Only motivation in ethics complaint filing was concern for city
To the editor:
I, Laurie Taylor, a resident of Cape Coral, filed a complaint with the State Ethics Commission against Mayor John Sullivan and Councilmember Bill Deile in reference to the 12/23/2010 special meeting of the City Council. No individual, group or party asked me to do this, supported me in doing this or had any prior knowledge that I was going to do this. I know it’s hard for many to accept that I acted alone, but I assure you I am quite capable of thinking and acting for myself. So from here on out leave all thoughts of collusion, pawns, and political motivation off the table.
Contrary to popular belief my complaint was not about bullying. One line in the complaint stated that Councilmember Deile and Mayor Sullivan used bullying tactics in an attempt to persuade the other members of council to settle the lawsuit now. or else. That was the only usage of the term bullying in the complaint. The true basis of the complaint is that I felt it was impossible to remain impartial when you are both Plaintiff and Defendant, as Councilmember Deile and Mayor Sullivan were, while sitting on the dais. There was absolutely no reason Mr. Deile and Mr. Sullivan could not present their case from the podium like any other citizen involved in a legal matter. It is my belief that they crossed the line when they argued their case as elected officials not regular citizens. That’s it, that’s all it was about.
I did not make any personal attacks, or call any names; I just stated what was said during the meeting. I watched the video from 12/23/10 several times, made notes, researched ethics statutes, made more notes and finally decided I needed to file. I have no personal vendetta against Mr. Deile and Mr. Sullivan. As elected officials, I don’t like their politics, but as individuals, I don’t know them, therefore I have no opinion. I am not running for elected office, or supporting anyone who is, therefore I have no political agenda. I am not a terrorist, member of a shadow government, nor am I a crackpot. I am simply a long- time resident of Cape Coral and I was concerned by their actions at that particular meeting. That’s it, nothing more, nothing less.
I never envisioned the attention this complaint has received. The complaint would not have been released to the public until it was dismissed or scheduled for hearing. Councilmember Deile and Mayor Sullivan chose to make the complaint public and immediately went on the attack. I also saw no need for the city to hire outside council, specializing in ethics complaints, at this early stage. Since this complaint never made it to the investigative stage what was there for an attorney to defend? As for pursuing me to repay the city for legal fees, that is well within their rights but with no malicious intent or knowledge of false statements I was well within my rights as a citizen to seek the commission’s opinion.
I hope that in the future our elected officials will be more mindful of the message they send when representing the people from the dais. You are there to speak for all of us, protect our rights and way of life, and represent us in a positive light. Common sense and good manners go a long way in getting people to trust and accept your representation. It’s time for all of us to come together to make Cape Coral the number one destination in SW Florida to raise a family, retire, start a business and enjoy life.
Laurie Taylor
Cape Coral