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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 6 years ago

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ALAN MAIO: A PORTRAIT IN SLEAZE

JON SUSCE

It's simply incredulous that Sarasota County Commissioner Al Maio has the audacity to run for re-election to the Sarasota County Commission, considering how deep he is into the pockets of Pat Neal, James Gabbert, Gary Kompothecras, Carlos Beuff, and other "Pay to Play" developers.

LOCAL MEDIA BURIES HEADS BY FAILING TO EXPOSE CROOKED MAIO

What is just as disgusting as the fact that crooked Maio is running for re-election, is the local major media burying their heads in the sand so as not to expose this politician for being so deep in the pockets of developers --- Neal, Gabbert, Kompothecras, Randy Benderson and few others who are making $millions as a result of buying off crooked politicians like Maio.

"PAY TO PLAY" DEVELOPERS CAMPAIGN TACTICS TO STUFF MAIO IN THEIR POCKETS

What is scandalous is the use of nefarious campaign tactics to get their candidate elected in order to implement "Pay to Play/Stealing in the Sunshine" schemes used by Maio's political benefactors and handlers.

They have maliciously circumvented the local political system by completely disregarding local legislation regulations that place a limit of one $200 contribution per entity.

Listed below you will find the names and contributions made by the "Pay to Play" developers, who are corrupting local politics by stuffing crooked politicians like Maio into their pockets for their own financial gain.

WHAT SARASOTA'S LARGEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION STATES ABOUT CROOKED AL MAIO

Various neighborhood associations throughout Sarasota County have had issues and "problems” with numerous votes that Maio has made in favor of "Pay to Play" developer projects. The comments made by the county's largest and most vocal neighborhood association sums up their "problems" with crooked Maio this way:

"Maio is proving that we have a 'local political swa' in Sarasota County, and he has become the plug covering the drain! Maio is good at taking care of his friends, donors, & fellow political operatives to preserve the status quo." The Nokomis Area Civic Association (NACA)."

"Maio betrayed those who trusted him most, & all county taxpayers! It’s About Al & his buddies, cronies & big contributors! The local Sarasota County swamp creatures led by “Big Al.” The Nokomis Area Civic Association (NACA).

NACA is a collection of resident volunteers representing 38 Nokomis homeowner associations and unincorporated Nokomis areas for the purpose of promoting the general welfare and quality of life in Nokomis and Sarasota County.

LOCAL POLITICAL INSIDER EXPOSES CROOKED MAIO FOR WHAT HE IS

If there was any doubt about how totally corrupt Maio has become, and how deeply he is in the pockets of multimillion dollar developers, one would do well to consider the letter publicly sent to Maio from John Ask.

Ask is long-standing documented insider, who along with a select group of individuals, are part of a local political machine that has controlled Sarasota Couty government for years.

Ask sent a letter to this corrupted Sarasota County Commissioner, publicly turning on Maio and exposing him as being in the pockets of local rich and powerful "Pay to Play" developers.

ASK: MAIO IS DEEP IN GABBERT'S POCKET

In his letter Ask exposes Maio, as shamefully and totally in the pockets of James Gabbert. Whatever Ask's reasons for exposing his point of view should be of little concern to the Sarasota Herald Tribune, The Sarasota Observer or the local ABC channel 7 affiliate who should have followed up on Ask's accusations.

This letter from Ask, a former Sarasota County Planning Board Commissioner and longstanding integral part of the political machine controlling Sarasota County government is a scandalous and appalling indictment of Maio.

ASK: MAIO IN DEBT AND UNDER CONTROL OF "RICH AND POWERFUL"

Ask wrote, "The belief is that you (Maio) are aligned to, and in the debt and control of the entrenched establishment, the rich and the powerful. Knowing what I know, having been behind the scenes with you, I agree with this view."

ASK: GABBERT IS MAIO'S "MAJOR FUNDRAISER"

Ask states, "It’s well known in the community of your tight relationship with Jim Gabbert. Gabbert is a major fund raiser, bundler, and contributor to your election campaign to the forefront. It reinforced the belief that your indebtedness to him exceeded your willingness, and ability, to represent the will of the public majority."

ASK: "IF MAIO IS RE-ELECTED HE WILL BE UNBRIDLED"

Ask states in the letter that Maio, if re-elected, will become completely corrupted by the rich and powerful "Pay to Play" developers: "It’s quite alarming what you may do during your next term when you don’t have to think about posturing for re-election. In effect, you’ll become unbridled.

MAIO'S CAMPAIGN IS HEADQUARTERED OUT OF "PAY TO PLAY" GABBERT'S OFFICE

Ask continues by stating that Maio scandalously holds his re-election meetings in Gabbert office, "The fact that you hold your re-election strategy meetings in his (Gabbert’s) office is legal, and by itself, should not pose a problem."

"MAIO RETURNS FAVOR TO KOMPOTHECRAS IN SIESTA KEY VOTE"

Ask goes on to admonish Maio as being in the pockets of developer cronies by voting for another "Pay to Play" developer Gary Kompothecras in his rezoning request, which will enable 1-800 Ask Gary K to build a hotel on Siesta Key against the overwhelming objections of the Siesta Key residents.

What is happening is appalling and the Ask letter gives clear evidence that Sarasota County government is being administered on a daily basis by local politicians like Maio who are in the pockets of "Pay to Play" developers, Kompothecras, Gabbert and a few others.

FAILURE OF LOCAL MEDIA TO FOLLOW UP ON ASK ACCUSATIONS TROUBLESOME

The failure to follow up on this letter from Ask to Maio by local media indicates that the publications are either completely inept or they could care less about the way in which "Pay to Play to Play" developers stuff crooked politicians lie Maio into their pockets.

LIST OF "PAY TO PLAY" DEVELOPERS THAT HAVE MAIO IN THEIR POCKET IS LONG

Gabbert and Kompothecras are not the only "Pay to Play" developers who have bought off this crooked local politician. Pat Neal, Randy Benderson, Rex Jensen and a few other corrupter's of local political process have bought off Maio with thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to get him reelected, for a job Maio desperately needs financially.

For example, Maio had to cash in his pension with Kimberly Horn to pay off a bad investment involving a land deal in Tennessee, and needs to suck up to his public sector job in order to make ends meet.

LIST OF "PAY TO PLAY" PROJECTS THAT DEVELOPERS PAID MAIO TO PLAY

Villages of Manasota Project: The Villages of Manasota Beach Development project involved three of Maio's major campaign contributors: local rainmaker attorney, Bill Merrill III, Robert "Bo" Medred and Jim Gabbert.

On that date (June 2, 2015), Merrill sought and received unanimous approval of a 1,500 home multi-million dollar project in Englewood, which will have 1,563 residents on 782 acres.

This was just one example of Merrill, Medred and Gabbert practicing "Pay to Play" to get their project approved by the crooked Maio. For example, Gabbert and Merrill put out a total of $6,125 to finance two of Maio's fund raisers.

Beruff's Foxfire Project: Another “Pay to Play/Stealing in the Sunshine" project, which Maio and his fellow county commissioners approved unanimously on February 13, 2015 was the rezone petitions for the Foxfire residential development on an documented, heavily contaminated former dump site.

This particular approval by Maio and his other political hack colleagues on the Sarasota County Commission has such a foul odor that it makes the stink of a toxic waste dump site smell sweet.

This residential project was supposed to have been dead and buried forever due to contamination, but was resurrected by one of most politically connected "Pay to Pay" developers in the area, namely Carlos Beruff who brought this proposal back to life and got it approved.

Beruff epitomizes the disgusting way which Sarasota County Commissioners like Maio are used as nothing more than inept political puppets, which can be bought for pennies on a dollar.

Other projects Maio supported for the "Pay to Play" developers who control this shameless local politician are:

Although outvoted, Maio was one of two yes votes to approve the sale and rezoning of public land for an industrial waste and concrete crushing facility next to an environmentally sensitive birding sanctuary and popular tourist attraction, the Celery Fields.

Gulf Gate Golf Course Project: A golf course conversion that can flood nearby homes. Maio voted for developer Carlos Beruff’s rezoning of a golf course into a housing development despite strong community objections over neighborhood incompatibility and flooding concerns (as the golf course functioned as a retention area).

Nokomis Gateway Project: Maio voted to put the Sheriff Tom Knight's fleet garage in the gateway of Nokomis despite overwhelming protests from the community and other better, cheaper choices for the location of the garage.

Kompothecras Siesta Key Hotel Project: Maio voted yes to allow a developer to seek as little as a 2-foot setback from the street for a commercial building as tall as 8 stories.

Whole Foods Project on University Parkway:

Maio voted to pave over important wetlands, against the advice of county staff, to allow a developer to build a parking lot for a Whole Foods store on University Parkway.

MAIO CONTINUES POLITICAL CONNECTION TO TWICE CONVICTED FELON BOB WAECHTER

What is equally incredible and gives a prime example of Sarasota’s political and legal corruption is that long time Maio political operative, Bob Waechter is shamefully continuing as one of Maio’s major political advisors.

This is after Waechter was arrested and convicted for attempting to maliciously and illegally sabotage the campaign of Maio's opponent Lourdes Ramirez for the Sarasota County Commission.

Maio shamelessly admitted under oath that he had met with Waechter, previous to his arrest, to discuss campaign strategy.

WAECHTER SAYS IT’S A WASTE OF TIME TO OPPOSE MAIO--"MAIO'S ELECTION IS IN THE BAG"

By the way, Waechter is walking around Sarasota spreading the word that running against the political machine candidates like Maio is a waste of time and energy.

MAIO'S CONNECTION TO "THE PRINCE OF DIRTY PAC MONEY" ROBINSON

In addition to having Waechter advising him, Maio has no problem retaining Eric "The Prince of Dirty PAC Money" Robinson, who is the "bag man" for stuffing money into the pockets of various corrupt Sarasota politicians, as his campaign treasurer.

"The Prince of Dark PAC Money" Robinson has funneled thousands of dollars from the various PAC’S he manages to place attack ads on Maio political opponents.

ROBINSON FUNNELED DIRTY PAC MONEY TO ATTACK MAIO OPPONENT

For example, a PAC that Robinson manages with a P.O. Box 1041 Venice address, which is in Robinson's name, wire transferred $30,542 to an advertising agency in Washington D.C, Political Ink, to send out attack adds on Maio's opponent, Lourdes Ramirez.

WILL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS HOLD THEIR NOSE AND VOTE FOR MAIO?

It will be a shameful and disgraceful indictment of Republican voters if they hold their noses and go along with Maio and his chief political advisor Bob Waechter, who openly states to fellow "insiders" that there's no need to worry about getting Maio re-elected.

It's their belief, and history confirms that they are correct, that county commissioners are elected in the Republican primary, and as long as the Republican primary voters are kept in the dark on the current depth of corruption in the local political system, Maio will triumph.

INEPT LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY NO THREAT TO CROOKED MAIO

Waechter and the political operatives, who run Maio's campaign justifiably have no concern that the local inept Democratic Party could defeat Maio or any other of other of their handpicked candidates.

"SWAMP DWELLERS" IN TOTAL CONTROL OF CORRUPT LOCAL POLITICAL PROCESS IF MAIO WINS

By the way, the “swamp dwellers” will fight vigorously to prevent changes to the current political system operates - they've got the system down & have proven effective in keeping 'their people' elected & outsiders away!

ADDENDUM

PAY TO PLAY DEVELOPERS STUFFING CROOKED MAIO IN THEIR POCKETS

Listed below are the major "Pay to Play" developers who are stuffing crooked Maio into their pockets for their personal financial gain, and some of the contributions that “Pay to Play” developers have used to stuff Maio in their pocket and get him elected and reelected.

Remember that although the county charter has limits on donations amounting to one $200 contribution per entity, the developers who have Maio in their pockets write multiple checks through their many subsidiary companies to get around that limit.

James Gabbert: (37) $200 checks to Maio. Rex Jensen: (40) $200 checks to Maio. Randy Benderson: (11) $200 checks to Maio Pat Neal: (14) $200 checks to Maio. Carlos Beruff: (8) $200 checks to Maio. West Village developers: (22) $200 checks to Maio.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 6 years ago

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JACK BRILL FEATHERS HIS NEST

SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AWARD LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY (REC) LEADER (JACK BRILL) CATERING CONTRACT

Jon Susce

In a recent Sarasota Herald Tribune article written by SHT reporter Nicole Rodriquez it was stated, "the (Sarasota) County Commission recently contracted with Metz Culinary Management, of Sarasota, as its primary vendor to provide meals for county workers stationed in the Emergency Operations Center in the event of a disaster."

What the SHT article did not report is that Metz Culinary Management, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has as their local vice president of their business development is Jack Brill, who is the Vice Chairman and present interim Chairman of the Sarasota County Republican Executive Committee (REC).

Brill on the right with local Republican leaders

Brill is now running the local Republican Party, since Chairman of local Republican Party Joe Gruters recently named Brill the interim head of the local Sarasota County Republican Party.

MAJOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

With Brill's recent contract with Sarasota County government, a major troublesome question needs to be answered: How can it not be a major conflict of interest when five Republican County Commissioners award this contract to the Sarasota County Republican Party leader?

WHY NO MENTION OF BRILL'S CONNECTION TO LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY?

In addition, why did Rodriquez not mention Brill's association with Metz? Why did not Rodriquez mention Brill is the interim head of the local Republican Party? Why did Rodriquez not raise the question of possible conflict of interest with the five Republican members of the Srasota County Commission, voting to give the catering contract to the the local Sarasota County Republican leader?

CALLS TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NOT RETURNED

Calls to all five Republican County Commissioners seeking how they can justify awarding this contract to Brill and not consider it a conflict of interest were not returned.

CALL TO COUNTY ATTORNEY NOT RETURNED

Calls to Sarasota County lead attorney, Steven DeMarsh questioning this Brill appointment as a conflict of interest has not been returned.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 6 years ago

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SUSAN NILON WRECKS ACLU BOARD

MASS RESIGNATION AT LOCAL ACLU OFFICE OVER NILON'S LEADERSHIP

By Jon Susce

February 20, 2019

Ten of the sixteen officers and board members of the local ACLU office have resigned after a letter was sent to Micah Kubic, who is the Executive Director of the Florida ACLU in Miami. They resigned after Kubic denied their request to have local ACLU President, Susan Nilon resign.

In essence, the letter states that the resigning members find they cannot continue to function successfully in carrying out the ACLU mission with Nilon as President

The ten members who have tendered resignations are: Michelle Champion, Daniel Rein, Josephine Motter, Dr. Mark Magenheim, Mollie Saumier, Patrick McLain, Peter Tannen, Cramer Verde, Ivan Rubin and Brenda Green.

Champion, Rubin and Verde have publicly admitted that they have resigned and all the above have also actually done so. Both Champion and Verde have acknowledged that a letter was sent to Kubic asking that Nilon be removed due to her inability to lead the local ACLU office in an effective manner.

All stated they continue to be committed to the principles advocated by the ACLU and will be actively involved in the most important 2020 election cycle. ACLU principals include:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

CALLS TO STATE OF FLORIDA AND NATIONAL ACLU OFFICES NOT RETURNED

Numerous phone calls and email messages to the local, state and national ACLU offices have not been returned to confirm or deny that 10 out of 16 local Sarasota officers and board members have resigned due to their inability to function as an effective organization as long as Nilon is President of the local ACLU.

REQUEST FOR INFO FROM BARFIELD IGNORED OTHER THAN "CALL NILON"

Calls and emails to Michael Barfield, Florida ACLU President and member of the local group as legal chairman, requesting information regarding the resignations and cause of the mass exodus have been ignored---except to say, "CALL NILON."

ACLU'S "SHAKE AND BAKE" NILON

Nilon is a self-proclaimed Progressive Democrat, but her behavior has defined her as anything but that. She’s no more than a registered local Democrat in collusion with local Republican operatives, which among others include Eric "The Nigerian Prince of Dark PAC Money" Robinson

Her track record is what truly demonstrates her agenda. She's just another "spinner" who will spin for whomever will pay her--a fact which the local major media fails to expose.

ACLU CREDIBILITY INVOLVEMENT WITH NILON AND BARFIELD TROUBLESOME

If the State of Florida and national ACLU desires any credibility, they need to investigate how these two individuals, Susan Nilon and Michael Barfield became leaders of local and state ACLU Chapters

BARFIELD'S $953,000 DARK MONEY PAC

How is it that Barfield, a 68 times convicted felon, and convicted perjurer---the same person that United States federal Judge Richard Lazzara dubbed as the "con man's con man" when he sent Barfield off to prison for the third time--- is managing a $953,000 Dark Money PAC out of Miami called COMMITTEE TO ADVANCE CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES.

http://michaelbarfield.net/barfield-is-a-documented-hired-gun/

Barfield is both the chairperson and registered agent of the PAC along with Gary Sample as the treasurer.

On July 10, 2018 the national ACLU office out of New York City funneled $500,000 into Barfield's managed PAC, as did the Florida ACLU state office out of Miami with a contribution of $316,000 on November 1, 2018.

In addition, 24 separate contributions were funneled to Barfield totaling $137,000 from the ACLU Florida office in Miami, which now totals $953,209 in contributions to this Barfield managed PAC from June 30, 2018 to November 1, 2018.

For years Nilon has been closely aligned with Barfield, who resides locally. Until recently Nilon has been doing research for various alleged Sunshine law legal violations on behalf of Barfield and local attorney Andrea Mogensen.

Barfield with two of Chapman's adversaries

One of the cases Nilon researched was on the alleged Sunshine law violation made by Mogensen and Barfield against former Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman. The legal procedures against Chapman by Barfield were in reality a "witch hunt" by Barfield on behalf of political adversaries of Chapman, which include Sarasota County Republican Commissioners Joe Barbetta ans Paul "Fredo" Caragiulo.

After this failed law suit against Chapman, who among others has been a vocal critic of Barfield and Mogensen for using bogus Sunshine law violations, Barfield and Mogensen have now disbanded the organization used as the legal entity suing Chapman.

In employing this tactic, Barfield is attempting to avoid his financial and legal responsibilities to pay compensation for this failed law suit. Barfield has a documented history of attempting to avoid the consequences of his actions, not only his civil actions, but in his criminal activities. (SEE COMMENTS BELOW BY ATTORNEY FRANK BRENNER)

BARFIELD LAWSUIT AGAINST BROWN AND GOODWIN BOGUS

Barfield is the same individual whose recent Sunshine lawsuit against two Sarasota School Board members (Shirley Brown and Jane Goodwin) was wrongly filed, and described as coming from an organization that had not given Barfield permission to file. No surprise there, as Barfield is the same actor who was once described by a U.S federal judge as, "a con man's, con man."

BARFIELD AND NILON TIES TO CHANGE THE DATE REFERENDUM

Nilon was also closely involved with Barfield and others in a local referendum called CHANGE THE DATE, the objective of which was to change the date of City of Sarasota elections

REFERENDUM LED BY REPUBLICAN OPERATIVES

In promoting this referendum, Nilon joined other registered Democrats with close political ties to Republican operatives like Eric and Christine Robinson, Christian Ziegler, Maryanne Grgic, Mary Slapp-Dougerty, Candice McElyea among others. The referendum was led by Grgic and Ziegler.

Those registered Democrats like Nilon, who have worked closely with Republican operatives and other Republican activists in this referendum and in other Republican led campaigns are among others: Suzanne Atwell, Hagen Brody, Gabriel Hament, and Ed James III.

REFERENDUM FINANCED REPUBLICAN CONNECTED ORGANIZATIONS

The referendum was financed by a majority of Republican "Pay to Play" developers and a Republican political machine led by the CEO of Argus, Christine Robinson; as well as Mary Dougherty the Executive Director of Gulf Coast Builders Exchange and Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Kevin Cooper.

FLORIDA ACLU DONATES $15,000 TO PAC FINANCING CAMPAIGN

$138,949 in PAC Money was funneled into the CHANGE THE DATE initiative campaign, which included $15,000 from the Florida ACLU office in Miami, which mentioned previously has Barfield as its president.

The last financial report of the CHANGE THE DATE initiative revealed that $8,520 was funneled into an expenditure to Strategic Digital Services (SDS) in Tallahassee, which was founded by the former Executive Director of Florida Republican Party, Matt Farrar.

NILON DEPOSED TALK SHOW HOST

Before joining up with Barfield and Mogensen and becoming President of the local ACLU organization, Nilon was a talk show host on local radio station WSRQ and according to Nilon, one might be led to believe she was actually a major owner of the station.

Further, that the departure from the talk show was amenable and she was moving on to bigger and better opportunities in her professional life---NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

LUCAS COMMENTS ON NILON---"WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING"

As for Nilon’s move to bigger and better opportunities in her professional life after WSRQ---this is how one of Sarasota’s leading political activists, Adrian Lucas, reacted to Nilon's career move:

"Susan Nilon's latest announcement about leaving the radio station to work with the insidious 'sunshine legal experts' of Andrea Mogensen and Michael Barfield demonstrates her willingness to cozy up to anyone she sees as potential dollar signs for her own personal gain. It would be fun to take bets on who will cast the first 2016 Sunshine suit under the guise of benevolence for the City of Sarasota. Will it be Nilon or Barfield?”

Lucas continued, "Who knows? But what I do know is after what appears to be conning Jim Lampl and wasting a lot of his trust and finances, Susan Nilon had no problem openly moving into the pseudo virtuous company of Michael Barfield. People may still smile and accept her over at Tiger Bay, but hopefully time will show that she is a "progressive" wolf in sheep's clothing."

Finally, "As for Nilon’s attempt to give the impression that resigning from her radio host position was her decision and a positive professional career change, let the facts speak for themselves."

NILON'S BOGUS OWNERSHIP OF WSRQ CLAIMS

Nilon’s claim that she was part of ownership team was bogus. For example, Nilon’s only financial investment in the station was $5,000 with the rest the financial investment coming from Lampl, who was the owner of record of the radio station---not Susan Nilon.

There is no way that any kind of continuing working relationship was possible between her and the owner of the station, Lampl, after what appears as Nilon’s attempt to intimidate him to pay her $200,000 to go away.

NILON THREATENED LAW SUIT

According to Lampl, the breakup of the business relationship between Nilon and himself was hardly amenable, since Nilon, through her attorney Robert Stroud, sent a letter threatening Lampl with a law suit if he did not agree to financial terms that could be construed as unarmed robbery by Nilon.

After Lampl gave Nilon the opportunity to continue in an ownership position, once their initial agreement had expired---by assisting in an equitable manner with the financing needed for improvements to upgrade the station operation, which involved the construction of two additional broadcast towers needed for the growth and continued success of the station, Nilon refused.

Instead Nilon's response through her attorney Robert Stroud, was to threaten Lampl with a law suit and accuse him of being a "detriment to the Company and its business prospects." This incredible letter from Nilon's attorney stated that Nilon believed that Lampl’s "actions had risen to warrant his forceful disassociation from the Company."

In further negotiations with Lampl through their respective attorneys, Nilon reduced her demands to $100,000 with an increase in her salary to $95,000. By the way, Nilon paid the attorney representing her in receiving her eventual 10 grand award with money coming out of Lampl owned WSRQ funds!

After it became apparent that Nilon's "request" was not going anywhere, Nilon settled for $10,000 to move on to her new gig working with Barfield and Mogensen. Thus began her “rise” in career status by becoming a low-paid mouthpiece for those she once assailed.

NILON CONNECTION TO McELYEA AND ZIEGLER

After leaving WSRQ, Nilon partnered up in a local public relations firm along with McElyea and Ziegler called Politically Unfiltered, which failed.

BRENNER ON BARFIELD'S BACKGROUND

Frank Brenner’s background: Harvard Law School, 50 years of law practice in NYC, including service as Assistant District Attorney (Rackets Bureau), judge of the NYC Criminal Court, Member, House of Delegates NYC Bar Association, Director, NY county Bar Association.

ITS TIME TO COVER THE REAL BARFIELD STORY---BY FRANK BRENNER

Much has been written about Michael Barfield’s behavior, how, in the masquerade of a public benefactor, he has disrupted city government for his personal financial advantage by the pursuit of Sunshine Law violations. To its credit, the Sarasota Observer has led the charge. It has described him as “a master of the destructive craft of legal extortion, weaseling money from the city and taxpayers for his livelihood, all under the guise of fighting public corruption.” It has labeled his pretense as a “con.” TheHerald-Tribune, on the other hand, speaking through columnist Tom Lyons, dismisses Barfield’s 68 criminal convictions as mere “historical dirt” and, on no evidence whatsoever, describes him as “a model of post-prison rehabilitation.”

Thus, although Barfield’s behavior has produced much comment, no one has reported on the real Barfield story i.e., how a consummate conman has managed to achieve extraordinary influence over the conduct of city government and City Commissioners who, with the purest of motives, simply seek to serve their constituents.

Why a “conman”? The label is the product of cold, irrefutable facts. It is the description of him voiced by a federal judge in Tampa upon Barfield’s conviction for a host of serious felonies that earned him a ten-year prison sentence. Indeed, the judge involved gave Barfield star status. He dubbed him not only a “conman” but a “conman’s conman, that’s for sure.”

So, who is the real Michael Barfield? He is a confessed liar, thief, conspirator and fraudster. In 1999, he was convicted of the felonies of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury before a federal Grand Jury. The first three offenses involved the concoction of false accusations leveled against a federal judge and an Ass’t U. S. Attorney in a scheme designed to remove them from a pending case. The other two wire fraud convictions were for extorting $50,000 from felons awaiting sentence by promising them that he had “connections” and, thus, could obtain leniency for them. The promise, of course, was a scam.

But that is only a glimpse of Barfield’s unsavory past. Commencing at the age of seventeen, he has amassed 68 (no typo) criminal convictions, including, aside from the above, forging checks and using stolen credit cards. Barfield’s current con commences with his self-description as a “paralegal.” I submit he is no more a paralegal to the law profession than ex-lax is a pillar of medical science. In fact, he is no more than a scavenger, untrained in the law, who forages through public records for grist to nourish the Sunshine Law cottage industry he operates with attorney Andrea Mogenson. Yet, he has the chutzpah to describe himself as “an armchair legal scholar.” He would, thus, like a molting snake, magically transform himself from a disreputable rogue to a legal luminary.

What is to be done with this public menace? What is called for is an expose of the real Barfield story – an investigation of how this rogue has insinuated himself into the fabric of the city, disrupted city government, hampered the City Commissioners in their service to constituents and intimidated the City Attorney. To ascertain how Barfield has managed to do this, questions must be asked and answered.

Why have Commissioners Joe Barbetta and Paul Caragiulo permitted themselves to be photographed in his warm embrace? Why of all possible choices among reputable attorneys did the Tiger Bay Club give him a platform as an “expert” on the Sunshine law? Why does Tom Lyons enable him by portraying him as a positive force? Exactly who comprise the Citizens for Sunshine, Barfield’s “front”? What are their backgrounds? What is his arrangement with attorney Mogenson? Is he on salary or does he simply share in the spoils of the lawsuits? Does he have any other source of income? These and many other questions a “nose for news” could pose and should answer.

Investigative reporting not only sells ink. More importantly, it serves the public interest. The Herald-Tribune in the past has done such reporting. Yet, it shows no inclination to dig into the questions posed above. Hopefully, upon reflection, it may recognize the need for it to do so and for others to do so as well. In any event, those in government and those of us on the outside looking in should band together to put to an end the encouragement, empowerment, and enablement of this consummate conman.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 6 years ago

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DEBORAH ANDERSON PUTS THE PRESSURE ON PAT NEAL

JON SUSCE

On May 18, 2018 Deborah Anderson, who is a former Venice City Council member, filed a lawsuit against Ann Stone and Protect Venice PAC for defamation, criminal and civil conspiracy, and violation of campaign finance laws. This motion went before Judge Kimberly Bonner on November 29, 2018. Bonner, who is a Pat Neal recommended judge to Governor Rick Scot, granted Stone's motion, dismissing the defamation claims. According to Anderson, Bonner's action, “distracts from the important issue: the illegal activity that resulted in an unfair election." Accordingly, Anderson amended her lawsuit and dropped the defamation claims. Anderson added developer Pat Neal as a defendant. Anderson believes Neal orchestrated the whole thing.

Anderson amended her lawsuit against the Political Action Committee, Protect Venice, Ann Stone and John Does 1-25, to directly name developer Pat Neal, president of Neal Communities in her in law suit charging him with criminal conspiracy and violation of campaign finance law. Part of Neal's local corrupt political machine.

NEAL MADE A HEROIC EFFORT TO AVOID LOCAL DEPUTY SHERIFF

Neal, who is the local multimillion dollar "Pay to Play" developer and Godfather of his local corrupt political machine made it difficult for Anderson to have Neal served until very recently. Neal made a heroic effort to duck being served with papers by a Manatee deputy sheriff concerning Anderson's lawsuit NEAL ACTING LIKE OJ SIMPSON ON THE RUN

Neel acted like OJ Simpson with his wife, Charlene acting like OJ's "sidekick" Al Cowens and his attorney acting like OJ's attorney.

PAT "THE RABBIT" NEAL IS ON THE RUN Neal made numerous attempts in being served concerning Anderson's lawsuit against the local yokel deveopler and local political operative. Pat "The Rabbit" Neal was on the run for over a month. For example, below is the notes of the Manatee Deputy Sheriff attempting to have Pat "The Rabbit" Neal served: Charlene Neal

NEAL'S WIFE DOESN’T KNOW WHERE HER HUSBAND IS AT 6:13 AM 1/16/19---6:13 AM--Knocked on front door. Lady who identified herself as Pat Neal's wife said he (Neal) was not home. She (Charlene Neal) refused to accept service. She (Charlene Neal) would not say when he would be home. She (Chalene Neal) said she would have to find him.

1/16/19--8:30 AM--Found an address for Mr. Neal in Iowa.

1/16/19--8:40 AM--Entered Neal's tag into LEARNED/LPR. Could it have been Neal was on various campaign trips throughout the state collecting campaign contributions for Neal's handpicked candidates, which include local, statewide and national politicians. In the past Neal would be accompompied by two of his employees at Neal Communties, Mary Ann Grgic and Ivory Crofoot. NEAL ON THE RUN NEEDS ATTORNEY TO CONSULT WITH 1/16/19 --8:45 AM--made contact with Mr. Neal via phone. He said he was not currently home and wishes to speak with his attorney before meeting with me. 1/22/19--1:23 PM--Mr. Neal said he was in a meeting but would call me back. NEAL STILL ON THE RUN -- MEETING WITH LAWYER 1/22/19--1:23 PM--Mr. Neal called me back. He said he was not willing to meet. He said he will be meeting with his lawyer tomorrow. (1/23/19). NEAL ON THE RUN IN NORTHPORT 1/22/19--5:43 PM--I received a tag number on LPR for tag #JDKE54 which is registered to Mr. Neal. The hit location was in Northport, Fl. NEAL'S ATTORNEY WILL ARRANGE NEAL TO MEET WITH DEUTY SHERIFF 1/30/19--12:53--A gentleman who identified himself as Scott McLaren a attorney for Mr. Neal. He tried to accept the paperwork on behalf of Mr. Neal. I advised him I could not do that. Mr. McLaren said he would talk to Mr. Neal to arrange to meet to accept paapers. NEAL REMAINS ON THE RUN ON 2/6/19 2/6/19--025hrs--conducted surveillance 1003 59th St NW -- no movement--0700 hrs--ended surveillance. NEAL IS NOT USING WIFE'S GREY PORCHE TO RUN WITH 2/14/19--2:20 PM--I spoke to the housekeeper, she stated Mr. and Mrs. Neal were not home. Mrs. Neal's grey Porche was in the open garage--10001776. FOR OVER A MONTH NEAL WAS STILL EVADING A MANATEE DEPUTY SHERIFF 2/14/19--2:21 PM--conduced surveillance at 1003 59th St. NW with no movement. Ended surveillance at 4:20 PM. 10001776. NEAL LIKE OJ GOT TIRED RUNING FROM THE LAW Neal must of quite running from the Sheriff on 2/5/19 due to the fact his attorney filed a Notice to Appear in court on 2/15/19--one must have been served to file a Notice to Appear. OJ gave up running in hours---it took a month of running from the sheriff for Neal. ANDERSON "NEAL'S WORST NIGHTMARE" No doubt Neal understands he made a huge mistake in taking Anderson out as a Venice City Council member eventhough while a Venice City Council member, Anderson had opposed numerous projects for which Neal had sought approval relating to his multimillion dollar residential projects in Venice. According to former Venice activists and investigative reporter John Patten, “Anderson was a Venice City Council member who was Neal’s worst nightmare." In 2015 Anderson ran for re-election against an opponent (Charles Newsome) and according to Patten, "while on the city’s Planning Commission, Newsome never saw a set of building plans he didn’t like." Jones NEAL USED MASTER OF DARK PAC MONEY TO TAKE DOWN ANDERSON Neal's attempts to hide his corrupting and usurping of the political system are obvious in taking dow Anderson, especially considering his present funneling of $150,000 to a Dark Money PAC managed by a master of Dark Money PAC's, William Stafford Jones of Gainesville, Florida who aided Neal in taking down Anderson as a Venice City Council member. For ten years Jones was the chairman of the Alachua County Republican Executive Committee and is now the State Committeeman of the organization. Jones has been described by Daniel Roth of the Tampa Bay Times as, " A master of the dark arts of creating phony political committees with dubious names like "Citizens Alliance for Florida’s Economy," or "The Responsible Leadership Committee. The Florida Times Union in Jacksonville describes Jones activities this way, "Jones is listed on the documentation for nearly 40 political committees. Most don’t provide enough publicly available information to determine who or what the committee exists to benefit. All but a handful of Jones’ committees have the same mailing address: 115 E. Park Ave., Suite 1 in Tallahassee.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 6 years ago

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LOCAL ACLU A MESS!

FLORIDA ACLU EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS CLUELESS AS REPUBLICAN OPERATIVES ATTEMPT TO CONTROL SARASOTA CITY ELECTIONS

Jon Susce

3/25/19

Last Thursday night at Fogartyville, the bastion of the local Progressive movement, recently appointed Executive Director of the Florida ACLU, Micha Kubic spoke before a group of local Progressive activists.

Curiously, not one member of the local Sarasota County Democratic Executive Committee was in attendance to give ear to the recently appointed Executive Director of the Florida ACLU.

ROBINSON ATTENDS KUBIC EVENT

Equally curious was that former Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson, a leading local Republican activist and Executive Director of The Argus Foundation was in the audience to listen to the Executive Director of the Florida ACLU.

KUBIC FORMER KANSAS ACLU EXECUTIVE DIRECTORBefore coming to Florida, Kubic was the executive director of the ACLU’s Kansas affiliate and had served in that position for the last three years. Kubic will likely be best remembered in Kansas for his ongoing court clashes with Kansas Republican Secretary of State, Kris Kobach.

Kubic will also be remembered for his words on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Sam Brownback to the position of ambassador at large on behalf of international religious freedom, "as one of the country’s leading proponents of intolerance to champion the cause of religious freedom is stark and unmistakable."

KUBIC APPEARS CLUELESS TO REPUBLICAN LED REFERENDUM

Considering Kubic’s Democratic Progressive political background, Kubic appears to be clueless when it comes to the involvement of local individuals within and outside the ACLU, who have been working with Republican operatives to take control of the Sarasota City Commission.

For example, Kubic shared the podium in unity with Susan Nilon, Michael Barfield, Hagen Brody and Larry Eger all of whom were major supporters of a essentily Republican led referendum.

Four Democratic Sarasota City Commissioners against Change the Date Referendum

Furthermore, when asked about the Republican led referendum, Kubic showed little concern that the referendum was opposed by the local Democratic Party and four of the five Sarasota City Commissioners, which included two African American city commissioners.

The major objections were that changing the date of the first primary would favor the local Republican Party and that the city election would be supervised by a Republican Election Supervisor and not the Democrat City of Sarasota Clerk.

Kubic failed to explain why any local Democrat would desire to change the date, which sees all five Democraic City Commissoners elected.

ATKINS CRITICIZED KUBIC FOR ACLU NOT INCLUDING AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUITY IN DISCUSSIONS

At the meeting was former City of Sarasota Mayor and Sarasota City Commissioner Fredd Atkins,who voiced concerns that the Change the Date referendum did ot include in their discussions activists in the African American community.

KUBIC CLUELESS ABOUT ZIEGLER AND GRGIC MANAGED REFERENDUM

Kubic seemed little concerned that the recent referendum to change the date of the City of Sarasota election had been led by local Republican operatives Christian Ziegler and Mary Anne Grgic. Ziegler is presently Vice Chairman of Florida State Republican Party and a major supporter of President Donald Trump. Grgic worked six years as a political operative for Pat Neal, who is considered the Godfather of a local Republican machine that controls Sarasota politically. Grgic now heads up a local political consulting company which was financed by Neal.

KUBIC CLUELESS OF REPUBLICAN FINANCED REFEREDUM

Kubic showed no concern that the referendum was financed by a majority of Republican "Pay to Play" developers and a Republican political machine led by the CEO of Argus, Christine Robinson; Mary Dougherty, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange and Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Kevin Cooper.

NILON PRESIDENT OF LOCAL ACLU

Nilon, who invited Kubic to Sarasota is president of the local ACLU, and recently had 10 of 15 members of the local ACLU Executive Board resign in protest against serious problems with Nilon's leadership. Nilon is a self-proclaimed Progressive Democrat, but her behavior has defined her differently. For example, Nilon has worked closely with local Republican operatives, which include Candice McElyea, Christian Ziegler, Christine Robinson and her husband Eric Robinson.

Ziegler is also a Republican Sarsota County Commissioner and EricRobinson is a Republican Sarasota County School Board member. One wonders if Kubic is aware that Eric Robinson is a partner in a local CPA business with Florida Republican State Senator and Chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Joe Gruters, who along with Ziegler championed Trump to be named citizen of the year by the local Republican Party.

Robinson is referenced in the local media as Eric "The Nigerian Prince of Dark PAC Money" Robinson.

"CON MAN'S CON MAN" BARFIELD PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA ACLU

Michael Barfield, President of the Florida ACLU shared the podium with Kubic. Apparently Kubic has lttle concern that Barfield is a 68 times convicted felon and convicted perjurer.

Apparently no concern that Barfield is the same person, who United States federal Judge Richard Lazzara dubbed as the "con man's con man" when he sent Barfield off to prison for the third time. No concern that Barfield is closely involved in managing a $million ACLU PAC.

Michael Barfield is the same individual whose recent Sunshine lawsuit against two Sarasota School Board members (Shirley Brown and Jane Goodwin) was wrongly filed, and described as coming from an organization that had not given Barfield permission to file.

BARFIELD'S WITCH HUNT OF CHAPMAN

Barfield was also involved in failed legal procedures against former Democratic Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman. An alleged Sunshine violation against Chapman by Barfield was in reality a "witch hunt" spearheaded by Barfield on behalf of political adversaries of Chapman, which included Sarasota County Republican Commissioners Joe Barbetta ans Paul "Fredo" Caragiulo.

After this failed law suit against Chapman, who among others has been a vocal critic of Barfield for using bogus Sunshine law violations, Barfield has now disbanded the organization used as the legal entity suing Chapman.

BARFIELD RUNNING FROM LEGAL AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

In folding the entity suing Chapman, Barfield is now attempting to avoid his financial and legal responsibilities to pay compensation for this failed law suit. Barfield has a documented history of attempting to avoid the consequences of his actions, not only his civil actions, but his criminal activities as well. (SEE COMMENTS BELOW BY ATTORNEY FRANK BRENNER CONCERNING THE PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA ACLU)

THE BACKGROUND OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA ACLU---MICHAEL BARFIELD

BY FRANK BRENNER

What is to be done with this public menace? What is called for is an expose of the real Barfield story – an investigation of how this rogue has insinuated himself into the fabric of the city, disrupted city government, hampered the City Commissioners in their service to constituents and intimidated d the City Attorney. To ascertain how Barfield has managed to do this, questions must be asked and answered.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 6 years ago

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New WAWA Dumped Downtown

CITY OF SARASOTA DUMPS A WAWA GAS STATION IN PARK EAST

Jon Susce

4/11/19

Once again those who make decisions at City Hall could less about the environment that working families are living in, which is not in close proximity to wealthy white folks living and working in Downtown Sarasota

For example, last night the Sarasota City Planning Board on the recommendation of the inept City of Sarasota Panning staff approved putting a 24 hour WAWA gas station on the corner of Lime Ave and Fruitville Road in the working class Park East Neighborhood.

The traffic is already a major problem in the area and now adding a gas station with12 gas pumps and 56 parking spaces -- a traffic nightmare will exist. In addition, when it rains flooding occurs---how are those cars coming and going from WAWA going to move about in those conditions?

Mathes

KIMBERLY HORN, BENDERSON AND CITY STAFF A TEAM

lt is the history of Kimberly Horn staffers to push million dollar developers and last night was no exception. For example, it was stated that there was no problem with traffic once the WAWA gas station was being built in the area. By the way, the Kimberly Horn staffer after making her presentation, she returned to her seat in the chamber next to Randy Benderson planner Todd Mathes, who was there to push another Benderson project in the City.

Mathes was the Benderson Project Manager who got the Benderson controlled Sarasota County Commision to approve the Benderson project on Stickney Point and U.S 41, which is now another Benderson created traffic nighmare.

The last time a Benderson project manager pushed a Benderson project in the City of Sarasota, he was called a "gangster" by City Attorney Bob Fournier.

CITY HALL CONTINUES DUMPING TRASH IN WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS

Last night was another example that it makes no difference to those who make decisions at City Hall to continue to dump trash in neighborhoods where African Americans and Hispanics and other working folks live outside of Downtown Sarasota.

It makes no difference to officials at City Hall that there is no workforce housing existing in Sarasota --- that don't want any. For example, they hindered for years Harvey Vengroff attempts to build workforce housing in Park East.

WAWA A HOMELESS HAVEN

It makes no difference that the neighborhood WAWA wants to and will build their massive piece of trash is inundated with the homeless who drove Harvest Tabernacle out of the Park East neighborhood. Where does the idiots at City Hall and WAWA believe the homeless are going to congregate when this WAWA facility is built?

By the way, the other WAWA just outside the City is in the close proximity of the African American Newtown neighborhood.

CITY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT WORKING CLASS PARK EAST

What is disgraceful is just two days ago, Tony Smith of the Park East Neighborhood Association presented the below revitalized Park East Neighborhood Plan, which was totally ignored two days later with the WAWA gas station being dumped in the neighborhood.

Planning Outlook for Park East neighborhood, April 2019.

Tony Smith

Our Park East community boasts a diverse mix of people who call it home. Businesses are diverse as well, including small manufacturing/crafts/service and support operations, which are vital cogs in the machinery of greater Sarasota. A contingent of residents work from their homes. There are a small number of industrial arts/live work shops, with growing demand for such facilities.

Our residents closely coexist with businesses here. A high percentage of our residents are employed downtown in the service sector. Our close engagement in supporting the machinery of downtown, along with our culturally diverse working class mix of residents, combine to impart a unique flavor to life in Park East.

We believe our community is that unique spot in Sarasota, where several cultures co-exist in general harmony. In Park East, eccentric individuals are accepted, including artists, felons and overly educated professionals. The community is not impacted by or beholden to any one institution or corporation – other than downtown.

Retail is alive on multiple streets, but generally could use assistance in the form of broad scale strategic Planning – which is something all of Park East needs.

A significant percentage of the residential housing stock is currently under the ownership of small scale elderly landlords. They lack the capital, energy, time and expertise to do much with their land holdings. These Landlords, who weathered the economic downturn, are generally trying to figure out how to best proceed.

Meanwhile, they continue as landlords, collecting rent for properties that suffer from so many years of deferred maintenance… such properties useful lives have long passed. The structures are beyond repair and need to be replaced. Because of advanced age of these owners’, their time is running out. Some are entertaining selling their properties.

Recently a number of speculative investors have began canvassing Park East properties owners, encouraging them to sell or “partner” their properties. The results of their first speculative efforts are manifesting now as single family homes being built and offered for sale on speculation.

These homes are priced far beyond affordability for median income Sarasotans and are totally beyond the reach of working class residents of Park East. Furthermore, the spec houses being built under utilize the capability of DTN/DTE zoning, to establish multiple unit dwellings in Park East.

They instead will be bought by outside persons who will likely have a NIMBY mentality towards anything other than SFR development in the future. The residents of Park East, who contribute so much to the vitality of Sarasota, deserve better!

Over the last several years, a limited number of small-mid scale investors have aggregated multiple residential parcels in Park East. They are generally holding pat, awaiting a clear sense of direction before deciding how to proceed.

The current DTN/DTE density framework, as well as some of the current processes in the Department of Development need to be tailored to help move Park East in a good direction, to support existing residents and actually expand the inventory of affordable stock here.

In this residential sector, the owners and the renters in Park East could use assistance in the form of Planning/Zoning updates (a Park East zoning overlay?) that support the distinct needs and opportunities here. We also need updates to the Industrial zoning, to support expansion of live /work structures. Time is of the essence in Park East!

We as a community have a lot of work ahead of us. With the support of the city, - especially Planning in the near term - the unique character of Park East, as well as it’s affordability, can be preserved and expanded on.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 7 years ago

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The Fix Was In

Brazen County Commissioners Approve Zoning Changes Despite Massive Turnout Against It.

Roy Jones Jr was arguably one of the greatest boxers in the modern history of the sport. But Roy Jones is perhaps best remembered for a fight that he lost. In the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Jones masterfully outpunched his South Korean opponent in the gold medal contest. And then all hell broke loose. In what has largely been cited as one of the biggest fixes in the history of the sport, the judges awarded the gold to the local, Si Hun Park. The disgust and outrage felt by many who witnessed that boxing match is similar to what was experienced at the April 11 County Commission meeting here in Sarasota. The fix was in from the get go.

A throng of residents packed county commission chambers on a recent Wednesday in April. The vast majority were indignant about a proposed amendment to current zoning restrictions for the Siesta Key Commercial Overlay District. As has been reported thoroughly already by this newspaper, a planned high rise hotel is at the center of this debate as is controversial local developer/TV Producer/Marketer and chiropractor Gary Kompothecras.

At the meeting, lawyers for the parties hoping to develop the land presented revised language for the amendment, having attempted once before in January. Round 1 of the fix. Subsequent to a similarly contentious session earlier this year, county officials suggested that the developers meet with county staff to revisit their proposal and actually collaborate on some new language that would be more palatable. Yes, that’s right. The cat was invited into the rat’s nest for a few weeks to work behind the scenes on language for the commission to consider at April’s session.

The beginning of the discussion at the recent meeting centered on the revisions to the earlier proposed amendment. Effectively there was no real change. The intent was still very much intact: to provide chiropractor Gary with the ability to build what he wants in spite of long standing restrictions that have served Siesta Key well. And then the circus began.

Round 2 of the fix. With over 100 in attendance and more than two dozen angry local residents filling out cards to speak, the meeting stretched many hours into the afternoon. Each participant was allotted the requisite five minutes to provide their opinion and points of support or contention. Needless to say, the sentiment was overwhelmingly against making any changes to current charters. However, there were some hilarious outliers weighing in to voice their support of the amendment’s passage.

As a party to the request for the amendment, the first voice in support of the change was Clayton Thompson. Thompson beseeched the commission to seriously consider this amendment due to the dire need for the area to be redeveloped in ways that will improve future fortunes. Thompson described the current situation of the neighborhood as being blighted. Siesta Key. Blighted. The crowd contained their laughter.

Next up was Stephen Weeks, owner of Suncoast Sports. Suncoast Sports somehow holds a monopoly at the county’s Glebe Park, operating a business there each week throughout the year. Would be interesting to investigate the terms of that deal. Weeks claimed that families had no place to stay when they came to visit the area to play at his county park. Perhaps all the rooms available throughout Sarasota are already taken by the millions of other visitors that somehow find lodging.

These types of comments were sandwiched in between dozens of others who pleaded with the commission to use common sense and leave the code as it stands. And then, after several hours of angry residents decrying why the commission would even consider this appeal, the Kompothecras team brought in their heavy hitters. Literally.

Round 3 of the fix. Among the last to express their positions on the matter at around 5 oclock in the afternoon were Daquiri Deck owner Troy Syprett and local architect and President of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Mark Smith. In both cases and for the first time seemingly throughout the day, these public commenters were actually engaged by a couple of the commissioners. More than 30 people expressing their thoughts and opinions, the vast majority aghast that the issue was even being considered, but these two flunkies of Gary K somehow were able to engage with commissioners. Something fishy going on here.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 7 years ago

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Shakespeare On the Beach

By Jon Susce

Recent events at the county administration building have only fueled Sarasota’s reputation as a center for culture enthusiasts. There was no shortage of high theater as local elected officials donned their costumes, and to portray themselves as civic leaders. Paul “Fredo” Caragulio seemed to be reliving his days as a failed Opera singer by going back on stage at the recent County Commission session to discuss Gary K’s proposed hotel. Ignoring virtually all of the other public commenters who were in the dozens, Caragiulo engaged in a dramatic back and forth in what was clearly a rehearsed dialogue with Siesta Key Chamber director and architect Mark Smith. One of the only public voices that spoke in favor of the proposed amendment.

In one example of egregious ‘leading of the witness’, Caragiulio went so far as to say to Smith: ‘you are probably the person best qualified to answer the question of whether we need this amendment’. Yes, Paul. And you are the person least qualified to hold public office as a representative of your constituents. The packed room of onlookers stared incredulously at this exchange. In fact, as the final vote was submitted, most people appeared to not even understand, experiencing a gut punch that literally left them breathless.

In the end, the magnanimous Mr Kompothecras stepped up to put the proverbial cherry on the crap sundae and effectively laughed at the large crowd for thinking that they drew any sway. He was eager to let everyone know that he was going to do something beautiful and not have ‘that old gay bar’ sitting there anymore.

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sarasotaphoenix-blog · 7 years ago

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Orchestrated Chaos

Is local school board dysfunction led by Ziegler and Robinson part of larger scheme to discredit public schools?

Jon Susce

5/10/18

David Brain is the head of a large real-estate investment firm called Entertainment Properties Trust. In 2012, Brain appeared on CNBC in to discuss the real estate outlook nationally and with a specific eye on charter schools around the US. He explained that charter schools are “…. a very stable business, very recession-resistant. It’s a very high-demand product.”

Later on during his interview, Brain was asked about the most profitable sector in commercial real estate investment in the US right now. Considering the gradual death of retail, it was an important question at the time and remains so today.

Brain’s response to this question was pretty shocking: “Well, probably the best place to invest right now is in the charter school business. It’s our highest growth and most appealing sector right now of the portfolio. It’s the most in demand and the most recession-resistant. And a great, sustainable opportunity set with 500 schools starting every year. It’s a two and a half billion dollar opportunity set in rough measure annually.”

And there it was. Who knew?

Well actually, as it turns out, a lot of people know. And there are some here locally and scattered around the state of Florida that have known for a long time and have been building a juggernaut to capitalize on this opportunity. There are a few specific actors worth highlighting.

Kirtley

John Kirtley of Tampa, Fernando Zulueta of Miami and Gary Chartrand of Jacksonville are putting local Florida schools up for sale. The scheme will continue to further migrate state funds to privately run schools while giving more tax breaks to businesses and big corporations.

Chartrand

In Florida, the vouchers program gets $550 million this year. State statutes allow for an automatic 25% annual increase. As a result, funding will more than double every 4 years. $1 billion by 2020, $2 billion by 2024, $4 billion by 2028 and explode to $16 billion in 20 years!

Zulueta

This "Pay to Play" scenario indeed borders on the criminal. In fact, a similar scheme to the one mentioned above led to the incarceration of the former Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Michael Hubbard. He was sent to state prison for a term of four years for, among other things, accepting ongoing payments from a charter school services provider. The scandal came close to sending Kirtley’s business partner, former Governor of Alabama Robert Bentley to prison as well

How can the Florida State Legislature continue this type of program and still cut the corporate income taxes and taxes in corporate leases if they earmark those dollars for vouchers? What about other state needs while all these funds are being diverted for their private school friends?

KIRTLEY'S PAC CONTRIBUTES $MILLIONS

Kirtley, who is a Tampa based venture capitalist, controls a political committee in Florida that spent nearly $2.4 million to influence races in 2010 and 2012. He spent over $1.5 million in the 2014 election cycle and the same, if not more, in this recent election cycle.

Kirtley’s political committee, “Florida Federation for Children” (FFC), has channeled these millions into political advertisements and direct mail to assist favored candidates since 2010 who in turn are expected to promote his “Step Up for Students” program.

Charter school voucher and online education companies poured more than $2 million into last fall’s political campaigns in Florida; primarily those of Republicans who are again demanding more alternatives to traditional public schools. Kirtley alone donated $100,000 to Governor Rick Scott.

According to the National Institute on Money in State Politics, Kirtley has personally given $769,267 to Florida legislative candidates since 1989.

ZULUETA AND ‘ACADEMICA’

Fernando Zulueta is another heavy hitter in Tallahassee and in local races; and for a good reason. His company, Academica, is the largest private operator of charter schools in the state. The South Miami company receives more than $9 million a year in management fees just from its South Florida charter schools — fees that ultimately come from public tax dollars.

But Zuluetas’ greatest financial success is largely unseen: Through more than two dozen other companies, the Zulueta family controls more than $115 million in South Florida real estate — all exempt from property taxes as public schools — and act as landlords for many of Academica’s signature schools, records show.These companies collected about $19 million in lease payments last year from charter schools — with nine schools paying rents exceeding 20 percent of their revenue, records show.

SCOTT

Campaign contributions from these money men to Scott and Florida legislators have paid off. $91 million dollars for fixed capital outlay for Florida charter schools, as part of the Governor’s proposed 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget, was passed by the Florida Legislature.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE LIMITED CONTROL OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

Charter schools are public schools, but unlike traditional public schools, charter schools don’t take orders from the locally elected school board. Instead, they’re independently run by an appointed board, which often is selected by the charter school management company which runs the school. School districts have limited oversight of charter schools’ finances and academics.

In Florida, more than 250,000 students now attend charter schools, including more than 12,250 in Duval County. In Duval County nearly $70 million in state revenues went to charter schools in the 2014-15 school year.

In total, Florida has spent more than $760 million on charter schools buildings, operations, and expenses since 2000, according to an Associated Press analysis. That includes $70 million that went to charter schools which later closed, although little money was recouped by the 30 districts overseeing those charters.

Ravitch

DO CHARTER SCHOOLS EVEN MAKE SENSE?

Diane Ravitch was appointed by George HW Bush as Assistant Secretary of Education under Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander. Ravitch, is a Wellesley College graduate and a Columbia University PhD recipient, as well as a former Stanford University Hoover School fellow.

Her assessment of the charter school phenomena is blunt. "The charter school and testing reform movement are studded with 'myths' started by billionaires for the purpose of destroying public education."

Chartrand and Kirtley Charter School type programs are described by Ravitch as being: "low-performing charters, frauds, involved in corruption, having incompetent charter operators and engaged in exclusionary policies practiced by charters that result in poor results and divert much needed funding from public schools into private hands.”

Ravitich further stated, "They (Charter Schools) are destroying our education system, blowing it up by their stupid policies, high-stakes testing, "utopian" goals, "draconian" penalties, school closings and more.”

CLOSE TO HOME

Kirtley’s PAC, Florida Federation for Children (FFC) has raised over $4 million and has contributed all of that $4 million to influence politicians in Florida and Alabama. This money is spread across the state and there are numerous recent examples where the impact is being felt. Sarasota’s experience typifies what is happening.

Zucker

In the 2016 School Board race, money from Kirtley’s PAC was deployed strategically to attack incumbent Caroline Zucker in her race against Teresa Mast. Already the board was comprised of two very supportive allies in Eric Robinson who was running unopposed and seated member, Bridget Ziegler. So the effort to remove Zucker and replace her with Teresa Mast was of the highest priority.

Mast

Mast, who ultimately lost the race, aligned closely with Eric ‘the prince of dark money’ Robinson. In fact, Robinson at one point controlled one of the PACS which funneled over $30 thousand into the Mast campaign. So a school board member, moving money around to help a candidate defeat another school board member.

Robinson is also tied to a Jacksonville based billionaire, Gary Chartrand. Another major financial supporter of charter schools, Chartrand contributed heavily to the Rick Scott campaigns for Governor. And in 2013 was appointed by Scott as Chairman of the Florida State Board of Education. Although no longer chairman, Chartrand remains a major influence on the education board.

Robinson

Chartrand is an active contributor to Eric Robinson controlled PACs. For example, Jacksonville based PAC, “Build Something That Lasts”, is managed by Robinson with Chartrand as a major contributor. It has funneled $100,000 into two local Robinson managed PAC’s based in Venice: “Making A Better Tomorrow” and “Sarasota Citizens For Our Schools”. The latter of which spent over $30k in support of the failed Mast candidacy.

In addition to the thousands of dollars coming from Tampa, Jacksonville and beyond to control the recent Sarasota County School Board election, thousands of dollars have come from the following multimillion dollar developers corrupting Sarasota County Government:

Neal

Pat Neal: seven $1,000 contributions and two $500 contributions; Carlos Beruff: sixteen contributions with six $1,000 contributions and ten $200 contributions; Randy Benderson: four $1,000 contributions; James Gabbert: six contributions totaling $3,800; Gary Kompothecras: seven $1,000 contributions; Rex Jensen: three $500 contributions; Bob Waechter: six, $1,000 contributions.

Beruff

FAST FORWARD

So what does this all mean? Where are we headed in Sarasota County?

Recent events at the Sarasota School Board as reported by the Phoenix highlight the drama as it unfolds. Ultimately, they are the proof of the cancer that is being spread by this twisted public/private partnership surrounding our educational system.

It is apparent that private interests have taken a very unhealthy interest in the future of public education and government set asides. And their interest has little to do with the health of our children and everything to do with the health of the real estate development and management economy.

Eric Robinson and Bridget Ziegler have both been demonstrated as being accomplices in an effort to effectively undermine the school board and paint a picture of dysfunction, setting the table for future elections and what they would hope are sweeping changes which would give them a majority or unanimity of decision makers. Were this to happen, as it is happening in several districts around the state, there is a very real chance that publicly funded, privately managed schools will tip the balance.

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