The Last Word

In case you missed it, here was one reader's comment added to the post earlier this week about Steve Spratt's resignation:

So, the all knowing, obnoxious, perfect, holier than thou Howard Troxler finally has his pound of flesh.

Posted by: Judge | September 11, 2007 at 08:16 PM

And on that note...

Comments

[Andy G]

Interesting point. While I'm sure Mr. Troxler was initially a bit exhilarated by the stir he caused, he was probably also a bit dismayed by some of the results. I do feel that in general he represents the feelings of "the people" better than some other writers on the Times staff. For sure this little brouhaha does show one thing however, and that is the amazing power of the press. Hope some good comes of it. If nothing else, it shows there's still plenty of waste in government and lots of room for further tax cuts. For that we can definitely thank Mr. Troxler. But for all those who have suffered, take heart. Tomorrow is another day.

[20/20]

Andy, you offer a reasonable point. However… were it not for the likes of Howard, and the tenacity of Will – and surprisingly… the support of the Times’ editors, this “little brouhaha” would have never come to the attention of the taxpayers in Pinellas.

Now, I’m going to share a little something with you – and in time – you will realize why it hurts me to do this. Seel was actually on to something that most everyone missed. During the “rehearsed” termination of Churuti… Seel asked a question, in fact she mentioned it twice. However, she did not have the courage to simply say it (more reason why she too has to go). She inquired as to why the sale priced actually dropped from its original price to 225K. Damn, I really hate to do this… but it has to be done because it speaks to the complacency attitude of the entire Board and to why they all need to go.

If you research the past few Charter Review processes and subsequent changes… you’ll find a little detail relating to Spratt’s approval authority relative to dollar amounts. In this, you will find the core reason for the Board’s complacency, and the reason the price dropped in order for it to pass without question with a 7-0 unanimous vote. Moreover, you might recognize how we (the taxpayers) have been nickel’d and dime’d to death here in Pinellas – and, come to the understanding that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

I believe that Seel was on to it, but did not have the courage to say it publicly. And for that lack of courage and determination to get to the truth, she needs to go with the rest of them.

And that is exactly why Spratt was "allowed" to resign... because it is a double-edged sword. If that becomes public, we have no other choice but to ask; how many other blanket approvals, and how much has it cost the taxpayers of Pinellas County? And in this, you find the real reason Seel stopped short and why this Board is praying for this to be over… but it should not be allowed to be over. It has to stop... and they all have to go in order for that to happen.

… of course, that’s just my opinion.

[Boo Boo]

All good points 20/20. Mr. Spratt tried to grab power in the past by adding an amendment to the charter that he be able to fire anyone at will. If he had been given this power no doubt he would have cleaned house and set up all his puppets. All of his assistants now are (were) at his beck and call. Rick Dodge saw this right away, Gay Lancaster saw it and moved on. These were part of the old regime and like the new lion taking over the pride he killed the offspring of the deposed king. He wanted complete control over the contract process allowing him to approve contracts up to certain amount (sorry I am not sure how much it was) without board apporval. I personally know and like Karen Seel. She is the only one of the Gashouse Gang I would vote for again.

[Larry]

Oh, Boo Boo, why would you vote for her again? That's the problem in Pinellas County. They all need to go, and until the voters understand this, it will always be business as usual.

[Voter #582,468]

I personally know and like Karen Seel also, but I know the difference between a popularity contest and the need for new leadership on our commission.

Wasn’t Seel one of the first to comment on the Smith deal with something like, “I didn’t know the details, I just voted for it.”

Oh yeah, we need four more years of that alright.

Sorry, she’s got to go with the rest.

[Howard Troxler]

Howard again. The trouble is that elections are not "yes" or "no" on whether an incumbent is doing a good job, but on whether the challenger would do better.... which depends of course on the challenger that comes forward.

So either (1) an incumbent is so bad that we are willing to put ANY replacement in office -- which I think is definitely not the case for Karen Seel, a very good county commissioner who was unfortunately part of the general ball-dropping on this Smith affair -- or (2) we have to weigh the incumbent's good and bad points against the challenger.

By that test, if neither party manages to scratch up a credible challenger to Property Appraiser Jim Smith, and an extremely unappealing, unqualified, even blatantly disastrous challenger were the only option -- well, is the automatic choice still to fire Smith and vote for the disastrous opponent?

Just makin' trouble here. :)

[Larry]

C'mon Howard. Dropped the ball? To what degree of incompetence do you allow someone to advance to before deciding enough is enough. I believe the whole shooting match up there in Clearwater have demonstrated their incompetence and deserve to be run out of town.

Anybody could do better. And I for one, will vote for anyone who is not an encumbent.

You da man!!!

[Larry]

C'mon Howard. Dropped the ball? To what degree of incompetence do you allow someone to advance to before deciding enough is enough. I believe the whole shooting match up there in Clearwater have demonstrated their incompetence and deserve to be run out of town.

Anybody could do better. And I for one, will vote for anyone who is not an encumbent.

You da man!!!

Voter #582,468 wrote:

“I didn’t know the details, I just voted for it.”

... nuff said, time for some new blood on the BOCC.