(Individual letters addressed to Mayor Patti Trefry, and Commissioners Foster, Harding, Raspe, and Vickrey)
Good afternoon,
I'll try to make this short:
It's come to my attention city administrator Dave Turner, in action apparently condoned by certain commissioners has arbitrarily and capriciously conspired to block the submittal of legitimate petitions, including refusal to place a legal referendum action on the agenda re the city hall issue. This appears to be an egregious violation of nothing less than the civil rights of the taxpayers and citizens of KCB.
I shouldn't need to suggest that you and other officials were elected and hired in good faith to represent the will of the voters and taxpayers. Administrator Turner's actions negate that. The actions thus far further suggest justice is not being done and it's obvious that such will is being ignored. One tires of hearing this quote but I respectfully remind all that ** "we live in a federal democratic republic and not in a dictatorship". Just the appearances being created are neither pretty nor desirable. It would seem this rabbit-hole being dug by the officials does not promise a happy ending for them and is continually creating a waste of our precious and limited resources.
**Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
**Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws).
I urge you and the other officials to rethink this and govern yourselves accordingly. Rules in our civilized society fortunately provide remedies for failure to do so.
~John M. Pasko
Key Colony Beach
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Here's a roundup of comments from KCB voters to us about the city refusal to honor the referendum petition:
"Way to go with the signed petitions. What jerks we have running our city."
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"ABSURD and unconscionable. Running roughshod over us. Turner and the commissioners are going much too far and CANNOT be allowed to get away with this. "
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"Turner needs to be fired. We need to put pressure on the Mayor to fire him."
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"I guess they have spent some of our $50,000 tax money to get legal ways to stonewall us. When is the next election so we can start throwing the bums out? We only need to replace one of the unholy trinity to start cleaning house."
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"OMG!!! This is not what democracy is about. I think this should be posted on the KCB Facebook page. Everyone needs to know this, not just the people in your group. Maybe KCB stands for Key Communist Beach. I am appalled."
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"Is there any legal action that can be do in our favor?"
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"Time to have yard signs made. ABSURD AGREED"
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"That's bull, we as citizens of KCB should be able to vote on city hall. Turner should be fired immediately. Let the people vote, it's their city not the 5 committee members on the commission."
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"I guess we will see them in court on 9/21 @ 2:30pm. I don't get why they don't want to take this to a vote. Clearly 1/4 of us do not want a new building. Why keep moving forward with it??? "
Concerned Voters
Key Colony Beach, FL
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Do the Right Thing
Dear Friends,
Many citizens of Key Colony Beach have spoken. Many things have changed in KCB. Many leaders have changed. Times have changed since the decision to tear down the old city hall building and build anew. It's not the same. it's time to renew and refresh decisions.
Please do the right thing and let the people vote on what they want.
Sincerely,
Janie Byland
Key Colony Beach, FL
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To the Gang of Three--I Am Shocked and Appalled at Your Attitude
This is directed to the Gang of Three. I voted for each of you to be elected and you have betrayed me and most of the KCB's voters. How dare you go against the will of the people. Together with our worthless City Manager, you have betrayed my trust. Consider yourselves lame duck commissioners as there is no way you will ever be reelected. And possibly you will be impeached before your next election.
You will have to hang your heads low as you move around KCB or possibly even leave. It is sad that it has come to this. Very few will greet you or give you the time of day. Our referendum will succeed and you will be the laughing stock of the county.
Sincerely,
Ron Teke
Key Colony Beach, FL
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Referendum
Good afternoon, my wife and I own two homes in KCB - 580 and 590 10th street. We believe it would be fundamentally unjust and very unwise to deny residents the opportunity to vote directly on the controversial new village hall. We believe a referendum is the proper way to handle this, and ask that village government expeditiously provide this venue.
Jason and Lori Elder
Key Colony Beach, FL
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Referendum refusal
Dear Mayor, Commissioners, and Mr Turner,
I am at a complete loss for words at learning that you are completely disregarding the will of your constituents and fellow citizens of KCB by blocking the proper implementation of a referendum vote on the question of the city hall reconstruction.
What you are doing is not only wrong and improper, but seems like it should be illegal and criminal. What has caused our local government to declare war on the voters and residents of KCB? You seem to have taken the position of "Winning for the sake of winning" irrespective of whether your position is right or CLEARLY wrong.
I wish I could take back my vote that put you in office, I will support any recall of the "Gang of three", and I'm sure that none of the gang will be around after the next election. Please don't leave salted earth behind on your way out the door.
Marcus Anderson
Key Colony Beach, FL
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City Hall
"The submitted petition will not be placed on a future agenda, the city will not be holding a referendum vote of the electors, and it shall not suspend any action on the matter."
Are you kidding me! How childish can some of you people be, with is our way or the highway attitude. This absolutely amazes and truly disappoints me in some of our "leaders". In the end you are citizens of KCB with too much power. Those of you pushing this agenda and supporting the above quoted statement are not smarter than the rest of the concerned citizens. You need to get your heads out of the sand and listen to the people that unfortunately voted you in.
Paul Eville
Key Colony Beach, FL
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Referendum
Gentlemen,
Who does not support a referendum for the new city hall building and why?
For an 8 million dollar project that we don't have cash for, I'd like to vote on that.
Larry and Michelle Smoot
Key Colony Beach, FL
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Comments to the Commission
Please reconsider voting yes for tearing down our current, still standing city hall, marble hall and post office!!!
I can't understand your end game for such an extravagant expense and demoralizing act to our great city, Not listening to your constituents, which is your duty, is abhorrent!! Why is your one voice more important than 265 other registered voters??
Changing your position, considering the times we are living in and the financial burden on your constituents this would bring, could calm the fears many of the community feel. I ask for your consideration, again, to give the community back to it's people, and do the right and just thing.
Florence Roseboro
Key Colony Beach, FL
