Dr. Marsha Matson, Village Council, District 3, reveals how low Palmetto Bay Officials have sunk in denying transparency and access to government. All detailed in a shocking email of 9-30-2021 to the village manager.

When did it become a rule that elected members of the Village Council cannot hold a town hall meeting? This is outrageous. There was a time that Palmetto Bay was known for its Town Hall meetings and public access. My blog list 50 entries for blog posts involving Town Hall meetings (CLICK HERE to view a link to the 50 articles).

I speak as one of the founders of the Village of Palmetto Bay, as well as having the honor of serving as Mayor for 12 years, in stating that Dr. Matson has the right – and all members of the Village Council have the responsibility – to engage our fellow residents in town hall and other public meetings.  A critical purpose of town hall meetings is for officials to hear the community's views on issues of public importance. Residents have the right to hear from their officials as well as address them in a public setting.  

Who authorized the current mayor and manager to shut down town hall meetings? I missed any resolution or other official action implementing such a policy against transparency.

There have been no specific rules or guidelines for holding a town hall meeting and certainly there are no bars within the Village Charter or any ordinances to holding such meetings.

There should have been, and there should be, town hall meetings on topics including the ongoing 87 avenue bridge issue (the negotiations on the interlocal agreement), the 136 Street multi-path, budgets and so many other issues.

I am shocked and dismayed at the level of bickering and lack of civility that is ongoing within the current Palmetto Bay administration – I have reviewed the email of Dr. Marsha Matson, Council Member, District 3. I simply cannot understand why she has been cornered into this situation.

The behavior and resistance detailed in the email is unfortunately consistent with other behavior of this administration, led by the current mayor and village council members. I have 250 articles posted relating to transparency, many critical of what I view as a total lack of information available to the residents, not only in terms of public Town Hall meetings, but also being shut out to access to public records.

This government in sorely lacking in transparency, openness and accessibility when residents don't have access to the most basic information on what is going on in the Village and what the Council is doing.

A simple view of the Village Agenda Center demonstrates that NO meeting minutes, not a single set for minutes, has been posted online for any Village Council meeting held in 2021, 2020 and only four (4) for the meetings held in 2019. These meetings are limited to: January 7, 2019, 2 sets for the regular council meeting as well as the special council meeting of February 4, 2019, and May 21 (all not posted until November 5, by the way).

I have stated that transparency is dead in Palmetto Bay. Council Member Dr. Matson provides even greater insight as to how far this Village has sunk in withholding information and public access from residents.

Palmetto Bay residents should have full access to information. It is time for a movement to return to a transparent and accessible government in Palmetto Bay.