The same old song different day
To the editor:
It is interesting how the city releases information that brags about how much money they made on the 7 Islands or previously known as the 7 Sisters. The city fails to disclose that information along with the lost tax money, water and sewer assessments as well as lot mowing fees not paid since 2012.
The city paid $13.2 million dollars for total 652 acres as part of the purchase that included 7 Islands. I still contend that that purchase violated city ordinances and Florida State Statutes.
Consider:
Ordinance 2-152 Appraisal of Property. There was no appraisal, just a statement of value.
Ordinance 2-153 Disclosure, which did not comply.
Ordinance 3-01 The city may exercise any power except those expressly prohibited by law. That purchase was a violation of the city charter.
Article VIII 2 (b) of the Florida Constitution limits the powers of municipalities to the performance of municipal functions, the rendering of municipal services and for municipal purposes.
The acting city manager issued a $1.5 million check without authorization of council. SOSDD.
FS 256.025 (6) (B). This requires an appraisal by a state-certified appraiser. All the city had was a statement of value slapped together on a weekend in 2012 just before the land was purchased at auction.
There were many other violations and irregularities related that transaction which are too numerous to mention. I have copies of city ordinances and the Florida State Statutes as they existed at the time.
John Sullivan
Former mayor, Cape Coral