Fact checking Palmetto Bay's Social Media - The truth is revealed in a court filing - your voice doesn't matter!

You can learn a lot from reviewing court cases involving the Village of Palmetto Bay. The truth is out and Palmetto Bay has admitted that it it conducts livestreams on Facebook, that they receive comments from viewers in real time,  but that it has no employee, agent, or assign reviewing or monitoring these comments in real time or review any of these comments posted by viewers after the conclusion of the livestreams. Palmetto Bay's social media exists solely as a one-way method of communication, a photo op for the current mayor and members of the village council. 

Latest example: Thousands upon thousands of your tax dollars were spent for a rare air event in Palmetto Bay set to introduce the new Superintendent of schools, set up for a limited number of select residents. Most communities set up these meetings as an open event at a local school auditorium or municipal center where all comers could be accommodated. After all, elected officials were there and this would be a great opportunity to mix and personally hear from the leader of our County public Schools, but alias, not here in Palmetto Bay. The thousands spent and the exclusive location (Thalatta Estate) required this be a closed event.

It wasn't just a use of a park. A tent was specially set up, village employees were diverted to attend to the comfort of the elected official and their select guests as well as the set up and breakdown for the catered event  - all provided courtesy of the taxpayers. 

Those not lucky enough to obtain the Golden Ticket were not allowed inside the velvet rope for the VIP treatment. The consolation price set by Palmetto Bay's leaders were to direct those to view from Facebook (aka, behind the ropes)  out of sight, out of mind. 

No taxpayer funded breakfast for you!  

And Facebook comments? The purpose of commenting is for interaction with the event, but not here in Palmetto Bay under current leadership. Your comments are for naught. They are ignored by officials. The truth is revealed for those of cannot attend events or any village council meeting live, who watch through Facebook or any other event, at no time are your comments reviewed or considered. 

You might as well go outside and yell into the air. Your voice doesn't matter, at least on social media. 

Unconvinced? Review the official VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS filed by on behalf of Palmetto Bay officials in the case of AMADO RODRIGUEZ ET AL VS VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, 2022-000305-CA-01. The Response was filed on April 13, 2022. 

The actual Requests and Responses to those requests:

1. Admit that VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY conducted a livestream on Facebook from its social media accounts.

RESPONSE: Admitted.

2. Admit that VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY conducted a livestream on Facebook from Coral Reef Park on or about May 15,2021.

RESPONSE: Admitted.

3. Admit that VILLAGE OFPALMETTO BAY livestreams receive comments from viewers in real time.

RESPONSE: Admitted.

4. Admit that VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY has no employee, agent, or assign reviewing or monitoring comments on the livestreams, as comments come in in real time.

RESPONSE: Admitted.

5. Admit that VILLAGE OFPALMETTOBAY does not review comments posted by viewers after the conclusion of the livestreams.

RESPONSE: Admitted.

Background:
Question:  What is a Request for Admissions?
Answer:     A Request for Admissions is a set of statements which asks the other party either admit or deny a statement or allegation. The answers are used to narrow the issues for determination by the court or ultimately by a jury is a court case.

Remember this when the current mayor tells you about open government or that 'your voice matters'.