Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Politicians are sometimes disingenuous

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And that's an understatement. They all think we're "stupider than squat" or want to make you as well as the public believe that, for asking a question or taking a different view.

dis·in·gen·u·ous

[dis-in-jen-yoo-uhs] 
adjective
lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere: Her excuse was rather disingenuous.

Last night, Vice Mayor Maxwell called me that because I asked them to admit to the debt already on the books as well as the unfunded liabilities.  He believes all of that is not attributed to the general fund and therefore it doesn't apply to anything...just not important.

We still owe the following:
  • $54,030,000.00 in principal and $11.8 million in interest for the 2004 Utility System Revenue bonds that won't be paid off until 2028 
  •  $6,809,683 on the reverse osmosis, on a loan agreement with the Environmental Protection Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund program that is not due to be paid off until 2031 plus another $1.8 million in interest.
  • $2,822,400 on the ECR bonds plus interest
  • If you go to page 87 in the C.A.F.R you will see the unfunded liabilities which are even more millions because this is through 2012.
Anyone can call someone a liar. That's easy to do. Maxwell is a master. In fact, politicians twist the facts all of the time to justify what they want. In this case, it was appropriating $50,000 of taxpayer money to use to promote their infrastructure bond that will be on the August 26th ballot. They want this to pass so badly that they get all choked up about it. By law, they can't advocate for a position inside a city building (they can educate the electorate) or so they want all of us pawns to believe. They can do anything it takes as long as the information is accurate just so long as they don't promote their position from the dais.  They can also leave out important details. After all, they DO represent all of the people, something they all "forget."

Read the Palm Beach Post article.  My quote was not entirely accurate but what I asked was the simple fact that by the commission voting to put it on the ballot in the first place, was not this advocacy? The public only gets two minutes to speak whereas they had an hour to pump it up.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just watched the video. Scott's girlfriend ran up there and turned in her card to speak while you were speaking. She sticks up for Scott at every opportunity. She knows what they're doing but these people are sooooooooooo disingenuous.

Anonymous said...

We either owe these amounts, debt listed, or we don't. How is it disingenuous to point out what we already owe, the amount that comes in and our shortfall?

These are important points, b/c the city says we will reduce bond amount as more tax payers come into the system. No way, no how will they reduce when you look all that is owed.

Lynn Anderson said...

They will never reduce it. In fact, they will end up refinancing it just like they always do and it will cost the taxpayers even more money. It is a "scam" on the system and we are all biting their deadly bullet. Everyone's property will be collateral for 30 years or more.....

Anonymous said...

disingenuous and unable to put politics aside. you did not mention one word about the flag project. you seem to always look for any chance to criticize but never mention good works.

Lynn Anderson said...

I don't have any information on the flag project. I am not on Mary Lindsey's mailing list.

I did go to the Flag Day ceremony...did you?

Anonymous said...

Flags are great, it is sad that we have to do fundraisers for flags for the city rather than cover these expenses like a normal city. But I'm glad people came together and contributed, as I did.

But what do flags have to do with the City using our money to advertise a huge tax increase on a small % of us. What do flags have to do with our debt and shortfall? I could spin it another way myself, with such daunting issues facing our fair city, perhaps instead of raising money for flags the neighborhoods should be asking people (especially those that pay nothing in taxes) to contribute towards a fund to improve our roads? Maybe if everyone committed to contributing the cost of a dinner out once a month to a roads fund (a voluntary assessment) then this improper unfair proposed tax hike wouldn't be necessary.

Lynn Anderson said...

What is sad is that there are a few who continue to divide this city. Many people would have contributed towards this flag project IF THEY HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT. So, all those who were informed get their name on a plaque!

But in the scheme of things, it is not that important.

I am sorry that life is unfair. Put the blame where it should be put--a terrible economy and a near broke city--a commission that just has to have all this money at once rather than doing a small borrowing at first. A city with no means for more grants in a city with 35% poverty. Do you think that poor people should be paying for this when they can't even afford a dinner out? Are we going back to Szerdi's "it's only a cost of a cup of coffee/hamburger" thing? Trust me when I say that the city will find a way to get the money. They put themselves in a big bind when they made that resolution to cut electric rates. We need that money right now. Look for the cost of services to go up especially if this bond fails. In that way, all of us will be hit with new tax with wealthy and poor paying the same rate in a city desperately in need of money.

And that will be fair to you.

Anonymous said...

Who gives a flying $uc what the Commissioners and Mayor think, anyway ?? They are up there to represent US ,not their own views. They should just vote on the issues, period.I am tired of them squabbling and wind-bagging it at every opportunity. They are not up there to change each others minds.The only people who are allowed to speak at a meeting should be we the people. Period.