Update 9/19/12

The ethics complaint I filed against Blattner was dismissed at the probable cause hearing in front of the Ethics Commission. The complaint was confidential, but now I can explain the basis for filing.

NTL Paquette (now Owens) was on Blattner’s e-mail list for his blog. He used the same e-mail list to solicit campaign contributions for his reelection. Carol sent him an e-mail asking him to stop, but she continued to receive additional requests. We believed Blattner used his city computer and his authority to influence city employees. You might find it unconscionable for someone who the PBA has supported for many years, who proceeds to spend the city in to insolvency and th;en strips away officers’ pay and benefits to fix his mistakes, to ask a PBA member to contribute to his reelection campaign. We felt (and still do) that Carol should have been vindicated by the commission.

On Wednesday 9/12/12 the PBA political consultant, Jim Spearing, came down from Tallahassee to put on a two-hour seminar for BCPBA-endorsed candidates. Callari, Holodak and Serian from Hollywood participated as did as candidates from Hallandale and Coconut Creek.

Money from retirees has been continually coming in for Hollywood candidates.

Traci Callari has been working hard and had a great turnout at her volunteer get together. If you live in Hollywood Hills please contact her at 954-914-9190 to walk your street with her.

On Sunday, 9/23/12,  Sonia Barcelo from the Americana Pharmacy, who resides at 2200 North 51 ave., will be hosting a barbecue for her neighbors to meet Traci. The event is from 1-3 pm. Mr. and Mrs. Recio will be co-hosting. The location is significant because it is near the NO SHEEHAN residence. Traci will be walking the area and passing out flyers to invite residents to the event. We need about six volunteers to help pass out the flyers for Traci on Thursday, 9/20/12 at 17:45 hours. Please meet at 3918 Buchanan Street. This will only take an hour of your time.

REMINDER: Tomorrow contract negotiations will be held at City Hall at 1 pm.

Update 9/10/12

On Friday several members from the BCPBA executive board attended the oral arguments before the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee relating to the civil suit filed by many unions representing members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Each side had 20 minutes. After the session we spoke with PBA attorneys who were present and do not really have a strong opinion of how the justices will rule. Their opinions will be out in several months. The scope of collective bargaining and the right to contract as to how it affects municipalities depends on how elaborate the justices write their decisions.

Currently there are (4) appeals in the District Courts of Appeals throughout the state relating to financial urgency.

 Today, the PBA sent an e-mail to the CM/Ms. Manager requesting a collective bargaining session where she responded with a tentative date of September 20, 2012.

Wednesday, 9/12/11 at 8 pm there is a rally/get together for Traci at Sebastiano’s at 46 and the Blvd. Please try to attend for the body count.