"No Crap Jack"
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler has had about enough of some of Fort Lauderdale's zaniest citizens.
Mayor Seiler
Local politics can be difficult, and stepping in as Mayor of Fort Lauderdale after 25 years of Jim Naugle must make it that much harder.
Naugle did little, but he did suffer his citizenry, regardless of their insane rantings. Naugle would smile, thank them for their input, and shake their hand (unless they were gay, then he'd do the above, but wash well afterwards!)
Seiler just can't do it.
The Sun-Sentinel reported today about a terse back and forth with beach Hi-Rise resident and anti-Hi-Rise activist Mel Rubenstein. To see that, read Brittany Wallman's blog at http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/02/mayor_seiler_to_beach_resident.html .
Now, Seiler has had about enough of Earl Rynerson, who unsuccessfully ran for Mayor against Seiler, and has made it his business to jab at Seiler at every turn. Here's what Jack wrote back to Rynerson supporter Ray Dettman this week.
....................................
"Earl's political website is always spreading false information about our City and our Commission, and you (along with 3 or 4 others) always forward his fiction to me. Quite simply, your friend is a frustrated former candidate for public office (losing and receiving 15% of the vote after spending a hundred thousand dollars of your own money will cause that frustration) and he has a bad habit of publishing incorrect, inaccurate, and misleading stories about our City. Most people know Earl's history and thus ignore his emails and website, but it seems there are still 4 or 5 of you who continue to follow him despite the facts.
Best wishes, and have a Super Sunday!"
.....................................
By my count, Fort Lauderdale has at least 100 or so more wingnuts - could be a long three - term run for Seiler!
Mayor Seiler
Local politics can be difficult, and stepping in as Mayor of Fort Lauderdale after 25 years of Jim Naugle must make it that much harder.
Naugle did little, but he did suffer his citizenry, regardless of their insane rantings. Naugle would smile, thank them for their input, and shake their hand (unless they were gay, then he'd do the above, but wash well afterwards!) Seiler just can't do it.
The Sun-Sentinel reported today about a terse back and forth with beach Hi-Rise resident and anti-Hi-Rise activist Mel Rubenstein. To see that, read Brittany Wallman's blog at http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2010/02/mayor_seiler_to_beach_resident.html .
Now, Seiler has had about enough of Earl Rynerson, who unsuccessfully ran for Mayor against Seiler, and has made it his business to jab at Seiler at every turn. Here's what Jack wrote back to Rynerson supporter Ray Dettman this week.
....................................
"Earl's political website is always spreading false information about our City and our Commission, and you (along with 3 or 4 others) always forward his fiction to me. Quite simply, your friend is a frustrated former candidate for public office (losing and receiving 15% of the vote after spending a hundred thousand dollars of your own money will cause that frustration) and he has a bad habit of publishing incorrect, inaccurate, and misleading stories about our City. Most people know Earl's history and thus ignore his emails and website, but it seems there are still 4 or 5 of you who continue to follow him despite the facts.
Best wishes, and have a Super Sunday!"
.....................................
By my count, Fort Lauderdale has at least 100 or so more wingnuts - could be a long three - term run for Seiler!
Some of those complainers should be told off even stronger in my opinion. Thank God Jack has the fortitude to do so.
Reply to this
Two things about this bother me. 1) if you know Ray, he writes only what he believes and 2) while I don't always agree with the way Earl Rynerson says things, his source is mostly public records that he is required to pay for in order to receive. Clearly, he less concerned about the money than sound, long-term fiscal policies by our elected public officials. My call to Mayor Seiler: if Rynerson has published inaccurate, incorrect information, please tell us specifically what information from him falls under that heading. Generic accusations, don't enlighten any of us.
Reply to this
I think Seiler's response was a breath of fresh air in our world of political correctness. Earl and Mel are anti-fort lauderdale and only wish to push their own self serving agendas. I think its going to be a long three years for clowns like this who have been placated despite their anti fort lauderdale views for so long they grew to have some belief of entitlement and power.
I would expect nothing less than a shot at Seiler from you Tim. We all know you played nice nice with Seiler while secretly supporting Earl and Steve Kelly. Were you not on the masthead of Kelly's paper when it was spreading terrible lies about Seiler?
Reply to this
Whoa there dude- I saw no reference to "a shot" at Seiler in Tim's piece- your defensive response indicates to me that you know deep in your heart it is wrong of Jack to stoop to such low behavior.
I feel that the Mayor should be held to a higher standard,and not publicly criticize any of his constituants,regardless of how absurd some of them can be.
He is playing their childish game by even taking the time to respond to their rantings- but then again,Seiler has never been able to handle any kind of criticisim-constructive or other.....
Reply to this
From: "Earl Maucker"
To: aseitz2690@aol.com
Cc: melftl@comcast.net, jseiler@fortlauderdale.gov, rrogers@fortlauderdale.gov, broberts@fortlauderdale.gov, bdubose@fortlauderdale.gov, cerodstrom@aol.com, "Antonio Fins"
Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 6:01:28 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: RE: Free Advertising
Hello Mr. Rubenstein
First let me assure you that we do not edit this newspaper based business or political influences. Regarding the W hotel, I don’t know the general manager, I have no idea if they even advertise in our newspaper (editorial is independent of advertising), and I haven’t even been in the facility.
However, the hotel it has been a legitimate news story. We make no apologies for occasional coverage which we believe to be of community interest. The recent story about clubs and entertainment venues moving to Broward County was also of legitimate interest. Whether we like it or not, many in the entertainment business are looking at Broward in general and Fort Lauderdale in particular as an alternative to South Beach and we rightly reported on that.
Having said all that, I will pass your letter on to our editorial page editor who will consider your letter for publication.
We do respect your point of view, but resent the inference that we are somehow selling out to business or political interests. It doesn’t work that way and hasn’t in the 30 years I’ve been involved with this company.
Sincerely,
Earl Maucker
From: aseitz2690@aol.com [mailto:aseitz2690@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 5:13 PM
To: Maucker, Earl
Cc: ASeitz2690@aol.com
Subject: Fwd: Free Advertising
Please publish Mr. Rubenstein's letter.
Art Seitz, 1905 N. Atlantic Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33305
954 563 0060
Mr. Maucker
I've just seen the letter that Mel Rubenstein sent you regarding the W Hotel on the Fort Lauderdale Beach, and wanted to thank you for standing up to Mel's accusation that you and your paper were somehow " on the take" for the W. I wanted to make sure you knew who Rubenstein was and why he would charge you with such false and malicious actions.
Rubenstein is one of the main leaders of the small, but vocal "beach residents who live in gigantic buildings who oppose any other gigantic buildings - club". In civic circles, they're often called BANANAS (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone).
Rubenstein's view of the ocean was altered after the incredibly beautiful W was built and he is offended. What he fails to see is that his building blocked ocean views of others when it was built.
The "vision" of the Fort Lauderdale Beach and it's future plans are a very important discussion for the City, but to those like Mel living in glass houses, irony seems to prevail.
thanks, Tim Smith
Reply to this
I find it amusing that some of our more vocal civic wannabes are fine with issuing derogatory, offensive and insulting comments about the policies and leadership of our elected officials ...but when they get slapped back with criticism (mostly deserved), they cry 'Foul!' and try to deny our elected officials the right to even respond to them.
Fair's fair, folks...this isn't a one-way street where the wackos are the only ones allowed to spout off and everyone else has to sit back and abide their insults and derision. If you want to be 'on the stage' you'd better be prepared to deal with the criticism of your comments, ideas and actions, just the same as you'd welcome the acclaim.
Reply to this
Tim:
As you know, we live in the greatest city in the world. Fort Lauderdale is a wonderful place to live, work, play, and raise a family, and I am privileged and honored to serve our public as Mayor.
The vast majority of our residents and businesses care deeply about this City and want to make it better, and I welcome their input, feedback, and support.
In fact, since last year, I have had the pleasure of working with numerous volunteers, civic leaders, neighborhood activists, business leaders, etc., who are truly committed to making our City the best place possible, and I have learned much from all of them.
I routinely receive emails complaining about something or another in the City and, as the Mayor, I try to respond and act accordingly. Most times, the complaint is valid and we work to resolve the complaint. Often, I will ask the complainant to assist us in finding a solution to the problem and that approach has generally been successful, too. Very rarely, but occasionally, I get a complaint that I feel is not valid and, in those instances, I will defend our City against cheap, unsupported, or unsubstantiated attacks. Perhaps I get a little passionate in my defense of our great City and, for that, I apologize to anybody who is offended.
In closing, I hope that your readers and bloggers will continue to send me their thoughts, comments, suggestions, recommendations, and criticisms. With their constructive input, we will all work together for the benefit of Fort Lauderdale.
Thanks, and best wishes!
Reply to this
You ask for imput, well here it is. Whether Chief Adderley interfered with an investigation or NOT "Rothstein" it showed incredible stupidity. Ft. Lauderdale cannot afford that type of ignorance. The people of this city, this state and this country are tired of anything that even smells of impropriety and the Chief just keeps getting mired down in it. Mayor, do you think if "Joe Blow" got into the same situation we could actually make a call to you or the Chief and he or You be on the scene in minutes? This Chief has the people of Ft. Lauderdale shaking their heads and asking themselves how do scumbags and thieves warrant the type of "special considerations" that revolve around men like Rothstein? How many others in this city rate "special" treatment at the expense of the taxpayer? For Ft. Lauderdale police to do an investigation that clears the Chief, then have FDLE come in and re-open it certainly gives one pause for thought that taxpayers are paying to chase their tails on this issue. In as much as it may sound I am out for blood here, your wrong. If you think the Chief can keep his head down, and let the citizens read a few high profile takedowns and hope it will all be forgotten, your wrong on that also. In as much as Chief Adderley may be a likable guy, "we are reading alot of that lately" he obviously isnt Chief Material at this juncture. You want thoughts, comments, suggestions, recommendations? Here is one. Start looking for a new Chief. Chief Adderleys subordinates take their cues from their superiors and the people of Ft. Lauderdale cant afford that type of influence and turmoil surrounding such a high profile position. It gives every citizen a bad taste in their mouth and we have enough of that just getting up in the morning trying to keep roofs over our heads.
Reply to this
"100 wingnuts" Tim? Well The Declaration of Independence had 56 "wingnuts" as signatories. "All progress is the result of the unreasonable man" (G.B. Shaw). Did they love America less because they opposed business as usual? Or do the folks who spend the time and money to research and raise their voices like Mel Rubenstein or Earl Rynerson hate Fort Lauderdale? If they hated Fort Lauderdale, they would move or at the very least say nothing and certainly wouldn't spend the time speaking in public, running websites, blogging or e-mails. I don't support everything they say or they way they say it. Far from it. But I do support their 1st Amendment right to speak up. That's why I'd like to see Mel back at CBA meetings. "100 wingnuts"? Hmmm. Is that with you in, or out Tim? Just 67 votes made all the difference in District 1. Perhaps it's time to start listening, rather than putting down what may reflect deeper silent wells of opinion.
I'm always on my guard when anyone raises the flag to silence dissent.
Reply to this
C J Beck Thank You I would say you are a wise-man and I consider myself a wingnut and I am proud of It.
Reply to this