My opinion: The time has long passed for the voters of Palmetto Bay to reject fake news and bogeyman politics

It’s time for Palmetto Bay residents to reject bogeyman politics. Palmetto Bay has two bitter residents who call themselves “Concerned Citizens” and send out e-mails, acting like they’re the Miami Herald endorsement – when it’s really just two individuals with nothing much to do except complain.  The name “Concerned Citizens” shouldn’t give them any more credibility than they deserve, nor should it give them the right to misstate the record and achievements of those running for or holding office in Palmetto Bay.

I can take it. I am not running for office and my record speaks for itself, but these two are simply making s**t up at this point. Now, apparently,  I am somehow "pro-bridge" when, as an elected Palmetto Bay official, I successfully fought off the 87th Avenue bridge for my entire time in office, and even while not in office from 2010-2018. This includes through quality negotiations and partnership agreements with the County.  Only when our current mayor took office did that fall apart. She chose to avoid a critical meeting at County Hall, and instead, publicly posted on social media that she was engaged in making exercise videos at Coral Reef Park. The council feigned ignorance of this County meeting even though it was discussed at length at the Palmetto Bay council meeting held the day prior.

But that is water under the bridge, as they say.  This mishandling of the issue is symptomatic of the general problem with the current council – including the council candidates up for reelection. They change their position based upon whom they are addressing, and they don’t want to take a stand. I have never changed my position on the bridge. I only point out how badly the current group had screwed up the situation, but they won't accept accountability. Unfortunately, it is always someone else’s fault.

Let me be clear: These two individuals support the incumbents because they know they will vote in lockstep with the mayor – having a three vote majority on every issue with no need for discussion – and the ability to shout down the other two council members from Districts 1 and 3. That’s not why Palmetto Bay was formed, and it’s not why we have a five member council, with members representing each individual district.  The idea is for there to be discussion and representation of several different opinions.

You have to ask yourself why Gary Pastorella and Shelley Stanczyk don’t want that.

NOTE: This is a never-ending story for the committee of two - they have brought this town back to the problems of 2012. See an article published online in the Palmetto Bay News - It’s bogeyman after bogeyman for this Palmetto Bay Council, By Grant Miller, Publisher -July 27, 2012  As Grant Miller pointed out: Those who study political history will note that most political establishments almost always need a perpetual enemy — real or imaginary. Its a tool, as he put it, a tool for extending floundering political careers.