winter springs
the shadow government
city manager held closed-door "PRIVATE" meetings with city commissioners prior to their considering his pay/Pension raise at a commission meeting !
BULLETIN !
city of winter springs commission meeting.
CITY MANAGERS pay RAISE/PENSION PLAN WAS PASSED BEHIND CLOSE DOORS !
the City manager was given a pay raise in a second -- without any discussion on the dais !
McLemore's three stooges - (manny - moe, and Mary ) carried the vote!
Mayor allowed NO time for discussion !
Winter Springs, Florida --- A City without an elected Government !
the citizens of winter springs are not represented the their elected officials on the dais !
Read the copy of an email sent to Mayor as forwarded to PFGG ----- We were [ THERE ] !
Once again, the Commissioners are being asked to vote on something of importance, in the dead of the night. City Manager McLemore has very conveniently placed on the Agenda, Item "J", his request for a 3.5% increase in his salary, perks, and compensation --- for 2001/2002 --- not 2003. He already pulled this same ploy back in the summer of 2002, when he was granted a $141,050.00 package.
Is this the "Peter Principle" in play here ? ( In the "Peter Principle" --- incompetence is rewarded ) When will he come and demand more money for 2003? How many of you can count on a raise every year ---- over and above the COLA (Cost of Living ) --- plus a "Golden Parachute" retirement package?
The American Airlines CEO tried the same thing -- he GOT FIRED !
In view of the soft economy, when many of our citizens have either lost their jobs or have taken cuts in their salary*, our City Manager looks out for himself. Given the fact that he hires consultants at the drop of a hat, what does he really do for his pay? If one is to believe the garbage he included in his agenda item attachments --- then contact your local realtor --- he's got a snow ski lift in Florida he wants to sell you.
* After the 9-11 terrorist strike in New York, the City Council of Oviedo voted to dispense with their council pay, and donated it. They make less than 1/5 of what our City Commissioners enjoy !
Not only is he meeting in private with HIS Commission, but after contacting the Cities he listed for comparison, on his propaganda agenda attachment, many of his figures do not compute. But, he has covered himself well --- the agenda is put out on Friday --- the meeting is on Monday, and any doubts cannot be uncovered by the Commissioners. Most of them only pick up their agenda packages late Friday, or just before the Monday meeting.
If McLemore was employed by the Cities he cited --- he'd be gone by now for these stunts !
His performance evaluation will be done one-on-one with each Commissioner. Given the lack of spine by some Commissioners, will they succumb again to threats by McLemore resigning ?
With the package he's built in for himself -- -- his resigning would be a welcomed event !
They need their precious "TownCenter" to be completed. But they must remember --- it was built by consultants, and poor City management cost hundreds-of-thousands in construction errors. The real driving force behind the TownCenter left City employment, even though McLemore tried to entice him with huge compensation. McLemore must have needed a fall guy on which to place the remaining construction defects. There were many !
What else can McLemore use as leverage with his favorite "threesome" Commissioners --- those that vote "en-bloc"? Will all the Commissioners know what is said between them and Mr. McLemore? One thing for sure --- even though it's a public forum --- the citizens of Winter Springs will NEVER know ! Watch the City Commissioners' vote Monday night --- you'll know who represents the citizens of Winter Springs on the dais.
We wish the Commissioners would ask a very important question of Mr. McLemore ----
Why is there such a turnover of employees in this City ?
Why did he cover up the sex scandal in City Hall for over two years ? Why have those that left with huge pay-off benefits remained totally silent of actions within City Hall ? Why is the City so immersed in covering up the debts of the City ? Isn't it a sign of good administration when City employees are content in their jobs --- instead of gritting their teeth waiting for full retirement? Why is the list of top level vacancies so long ? Good people have been lost to surrounding cities, all since the arrival of Mr. McLemore. WHY ????
In his list of accomplishments, his boasting of grants, received from State and Federal sources, leaves out the very fact that for every grant received, the City of Winter Springs must match or exceed that amount, or maintain all benefits derived for future City debt. He really is the --- "last-of-the-big-spenders" ---- of your tax dollars !
He has literally caused a situation to exist where there are two sets of laws in this City ---- one for developers ---- one for Winter Springs citizens ! Not only that, he has construct two different sets of City Codes ---- one for his "TownCenter" --- the other for the remaining part of the City --- if there is even anything left that used to be called Winter Springs -- "The City of Trees" !
Examples are --- Citizens who have a tree causing the breaking of a driveway are fined $2,500.00 if they remove it. Developers are allowed to strip the land for their projects, without being charged for the trees they remove. In fact, in some cases, they're given "CREDITS" for removing trees. The TownCenter was stripped ---- NO FINES !
Neon signs are held to be vulgar by the City Development Department and Commissioners ---- but ALLOWED IN THE TOWNCENTER ! Trash dumpsters must be enclosed by his new codes ----- but NOT AT CITY HALL -- OR even as seen in THE TOWNCENTER (they may suddenly cover these -- we've got pictures of their present condition).
*** IT HAPPENED --- AGAIN -- ***
Commissioner Robert Shirley Miller caught the fatal disease known as -- "FOOT-IN-MOUTH" !
where is equal treatment under the law ---- in winter springs ?
As elected by the citizens of Winter Springs, we have the right to expect that the Commission will stand firm for its citizens ---
McLemore should not be given a blank check by the Commissioners !
to be seen - a commission with a backbone !
You can find other items that display this City Manager's various actions in other stories on this web site. Some of you will remember a lot of the stories of true facts pertaining to the actions of this City Manager. Even his background check was a disaster --- as conducted by a former City Attorney. That is another story.
He lost his last position. There were many questions concerning his use of consultants. Even when reassigned by Martin County, to a lesser position, his negligence in overlooking the faulty construction of a water tower was another factor. He has even sought at least five other jobs since being employed by the City of Winter Springs. One of those attempts was even comical !
a responsible board of directors -- would fire this man ! Martin County Did !
Alas, however, there was the " McLemore Magnificent Moments " (?)
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