The Readers: Pinellas Scandal

Excerpts from reader comments about the Jim Smith-Pinellas County land scandal:

Left out of your column today was the role played by Bernie McCabe and his office. Just as it is said a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich by the same token they can get a grand jury to find no criminality when the facts blatantly denote otherwise. McCabe has never -- NEVER -- brought a charge against a public official. He is the great "protector" in the county's club of officials. Witness the Bruce Tyndall case et al. -- Leo Coughlin

Dear Mr. Coughlin: Well, I agree that if the state attorney WANTED an indictment, he probably would be able to talk the grand jury into it. I have heard of rare cases over the years where a grand jury insisted on indicting when the state attorney didn't... and a few more cases where the state attorney wanted one and the grand jury refused. In this state, I predicted from the beginning there would not be a criminal charge and I think it would be hard to make one stick. If "making a bad deal for the taxpayers" was a crime a lot more people would be in the pokey. Personally, I don't think the decision was unreasonable, but I have heard from several citizens who disagree.

As a 23 year employee of Pinellas County I have been disgusted with the under handed, good old boy, lookin' out for each other, we'll just slide this one by quietly land deal. I love my job and have always been proud to tell people who I work for. My parents were far more proud of me for getting hired by the county than when I graduated from college. A good government job with benefits was what they wanted for this girl. But now I find myself embarassed by my employers...The Board of County Commissioners. I put them right up there with all the other moronic behavior of politicians lately. Dishonest, misleading, hypocrites who are lying to the people who they work for...uh, that would be you, me, the taxpaying public. ARRRGGGGHHHH.

Thanks for the strong comment. The grand jury took pains, at the end of its presentment, to point out that there are a lot of good, hard-working public employees trying to serve the taxpayers, and that this affair ought not hurt their reputation. Over the years as I have criticized the Pinellas leadership I have tried to make the same point, too.

Here is one reader's "translation" of the apology by County Administrator Steve Spratt, as published on the op-ed page:

Paragraph #1 contains and acceptance of responsibility for the "Jim Smith Property Matter" (Rape of the tax payers). Paragraph #2 places the blame on those pesky field workers. Ahh, their hearts are in the right place but they don't know the rules. Paragraph #3 tells how daddy will make it better. Paragraph #4 "I'm not a crook!!!" somebody else was responsible for the analysis. Paragraph #5 I don't know the rules either, can an "independent expert help us? (Consultant???--$$$$$$$) Paragraph #6 The Public Works Department is the culprit. (Who do they work for?? the County Administrator I believe). Paragraph #7 Susan Churuti did it. How much is the tax payer footing the bill for the "legal Guidance that can only be trusted to a certain point and then someone has to use "independent judgement". Paragraph #8 Most commissioners said they knew nothing about Jim Smith's involvement. (Minor communication breakdown).... -- Dave H

Dear Dave H.: Thank you for the subtitles...

Comments

[Boo Boo]

Just like Ms ARRRGGGGHHHH I am also a PC Employee disgusted with the whole affair. I try to serve the public as best I can. I get more "thank you" you have been very helpful then you jerk I'd like to rip your face off. There is plenty of finger pointing going on now. I only have 10 fingers, one points at Jim Smith, one at Steve Spratt and one at Susan Cheruti. I now have 7 fingers left where should they be pointing? It will very interesting indeed to watch the meeting on Sept 4th.

[John Sipos]

Since Bernie McCabe thought it best not to indict the ham sandwich, next election cycle voters might consider having the elected officials who approved its making, for lunch.