ever, she is there for the people and she is one person that will never be corrupted, that is why she didn't want Gretses there any longer, she will always do the right thing. Nice to know she is not standing alone like she has in the past.
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Well its always nice to know Raymond Dettman (Our resident smoke blower) was at the meeting and praising the wonderful job Gretsas has done for the people...Here are Gretsa's examples,
Hold a secret meetings with his underlings and promise no budget cuts!
Weed out city employees of which 75% don't even live in the city and tally their loyalty.
Remind these employees that their jobs are owed to Gretsa's and no other reason.Gretsas Loyalist will pack the meetings, line up to speak on behalf of George Gretsas and will try to shout down anyone who may have a different opinion about our City Manager.
Hey Dettman, exactly what do you owe the Great Gretsas? The city managers job is not one I would envy, but this guy has garnered more disdain than any other manager of memory..Oh and what was last nights big argument? Reserves, oh yea Reserves..Reserves for planting and maintaining non native species thru all the mediums in town, while the Utility companies are shoving it up our backsides. Reserves umm to pay the attorneys those extended high dollars for Police Misconduct suits, Reserves???To pay off those recent 18 employee contracts he figured he would hold over our heads. Reserves that may need to be covered that he has been unable to account for over 3 Million dollars in Federal monies from HUD..Reserves that the Waterworks project is currently over budget. Reserves..that he probably plans to weasel out of the taxpayer for his severance pay after some legal wrangling. But its always the thing I can count on with Raymond Dettman though, the first guy in line to take money out of your mouth..
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To clarify, Ray Dettmann spoke against the City Manager. I know, I was there. I supported renewing his contract.
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Dennis are you crazy? Supporting to renew his contact....
Always thought you had more brains.
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Valigator...are you sure you watched Dettman speaking. He was AGAINST Gretsas, not for him.
It seems maybe you've mistaken Ray Dettman for someone else..Ray was no holds barred against renewing Gretsas' contract.
Watched, listened and I think Tim will concur.
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Yes, Valligator....this is exactly how untrue political viewpoints come to be. Your apology is apreciated.
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My mistake, and no I wasnt there, it was told to me by someone who must have misinterpreted . I apologise for the mix up.
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For anyone to think that last night's vote was not predetermined would be naive at best. Bruce Roberts ran with the explicit purpose of firing George Gretsas, and Charlotte Rodstrom has been against George since day one because, well, probably because John told her it would be good politics. Jack Seiler knew this, and for him to say that George started out with 5-0 support and that he needed three others before he would agree to allow George to stay is fooling no one and is disingenuous at best. Moreover, Jack said over and over again throughout the campaign that he was making "no personnel changes" and people relied on that promise when they voted for him. Many of his supporters filled the room last night and were stunned by his vote, but I wasn't. The reality is that the police and fire union have been very clever in advancing their pieces across the game board. Their queen (Charlotte) was already in position, their king (Bruce) was an expensive but necessary victor who they needed to close in; and finally, Jack Seiler, who looked like nothing less than their pawn last night, payback for their aggressive handling of his campaign. It was embarrassing for him as he stumbled to find a reason to vote against George. His alleged e-mailers who supposedly buried him with anti-George comments apparently abandoned him and ducked for cover, because they knew they were in the minority, that they were wrong, and were afraid to show their faces. When I spoke and realized that Jack could not look at me in the eye I knew the die was cast and a deal was cut. All one had to do is witness our own Madame duFarge (Judy Stern), sitting quietly in the audience, counting heads, savoring her win. I must commend the police and fire union for their patient and deliberate approach to seizing power and taking control of our city commission. It was George Gretsas who stepped in and told the police to stop targeting the gay and black community from the ambitions of the renegade element that exists within their ranks. Instead, they attacked him for micromanaging and interfering with their work. It was George Gretsas who held the line on pay and pension benefits, yet they said he disrespected them and didn't treat them as equals. The charges leveled by Bruce and Charlotte were so lame that they needed to huff and puff to make them sound real. It was a shameful night that the voice of the people was ignored, and that the dedicated work of so many of our city staff, especially George and his senior management, were so denigrated. We should be rejoicing in the success they have created for us. Is this the town that always seemed so happy and fun-loving?? Last night, it appeared less like Ft. Lauderdale, and more like Nuremberg. The conduct by Charlotte, Bruce and Jack was a shameless rebuke of the people's will.
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Sounds Dean that you were a supporter of Georgie boy, & that you are not happy that he is no longer....
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Dean, What a drama queen, are you kidding me! The reason so many detractors of Gretsas were not there was because believe it or not, some, like me were at work, some were too intimidated to speak out (city workers), and by Jack's own words, he told Gretsas to "round up his supporters". I would say the room was stacked to show support and drown out the MAJORITY of people who don't. Did you notice that most of the supporters were beach/rio vista,residents, businesses etc? Why, because George spends most of his time paying attention to those people. District II, your old district, especially progresso village and the sistrunk corridor, have NOT benefited from King George, HE has NOT made life better there, crime continues to be a problem, no development, no hope. But what did you do for these areas while you were commissioner? NOTHING, the place is still an eyesore,blighted and crime ridden. Where is the developement and promises that things were going to get better when you were commissioner? It has ONLY somewhat improved since Charlotte took over. And now that there is a new commission, a new police chief, and hopefully a new City Manager who will pay attention to ALL of Ft. Lauderdale, not just the wealthiest tax base. Charlotte and Bruce, stood up for change and now starting with your removal, (actually i think you quit?) and down the line to new commissioners and now a new city manager, FINALLY momentum will carry forward not be stuck in the past. Stick to being the mediocre lawyer you are and stay out of politics.
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If we are to avoid a Sequel to last night's epic (shorter contract offer), the commission needs to draw up a candidate list of people equipped to hit the ground running July 2010. One blogg suggests our very own homeboy Tim Smith. Yesterday afternoon, the mayor said he wanted Smith to head up the Centennial Taskforce; whatever form that might take. Seems Tim Smith is flavor of the month. He certainly knows where the bodies are buried and should prove a good consensus builder. He's not a guy to overstay his welcome either. He's good interim bet to see us through the next two or three years. He may not have a certificate in urban administration, but then most readers don't have one to prove their sanity either. No what Tim does have is the experience in the trenches. Why he would want to take on such a thankless task when he has his Georgia Hotel is up to him. Pay can be linked to performance, but we shouldn't short change him. You can bet he's blushing now, and hesitating to run this comment. But Tim loves this city and wants the best for it, so embarrassment aside, if he believes he's up to the task of executing the Commission's policy then why not?
Want to throw your hat in the ring Tim?
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Man hat off to Rodstrom, & Roberts for coming forward. Also to Jack for breaking the tie vote! I knew my gut feeling was going to be correct. Bye-bye Georgie....
Shame we have to keep him until August though.
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Love the pix of Georgie. Reminds me of Grandpa on the Adams Family....
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I normally don't respond to comments but dean has forced me to. Dean remind me please if we if If we are a union who targets the groups you mention then why did you interview for our endorsement? And why did you personally tell me that we "will pay" for not endorsing you? When you can answer those two simple questions then maybe people would respect you.
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George finally got a taste of his own medicine. I can't believe Dean was so in love with this guy. Dean, you Naugle and the other commissioners were Grestsas' boss, not vice versa. It was your responsibility to set policy and his to carry out that policy. You created this monster, then failed to keep him under control. You all allowed him to bring in his thug friends, The White Plains Mafia. He was allowed to put David Hebert inside the police department to keep tabs on the chief and everyone else. Hebert has absolutely no clue on police management. He was a pipeline to King George. Unfortunately the public had no idea of George's dictatorial style of managing. I can't tell you how many times during contract negotiations George would tell me, "If you don't like it, I'll bring in BSO." My reply was, bring in BSO, the commission will fire you in a heartbeat, because the citizens don't want them. Do you all get the idea why so many employees hated coming to work every day. It had nothing to do with the breakdown in contract negotiations, but everything to do with being treated like dog crap by Gretsas, Naugle, Moore, & Teel.
George got his feelings hurt when the FOP ratified the contract 1-0, then had a no confidence vote by it's members including police managers. The last straw with the chief was when George called the chief into his office and ordered Chief Roberts to demoted FOP President, Sgt. Jack Lokeinsky back to patrol officer and transfer him to midnight shift. Bruce stood his ground and refused this improper order. Bruce returned to his office and typed his letter of resignation that very same morning. Again no one in the public knows about this because, Bruce was respectful to his boss, even up to the bitter end. I could go on and on and give more examples but spacing prevents this. Good riddens JERK!!!
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