Broward's present/future problems in a nutshell: Not enough leadership, too much Kristin Jacobs-like behavior -Fighting over scraps: a meaningless job that nobody respects.
No, not fighting over important ideas, a principle or even an issue that nobody else is willing to stand up for that demands some public illumination and a degree of long-overdue oversight,
or even fighting for something supported by her campaign donation friends, but rather a fight over a dubious position that nobody outside S. Andrews Avenue knows about, cares about or respects.
You know, just because you buy a $6.99 Captain's hat you come across at Marshall's doesn't make you a real captain or mean that Broward citizens have to salute you.
Though some will, apparently, like lobbyist Seth Platt, who Tweeted,
Seth PlattGrats to John Rodstrom as the New #Broward County Mayor &@Kristin_Jacobs as the New Vice-Mayor15 Nov
The same prescient Seth Platt the lobbyist who said in 2010, when polls showed Allen West doing well in FL-22, "POLLS DON”T MEAN SQUAT"?
Yes, that one.
Well, for those of us NOT dependent upon the kindness of Broward Commissioners to survive or make a living, this is yet the latest in a series of HBR Case Studies of why, in large part, Broward County government is in the mess and funk it's in.
Yes, the intersection of Dysfunction Junction, just like its colleagues at the Broward School Board.
They're in the same boat, but all paddling in different directions.
So where's the surprise that they're drifting?
Really, all this Sturm und Drang over a position as vice-mayor of Broward County that was not decided by actual Broward voters, but, like the so-called mayor's position -yes, I use lower-case for undemocratic titles- voted upon by less people than who will decide who's homecoming king and queen at any high school any of you can think of?
Decided by less people than the ones who decided who would be in charge of Rush at the Chi Omega house at FSU? (And to be honest, one less important than the latter...)
Just because nine people think something is important does not mean that I and other Broward residents who are paying attention have to agree to the pretense and say that it's important, too.
I reject the premise.
Peruse and decide for yourself - in chronological order:
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Broward Politics blog
Broward's Kristin Jacobs digs in heels for vice mayor post
By Brittany Wallman
November 15, 2011 12:38 PM
Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs is the vice mayor now, and the vote was unanimous., But that eventual result didn't come easily for her.Jacobs had to fight for that title, even forcing her colleagues one by one to announce whether they supported her bid.
Read the rest of the post at:
BrowardBeat
Commissioners Squabble Over Meaningless Job: Vice Mayor
By Buddy Nevins
November 15, 2011
Does Goody Two Shoes, known to most of us as Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, have some mud on her soles after today’s divisive vote on who will be the next Broward Vice Mayor?
Read the rest of the post at:
http://www.browardbeat.com/kristin-jacobs-fights-for-meaningless-job-vice-mayor/
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Broward Politics blog
The ugly fight for the Broward vice mayor title: behind the scenes
By Brittany Wallman
November 16, 2011 11:04 AM
A lot of backroom deal-making, threatening and vote-gathering led up to Tuesday's Broward County Commission vote on who would be vice mayor, observers told me afterwards.
Read the rest of the post at:
Voting for a county-wide Broward Mayor who'll either show vision and leadership -or not- who's voted directly by -and held accountable by- Broward voters, is a long overdue idea and reality that has once again been dismissed by the status quo crowd on S. Andrews Avenue.
Not that it has ever really gotten a fair shake in this county since I returned to South Florida eight years ago, given who comprised the Broward Charter Review Commission.
Lots of apologists for the way things are now, save Ted Mena and Michael Buckner among a few CRC members who deigned to show any foresight and gumption for the public's right to decide those things themselves.
Though I don't know them very well, I'd vote for either one tomorrow for County Mayor before I let Broward's lobbyist crowd foist one of their longtime pals upon us as a stalking horse.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Broward Politics blog
Broward commish kills countywide mayor proposal, again
By Brittany Wallman November 2, 2011 08:09 AM
And yet for this dubious position of vice-mayor, to read the accounts, Kristen Jacobs is like a wild hog going after a bone, and woe onto anyone or anything getting in her way.
Go ahead, keep your bone, but don't be surprised when we ask publicly over the next year why of all the things that possibly could've taken the time and energy of nine elected officials, these table scraps are what YOU fought over.
No, we won't be forgetting.
Even on Saturday mornings at the Broward Convention Center.
You won't be surprised to discover that among this interested group of concerned Broward residents, people DID notice who were no-shows, besides anyone from the Miami Herald.
From the looks of things -my own observations and emails from others- Jacobs couldn't even be bothered to show-up and feign interest, even while officials and experts from Tallahassee, Atlanta and Vancouver showed-up at one forum in particular to inform and educate.
They didn't take it well when I told them that the word "transportation" wasn't even on her county bio website at the time, yet she was suddenly on the Board that sets policy.
Now THAT'S Broward County in a snapshot!
I hung up on her office the third time they called me with a bad attitude.
Later she/they sent a letter, one I never opened.
Seriously, how many unimpressive women politicians can one county possibly bear to have at one time.
From north near Palm Beach County to the south near me, just north of the Miami-Dade line, Broward County has some of the most unethical, unsavory, and undemocratic, to say nothing of venal female politicians in the country: this Rogue's gallery includes the duplicitous Joy Cooper, now convicted Sylvia Poitier, anti-democratic Lori Moseley, and Debby Eisinger, the latter of whom voted with members of the majority of the appointed Broward CRC against allowing Broward citizens to vote on whether or not to have an elected Broward County mayor in November of 2008.
How does an elected public official justify voting against elections that allow citizens to determine their own form of govt. structure?
Exactly, but that's just what Cooper City Mayor Debby Eisinger did.
The same woman who fought against tougher ethical standards for Broward municipal officials
It's why she's on that list that goes on and on...
They make me glad that there is some hope out there. that is if by there, you mean NOT here.
I do.
Because of what I've read and seen of her, her unwillingness to play the fool and swallow spin from the wealthy and the well-connected or political parties, her unwillingness to play pretend and accept illusions or fantasy for real solutions to problems, unless something unexpected happens -either to her or to me- if Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs runs for governor of Florida in 2014, I'll support her.
She's a real MAYOR, elected by real VOTERS, winning a run-off 68%-32%, despite being out fund-raised 2-1.
And best of all, Teresa Jacobs has smarts, hubris and moxie, something that can't be said about the majority of the pols in Broward or South Florida.
Just saying...
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For more information on this issue, see"
Broward Charter Review Comm. discussion re county-wide elected mayor and composition of County Commission, April 9, 2008, pp 68-126
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