Mayoral selection process not one to repeat
To the editor:
A front page article in The Breeze on Dec. 3 had comments from Mr. Burch saying that he would be using the same process as used for the selection of the Mayor. I was under the impression that would be a decision of the Council.
His comments regarding the process were “it went about as parliamentary as you could be, it went quite smoothly”! He further stated if a 3-2-2 votes comes up again during the District 1 appointment process that he will call a vote for another runoff. These statements defy logic, common sense and the facts surrounding the event.
Council members, I would humbly suggest that you stay as far away as possible from the “selection method” that was ultimately used for picking the mayor and inserted by Councilmember Donnell without following the rules previously established by the Council’s Vote. It was NOT a method that was voted on nor approved by the City Council. It was a method that was put into play by Councilmember Donnell alone in violation of the council’s express wishes and vote.
Please learn from the experience of that debacle. The city has been ridiculed in the newspapers; on TV and the radio for the way that selection was handled and has indeed cast a cloud on the position of mayor that will in all probability continue until the people get their say at the next election in November 2009.
Mrs. Bertolini said it correctly as to using that process for selecting the members of the Audit Committee, “not in my lifetime”! Council members, you need to be strong and insist on having the process be voted on and then proceed according to that vote and NOT allow anyone to deviate from it. If it is attempted, simply call a “Point or Order”! If anyone “calls the Question” it should not be allowed if there is anyone who has not yet offered their thoughts on the issue. Furthermore, it needs a 2/3 vote to pass, which would equate to 5 votes in favor and not just a simple majority, based on 7 Council members present on the dais.
Moreover, Citizens Input on this issue should be included on the agenda as provided for by Florida Statute.
Lynn Rosko
Cape Coral