Grand Jury will Investigate Sunshine Law Violations

[Cheshire Cat]

Thought you would be interested to know that the Grand Jury has decided to go ahead with an investigation of the City Council with regard to violations of the Sunshine Law.

[thelakelander]

Here's the story from the TU...

Grand jury will investigate council

By The Times-Union

A county grand jury voted today to investigate alleged violations of the state's open meetings law by former and present members of Jacksonville City Council.

The council members and staffers will be asked to testify voluntarily. But those who do not can be subpeonaed , said State Attorney Harry Shorstein.
A Times-Union report last month uncovered a deeply flawed system of public notification, dozens of meetings without public business held without public notice or written minutes. Several took place in private locales in violation of the city's ethics code.

It is not known how long the investigation will last. The grand jury has approximately four months left on its term and can be extended another 90 days.

No witnesses were called today But Chief Judge Donald R. Moran did appear before the panel for about 15 minutes. The grand jury also decided this morning not to investigate the foundering courthouse construction project, Shorstein said.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/071207/met_183951034.shtml

[Lunican]

That article really needs some proofreading...

[spidey]

Lunican:  That article really needs some proofreading...

I've previously noted the same thing about a different TU article on another forum.   

But, in light of the good reporting that the TU has been doing on this story, I am going to overlook their lack of proofreading skills on this one.   

[riverkeepered]

The Florida Times-Union

July 11, 2007

Open government is essential

As members of the environmental community - Tom Larson, chairman, Sierra Club of Northeast Florida; Neil Armingeon, St. Johns Riverkeeper; Sara Owen, northeast field representative, Florida Wildlife Federation; Larry Hart, chairman, First Coast Surfrider Foundation - we applaud the Times-Union for the excellent investigative journalism that detailed how several members of the Jacksonville City Council have, in the words of State Attorney Harry Shorstein, repeatedly engaged in "blatant disregard of the Sunshine Law."

In 2004, staff writer Matt Galnor documented that City Council members' cell phone calls to one another increased dramatically as high-profile topics came across their desks. When interviewed about those calls, council members claimed they were only discussing family business or current events.

In 2005, the Times-Union revealed problems with the "green room" - a private room adjacent to the City Council's public chambers that is frequently used by council members, lobbyists and lawyers for developers.

This room was not easily accessible by the general public or the media. When confronted by the green room evidence, council members assured us they did not discuss city business with the lobbyists or other members of the council in this private room.

Now, when council members were confronted with evidence the Times-Union gathered from their calendars and e-mails that documented illegal meetings between council members conducted "out of the sunshine," they once again deny culpability. However, actions speak louder than words.

The fact that many council members chose not to comply with the law by failing to provide meeting notices or to take minutes gives the public reason, and justification, to believe that city business may have been discussed, as well.

The Times-Union findings are of concern to us because the stakes are so high: The future of our environment is on the line.

How can we expect fair representation or that the best interests of our environment will be considered, if the integrity of the decision-making process is compromised, and special privileges and access are granted to a favored few?

The City Council makes many important decisions involving multimillion-dollar developments. Almost always, the developers are successful in their efforts, even against strong community opposition.

If we don't maintain a transparent and open government system, it would be reasonable to question the factors that influenced the outcome of controversial developments like Freedom Commerce, Black Hammock Island and Moody Shipyards.

We urge the grand jury, as representatives of our community, to aggressively seek out whether council members have complied with the Sunshine Law, particularly in relationship with large development cases that were opposed by so many citizens, but sailed through the council with ease.

WARREN ANDERSON JR.,

President,
Public Trust Environmental
Law Institute of Florida,
Jacksonville

I can see how the Sunshine Law could be a nuisance to comply with at times, but this is the law and is in place for good reason.  Transparency, fairness, and equity are essential in government, especially when it comes to decisions that have such a significant impact on our the future of our city and quality of life.  I am really surprised and dismayed at the "oh well" attitude so many people have about these violations, including the council members themselves.   

[dv8]

there was another GREAT editorial by Anne Schindler, Folio weekly Editor week before last about this matter being joked about when the new council members were installed.  I think it goes beyond indifference to contempt for the law and the public they are charged to serve.

[Noone]

The Florida Times-Union

July 11, 2007

Open government is essential

As members of the environmental community - Tom Larson, chairman, Sierra Club of Northeast Florida; Neil Armingeon, St. Johns Riverkeeper; Sara Owen, northeast field representative, Florida Wildlife Federation; Larry Hart, chairman, First Coast Surfrider Foundation - we applaud the Times-Union for the excellent investigative journalism that detailed how several members of the Jacksonville City Council have, in the words of State Attorney Harry Shorstein, repeatedly engaged in "blatant disregard of the Sunshine Law."

In 2004, staff writer Matt Galnor documented that City Council members' cell phone calls to one another increased dramatically as high-profile topics came across their desks. When interviewed about those calls, council members claimed they were only discussing family business or current events.

In 2005, the Times-Union revealed problems with the "green room" - a private room adjacent to the City Council's public chambers that is frequently used by council members, lobbyists and lawyers for developers.

This room was not easily accessible by the general public or the media. When confronted by the green room evidence, council members assured us they did not discuss city business with the lobbyists or other members of the council in this private room.

Now, when council members were confronted with evidence the Times-Union gathered from their calendars and e-mails that documented illegal meetings between council members conducted "out of the sunshine," they once again deny culpability. However, actions speak louder than words.

The fact that many council members chose not to comply with the law by failing to provide meeting notices or to take minutes gives the public reason, and justification, to believe that city business may have been discussed, as well.

The Times-Union findings are of concern to us because the stakes are so high: The future of our environment is on the line.

How can we expect fair representation or that the best interests of our environment will be considered, if the integrity of the decision-making process is compromised, and special privileges and access are granted to a favored few?

The City Council makes many important decisions involving multimillion-dollar developments. Almost always, the developers are successful in their efforts, even against strong community opposition.

If we don't maintain a transparent and open government system, it would be reasonable to question the factors that influenced the outcome of controversial developments like Freedom Commerce, Black Hammock Island and Moody Shipyards.

We urge the grand jury, as representatives of our community, to aggressively seek out whether council members have complied with the Sunshine Law, particularly in relationship with large development cases that were opposed by so many citizens, but sailed through the council with ease.

WARREN ANDERSON JR.,

President,
Public Trust Environmental
Law Institute of Florida,
Jacksonville

I can see how the Sunshine Law could be a nuisance to comply with at times, but this is the law and is in place for good reason.  Transparency, fairness, and equity are essential in government, especially when it comes to decisions that have such a significant impact on our the future of our city and quality of life.  I am really surprised and dismayed at the "oh well" attitude so many people have about these violations, including the council members themselves.   

+1

[Noone]

Does anyone else still feel sorry for the water taxi Baltimore guys who had 6 boats got kicked to the curb because the RFP called for 350 butts in seats and they had 348? So you are losers and we then change the RFP to 120 butts in seats and then we have 2014-412 and the illegal purchase of two water taxis by the Executive Branch (Mayor) defrauding and circumventing the Legislative Branch (Jacksonville City Council).

In 3 days the long anticipated great meeting of the LOST. The FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) Our property tax money and the redistribution to special groups that circumvents due process and picks the winners and losers. The meeting is scheduled for 2 pm in council chambers on 10-30/14 and is open to the Public.

Has the Public seen or are they even aware of the super duper secret NEW Downtown Docking Zone map that to my knowledge has been only shown on MJ. The Jacksonville Waterways Commission voted on active Jacksonville city council legislation 2014-305  without this important piece of withheld information. Should that vote be reopened? YES!

2014-190 and the 900'shortened Southbank Riverwalk.
PALMS FISH CAMP- A million plus and you never open the door. Sign me up.
JEA house on the River for sale? A FIND Recomendation of a healthy/stealthy SUP, kayak hand land launch between the DCPS building and JEA property? An important Element?
2014-560 and the new guy DIA CEO Aundra Wallace said that he will be contacting Jacksonville city Councilmembers Jim Love Dist.14 and At Large Group 2 councilman John Crescimbeni about a positive AMENDMENT to 2014-305. Pull the 10/22/14 DIA Board meeting tape. This will be moot if the Jacksonville city council takes care of this with an amendment to 2014-560 and this NEW 4.8 mile Rivers Edge zone that extends from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge.
2013-380- Just say Bye-Bye
2013-384- Armory for a buck a year and zero access to Hogans Creek. Legislation withdrawn.
We have all given up asking you know who about you know what.
Paul Astleford - 32 organizations hindering tourism
Still have an open contest if anyone can take a picture of the new Waterway signage that was never before Waterways and post it on MJ and I'll treat you to Chopstick Charley's, Charlie C's and we'll Use Uber.
Planning a RICO paddle with some Environmental Ethics (Vince Seibold) and a Vivian Harrell Bluebag and might also fish under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

Visit Jacksonville!

[Noone]

What happened to sheclowns post?