Council Member Dr. Marsha Matson said it best - "No second for anti-bullying - wow"

Council says no - in the worst way - too chicken to second and publicly discuss the bullying and combating bullying in Palmetto Bay.

Item 14-F of the agenda for the regular village council meeting of Monday, June 3, 2024.  This was a simple resolution sponsored by Dr. Matson:

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND VILLAGE COUNCIL
OF THE VILLAGE OF PALMETTO BAY, FLORIDA;
AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO DONATE TO
THE VILLAGE’S YOUTH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TASK
FORCE FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($1,500.00) FOR
THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF ONE (1) BUDDY
BENCH FOR ITS ANTI-BULLYING PROJECT, AND TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF RECEIVING A SECOND “BUY ONE, GET
ONE FREE” BUDDY BENCH; TO JOIN WITH THE TASK
FORCE IN OPPOSING BULLYING AT VILLAGE PARKS AND
PROPERTY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Councilmember Marsha Matson)

The resolution merely sought support for a $1,500 contribution from the village for the Buddy Bench - a project that is being sponsored. Dr. Matson moved it forward but it failed for lack of a second. 

That means the request was DENIED.  In effect - each and every member of the village council - other than Dr. Matson - opposed this request.

Please note that this mayor and Village Council have never been shy to spend extravagant sums on a whim; such as allowing the expenditure of $25,000 to hire a lobbying firm to fight the neighbors on the so-called Tangle woods Park (can someone locate the resolution which approved this expenditure?). I cannot locate an instance where this Mayor and Council have failed to waive park and other fees (items placed on the agenda) for use of village facilities - which on many occasions totaled more that $1,500 per event.

So yes, Dr. Matson, "wow" not a single member of the village council would even second your item. The failure to second, and therefore even discuss - speaks volumes.

Please convince me otherwise - this council appears to be pro-bullying - both in their actions (which have been documented) and the current mayor and council are even too chicken to publicly discuss why.  Ignore and move on.

Pathetic. 

Prior related post of Tuesday, May 14, 2024, "And the Children Shall Lead". Perhaps the members of the YCITF should raise money to bring a Buddy Bench to Village Hall.

Here is the stated purpose of the resolution - can someone show me the controversy (other than it forces a much needed discussion of bullying):

WHEREAS, a worthy project of the Village’s Youth Community               
Involvement Task Force is to purchase and install Buddy Benches at
Village parks and property to provide safe places where individuals
can sit with and give comfort to persons being bullied; and,

WHEREAS, on its social media sites, the Village is soliciting
donations from the public, so that the Youth Task Force can purchase
and install a Buddy Bench at Village parks and property to accomplish
its anti-bullying project; and,

WHEREAS, the Village Council wishes to support the Youth
Task Force in its effort to combat bullying and provide safe spaces for
persons being bullied; and,

WHEREAS, the Village Council desires to donate the cost of
purchasing and installing one (1) Buddy Bench for fifteen hundred
dollars ($1500.00); and,

WHEREAS, the supplier is currently offering a “buy one, get one
free” bench for the purchase of one (1) Buddy Bench. 

SUGGESTION: If this mayor and council are so offended by putting up a mere $1,500; then they should apply the same frugality to all the giveaways, or better yet, reach into their own pockets and donate through their village salary, benefits and other perks that they continue to shower upon themselves. 

Note to anyone looking to view the (in) action on the meeting video - the specific item is (not)heard at 2:53:10