Sunday Column: Goober, Opie and Gomer In Pinellas

For starters, and just for starters, I want my money back.

I want Pinellas County to sell back that land that it bought from the elected county property appraiser, Jim Smith.

I want Smith to give back the $225,000 that he got.

They should do it tomorrow. Either that, or Smith should resign.

Have they lost their minds?

Under what circumstance should a County Commission do land deals with the county's elected officers?

Under what circumstance should the county's property appraiser be doing personal land deals with the county?

Here's a hint: none.... [rest of column]

Comments

[Boo Boo]

From the June 5 meeting of the Bocc.
Here is how we got sold out!
Item #25 Contract for Sale and Purchase with James H. Smith, Jr. for acquisition of vacant real
property located in Palm Harbor, (Parcel No. 34/27/16/00000/330/0100) for the Tarpon
Woods Boulevard - Brooker Creek project approved; authorization granted for issuance
of a check in the amount of $225,000.00 to Stephen G. Watts, P.A. (appraisal fee in the
amount of $1,800.00 for total estimated cost of $226,800.00); Chairman authorized to
execute the contract and the Clerk to attest.
June 5, 2007
8
Motion - Commissioner Latvala
Second - Commissioner Welch
Vote - 7 - 0

[Lorraine Margeson]

Howard the Slasher,

Outstanding piece.....slack-jawed BOCC, talk about appropriate descriptions! Hey, I'm thinking it's about time to look SERIOUSLY at recall efforts..........not only Smith (available at this time I'm sure legally), but also Commissioners Morroni and Latvala qualify for a recall effort by November of this year. Not too mention the four up for election in '08. This group is hopeless....and the only way to get a REAL County Administrator who cares about the citizens of Pinellas County is to have a NEW ONE.........and only the BOCC can hire and fire, their ONLY employee that they have under their charge. At this point, it's the only way to get Pinellas healthy again.........we need a brand new BOCC pallette to wash away the grime that now epitomizes THIS Pinellas County Government.

Lorraine

[Dave R. - stressed out Pinellas County taxpayer]

This type of nepotism is not new. Listening to Jim Smith, one has to wonder who are the idiots that keep re-electing him? For that matter, who are the idiots that keep electing the Pinellas County Commissioners?

If the people of Pinellas want this to stop, then they need to wake up - and act at the election box !!!!

For that matter, Troxler had better watch his back if he is a Pinellas County taxpayer. These people on the commission are particularly vindictive and are have demonstrated sufficient audacity to target critics.

I say throw all of these bums (on the commission and the appraiser) out on their collective behinds - and make sure they don't land with pensions in hand.!!!

[lyle Aldrich]

Apparently, Mr. Smith's interpretation of "highest and best" method of appraising properties, that is destroying the businesses in the county, does not apply to his property.

[Monica Dalton]

Once again Howard has hit the nail right on the head! I find it totally incredulous that there has not been more outrage from the public over this
highly suspicious deal. When are the citizens of Pinellas county going to wake up? Thank you again, Howard, for telling it like it is.

[Don Mott]

Another very important bit of this deal that should be investigated is why or how this land sold for almost 4 times its taxable value. I assure you I cannot sell my home for 4 times the taxable value. Mr. Smiths answer is that property always sells for more than the taxable value. Yes it does but usually not even close to twice the value let alone quadruple the value. Either the property was grossly undervalued for tax purposes or the taxpayers were grossly overcharged, either way Jim Smith or the County commissioners owe us some money! This whole deal smells like rotten fish, but it's comforting to know that the fox is guarding the chicken coop in Pinellas.

[Karl Nurse]

Sometimes actions of public officials
fail the smell test. This clearly stinks. How could Jim Smith have thought this would look like anything but a public official getting a sweetheart deal? Clearly, he has been in the office for so long that it did not even occur to him that it might be viewed as corrupt.

[Roger]

Save it Karl, your lip prints are all over the butts of the BOCC. Who do you think you're kidding?

If they hand you another meaningless appointment, you'll change your tune… but quick.

Great Article Howard!

This shows that Ronnoie Duncan is no better then any other idiot on the commission but this is on his watch

[Maddie]

Just another day in Pinellas County. At least by printing the article yesterday and Mr. Troxlers’ article today, some of the readers will see what happened.

The Times indicated Mr. $mith is up for re-election in 08. Make sure he has to find work elsewhere when he does. (By the way, did anyone catch the fact that the lawsuit threat/land deal coincided with Mr. $mith’s divorce and the fact he needed cash for his new home in the article yesterday)?

Follow suit on the County Commission when they run also. Folks, a lot of people are mad. It’s time to shuffle the deck and deal a new County Commission.

[Brenda Hott]

Thank you Howard!!! I hope the readers & citizens of Pinellas finally wake up to how our money has been misused. No taxation without representation isn't that where it all began. It is time to take back.

[Janet]

Morroni, Seal, Welch, Latvala, Harris, Duncan, Stewart - 7 puppets who have wooden heads and care little about the average citizen

Spratt - county administrator who pulls the strings

Smith - one of the good ol' boys

Howard - tells it how it is

Voters - victims

[Ron]

Howard, Great article, but please don't denigrate the good citizens of Mayberry, North Carolina. This type of activity would never have been allowed in that great city. The Andy Griffith show was, ans still is, the greatest television show ever produced.

[Tim]

Howard’s article, and all these comments are dead-nuts-on. But folks, the problem is and continues to be voter apathy. 12 to 24% voter turn out will not improve the situation. The Times (sorry Howard) will continue to endorse/recommend the incumbents and connected candidates of “their choice”, and will not give an honest and substantive write-up, report, or nod to anyone else. If we keep equating candidate quality and integrity with the amount of money they collect, we’ll continue to elect corruption.

Don’t listen to the Times, don’t believe the glossy flyers, keep you eyes on the road not the billboards, attend public candidate forums (if we can get them advertised and covered), and do your own research. From my perspective… I’ll vote for the person who has the least campaign money and no special interest agenda… this is the candidate who deserves a look and listens. These are the candidates who are indebted to only those they seek to serve… “The People”.