Naked Conch Updated!

Sheriff's Deputy Bought iPhones from Druckemiller Too

2012-10-28T19:56:00.000-04:00

Does Not Come Forward Until Identified in AT&T Subpoena

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - October 28, 2012
iNteresting iNconvenient iSsue iDentified iN iPadgate

As the Monroe County dog and pony show of personnel hearings progress, centered around the FIVE County employees in addition to County Administrator Roman Gestesi, a few small inconvenient truths have systematically been filtered out of public awareness. It all centers around one very special "Footnote 16" of the eloquently composed Grand Jury Report prepared by Assistant State Attorney Mark Wilson.

You see, buried in "Footnote 16" is the small insignificant fact that Vicki Fleck-Lockwood, one of the individuals referenced on that page as someone who is related by blood or marriage to Lisa Druckemiller is ALSO a County employee. Our flowery Grand Jury report goes on to paint the picture that friends, relatives and neighbors are somehow less culpable than County employees, as employees should have known better. But somehow it also seems to excuse those County employees that are also friends and family, as if being part of one subset removes you from the other. You know, kind of like... if you are an ax murderer AND in the Church choir, certainly there is nothing wrong with the bloody hatchet in your hand.

In this case, while Fleck-Lockwood is able to escape the scrutiny of being a County employee due to the fact she is also related to Druckemiller, the report oddly fails to mention where exactly it is that Ms. Fleck-Lockwood works....or should I say....where DEPUTY Fleck-Lockwood works. Yes, that is correct. You see she is employed by none other than the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

But most disturbing, beyond the fact that she is a County employee, and a Law Enforcement Officer, is how she handled the fact she had purchased an iPhone from Druckemiller. Recall that in the days and weeks after the story broke it became apparent that there may be a number of iPhones that Druckemiller had sold circulating throughout our community. Many news reports suggested that the State Attorney was calling for anyone with a Druckemiller iPhone to bring it in for review. So did DEPUTY Fleck-Lockwood run to the State Attorney to assist a fellow agency with a criminal investigation? No.

Did she turn in the phone a month later? No. Did she turn in the phone TWO months later? No. In fact, she never came forward to present the phone to the State Attorney. In fact, according to Investigator Weber's report (See Here) it was only after records subpoenaed from AT&T identified her as someone in possession of a County iPhone, almost FOUR MONTHS later in June, that she admitted to having purchased the iPhone from Druckemiller. It was only after Investigator Weber went to her to investigate, that Law Enforcement Officer Fleck-Lockwood admitted to buying the phone from Druckemiller. But she is a blood relative, so I guess that makes it OK.

So while only five County employees are under the threat of potential disciplinary action by our circus of a review process, what does our Sheriff's Office do with their staff member?

I asked Colonel Ramsay both in his capacity as Under Sheriff, and as a Candidate for Sheriff what discipline was meted out and what he would do as Sheriff. True to form, Ramsay failed to respond. I guess he thinks our community doesn't deserve an answer, or he only likes to respond to news sources that he has dumped boatloads of campaign cash on.

His opponent, Tom Peteck did respond though. While he didn't want to directly address Fleck-Lockwood without all the specifics, he did say have this to say:

Yes, a law enforcement officer is held to a higher standard than the general public. So even if the county fails to discipline their employees the sheriff can and should if its is determined the deputy violated policy or a standard of conduct, discipline a deputy. In general if a deputy becomes aware of an investigation being conducted by another agency and they believe they might be involved of course that deputy should cooperate with that agency.

I like the use of those words...higher standard. Has a catchy ring to it, don't you think? Better than ignoring the issue. Better than an obscure little footnote, which mind you contains a lot more than meets the eye or is discussed here in this post....more to come. Footnote 16 kind of reminds me a little of Area 51...there's a lot of mysterious things being hidden in there. Dig around a bit, see if you can find anything else.

KWPD Releases Additional Information on Zuelch Accident

2012-10-25T19:15:00.001-04:00

I strive to be accurate. In fact, some have suggested I am dishonest here on my blog. Yet when I challenge them to find ONE instance of my being dishonest, or even inaccurate, all they can resort to is calling me names. Essentially they just don't like the facts about which I chose to write. You might notice historically I prefer to quote from emailed responses, and as often as possible link to supporting documents.

And I'm sorry if so many taxpayer funded media and public relations people don't appreciate me trying to pry public records from their resistant hands, but perhaps if their first concern was transparency versus public relations, it wouldn't prove so painful.

To that end, Alyson Crean of KWPD has released additional documents pertaining to Deputy Zuelch's accident. To be quite clear I asked for "any reports" and Alyson Crean provided to me what she termed the "final report." She now has released additional information. Unfortunately, what she released contained some items that I know should have been redacted, and in an abundance of caution I will not provide them here.

UPDATE: Full Report Now Available Here

But I will discuss those details released:

First, Zuelch unlocked her phone and let the investigators review the call and text history, and additionally provided a call log that illustrated she was not on her phone or texting at the time of the accident.

Additionally one witness stated "Shocked, I too did not really notice him until he was struck, all was accident." Another fourteen year old witness said, "Person stepped out of trees. He walked out into street. The Officer slammed on the brakes and tried to stop."

KWPD also immediately secured the in-car video and worked with MCSO IT to download an unaltered copy.

Also though, Zuelch lawyered up, and made no statements, referring investigators to her attorney. I completely understand that in today's world.

While KWPD made extenuating effort to obtain the BAC of the guy that was hit including trying to obtain a subpoena through the State Attorney's Office, from what I can see they made no effort to obtain Zuelch's BAC, even a voluntary request.

The report also states;

"No brake shadow present before area of impact"
"area of impact to brake shadow 55' 10"
"area of impact to crosswalk 34'00" "

This tells me that while the pedestrian was 34 feet in front of a crosswalk, that Deputy Zuelch hit the pedestrian and continued through the crosswalk and beyond for 21' until she applied her brakes.

I give all the benefit of the doubt in this case to Zuelch, even though it took her approximately 1.5 seconds to hit her brakes.

But still I can hear some of you out there that aren't enamored with Naked Conch saying... "So Gardi, why don't you keep your big mouth shut until you have all the facts?"

That's my point exactly. First, I still don't have all the facts. I don't know conclusively if Deputy Zuelch was under the influence of any substance. That could have been resolved by KWPD requesting a test. If Zuelch wants to lawyer up, fine. But not seeing someone very close to a crosswalk, and not braking for 55 feet after hitting them to me is probable cause for a toxicology test. Let her lawyer, the State Attorney and/or a Judge decide later that it isn't. But I have spoken to other Law Enforcement Officers that have said they would volunteer one immediately in the interest of clearing their name.

More importantly, MCSO could have exercised their existing personnel policy and taken a test and put any such doubt to bed, but they chose not to. Again, that's my point. This isn't about Zuelch, or this tragic accident, but it's about the decisions that are made by Agency Admin in these instances that give the appearance of preferential treatment and ultimately create doubt. There is no need for anyone to have such doubt, at all.

Also, while not texting, how do we know she wasn't distracted by something else like a laptop in her car? We don't, as far as what I can see at this point. How do we ever correct what might be job related expectations that distract Law Enforcement Personnel if the choice of administrators is to sweep things like this under the rug to avoid public criticism, versus addressing it head on. Colonel Ramsay went so far as to make adjustments in policy after Deputy Powers was killed in an accident, but chose not to use existing policy to conduct a toxicology test on Zuelch or Deputy Ward after they were involved in accidents resulting in fatalities. There is no excuse for that. If they want to work for MCSO, they know the drill, make the tests mandatory as Tom Peteck would do. Not doing so allows for, or creates the impression of favoritism....and a public that feels like there is a double standard.

Further, I didn't have ALL the facts because of the way media relations personnel circle the wagons. Sorry, I'm not your average Keys reporter influenced by advertising in my paper. I'm sorry I don't want to just regurgitate agency press releases and that I want to understand and convey the full extent of what has happened. The idea is to keep the public informed and promote improvements. Those responsible for interacting with the press need to accept that there is a vast and viable spectrum of alternative sources from which the public glean their news from, and need to be as transparent as possible in all cases.

No Charges or Citation for Deputy Zuelch...No Surprise.

2012-10-24T04:30:00.000-04:00

KWPD Investigation of Deputy Zuelch Released....Nothing to see here folks...move along.

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - October 24, 2012
UPDATE 10/25/12: - KWPD releases additional documents. To be quite clear I asked for "any reports" and Alyson Crean provided to me what she termed the "final report." She now has released additional information. Unfortunately, what she released contained some items that I know should have been redacted, and in an abundance of caution I will not provide them here. However, for further detail and discussion of what was additionally released please see here.

After taking the full 60 day maximum time allotted to complete a very detailed (Two paragraph narrative) investigation, KWPD released the "final" report of the unfortunate accident in which Deputy Zuelch was involved in back in August. (When she struck a pedestrian with her patrol car in Key West.)

I want to stress that I am VERY pro law enforcement. But when the public is given the impression that there is any preferential treatment given to a law enforcement officer, the reputation of ALL law enforcement is diminished and compromised. For that reason alone, law enforcement officers should be held to at least the same standard you or I would be. This is not a "circle the wagons" event, this is a "do above the right thing" event. Do I think Deputy Zuelch was DUI? No. But can we be sure? No, only because of the way this was handled. There is no reason for the public to have any doubt about whether she was DUI or distracted by texting, but unfortunately...we are unsure.

How comprehensive is this investigation?

No request for a toxicology test from Zuelch.

No witness statements included.
No statement from Zuelch.
No review of cell phone records. (Although Zuelch's phone was taken into evidence.)
No explanation of why Zuelch was distracted enough to strike a pedestrian in the center of the road.
No charges, or citations for Zuelch.
...and of course MCSO admin did not request a toxicology test as their policy allows.

(Note: Remember it is not unheard of that MCSO staff have operated vehicles under the influence while on duty. Remember also that only ONE Sheriff's candidate will make tox tests mandatory, and that is Tom Peteck.)

But in terms of the victim....the report is critical of the person who has no capacity to respond....

The Victim had the "odor of alcohol."
The Victim was "not crossing in a crosswalk." (However, according to the diagram he was somehow on Zuelch's car hood in a crosswalk and was carried entirely through a crosswalk during the course of the accident.)
The only reference to laws being broken was in regards to the victim stepping into traffic.
No charges were issued against the victim "due to his condition," of being unconscious and unresponsive on life support at Ryder Trauma center. (Sources tell me the victim has passed, but that has not yet been confirmed, nor mentioned in KWPD's report.)

Is this the way KWPD truly conducts critical investigations? Are they trained this way? I highly doubt it. So why stretch out an investigation of an MCSO deputy that resulted in such a simplified report? Why?

Full KWPD report available here.

Full report available here!

Peteck Will Make MCSO Tox Tests Mandatory for Serious Accidents

2012-10-20T04:30:00.000-04:00

Colonel Ramsay Fails... to Reply

Actions Speak Louder than Words
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - October 20, 2012

Candidate for Sheriff Tom Peteck will insist that MCSO staff are subjected to toxicology tests if they are involved in an accident resulting in a fatality, or a potential fatality. Tests are already allowed through current policy, however it appears they are not universally administered.

Colonel Ramsay declined to comment leaving us with only his past performance to go on.
To be clear, there is no doubt that when these types of accidents happen that it is a tragedy for all involved. Also, a lot is expected of our deputies as they operate their vehicles, and they spend an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel. The number of hours on the road alone would increase the unfortunate likelihood of them being involved in an accident. But when these accidents do occur, not only should every effort be made to exonerate the deputy and the department, but being trained law enforcement officers, the public should feel comfortable in knowing that these individuals are held to similar standards that you or I would be. Even higher, seeing as they are "trained" law enforcement.

It's not unheard of that MCSO staff would operated their vehicles while under the influence and on duty. At least two such instances exist (See here) and those individuals were never charged with DUI. Knowing that, MCSO admin should be exceptionally diligent to eliminate the perception that their staff is given preferential treatment. When these accidents occur, making the existing policy mandatory would go a long way towards reducing the perception of preferential treatment.

Seeing as he chose not to respond to questions, Colonel Ramsay's sentiment regarding this policy can only be determined by his actions when these accidents occur. One such accident involved Deputy Ward, who rear ended an electric car on Boca Chica bridge. In the course of their criminal investigation, FHP asked Ward to submit to a test, but Ward refused. MCSO chose not to implement their policy and did not test Ward either, but according to policy they could have. Understandably, Ramsay may have been concerned about the department's image, and relied on an external agency to determine the necessity of the tests. However, while not interested in utilizing existing policy to test Deputy Ward, Ramsay did feel it was important enough to mention that the driver of the electric car was out of his lane.

In a September 1, 2011 article in the Key West Citizen reporter Adam Linhardt wrote:

"A patrol car camera that recorded footage in front of the car just prior to the crash shows the electric car was partially out of its lane and that Ward apparently didn't see it until it was too late, said Col. Rick Ramsay."

and again in a more recent article of December 1, 2011 discussing the ticket dismissal, Linhardt wrote:

"Video from a patrol car camera shows the electric car was partially out of its lane and that Ward apparently didn't see it until it was too late, Sheriff's Col. Rick Ramsay said after the crash."

I obtained the in-car video and could not discern anywhere in the video that the electric car was partially out of it's lane, so I asked Becky Herrin if Col. Ramsay had actually said that. She replied:

"No, Colonel Ramsay did not say that."

I then asked Adam Linhardt what he based the quotes in the Citizen on and he replied:

"Ramsay made the statement to me in a phone interview for a story that ran in Sept. This story ran and I never heard from anyone about it being inaccurate."

Note: This is a perfect example of why I prefer to get responses in writing so as to prevent any misinterpretation of people's statements. But seriously, not that Ramsay suffers from any credibility issues (See here) but he did seem pretty content leaving the public to assume the electric car was out of it's lane until someone actually went through the trouble to verify that it wasn't...oops, then it is the ol' "aw shucks, I never said that." Not that the Citizen is the most accurate either, but I'd lean toward Linhardt in terms of accuracy at this point. Ultimately though, why disparage the victim while NOT tox testing your deputy?

A second and more recent accident of similar nature occurred involving Deputy Zuelch in Key West. Again, an outside agency, Key West Police Department is handling the investigation, and neither KWPD or MCSO will release any details of the case until the investigation is complete. However, I asked Becky Herrin for the results of MCSO's toxicology tests of Deputy Zuelch. Herrin responded:

The investigation into Deputy Zuelch’s accident is being done by the Key West Police Department, not our department. Depending on the outcome of that investigation, we may or may not do an investigation of our own.

I then asked Herrin for an official statement from Colonel Ramsay if he was OK waiting until KWPD was done investigating for MCSO to then administer any toxicology tests. One wonders how effective tests would be two months after the accident...but I digress. Again, no reply from the Under Sheriff.

Tom Peteck is right on when he states, "I have no problem making it mandatory for officer's operating a sheriff's vehicle to be tested for drugs or alcohol. I know that waste management has their drivers tested if they are involved in that type of accident."

It illustrates the Department and the Deputies are willing to take the highest road possible, and be as transparent as possible. It lets the public know they are willing to submit themselves to the same scrutiny you or I would be subject to regardless of whether or not the outside agency is able to find probable cause in their investigation.

Clearly Colonel Ramsay has the choice whether or not to respond, but his not doing so only leaves us with his past performance to evaluate his sentiment of such critical matters.
___
On deck - What disciplinary action did Colonel Ramsay take against a deputy that bought an iPhone from Lisa Druckemiller and chose not to tell anyone until an AT&T subpoena revealed she had it? Read about that here on Naked Conch...that is if Ramsay responds to our questions.

Even Fascist Central Bankers Have a Sense of Humor

2012-10-15T21:34:00.000-04:00

If you haven't already seen it....tell me that is not intentional, insulting, and in your face. That's what you get when they know the majority of Americans are more concerned with who is on "Dancing with the Stars."

Craig Cates Believes in Cash Crapin' Unicorns

2012-10-07T11:37:00.000-04:00

Federal and State Money for Channel Widening Study Doesn't Cost the Taxpayer Nuttin' Honey

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - October 7, 2012

Recent public debate regarding the costly study to widen the harbor channel leading into Key West has stirred up many lines of reasoning. Barely visible in the proponents' silty cloud of verbal discharge was this turd articulated by Key West Mayor Craig Cates. (Someone should inspect the lock on his Y valve.)

According to an article in the Citizen (See Here), Cates stated, "I am in favor of doing the study if it doesn't cost the taxpayers any money," and "I don't see a down side if it doesn't cost us anything."
This caught my attention, because while the latest debate may relieve the City of Key West from contributing directly to the debacle, it calls for the State and Federal government to pony up the majority of the $3 MILLION cost of the study.

As you can hear in this audio, Cates confirmed his sentiment on an appearance on US 1 radio a few days later. This is a serious pet peeve of mine because generations of Americans have become accustomed to the fact that somehow money from the Feds, or the State is endless, and costs us nothing. When local leaders re-affirm this concept it is no wonder that every American has become completely oblivious to the avalanche of debt that has swallowed our real economy, and has destroyed our Country.

With over $16,000,000,000,000 in debt, outweighing our Gross Domestic Product, the debt has now become an inconceivable number that apparently most Americans, including both Presidential Candidates along with Mayor Cates want to ignore. When you pay more at the gas pump, or in the grocery store it is as a direct result of the fact that we are printing money to mask this ugly truth.

Printing money devalues the US dollar, thereby making things more expensive. Cates suggests that that doesn't cost you anything. Folks, we are simply masking the ultimate hangover from our decades long spending binge with a strong bottle of new debt. The world is crumbling around us as a direct result of nations having mortgaged their futures with unrealistic spending. The riots we see on the streets of Greece and Spain are coming to street corner near you.

The only explanation I can imagine as to why seemingly intelligent people want to ignore the reality of our debt hangover is that they must believe in cash crapping unicorns. Otherwise, they would use simple math to figure out that the debt has reached an unsustainable amount. Mayor Cates, money should not be squandered on such a useless study...just to give us information anyone with common sense already has. Beyond that fact, there is no cash crapping unicorn anyway. Federal and State money is not free...it comes with a price to pay...a very high price...the demise of our once great nation.

Vogel's Rhetoric Slowly Sliding Down Slippery Slope

2012-10-02T22:12:00.000-04:00

Ohh-Oh! Here it Comes.
The Real Return of our Suspender Superhero

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - October 1, 2012
We've heard all the rumors, and all the chatter and intonations...Vogel and Kohl are in cahoots. We were charmed by the first debate between the post primary State Attorney candidates (AKA Love Fest - See Here) Write-ups in the local media echo the common theme of how they adore each other's ethics, and will never speak negatively of each other. But Vogel denied a pre-arranged deal, right?

Having spent much time on the campaign trail with Catherine Vogel during the course of the primary campaign, videotaping many of the debates, I listened to her repeatedly distance herself from Mark Kohl. Numerous times she was presented with similar questions about whether or not she and Kohl were orchestrating a team approach at defeating incumbent State Attorney Dennis Ward. The insinuation always being that if either one won, they would hire the other. Vogel was consistent in her denials of any such agreements, or strategy, suggesting often that her only communication with Kohl was about his health.

But now, after defeating Ward in the primary, comfortably outspending Kohl going into the general election, Vogel has begun the slow evolution of her rhetoric to begin the conditioning of the public to become accustomed to what we all know to be inevitable. Mark Kohl will be returning from the private sector to once again work in the Office of the State Attorney, win or lose the election.

In a recent article in the Keynoter (See Here) Vogel states "If and when I'm elected, I'll assess the needs of the office. If Mr. Kohl is the right person for a position, I'll do what's best for the community." Yeah, we all had that figured out. It's apparent Kohl, who couldn't cut it in the private sector, is chomping at the bit to get back on the State payroll. Obviously, Vogel is more than willing to oblige to bring Kohl in from the cold cruel world of private sector employment.

With the advent of SAO lead felony attorney, Terry Hunnewell's plans to depart the Plantation Key Office of the State Attorney, the stage is set perfectly for Upper Keys resident Kohl's return, suspenders and all.

So we have that to look forward to. Scarier still is the prospect of another character from the Kohl administration returning. No, I speak not of a needless $30,000/year Media relations specialist, nor a rookie investigator that liked to zip around town with the lights "a-blazin." But rather I speak of the one that influenced both of their hires. Yes, that bridge loving, special magistrating while chief assisting type of lawyer who ran his private practice out of 530 Whitehead Street...the infamous J. Jefferson Overby.

Yes Vogel has consistently denied that prospect when asked during the campaign....well, we're watching the Kohl verbiage slowly change now aren't we...

Naked Conch Truth in Campaigning Award!

2012-09-30T13:14:00.000-04:00

Candidate for Sheriff Rick Ramsay

Thanks to a an anonymous comment in a previous post about Candidate for Sheriff Rick Ramsay's discipline record including an action for leaving his weapon in an unattended vehicle with the window open. (See Here) It was illustrated that Candidate Ramsay has stated previously at a forum that he has an unblemished record. Ooops on the HONESTY thingy, Colonel. Gives one pause, and makes one wonder...what else..what else?

Enjoy.

Deputy Fricke Not Alone in Leaving Weapons in Patrol Car

2012-09-29T09:11:00.000-04:00

Ramsay Has Also Left His Weapon in a Vehicle

Not just unattended... but in plain view...
....with the window open!
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 29, 2012
While the MCSO and the community as a whole has been stirred up recently after the break-in and theft of weapons and SWAT gear from a Sergeant's MCSO patrol car, (See Here) it has come to our attention that Second in Command at the MCSO, and candidate for Sheriff, Rick Ramsay has made a similar blunder in the past as well.

We obtained this MCSO Internal Review Record of Colonel Ramsay from a former Sheriff's candidate that wished to remain anonymous named Bill. Or Ed, or Edwin or something...

Regardless, in this report, at the bottom we see the sustained allegation of "Left Weapon in plain view in unattended car with window open," which resulted in a disciplinary action of a "Letter of Counseling."

Let's see if Fricke is disciplined in a similar manner, who by all accounts at least had the awareness to lock the vehicle....oh, and roll up the windows.

Full report below.

Evaluating Teachers - It's Not Rocket Science...Right?

2012-09-23T18:45:00.000-04:00

Think Again - Welcome to the VAM Performance Formula

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 23, 2012

I'm all for accountability. I also believe there are ways to evaluate almost anyone's performance. But in the development of a teacher evaluation formula, the wizards at the State Department of Education have illustrated without a doubt why it is critical that they themselves need to be evaluated. Psychologically evaluated. They are straight out certifiable. I'm not exactly sure if we can Baker Act an entire State Department, but I think it is time to try.

It might prove easier than trying to understand the formula they came up with to evaluate teacher performance.
In doing so, the Department once again proves that they constitute a colossal waste of money, that takes money directly away from the classrooms and wastes it on ignorant...uhhhh excuse me, ingenious frivolity.

What am I talking about? The Florida Value Added Model, or VAM, a formula devised to calculate our teachers' merit pay. A small portion of the mathematical formula that they have come up with is shown in the image above, but you can enjoy the full monty of mathematical largess right here.

While it's almost impossible to do something as simple as to fire an incompetent teacher, we are now being asked to consume immense resources to attempt to hold our performing teachers to a standard that no one in their right mind could understand or apply to the reality of classroom instruction. But clearly, having developed the formula by conferring with a "committee" and by consulting national "experts," how could anyone doubt our Tallahassee wizards?

Folks remember this. No one can argue that this Country is one of the greatest in the history of mankind. Somehow, we manage to develop into such a Country while belabored with the rudimentary education kids received throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Kids from one room school houses in Kansas who went home to work on the farm, and from inner city schools filled with the tired, poor, huddled masses of immigrant children somehow went on to create the most industrialized society in history. They put men on the moon, had the greatest medical advances, developed advanced transportation systems and infrastructure, and with the help of Al Gore even invented the Internet.

Why is it that now, we need a bunch of useless bobos at the State and Federal levels to try to do the job that teachers have been doing for centuries, that of educating children? Instead of saddling Principals with mounds of bureaucratic paperwork, and handcuffing Teachers with useless cookie cutter regulation, all the while forcing them to teach for tests...let's let them do their job and educate our kids.

For a nice write up of how advanced mathematicians were even baffled by our State Department of Education's merit pay formula please see here.

To see my favorite portions of the formula, you can scan through the few pages below. I think this part starts with the component of the formula that deals with what happens when a kid throws up during the FCAT exam. I am pretty sure that the limit of teacher patience approaching zero is a partial derivative of the range the vomit is spewed onto a subset of adjoining students...but math was never my foray.

Guest Post: Hire Higher

2012-09-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Why not, it's not the School Board's money?

- Naked Conch - Posted by Larry Murray - September 18, 2012
Editor's Note: Larry Murray nails this one home. Hey, It's great we're not hiring entrenched Bubbas at the School District, but do we really need to pay hay day wages to a new employee without testing the market with more reasonable compensation. Also, Larry is as brevity challenged as yours truly, but hey, we're not paying for print media and killing trees, so think of it as saving natural resources!

The School District has hired a new Purchasing Agent. That, indeed, is good news as the position has been vacant for several months.
Not only has the District hired a new Purchasing Agent, it has hired an experienced one, taking someone previously with the Sheriff’s Department. There will be no need for training, no learning curve to get up to speed. Coming from the Sheriff’s Department, the new hire arrives with both general experience and a knowledge of governmental purchasing, a decided asset. I look forward to good things coming in the purchasing area.

I am told that the new Purchasing Agent responded to an employment ad in The Citizen, something the District does not ordinarily do. Kudos! By reaching out beyond the website, the District was able to hire a highly competent individual. I hope that is a harbinger of things to come. In today’s job market, the District should have no difficulty attracting competent candidates for all openings. But, that can only be achieved if the District continues to cast a wide net, advertising broadly.
The previous Purchasing Agent, a disaster by any standard, was a classic example of what you get by limiting awareness of job openings and focusing on internal hiring and promotion. It is what I call the Monique Acevedo Syndrome. You hire a local, a Conch or Bubba, as a secretary and you promote and promote until she is well beyond her level of competence. It is the Peter Principle run amok. As a friend used to say: “A mediocre employee working at full speed is still mediocre.”
The last Purchasing Agent had the good sense to resign in disgrace after mismanaging RFP’s for Banking Services and Outsourcing Food Services, not to mention less egregious errors. This is the same person who failed to bill Medicaid for months on end until the District amassed more than $750,000 in unreimbursed expenses. But, I would suggest, that is what you get when you limit the applicant pool and engage in promotion by personal relationship.
Having done all of this great work in employing a stellar Purchasing Agent, the school District still managed to mangle the process. The good news is offset by bad news.
The new hire came from the Sheriff’s Office where she was making $41,722 per year. If you read the “Duties” outlined on her application, she worked hard, covered a lot of territory and was vested with considerable responsibility. The Sheriff deemed those duties worth a salary of $41,722 which represented a 5% increase over the previous year.
The School District was so pleased with this new recruit that they nearly doubled her salary to $70,547. She must have though she had died and gone to heaven! Who would turn down a 70%+ salary increase? I know that I would not.
Why did the School District offer such a tremendous salary increase for doing pretty much the same thing that she did for the Sheriff? Was it because she was the greatest Purchasing Agent since Thomas Jefferson negotiated with Napoleon for Louisiana? Was it because the candidate was demanding a monumental raise in very lean times?

No, the new Purchasing Agent was paid $70,547 because that is what the District offered. With no regard for comparability with either the private or public sectors, the District set a salary that any reasonable person would consider outrageous. Then why did the District do it?
The District had to pay $70,547 to a new Purchasing Agent because that salary was akin to that of the predecessor. Reducing the salary would expose the District to charges that it had previously been overpaying. And, such charges had been leveled. The Key West Chamber of Commerce, in its last wage survey, has pointed to the salary paid to the District Purchasing Agent as one that had no foundation in reality and was clearly out of sync with both the public and private sectors. Despite confirming with the new hire the veracity of the Chamber’s concern, the District forged on, hoping, I guess, that no one would notice or care.
But, I contend, there is a more important reason for the District continuing to pay a Purchasing Agent $70,000 regardless of competing factors in the marketplace. To reduce the new hire’s salary to say $45,000, a hefty 10% raise, would expose the dozens and dozens of other salaries well beyond the norm. After all, the District is the land of $50,000 per year secretaries with 30% benefit packages.
A Purchasing Agent paid only $45,000 per year would stand out like a sore thumb. How can you justify paying a skilled, experienced professional with a college degree less than a secretary? The bloated salary structure has to be maintained at all costs, pun intended. As I said, the new Purchasing Agent must think she has died and gone to heaven. Good for her, bad for taxpayers.
At the budget hearings for the Mosquito Control District, recently appointed Board member Phil Goodman argued for reducing employee salaries. “Our compensation is over the top,” Goodman said. “We need to bring value to the taxpayer.” (Emphasis added) Apparently that belief, value to the taxpayer, is not shared by the School Board.
The School Board Chairman has repeatedly exclaimed that Monroe County must have the highest paid teachers in the state. And, he has punctuated that statement with the cry that we must have the highest paid administrators. It seems that he has succeeded on both counts, in spades.
The Board Chairman has railed for years about the overabundance of administrators in the School District and has succeeded admirably in reducing those numbers. Apparently, the economy minded Chairman could care less, however, about what the remaining administrators are paid. Presented with a singular opportunity, a new Purchasing Agent, to make a point and to begin rolling back a hyper inflated salary structure, the Chairman and the rest of the Board have sat moot, as they usually do.
The taxpayers are being ripped off and nobody cares. There is no way that the School District will ever extricate itself from a continuing financial crisis with a budget that is 70% to 80% salaries if it does not begin to make some hard decisions as to what it pays.

Return of the Suspenders - State Attorney Forum

2012-09-16T08:43:00.001-04:00

It's a HORROR Film, and a LOVE Story

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 16, 2012

Bringing new meaning to the term "Slug" fest, Mark Kohl returns to the debate circuit to take on his former Chief Assistant State Attorney Catherine Vogel. Wearing his trademark suspenders, Kohl tangles with Vogel in the manner expected of two life long government employees excited about the prospect of getting back on the government tit.

Both candidates in the love fest were beaming with confidence that their long unsuccessful forays into the private sector would soon be over, and oddly we imagine that they BOTH are correct. Please participate in the comments and polls below the video.

Peteck and Ramsay - Head to Head

2012-09-14T23:06:00.002-04:00

First Sheriff's Forum of the General Election
Hosted by the Lodging Association at the Westin in Key West

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 15, 2012
Please note: This was a combined forum with the candidates for State Attorney, however we edited the State Attorney candidate responses out and will provide them in another video and blog post.

Also, clearly I should have provided videographer Bill Grove with a tripod along with a camera, as he seemed challenged to overcome some "stability" issues. But hey, we thank him none the less for taking the time to videotape this event. Enjoy, and as always, please feel free to leave comments and take the poll below the video.

Ward Turns Right, Joins GOP

2012-09-10T20:44:00.001-04:00

State Attorney Dennis Ward Registers as a Republican
What's he got cookin'?

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 10, 2012

After his recent defeat in his attempt to win re-election, State Attorney Dennis Ward has dumped the party that dumped him in the August 14th primary.

Ward acknowledged today that he has left the Democratic Party and registered with the Grand Old Party. Further, he wants to be involved and says he is looking forward to attending tomorrow night's meeting of the Southernmost Republicans....not that he hadn't amassed GOP club frequent flyer miles anyway.

Ward was nonchalant about the change of party affiliation, admitting that the Key West Democrats didn't really offer him a home, and the Upper Keys Dems didn't feel it important enough to show up at the polls to overcome Catherine Vogel's southern advantage.

Exploring his options, Ward has made overtones that he may get back into the restaurant business, having once run Keys Fisheries in Marathon. But does the change of party clothes suggest Ward is eyeing a payback challenge for State Attorney in 2016 by leveraging his more northern, and conservative support base? Suggesting anything is possible, he diminished the potential likely hood of such a run. Citing age, and the toll an arduous Keys campaign imparts on you, he said that that race was unlikely, but refrained from ruling it out.

He did instead leave another potential teaser on the table...County Commission. Ward lives in the District currently held by Mayor David Rice, himself a Republican. Now that might prove to be an interesting showdown in 2014. Ward may find himself with a tidal wave of backers County wide now that David Rice couldn't muster the courage to fire our ethically challenged County Administrator Roman Gastesi.

This is one worth watching...

Broom Boy Bridges' Backtracking Betrayal

2012-09-09T09:11:00.002-04:00

Commissioner Jack Bridges Shows his True Custodial Qualities
...Big Difference from Big Talking Candidate Bridges

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 9, 2012

For those of you who may not remember the election of 2010, or may not want to remember, allow me to take you on a short trip down memory lane.

During the campaign, Mosquito Control Commission "candidate" Jack Bridges could not be found without his trusty broom in hand, a symbol he claimed that represented (According to the Citizen - See Here) "his plan to sweep away the "arrogance" and "big spending."

Now we find that as an elected Commissioner, "Broom Boy" Bridges is doing a 180 on us.
While most other agencies are tightening their belts, only two years after the 2010 campaign season that featured endless rhetoric of spending control, the Mosquito Control District is stinging us with an 11.3% tax hike. (See Here)

The only Commissioner seemingly able to remember the 2010 campaign season, is Phil Goodman, and he didn't even run for the board as he was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacant seat of Dick Rudell who passed away shortly after the election. Kudos to Phil Goodman for remembering the will of the people during the election of 2010.

But back to Broom Boy. Folks, we have to hold candidates accountable for what they say when they are running for office, and what they actually do once elected. This all gets back to the bill of goods candidates sell us while they are running for office. It's one thing if they don't say anything, and are non-committal. If the public is foolish enough to elect them, we get what we elected ... a bland smiling face... trying hard not to do anything that might offend someone so as to preserve their own political career.

However, if you present yourself to the public as someone who wants to cut spending, and even go so far as to carry around a cheap campaign prop such as a broom, by all means you better cut spending once elected. By ALL means. Anything less is disingenuous and deceitful. It's nice that Bridges has perfected the art of getting elected using a prop, (on his way to running for Judge more than likely) but now we can all see his true colors coming to light. It only exemplifies one true characteristic about Broom Boy that we can count on whether as a candidate, a Commissioner, or a Judge...deceitfulness.

As an example to other sweet talking, prop carrying candidates, we need to show Bridges how to use his broom, and sweep him out of elected office.

Linda Gottwald Speaks About the Record of SUFA

2012-09-04T05:21:00.000-04:00

...and the Treatment SUFA Received From an "Appreciative" County

EDITOR'S NOTE: During my recent campaign for Clerk, I had the pleasure to get to know Linda Gottwald of SUFA, as the issue was one that had come up at numerous forums. Linda was persecuted by an out of control abusive County Administration with ulterior motivation, and the public was only privy to the information those same administrators disseminated to the press. As a result, our County is exposed once again to legal action, and justifiably so. Until the cronies at the top are held accountable, we will continue to reward the best performers with this same "appreciative" treatment. Below is one exchange Linda and I enjoyed.

From Linda;

When SUFA assumed the contract, we re-opened the Big Pine shelter ( a relatively new structure that had been sitting empty and unused for years). We also started a low cost spay/neuter clinic, especially for the feral cats of the middle keys. (the same cats the feds are spending thousands of dollars with useless studies and forums on - with their budget, we could have had the population completely sterilized by now)

SUFA opened both shelters on weekends, doubled the hours the Marathon shelter was open and held annual animal law seminars for the state attorney, MCSO, and anyone who was interested. We hosted the annual Animal Hero banquets. We started the PAL program for troubled kids so that they could work with animals, promoted the anti-chaining law for Monroe County. We had the highest adoption rate and lowest euthanasia rate in the County and spent thousands of dollars building a cage-free enclosures for the cats and fences so dogs could go outside. All on our own initiative and nickel, using donated funds.

SUFA received donations from all over the world and I spent countless hours researching and writing grant proposals. We worked hard, were frugal with our money and carefully started a nest egg to expand our work for animals. We won every cruelty case we initiated. Our achievements and ideas were recognized by national magazines and organizations as prestigious as Best Friends and the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

And what did Monroe County do to show their appreciation? .

- Dent Pierce, pouting because his friend Gwen Hawtof, then-SPCA director, lost the contract (he was supporting her more than the organization itself), threw roadblocks every chance he could. I will never forget his response when I first received the County trucks that were in terrible shape. ("We promised you two trucks - we didn't say what condition they would be in.")

-The BOCC tried to oust SUFA in 2007.

-The Clerk's office tried to initiate criminal charges against me for everything from forgery to theft in an attempt to justify seizing our bank accounts.

-Public Works bulldozed the cat enclosures, locked up the Big Pine shelter and the spay/neuter clinic and reduced the Marathon shelter hours.

None of this, by the way, saved the taxpayers any money...the succeeding contractor (SPCA) received more money than SUFA ever did....(SPCA one year later lost contract to SHARK-not sure what SHARK's current reimbursement is) And there were never any photos of the building being chained or stories of services cut - yet the media, with the exception of KWTN, happily reported story after story of the evils I had done, often copying County press releases verbatim.

For me, the final straw came at the August BOCC meeting in 2010. I was reprimanded for daring to tell Kolhage his auditors needed to make an appointment before ravaging our office and records. Kim Wigington, who has never held a job in the private sector in her life, made snide remarks about SUFA. George Neugent blatantly lied and played to the cameras and all the other commissioners joined in on the kill. In eight years, not a single one of them had ever set foot in our shelters. Yet they were suddenly experts -

A typical case of inept government trying to tell a highly successful PRIVATE corporation how to run a business.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I then asked Linda to illustrate how BOCC Commissioner George Neugent had lied, to which she responded with the following:

Neugent announced at the Aug. 2010 BOCC meeting that there were no locals on the SUFA board and he repeated this later on the Bill Becker AM magazine radio show. At that time we had two board members -Maya Totman, of Big Pine Key, Pete Meyers of Little Torch Key who live in the Keys year round. A third board member, Larry Hirsch was a part-time resident of Key West.

Larry and I had lobbied for the anti-chaining law together, visiting the commissioners and he had served on an airport committee with Wigington, so she was well aware that he was local.

This info was on our Florida Corporation Annual Report, easily available on-line. A SUFA employee heard the show and called and called Becker to correct it, but Neugent never apologized or bothered to correct his statement.

It is on the Aug. 2010 BOCC meeting-video on demand, under the SUFA agenda.

Ironically, when SHARK incorporated, (the current contractor for Marathon), Glenn Buckley was listed as a local board member. And his address? 10803 Aviation Blvd., my former residence ! Dr. Buckely is a very nice man who lived in Fort Lauderdale. He had helped SUFA in the past and I am sure he would have been willing to help SHARK but he NEVER lived at that address.

GUEST POST: Sweeping Gentile Under the Rug

2012-09-03T07:28:00.003-04:00

Performance Outweighs Being Held Accountable

- Naked Conch - Posted by Larry Murray - September 2, 2012
I was disappointed, though not surprised, to read the report here on Naked Conch that Andy Griffiths is waffling on the issue of Ken Gentile and his fraudulent claim to be a Florida licensed CPA. Courage of one's convictions is not a commonplace amongst politicians and Griffiths is no exception.

Three months have passed since I raised the issue of Ken Gentile and his fraudulent claim on his application that he was a Florida licensed CPA and his continued use of "CPA" with his signature on numerous documents. Purportedly, the School Board had its attorney, Dirk Smits, conduct an investigation well over a month ago. That there was an internal investigation has never been confirmed and certainly no report has been publicly presented to the School Board.

During the School Board Candidate's Forum at Finnegan's Wake every candidate called for Gentile's dismissal. One candidate, Andy Griffiths, went even further as he called for the heads of both Gentile and CFO Michael Kinneer. I must admit that when I heard that statement that I could hardly believe my ears.

Since then, Griffiths has publicly backed off his demand for Kinneer's dismissal,apologizing to him at a Board meeting, and it appears that he is doing the same with Gentile. Griffiths is famous for putting his finger to the political winds and one assumes that he has decided to reverse field for some political advantage.

Gentile, it appears, has done a better job as Finance Director than his predecessor, the CFO. At least, that is the opinion of the School Board and others. Gentile has worked diligently in that job to become "the indispensable man" and the School Board, including Griffiths, seems to view him as irreplaceable. The logic is that to dismiss Gentile would cause irreparable harm to the District and the administration of its finances.

The whole thing dovetails nicely with the editorial in the Citizen regarding the Grand Jury's recommendation that County Administrator Roman Gastesi and his deputy, Debbie Fredericks, be dismissed for receiving stolen goods. The Citizen argues that it would be a shame to fire the two considering the great jobs that they have done much as the School Board, Griffiths included, is reluctant to dismiss Gentile because of his job performance. It seems that in Monroe County, doing a good job transcends all else.

While I follow the logic in both cases, I fail to embrace either the ethics or the morality of such decision making. Gentile clearly engaged in a continuing fraud with regard to his CPA license and should have been dismissed long ago. My guess is that Griffiths and the Board are hoping that everyone will just forget about it. So far, it is a strategy that is working.

Dr. Larry Murray
Fiscal Watchdog and Citizen Advocate
Former Member of the MCSD Finance and Audit Committee

Citizen Fires off a Neuron in Mortgage Title Issue

2012-09-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

DeSantis Covers Confusing Title of ONE Property

70% of Remaining Monroe County Titles Remain Unscathed by Citizen Coverage

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 1, 2012
Did a light bulb go on at the Key West Citizen? Seemingly so, as John DeSantis penned a piece in this Sunday's edition of the Key West Citizen titled "Confusing mortgage ownerships, big problem."

While this latest effort at journalism by our esteemed daily is a positive event, the article barely even scratches the surface of the scale of the crisis. DeSantis concentrates on the ownership issues of one property that was recently in the limelight for huge code enforcement fines. He fails to address the fact that the issue he highlighted actually affects close to 70% of all title records in Monroe County. This is the single most important issue that affects each and every one of us in a tangible and painful way.

For a more in depth and enlightening analysis of the issue I might recommend the six part series I wrote for Key West the Newspaper over a year and a half ago. (Enjoy that here)

It might have been nice had the Citizen actually covered this issue when I raised it as a candidate for Clerk of Courts. (See Here) They chose instead to give front page coverage to outgoing Clerk Danny Kolhage, glorifying him, instead of covering the issues presented by the candidates. Ironically, it's Kolhage's failures at his job, and lack of the Citizen's coverage of such, that has allowed the banks to decimate our land records, which is illustrated by the ONE property DeSantis has uncovered.

Instead of covering the details of the crisis I was highlighting as a candidate, one week before the election Citizen reporter Gwen Filosa chose to give oversimplified coverage to the fact that Countrywide is attempting to foreclose on me as if it was something I was trying to hide. I had only written about it in a newspaper, for goodness sake. It's my experience that has given me the insight as to the true nature of how the Banks have run roughshod over our properties and land records and no on wants to address it. Not at the National level, not at the State level, nor even here locally where the destruction of our land records has occurred, and not been addressed by local leaders, and local media.

Folks, as I said during the campaign, these decimated land records have destroyed confidence in our title histories, and will be a litigious nightmare for decades to come. This in turn will keep pressure on our property values, regardless of what sunny optimism Real Estate gurus can shine on the situation. That will continue to force more homeowners into a negative equity position, the leading cause for walking away, which perpetuates the downward cycle. Not only does the pressure on property values destroy net worth, it reduces taxable values, and as such tax revenue. Ultimately, this effects the budget of every agency, from schools, to police, to fire.

While it's good to see the Citizen come out of their journalistic coma to cover the biggest issue facing our County, (and Country) DeSantis still continues to do a disservice by not discussing the scale of the problem. Our Country was founded on property rights, and rule of law. Both are being decimated by Banksters, with the complicity of Judges, Clerks, and yes the media, as we quickly approach true Banana Republic status.

"Gentile, CPA" Remains Under the Radar

2012-09-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

Griffiths Refuses to Answer if Crime Occurred
...and Vogel Won't Politicize Politics?

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - September 1, 2012

As the dust settles from the recent election results, many throughout the community are beginning to ask questions about a few select items that may have slipped through the cracks of public attention. One such subject is our good friend Ken Gentile, School District Chief of Staff. You remember Gentile, the CPA, right?

In the hoopla of the election many of us may have forgotten that he had misused the title of CPA both on his application to the School Board, and during his employment. But he was on the path to straightening all that paperwork out, just a simple misunderstanding.

It may have also slipped your mind that the School Board had been made aware of the fact that Gentile's CPA claim could not be verified. (See Here) When Larry Murray first raised the C*AP CPA issue, Griffiths said he would have been shocked if the board knew ahead of time stating ..."I also think one of us would have said, 'wait a minute, why didn't you verify that'? Seems too obvious a question for a five person board to miss." I guess that would depend on who the five wizards are because miss it they did.

John Dick has also stated in the past ..."This is entirely the board's responsibility and no one else's."

So has anyone taken responsibility John? Dennis Ward refused to prosecute suggesting he referred the matter to Mark Wilson for review, and according to Ward, Wilson didn't really see a violation of the law. When asked recently about Gentile's status and any potential board action, in typical "Griffiths fashion" Andy wanted to defer to the DBPR's review of the situation, and needed to consult with an attorney to see if the board could even take action against Gentile. You know, the classic rely on someone else to be a leader routine.

But what about the simple question, did Gentile break the law? We provided Griffiths with the exact statute seen below and asked for comments.

473.322 Prohibitions; penalties.—

(1) A person may not knowingly:

(a) Practice public accounting unless the person is a certified public accountant or a public accountant;

(b) Assume or use the titles or designations “certified public accountant” or “public accountant” or the abbreviation “C.P.A.” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, sign, card, or device tending to indicate that the person holds a license to practice public accounting under this chapter or the laws of any other state, territory, or foreign jurisdiction, unless the person holds an active license under this chapter or has the practice privileges pursuant to s. 473.3141;

(c) Perform or offer to perform any services described in s. 473.302(8)(a) unless such person holds an active license under this chapter and is a licensed audit firm, provides such services through a licensed audit firm, or complies with ss. 473.3101 and 473.3141. This paragraph does not prohibit the performance by persons other than certified public accountants of other services involving the use of accounting skills, including the preparation of tax returns and the preparation of financial statements without expression of opinion thereon;

(d) Present as her or his own the license of another;

(e) Give false or forged evidence to the board or a member thereof;

(f) Use or attempt to use a public accounting license that has been suspended, revoked, or placed on inactive or delinquent status;

(g) Employ unlicensed persons to practice public accounting; or

(h) Conceal information relative to violations of this chapter.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Here was our exchange that followed...

Andy - I suppose a misdemeanor penalty varies widely depending on circumstances.
Gardi - So you would agree it was a misdemeanor.
Andy - According to the reference, 775.083, the fine can be 1000 dollars for a misdemeanor of the first degree
Gardi - Yes, but do you agree Gentile's actions constitute a misdemeanor?

That's when we lost contact with the Mars rover.

So at least State Attorney Ward was direct, took a stand and decided not to prosecute. What of our remaining candidates whom aspire to take the helm at the Office of the State Attorney? We posed the same questions to Catherine Vogel and Mark Kohl.

True to form, Kohl didn't respond, and we wouldn't expect him to unless he could hire a $30,000 media relations specialist on the taxpayer dime, but Vogel did...after some prodding of course.

She eloquently explained that she would not comment on pending cases, didn't have the details of the investigation, and doesn't think she should politicize such an issue as she has repeatedly stated throughout her campaign. Fair enough, so with reference to the statute above I asked Vogel the following;

According to the statute, if Matt Gardi signed his name on a document, and placed the initials CPA, or the title Certified Public Accountant next to his signature, would that be a violation of the law?

To which she responded;

Good try. I don't mean to be coy with you but I will not politicize this. Good luck with your quest. Perhaps you should contact some other lawyers who are not candidates for their opinions.

Uhhh...Catherine, other lawyers are not running for office, that's the point. The public has a right to know how you, a candidate for State Attorney interpret the law, and/or would chose to act if in fact you get elected. That's what running for office entails, letting the people know where you stand on issues. Odd concept, is it not? Since when should we not politicize ... politics? Good try, right back atcha.

However, certainly I am not the model for running a successful political campaign. Clearly, discussing issues in detail, offering solutions, having convictions, taking stands, and being open, honest and straightforward did not work for me.

So clearly, Vogel and Griffiths are wisely following a political formula that leads to victory...lets see...

Big Smiles...check.
Lotsa Big Signs...check.
Staying non-committal...check.
Showing up at countless community groups and gladhanding everyone...check.
Avoiding taking stands on issues...check.

Ding ding ding....we have winners!!

...and so the Gentile saga continues...will anyone take action? Dick? Porter? Bueller? Anyone?

Tune in next week when we cover the other finance guru in the school system no one is doing anything about either. You remember CFO and Chief Crybaby Kinneer, the guy who quit demanding his furlough pay. Why is he still on the payroll? He quit, right? Unless he got his furlough pay....no, tell me it ain't so....

Key West Recycles...Gardi's Three Year Old Observation

2012-08-30T23:21:00.001-04:00

Working At the Speed (and Expense) of Government

Key West Wastes $379,000, and 3 1/2 Years to Address the Obvious
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - August 30, 2012

Folks, I'm not really an "I told you so" type of guy. ;) OK, OK, yes, I am and this one takes the cake. Our esteemed daily, the Citizen is heaping accolades upon the Key West City Commission today for their epiphany about recycling. (See Here) Give me a break.

Three and a half years ago I penned a piece on the front page of Key West the Newspaper about this obvious problem. (See Here) Yes, that was February 13, 2009 within which I stated the following about Waste Management;

...they get paid per ton of trash they haul, and they incur additional costs if they actually collect the recyclable material. Their incentive is to haul trash, and enjoy a low recycling rate regardless of whatever pretty PR they push…and it all gets back to their contract with the City.

Yeah, read that again and then remember your esteemed City Commission had to blow $379,000 on a consultant to figure out what was obvious for years. But leave no potential waste unwasted, we now also need to hire an additional salaried employee to be a recycling "coordinator." Yup, now that's as useful as an old pizza box, but heck, it's tax payer money so who cares, right?

Let's not forget that Key West now plans to raise parking rates, and property taxes because our esteemed Commission can only seem to search for new revenue sources versus finding ways to cut costs. But what has happened during the three and a half years that they twiddled their thumbs waiting for a consultant to state the obvious...

The City lollygagged and failed to put the Waste contract out to bid. (See Here)
The City held no one accountable for the $6 million FEMA boondoggle. (See Here)
The City had no issue wasting a quarter million on grass. (See Here)
The imaginative City, along with the Chamber of Commerce won't stop till they dig a trench. (See Here)
which we wrote about here...
and ultimately...

The Commission gave themselves a 135% raise. (See Here)

Wake up folks, the majority of the smiling faced jackals we elect are blithering incompetents with nothing but self interests that motivate them. Hey, but they're nice, and smile a lot, and put up really cool looking political signs...and no one from the media holds them accountable for fear of offending an esteemed member of our community...so they must be really good at leading...or hiring consultants...or something...right? I mean they went and graduated some leadership Monroe Class or Ambassador thingy...right? Right?

FCAT Follies Exposed by Insightful High School Students

2012-08-28T21:12:00.000-04:00

Education Revolution, Scores Big
Florida Board of Education Continues to Fail to Make the Grade

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - August 28, 2012

This latest winner was sent to me from Rick Roach, the School Board member from Orange County that had the fortitude to take "and fail" the FCAT (See Here.) and says it is all about holding people accountable. Somehow students are held accountable, as are teachers.... but the failures at the State level that can't get the quarter billion dollar boondoggle known as the FCAT together somehow escape scrutiny from the main stream media.

Fortunately, we have talented students that have a grasp on the issues (and should be running the State Board of Education) that can articulate the failure that is the FCAT, and in turn the Florida Board of Education. Education Revolution gets a passing grade from Naked Conch with their latest production! Enjoy!

Lack of Local Reporting is the Leading Cause of Apathy

2012-08-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Go Lucky Coverage Lulls Public to Sleep

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - August 27, 2012

In a recent editorial, the Key West Citizen reviewed the most recent election results and pondered rhetorically...

Do these results indicate that the electorate disagrees with the prosecution of the former superintendent or the board's subsequent actions? Maybe, maybe not. With only 30 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot, it certainly doesn't indicate a mandate, but is certainly cause for pause.

The battle between laughing and crying I experienced as a result of the Citizen's thought provoking editorial was painful. Maybe if our local daily newspaper actually served up a healthy dish of actual reporting the Keys might have a better informed electorate, and voters might be inspired to show up at the polls. But when coverage is limited to the latest finger pointing, lacks any detail whatsoever, and is rife with inaccuracies and omissions, it's no wonder the voting public is lulled into apathy.

Case in point. The issue of clearance rates in the race for State Attorney. Citizen coverage was limited to Vogel's generic claim that it was the worst in the State and Ward was to blame, which was countered only by Ward's comments that it was the defense bar that supported Vogel that was delaying the cases. Did the Citizen ever actually give detailed coverage of the actual issue, and what may be the factual cause? No. That might have actually taken some effort.

It would be nice if the public knew that clearance rates are actually a measure of a Judge's performance. There is a measure of validity to both Vogel's and Ward's claims, however it is truly the Judges that have the power to move the cases along. But far be it for a local reporter to expose this fact and possible turn a critical eye on an esteemed local Judge. Could a Judge be motivated to pandering to defense attorneys so no one gets upset enough to challenge them? Hence we are left with uncontested Judicial elections and a backlogged Court system, while local attorneys jockey into position to run once someone retires. Who in their right mind would want to run against a sitting Judge that is worshiped in the press and merely has to show up to Rotary to retain their seat for life? Go back to sleep public, nothing to see here.

Then there was the race for Clerk of Courts. In the first story by Tim O'Hara covering the four candidates running for the office for the first time in thirty years, the entire front page and most of the article was devoted to worshiping outgoing Clerk Danny Kolhage, versus covering the details of the candidates actually seeking the office. The next bit of coverage did not exist at all. You see, at one of the first in depth Clerk forums hosted by Hometown PAC, crack reporter Gwen Filosa chose only to write about the State Attorney debate, completely omitting any coverage whatsoever of the Clerk's forum. It was the first forum where candidates were actually challenged on important issues by a great panel and had plenty of time to respond. It was also a forum that one candidate, the ultimate winner, chose not to participate in. Go figure..at least we had a slew of political signs along US 1 to help us glean the winning candidate's positions.

The Citizen editorial also remarked on Andy Griffith's substantial showing, inferring that the public is still supportive of him after his twenty years of service. But has the Citizen ever run an in depth analysis of the causal relationship between twenty years of decisions Griffiths has made, and the ultimate outcome? Will they challenge him to pursue ideas he put forth during the primary such as combining Kinneer's and Gentile's positions, or will they simply let his campaign pledges slide into obscurity? If the Citizen's past performance is any indication, I think the answers to those questions are self evident.

Then there is just plain wrong. Sean Kinney of the Keynoter stated completely erroneous information regarding the potential for two Republican Clerk candidates to move on to the general election should no one receive over 50% of the vote in the primary. He was informed of his error, then went on to write the exact same thing again. The Keynoter never issued a correction. Talk about confusing the voting public. (I will leave alone the fact that Kinney also mis-attributed quotes to me as a candidate and failed to correct those as well.)

Thank goodness for the advent of the Internet, local blogs and other alternative media sources. While a few weekly newspapers such as Key West the Newspaper, and the News Barometer still strive to enlighten the public in their own way, the big boys continue to disappoint. Being such a huge component of our community, that is committing a tremendous disservice as they ponder away in their thought provoking editorials.

Naked Conch Streaming Hourly Isaac Updates from Sugarloaf

2012-08-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

Hourly on the Hour

Plus we'll try to do some recorded out and about during the day.

Check it out on our ISAAC in the Keys Page.

Grand Jury iPad Report Released

2012-08-23T09:18:00.003-04:00

Naked Conch Makes Full Report Available

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - August 23, 2012

After months of speculation, the scandal that broke in late February of this year reaches it's crescendo. In this post election release, names are named and recommendations made. Is Naked Conch vindicated in it's long standing suggestion that the County has no accountability when tracking assets? (Enjoy video here.) Does the report uncover the gory details of the Clerk's mismanagement and cover up of such? (Refresh your memory here.) Or is it much ado about nothing? You decide...take the poll below the report.

Gardi Comes Clean on Name Change

2012-08-19T11:33:00.000-04:00

Y an I, Gardi? What are you hiding?

With Nothing to Lose...I'll Come Clean!

- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - August 19, 2012

I found it amusing that what seemed to get the most attention from the public during my recent campaign for County Clerk was the fact I changed my name in 2005, from Gardy to Gardi. As I explained to Gwen Filosa during an interview on the subject only a week before the election, my wife and I changed the spelling because we both preferred the true Italian spelling and we wanted to honor our Italian heritage. My family had Americanized the name in the early 1900s after having immigrated to the States. Simeone became Simon, Saveria became Sarah, Maria became Mary, Vittorio became Victor, and yes, Gardi became Gardy. Filosa's article ran five days before the election and can be found here.

Clearly the results of the election would indicate it didn't have an effect on the outcome, but what is most interesting is the number of people, including close friends who have made an issue out of it, insinuating that there is some deep, dark and sinister reason behind the name change. I attribute that to Filosa's success at writing the article to create that impression, as she conveniently left out a few critical components of the story. But admittedly, Filosa didn't know everything.

So to that end, I will now come clean and expose the full detail of how Gardy went back to Gardi...and let the chips fall where they may.

One critical component that Filosa omitted was the fact that my then girlfriend Lisa and I had moved to the Keys after having lived in Europe for two and a half years. While we used the cover of the fact that we were working for the Army, and "worked" in Italy quite a bit, the reality is we were both re-establishing ties with the "Old World" family we shared across the pond.

The picture to the left shows a sinister meeting that was held high in the hills of Sicily in 2002. It is rumored that this is where the plan to "conquer the Keys" originated. It was also during this time frame that ties were solidified between the old world and new world families by finding the mysterious link of my Great-Grandfather Simeone Gardi's birth certificate in the small village of Serrastretta, in Calabria. Note also, that sometime between when this photo was taken and around the time of the name change, I began to conceal my identity by buzz cutting my luxurious mane of hair.

I provide for you a copy of my Great- Grandfather's birth certificate from the dusty book of records of the late 1800's maintained in the Serrastretta Clerk's office. Of note is the blocked off information at the top, a rudementary form of redactment by the Italian officials to cover up some other sinister family's information. Serrastretta's Clerk's office needs some modernization as well...but I digress.

After re-establishing ties to the old world families, Lisa and I moved to Key West. Within a week of arriving, we purchased a little shop off Duval from another family of Italian origin, (who will remain unnamed for fear of reprisal) but it is well known that this other Italian "family" had already established itself using fronts such as making Key Lime Pie and Conch Fritters.

Regardless, Lisa and I opened "Gardi's Internet Cafe" renting from the infamous local Ed Swift. Our commercial lease was under my name of Gardy at the time. Even though Swift and crew do an extensive credit check, we fortunately avoided having our dastardly domination plan exposed. We established the place (See photo right) with an Italian flair to differentiate ourselves from the numerous Cuban style coffee houses in the area. Our business grew, and the community came to know us as...the Gardi's. Our plan was working perfectly.

After having run the shop for a year, unable to find decent staff at the time, we realized that working fourteen hour days to keep "the front" established was unproductive in our efforts to take control of the Keys. We also realized to be more effective that we needed to establish ourselves as more of "a family." So during Christmas of 2004, Lisa and I snuck off to visit the Vermont contingent of our families and after ten years of dating, we got married. Now mind you, we couldn't have a flamboyant affair so we did something a little less "attention grabbing." But in an effort to be as forthcoming as possible, I provide for you a video that captured the event.

Around the same time frame, Lisa and I both established ourselves in government. Lisa took a job at Gerald Adams Elementary School posing as a teacher, and I went to work for the Office of the State Attorney. While I knew nothing at all about technology, I was able to absorb an immense amount of technical know how from then State Attorney Mark Kohl.</sarcasm> Kohl, along with being an incredible attorney, is also a tech guru...just ask him. Regardless, Kohl and his investigative staff conducted an extensive background check on a Matt Gardy, and I somehow slipped through the cracks. My name to this day appears in the County phone system as "Gardy."

It was around this time that I began to worry that we were very close to being exposed, so my wife and I hatched the name change idea. Not that she was about to change her maiden name anyway, and not that we were known in Key West as the Gardi's, and not that we both loved our Italian heritage, and not that we thought it a travesty that my family had to deny their culture and Americanize the name, and not that we both liked it better with an "i," but rather we needed to reduce the risk of exposing our deep dark sinister background. Granted, we could have changed it to something like Chowsnophski, and claimed we were from Utah, but that would be too obvious... which ultimately may have proven to be our Achilles heel as the crackpot investigative reporter Filosa ultimately exposed.

In an even more sinister twist, we then used our connections in the Florida legislature and Supreme Court to make sure that it was mandated that ALL family law cases be sealed and unavailable on line. This way it didn't appear as if it was just our case. Filosa did a good job avoiding that fact by suggesting that it was simply me stating it was "common" in these types of cases. Far be it from Filosa to actually check another source that might mar her insinuations...but again, I digress.

In a final act of concealment, in the summer of 2005 we again jumped across the pond to Italy to continue our business dealings with the old world familia. We even went so far as to have wedding rings made and engraved by a distant relative in Serrastretta. He was from the Scalise side of the family though, more than likely tied in with the Gambinos as evidenced by his appearance in the photo to the right. But it got better, the old world family in Serrastretta was so elated that our "business" plans were going so well, that they gave us a police escort through the entire community to the old family stead located in a village known as Angoli.

Below are some photos exposing the village and the welcome. The crumbling house is the ancestral home of my Great Grandmother, Saveria Scalise, who married Simeone Gardi and immigrated to the States.

But I would be remiss if I didn't expose Lisa's deep, dark, sinister side as well. Her family was originally from Sicily, from a village called Castle Mola, (Photo right) high above the Mediterranean Sea. Her family name was Parlatore, (Which I translate as "Big Talker.") and let me assure you, the translation is accurate. We had the chance to meet with a notorious member of the Parlatore family in Castle Mola, whose Grandfather was brother to Lisa's Great Grandfather.

The rare photo to the left captured the meeting between the old world and the new. Let me assure you, you can see by the grim expressions on their faces that they were none to happy to have this connection exposed.

So there you have it folks, the true story behind the name change from Gardy to Gardi. Kudos to Gwen Filosa for uncovering most of this choice piece of campaign related detail. It comforts me to know that we have here among us in the Keys, investigative reporters that will make the extra effort to Google a name, make a phone call and then consume precious column inches in the local daily newspaper days before an election with such an intense expose.