the updated follow-up is on the next page click [ HERE ]

THE  PERSONAL VENDETTAS ON THE CITY DAIS !

            It has become quickly apparent that Commissioner Sally McGinness has difficulty understanding the importance of City Boards and Committees.   You would think after sitting on almost every one of the City’s Boards and Committees as a citizen, she, of all people, would know how vital these boards are to the operation and guidance of the City of Winter Springs.   It is evident, all those brief and fleeting stints she had on those City Boards and Committees were lost on her and were just stepping-stones to where she is resting her rear estate in City Hall today.   Of course, citizens have former Commissioner Cindy Gennell to thank, since she appointed friend, confidant, and puppet McGinnis to most of those boards and committees whether or not McGinnis was qualified.   Clearly, most times she was not.

         During a regular Commission meeting, McGinnis voted "Yes" to support City Manager Ron McLemore’s suspicious attempt to change a  City ordinance to allow convicted felons, who have had their rights restored, to serve on City Boards and Committees.   She cited that these individuals could vote and run for public office.   However, she failed to mention that convicted felons who have had their rights restored cannot carry a gun – they are denied that constitutional right.    And, if this sort of person decides to run for public office, WE THE PEOPLE vote whether or not we want that convicted felon to serve in office.

            Why should the PEOPLE trust McGinnis or any other commissioner to use good judgment in appointing these types of individuals?   Why would a commissioner even consider appointing a convicted felon? Well, it has more to do with friendship than anything else.   McGinnis is true evidence that she was appointed to Boards and Committees not because she was qualified but because she was in good with her friend ex-Commissioner Gennell.   Patently so, a Commissioner can be blinded and overlook the true failings, non-qualifications, or, the former convictions of a friend.   However, the voting public more than likely will not. Fortunately, McGinnis was outvoted on the proposed ordinance change and it failed to pass.

            Now fast-forward to the special Commission meeting, McGinnis is asked to make an appointment to the Planning and Zoning Board.   Her appointment, as is most board appointments, is without question or comment approved unanimously.   Next up is Commissioner Michael Blake who makes an appointment to the Board of Trustees of the City’s pension fund.   His appointment, as is most board appointments, is without question or comment approved unanimously.  Finally up is Commissioner McLeod who also must make an appointment to the Board of Trustees.   His appointment, UNLIKE most board appointments, without question or comment, is instantly shot down by Commissioners McGinnis, Ed Martinez, & Robert S. Miller.   Ah, the 3Ms rise up together, but why on this?

            McLeod maintains his appointee, Mark Lammert, a CPA, has the much-needed professional qualifications to sit on this board and more importantly is willing to volunteer and serve the City and its employees.   McLeod, the most senior-sitting Commissioner, knows the importance of this Board and presents a qualified person.   Martinez in his hackneyed Capone-style all but tells McLeod to find someone else and don’t come knocking again.   What could Lammert possibly have done to been dealt the fickle finger of fate by McGinnis, Martinez, and Miller?    How is it that three commissioners simultaneously voted down an appointment without a public statement as to why?   Is Lammert a convicted felon?  NO!  Is Lammert duly qualified?  YES!   When listening to McGinnis AFTER the defeating vote, she speaks of acting in the public interest and then punctuates her statement with, "This is not personal."    Well, McGinnis, why are you conjuring up the notion that the Lammert appointment is not in the public interest and if this is not personal, then what is it?

            Anyone who knows anything about the parties involved, knows that the 3Ms have such a vendetta against Lammert that they will play folly with the financial future of the City’s employees.   Could it be that the 3Ms guided missile attack on McLeod’s nominee was in retaliation of McLeod financially supporting John Bush’s mayoral campaign instead of their buddy Cindy Gennell?   Or was it because Lammert and fellow Highlands Board of Directors put pressure on board member McGinnis to resign when it was discovered that McGinnis was employed by the Highlands management company for sometime and never disclosed it?   Lammert and other board members were left in the dark until McGinnis’ secret employment was revealed when Winter Springs citizens received an announcement by mail from the City naming McGinnis and others to the City’s Charter Review Committee (talk about your stretch appointments by ex-Commissioner Gennell).   McGinnis was cited as being employed by the management company of the Highlands in the announcement.   Is McGinnis still smarting over that episode where she was publicly caught by Lammert and others on the wrong side of an ethics issue?

            Let’s bring Miller into the mix.   It is a little secret that Miller is a good friend with fellow commissioner McGinnis.   What’s his angle on Lammert?   Well, Miller is a big player in the political shenanigans that has taken place in the Highlands since 2001 against Lammert and former city commission candidate Helga Schwarz. In fact, Miller’s attempt to overthrow the Highlands board of directors failed.   He ran for the Highlands board last year only to be humiliated when he mustered 10 votes.   Miller owns a home in the Highlands, but doesn’t live there.   Where does he live?   Well, if you go by county property records for that Highlands home at 863 Sheoah Circle, he lives in Nicosia, Cyprus.   Gosh, since when are voting districts in Winter Springs that big?   Who is Miller trying to kid?   He actually lives in Suite 2 on Silver Creek Drive in Winter Springs.   For some reason though, he makes Seminole County pay hefty postage fees to send his tax bills for the Highlands property over to Cyprus.  Why?   Probably because he has some sheltered funds stashed away in that big banking conglomerate he worked for before he inflicted himself upon the good people of Winter Springs.

            Now what does Commissioner "Fast Eddie" Martinez have against Lammert?   Well, it can’t be anything too elaborate because Fast Eddie is incapable of that.   It probably has to do with the fact that he showed up at a Highlands Board meeting last year and the red carpet was not rolled out by then President Lammert.   Lammert failed to recognize Martinez!   Why should he be recognized or given special treatment?  Martinez doesn’t live in the Highlands.  This infuriated the "Oh, Great Commissioner" who finally blurted out his presence, his place in the community, and that he should be heard.   What gives with that?   How many Highlands owners run over to Fast Eddie’s Tuscawilla HOA board meetings and demand special preference over members just so they can ramble on and on?   What was Fast Eddie doing over in the Highlands and who encouraged him to attend?   More than likely, it was his friends and Highlands owners McGinnis and Miller.

            There’s more to this appointment story than meets the eye.   The bottom line is that McGinnis lied on the dais when she said it was not personal.   Maybe what burns McGinnis the most about the Lammert appointment is that he is so professionally qualified for the City’s Board of Trustees that it brings to light just how unqualified she was for all the City Boards she served on.

            After one month in office, McGinnis has proven that, like her friends Martinez and Miller, she is an old-schooled politician versus a much-needed public servant.   Who was served in this rejection of McLeod’s appointment?  It was McGinnis, Martinez, and Miller.   Who got sacrificed by this salvo?  Of course, it was the City employees!    Way to go, Commissioners McGinnis, Martinez, and Miller, for looking out for your interests over the financial future of our city employees. 

the first "thumbs down" award is credited to --

commissioner sally McGinnis, who gave us this gem ---

What happened to "Government for the People, of the People, and by the People" ?

   who is going to get the First "THUMBS UP" award ? 

[ the vote ]  **   **  [ archives ]