The revolving door issue in Lake Worth is different than the typical "revolving door" where people run for office and go into government service in order to win the corporate lottery, you know, the "free lunch." They go into public service to use their time in office to do what they need to do to appeal to contractors, developers, and other companies that do business with local governments.
Do you ever wonder why there are ALWAYS cost over-runs--why there are always no-bid contracts? Just pay more attention to the Consent Agenda this year and you will see what I am talking about. Usually when these folks get out of their plushy government job or elected position, they are much wealthier than when they first entered but some of them are into pay-to-play while on the job. Don't think that Lake Worth is immune.
But I'm not talking about that revolving door; that's another story. This is about the door itself and city managers.
Former city manager Susan Stanton, because of security issues, installed a door to her office along with a lock. She had received threats from some of the citizenry. She had received verbal threats from one or two of the vocal public entering her chambers and threatening her as well as raising their voices. One side of politics was screaming that anarchists were taking over and some bought into the bull and got all in a tizzy. Because of the recent gun law in Florida, it was time to get security at our City Hall in the areas causing the most concern: the city manager's office and the offices of the elected officials. I mean, they are the ones making dumb moves.
The former Commission agreed to her installing security measures for her and their safety. Then once the majority changed on the dais, Vice Mayor Maxwell demanded that Stanton get rid of the door or the lock and the new commission agreed. The idea was to have a friendlier city hall and more of an open door policy. She had the door removed the very next day. Now, just a few weeks later, the new commission had the door re-installed. Why? For security reasons.
At least we had an explanation as to why the commission re-installed the door. We had no explanation when they decided to remove the city manager and once again take months of time and oodles of money to scrutinize all the recycled resumes of past city managers who got kicked out of their jobs in order to hire a new recycled one here in Lake Worth. An explanation for an inanimate object was more important that an explanation for an animate one.
The cycle continues on and the revolving door to the city manager's office is always swinging.
This idea of security for our elected officials and staff have not always been here. What.... just since 911 when Islamic Extremists bombed our Pentagon? Therefore we must extrapolate that to all government building that house our employees are now threatened?
ReplyDeleteAt the county level we have to go through metal detectors with armed security at the door. City of West Palm Beach thinks itself so important that it must have the same as the county.
Boynton is trying to keep up and you must surrender your drivers license to the front desk to enter city hall.
Some of our local municipalities adopt a more friendly attitude toward us peons who are required to pay for all this high tech stuff.
So is the security of our officials and staff directly related to the size of our population or the way we treat our employees?
My humble opinion..... the security that was re-installed, meaning staff can lock the back area when they leave so that people cannot roam around the back offices is fine. But key-pad entry was and is unnecessary.
This goes back to SS's proclamation that "this is my house". No it's not.... it is our house. You simply occupy it for as long as we allow you to. SS's removal of the door was not what was asked for and she overreacted due to the attitude of the new majority and she was starting to reading the writing on the wall (that previously showed local young artist's talent).
Almost every action we take now must reflect our fear that someone will "open fire" or "Threaten" to do bodily harm. Step back and ask yourself... Have the "terrorists" won?
She was given a choice by Maxwell--remove the lock or remove the door. As the city manager knows who her bosses are, she removed the door. If there is no one in those offices at night especially when the public are mingling around, it is best to lock the door.
ReplyDeleteThe terrorist have not won but that doesn't mean that we should slack off and not protect ourselves to the fullest.
Thank you. We shouldn't have to put up with politics every few years or so and find a new city mgr.
ReplyDeleteThank god the swinging door hit Stanton on her backside on her way OUT!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone told you lately that you are a complete jack***????
ReplyDeleteI think with the new State law that does not allow local municipalities to limit guns in any public space, it makes sense to be concerned about security. People are often upset or emotional or excited when at city hall, disputing decisions, disputing fines, trying to get a permit. There have been enough incidints around Florida and the country for elected officials and public officials to be concerned.
ReplyDelete"People are often upset or emotional or excited when at city hall, disputing decisions, disputing fines, trying to get a permit. "
ReplyDeleteSo by that reasoning, the rest of us have to pay untold millions of dollars (collectively) to make a few public servants feel more secure. Seems to me that people go off their rocker in post offices, auto repair shops, office buildings and many other types of establishments. People get upset all the time. I'd love to be present when someone pulls a weapon to threaten someone else because he's having a bad day. His day would suddenly become much worse.
Just remember, when seconds count, the sheriff is just minutes away.
Stanton didn't like PBSO either.
ReplyDeleteThat is another INCORRECT statement. You are very good at that. Stanton liked PBSO. She had no problem with their services. It was the cost of those services, pensions, etc. and the fact the city no longer had any control over it.
ReplyDelete