Brooksville City Council member, Joe Bernardini, has asked that a proposed civility code be placed on Monday night's agenda to help guide discourse for the city council members and the public at large. Mr. Bernardini was quoted in the Hernando Today as saying, "I think that's just a professional way of trying to alleviate a problem." What problem is that Mr. Bernardini? The little problem of masking any criticism for your actions, or those of your two peers, on the city council over the last several months? Aren't you actually trying to eliminate any scrutiny by the public for your abuse of city government since taking office in November?
Yes, the days of civility have gone by the wayside and somehow elected officials and government workers have forgotten they are, in an essence, civil servants with their primary purpose to serve the people in a civil, courteous manner. The city of Brooksville has come a long way, with most of us that assume a more mature, polite manner of communication is possible, but there is always room for improvement for everyone. Speaking as a community in general, it should be every one's common goal to be gracious and respectful of others, even in the heat of a debate, discussion or dispute.
Having said that, a resolution for a civility code within the city is only as good as the paper it written on, just like the city charter. This same city charter that has been violated twice in the past two months by Council members Bernardini, Bradburn and Pugh with the blessing of the city attorney, David LaCroix, to push their "new direction" for the city. Please keep in mind that Bernardini, Bradburn and Pugh originally voted to place Chief Tincher, Lt. Hankins and Ron Baker on administrative leave which was in direct violation of the city charter. The second violation of the charter occurred when Bernardini, Pugh, and Bradburn voted to underwrite any liability that may arise from the internal investigation by Mr. Farley, an unlicensed investigator, hired by the city. Their actions were in direct violation of the city charter which has a clause to indemnify the city against possible damage or loss, as a result of one's actions.
The question is, who will be in charge of instituting this civility code anyway? What happens when there is a perceived violation of this civility code? Will Ms Bradburn call Hernando County Sheriff's Department to have a deputy sit in on all future meetings to silence the public...
5 comments:
Silencing the public wouldn't be necessary if someone could just silence you! You're the only one with a negative one-sided approach to everything within the City that is really none of your business in the first place. That's why you don't have a job as a publicist with the local paper, because you only have rumors and opinions to voice.
Hernando County "A Positive Approach".... what a load of crap!
Thank you for your comments. FYI, I have a vested interest in the city of Brooksville as a business owner, so yes, I do consider it my right to speak out on issues in the city.
If everyone had the same opinion as you do, all public comment would be eradicated from our open form of government. One side-thinking, such as yours, without healthy debate, would ultimately leave our government services vulnerable to abuse.
As I stated, it should be everyone's goal to be respectful of others, even in the heat of the debate. Thanks again for your comments...
I agree with anonymous here. The blog is entitled "A Positive Approach" but all we ever see here are negative comments about the mayor and the other new council members. She obviously has a major axe to grind personally.
The other thing that bothers me is that both here and in the article in the paper. These aledged charter violations are spoken of in the absolute sense. I guess Ms Covell is far more qualified than a legal professional such as the city attorney in judging such matters.
Healthy debate is most certainly a good thing but you need to make people aware that these are your opinions and not necessarily fact.
Actually, if you a search back through this blog, I wrote several articles about the Mayor that were very flattering...
As for Ms. Bradburn, if you had checked her campaign contributions from the election, you would see that my name was included in the list (of contributions). I had high hopes for Ms. Bradburn but sure appears her personal grudges against some city employees are alive and well. It is really sad she has not matured in the last 10 years.
Mr. Bernardini actions need no explanation, they speak for themself...
As always, thank you for your comments.
I can name plenty of areas in here and in the paper recently where you have been less than "flattering" in your remarks towards our Mayor. Fortunately for everyone in the City, no one really listens to your opinions, they just read them for a good laugh once and a while.
I do have a question for you though. When are you going to comment on Mr. Lewis' statements made at the 03/19/07 council meeting? He sat behind his dais and tried to stir the pot, construing facts and making accusations towards our City Attorney trying to make him look less than perfect and untrustworthy in the eyes of the City. I forgot, Mr. Lewis is your friend, you wouldn't dare say something negative about him in your blogs would you?
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