Why Lovie Smith got fired by the Chicago Bears -GRIM facts & trends that were increasingly hard to swallow for loyal Bears fans: the Bears have made the watered-down NFL playoffs only ONCE in the past 6 years despite much talent on the team, including failing 3 seasons in a row AFTER making the Super Bowl. If anything, it was an overdue decision; Bears should strongly consider hiring Brian Billick as head coach and REALLY helping Jay Cutler's progress

ESPN YouTube Channel video: ESPN correspondent Ed Werder on the Chicago Bears firing of head coach Lovie Smith on Monday, and what he may do. Uploaded January 1, 2013. http://youtu.be/mUOnaPIMPD4

While there clearly are a lot of people who like Lovie Smith's personality and experience, including some current players, consider how the players have actually played for HIM, since it seems to be something that ESPN and a lot of social media types keep ignoring.

The Bears have made the watered-down NFL playoffs only ONCE in the past 6 years despite the talent on that team, including failing 3 seasons in a row AFTER making the Super Bowl. 

That's more than embarrassing and is NOT something that fans of an NFL team in the third-largest city in the country are going to be satisfied with. 
Nor should they be.

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=8938166&pid=null

The one year the Bears made the playoffs in the past six seasons, 2010, they promptly lost the NFC Championship game -at home- in large part because they were so grossly unprepared for an injury to QB Jay Cutler.
Whose responsibility is it to ensure that you have competent back-ups if not the head coach?

As has been noted here many times before, I lived in Chicago in the mid-1980's and that coincided with their 1985-86 Super Bowl run and win, and I still usually root for the Bears.
But these CHRONIC weaknesses with the Bears, like not being able to assemble a good staff or a competent offensive line to keep Cutler upright, can be laid squarely upon Lovie Smith as head coach.

In the end, the facts didn't lie -one playoff appearance in the past six years is NOT satisfactory.
If anything, his firing was an overdue decision for fans of the team.

Just like the one the Eagles and Chargers made to finally be rid of Andy Reid and Norv Turner.
Both need to stay away from the NFL for a year for their own good -and ours.
We can't stand the utter predictability of their problems every year and their chronic inability to adequately resolve them. 

If the Bears were smart, and that's not a given, obviously, they'd hire former Ravens head coach  and Vikings OC Brian Billick, someone who knows something about offense when he has some talent to work with, like he did with those Vikings teams of the late '90's when they were one of the most-exciting teams of the past 25 years.
Give Jay Cutler some help from someone who knows what they're talking about.

New water restrictions on tap tonight: HB City Hall wants stricter water restrictions despite NEVER issuing a single citation past 2 years. Why?

Reminder: Tonight at 6 pm in Hallandale Beach is Mayor Joy Cooper's ham-handed effort to tighten water restrictions here to once-a-week despite the fact that the city NEVER issued a single ticket the past two years under existing rules.
Also on the agenda is one item that bears close watching, 8G, City Manager Performance Evaluation.

The agenda for tonight's 6 p.m. meeting -note NEW time!- is here:
http://www.hallandalebeachfl.gov/files/2011-04-20/Agenda%20Outline%20for%202011-04-20%2018-00.htm

I have copied and pasted the staff report for 8G at the bottom. That is to say, the City Manager's staff's progress report on their boss, Mark Antonio.
Spoiler Alert: They (he) thinks he's doing a good job thus far.

He clearly has a very different definition of what good is then what many of you and I have.

The proposed water restrictions are nothing more than feel-good legislation that is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist here, even while she and her Rubber Stamp Crew ignore longstanding, real problems all over the city, and Cooper, the President of the Florida League of Cities, hopes you won't notice the startling incongruity.

An Andy Reid story about what I believe is similar short-sighted policy is in today's
Sun-Sentinel's new Green South Florida blog
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/blogs/green-south-florida/

Tougher South Florida watering rules resisted, despite drought concerns By Andy Reid, Sun Sentinel 11:21 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2011

Despite lingering drought conditions, South Florida water managers are so far resisting environmentalists’ call for tougher watering restrictions to try to stretch supplies. A drier than normal start to the November-to-May dry season already prompted the South Florida Water Management District in March to impose emergency watering restrictions limiting all residents and businesses across the region to twice-a-week landscape watering.

Read the rest of the story, along with graphs and previous stories, at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/blogs/green-south-florida/sfl-tougher-south-florida-watering-rules-resisted-despite-drought-concerns-20110419,0,7759353.story

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Item #8G.

April 20, 2011

CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH, REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Date: April 12, 2011

Director’s Name: Mark Antonio, City Manager

Department: City Manager’s Office

Subject: City Manager Performance Evaluation

____________________________________________________________________________

Pursuant to Section 2.B. of my Employment Agreement with the City of Hallandale Beach, performance evaluations are to be conducted on a regular basis, with the first City Manager Performance Evaluation to take place six months after appointment and then conducted annually thereafter.

Accordingly, the six-month performance evaluation is to take place in April 2011. To facilitate the process and consideration by the City Commission, I have attached a list of my accomplishments during the past six months. As it have been a busy six months thus far, with many projects and issues on the table, I truly believe feedback and input from the Commission on my performance and that of the City at this time is in the best interest of the City to ensure all expectations of the Commission are being met and all concerns are afforded the opportunity to be resolved.

Additionally, as the City Commission might be interested in formalizing a City Manager Performance Evaluation process/policy, I will be forwarding, under a separate cover memo, sample City Manager Performance Evaluations for your consideration, review and discussion – as you might direct – during a City Commission Workshop.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to this six-month evaluation for I believe any good Manager would welcome suggestions to improve his/hers performance, as well as that of the City.

As always, should you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me.

April 20, 2011 City Commission Meeting – Agenda Item 8.G. – City Manager Performance Evaluation – List of Achievements

Pursuant to Section 2.B. of my Employment Agreement with the City of Hallandale Beach, performance evaluations are to be conducted on a regular basis, with the first City Manager Performance Evaluation to take place six months after appointment and then conducted annually thereafter.

The following is a list of the last six month’s accomplishments, which are based on City Commission’s established goals. Since this is a mid-year report, some projects have not been completed, however in all cases we are right on track, and in some instances we are even ahead of the game.

Livable Community

1. The Citywide Parks Master Plan is well on its way, with final presentation and recommendations to the City Commission and the public scheduled for the May 16, 2011 City Commission Workshop. It is expected that after this presentation, the Final Plan will be adopted in July 2011, with implementation thereafter. BP# 012/08

2. Capital Projects that have been on hold or delayed were given priority and are now either complete or on their way to construction:

1. City Marina – Ground Breaking Ceremony has been scheduled for May 20, 2011, with construction expected to start in early May 2011. CAD# 031/03
2. North Beach Facility Community Center - the renovations have been completed, and the center is now available for rentals. BP#023/08.
3. Foster Park Community Center – the project has been bid and staff is now conducting the bid analysis, with and expected day of May 18, 2011 for Bid Award by the City Commission/CRA Board of Directors and construction to start soon after. BP#022/06.
4. Curci House – renovations have been completed and the building is now open to the public for tours and as a small museum. This project has received awards from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the Broward County Historical Commission. CAD#047/03.
5. PBA Hall – renovations are on the way and should be complete by the end of this year. BP#009/06
6. A1A Safety Improvements – a LAP Agreement between the City and FDOT for the landscaping phase of this project is being executed, with an expected starting date of August 2011. The triple RRR portion of this Project has been scheduled by FDOT for FY13/14. CAD#015/06
7. Drainage Projects at the Northeast and Southeast communities have been prioritized and are well under way. BP#013/09 & CAD# 038/06

3. Staff researched the possibility of updating the City’s Ordinance requiring condominiums to install generators to make it consistent with state statute and to provide financial relief to condo units that meet the state requirements – as a result, changes to the ordinance were presented to and adopted by the City Commission on First Reading during the April 06, 2011 City Commission Meeting.

4. To continue to encourage diversity within the City and the workplace, and to encourage volunteerism and participation in the City’s safety training programs, Chapter 21 of the City of Hallandale Beach has been revised, and its amending Ordinance adopted on First Reading to facilitate the inclusion of City volunteers, participants in the City’s mentorship program, and provide veteran’s preference within the City’s list of eligibles for entry level firefighter position, entry level police officer position and entry level community services aide condition.

5. During the FY11 Budget Process, staff was directed to implement a Capacity Building Program to assist in the sustainability of community partners. This program is well under way and will be implemented for the FY12 Budget process as the City’s Community Partnerships Program. BP#006/11

6. To continue to encourage a sense of community and diversity within the City, and to encourage volunteerism and participation in the City’s programs, coordinated the Community Visioning Workshop. This workshop, facilitated by David Hunt has brought members of the Community together with a common goal – Foster Park Community Building.

7. During FY11 Budget process, staff was authorized to negotiate and execute an agreement for street furniture, which will assist in sustaining the Hallandale Beach Area Chamber of Commerce while providing for updated street furniture and maintenance. This agreement has been executed and the contractor is in the process of replacing and installing new street furniture. BP#005/11

8. Staff held a City Commission Workshop on Traffic Calming Devices, and as a result will be implementing the City Commission’s directives regarding the installation of traffic calming devices throughout the community. Furthermore, as a result of said workshop staff has been directed to revise the proposed conversion of NE 8^th and 10^th Avenues. This review is currently underway and staff expects to provide a report to the City Commission within a month. AR#004/11 and BP#009/09

Excellence in Government

1. Completed Labor Negotiations with Police, Fire and General Employees, resulting in improved employee morale. For new contracts, Labor negotiations are currently underway.

2. Instituted a 401(A) Pension Plan for General Employees.

3. Instituted a 457 Loan Program for City Employees.

4. The City’s website redesign project has been completed and staff expects to go “live” by April 15, 2011. As previously directed by the City Commission, this redesigned website includes information regarding newly adopted ordinances, registered lobbyists, monthly reports, and development projects. CMD#008/04

5. Regarding City Commission/staff relations, my philosophy has been for staff to cooperate with City Commissioners as long as Protocol is being followed. I believe this has improved the City’s efficiency and timely delivery of information to the City Commission. Furthermore, it has facilitated and expedited the review of many agenda items as now directors are allowed to brief the Commissioners on any questions they might have prior to a Commission/Workshop Meeting.

6. Agenda Format has been revised and implemented per City Commission directive. Furthermore, all agenda items are being provided 7 days before the City Commission Meetings and/or City Commission Workshops with complete backup information.

7. Draft Action Minutes from City Commission Meetings and City Commission Workshops are being provided for consideration and approval by the City Commission at the following Commission Meeting.

8. Implemented new format for the City Commission City Manager Forums. Furthermore, staff continues to meet with the Community as needed and/or as requested by the Community.

9. The Office of the City Manager has been open and accessible, not only to the City Commission, but also to the public, developers and business partners.

10. Holds monthly departmental meetings with each Director to provide discuss pending issues and provide directive as needed. Hold departmental meetings with all directors to foster communication amongst colleagues.

11. Coordinated and held the City Commission Visioning Session, which resulted in updated City Mission Statement and Strategic Priorities, thus giving staff and the Community a sense of direction. Also resulting from this visioning session, the City Commission/City Manager Workshops, City Commission retreats and resident and business survey. CMD#011/03

12. Hired new Development Services Director, Director of Community Redevelopment Agency and Chief of Police.

13. At the directive of the City Commission, outside auditors are conducting a Special Report on Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) activities and City Manager’s office: report is 90% complete.

14. To inform our Community of on-going projects, established policy where all construction, landscaping and/or rehabilitation projects are posted with uniform signage advising of the project, its purpose, cost and contact person for further questions.

15. With staff’s support, prepared and adopted FY11 Budget: in preparation for said budget, held a Special CRA budget workshop and streamlined CRA budget to ensure all CRA-related programs were active and properly funded. Per policy, continue to review budget expenditures to ensure these are completed within adopted budget.

16. With staff’s support, in the process of preparing FY12 Budget.

Environmental Sustainability

1. Continue to work with consultant, County and state agencies to obtain permits for the City’s Beach Renourishment projects. CAD# 035/97

2. Relocation of the City’s Well Fields – a requirement for the City’s to obtain its water consumption permit, project is well underway: the economic impact study has been completed and the City will now enter into negotiations with the City of West Park. BP#008/10

3. Revised Water Conservation Ordinance has been adopted on First Reading.

4. Implementation of the Forest Health improvement Grant at Joe Scavo Park to prune and replace dead and diseased trees. Project is expected to start within the next two weeks and be completed by end of summer. CAD#006/10

5. Implementation of City’s Recycling Program as well as implementation of services contracts for solid waste disposal which decreased costs by decreasing the travel time to disposal sites. Furthermore, staff is working with a consultant for the development of either a Request for Proposal or Request for Bid for the City’s long term disposal of its solid waste. CAD#018/10

Economic Development

1. Implementation of the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP1) through partnerships with Broward County and Habitat for Humanity. CAD#006/09

2. Negotiated the approval of redevelopment and development agreements for the expansion of Wal-Mart and Hallandale Investments/TD Bank. CAD# 001/11 and CAD# 002/11

3. Through CRA, working with businesses to assist them to comply with City’s minimum property maintenance code, be it by demolishing old, dilapidated structures and/or removing pole signs.

4. Settlement agreement between the Set Enterprises, Inc., and the City of Hallandale Beach and Rix Video Emporium and the City of Hallandale Beach.

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Mayor Cooper's 'water restriction' scare tactic -with no evidence; LA Times: Stephen Orr's 'Tomorrow's Garden' and modern, sustainable landscapes

Per the very interesting photo gallery that I saw today in the Los Angeles Times, which comes from Stephen Orr's new book, "Tomorrow's Garden: Design and Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening," from Rodale Books

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-stephen-orr-tomorrows-garden-photos,0,7985631.photogallery
http://www.rodaleinc.com/products/books/tomorrows-garden-design-and-inspiration-new-age-sustainable-gardening?sort=Date

personally, I'd love to see a lot more cacti around town, esp. over at HB City Hall and public parks and on the city-maintained median strips.

Especially given the big 'water scare' restrictions that Mayor Cooper is attempting to foist upon Hallandale Beach residents next Wednesday night, without any proof it's necessary.

The city admits in docs that I link to below that they have NOT had to issue even ONE citation the past two years, so where is the quantifiable proof that there's a valid reason to change the status quo, and enact an even stricter law?

In fact, where's the quantifiable proof that HB city govt. itself is actually using less water in its buildings in a rate that's at all commensurate with its citizens?
There is none.

And do you recall what I shared with you here on February 19th, courtesy of Andy Reid of the Sun-Sentinel?
If not, re-read it, as there is a tremendous amount of facts there that underscore the ridiculous nature of this effort in HB.

Hallandale Beach wants to enact new water restrictions? Why?; SFSS: What restrictions? South Florida's year-round watering rules not being enforced
http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/hallandale-beach-wants-to-enact-new.html

Is the goal of Mayor Cooper's effort to actually "save water," or is it to lay the groundwork to make money NOW and in the future thru citations, especially given that the city itself is among the worst offenders?

Or, is the real goal here merely to burnish Mayor Cooper's personal and political reputation among HB citizens and the media after taking so many well-deserved solid hits the past few years, as well as to impress her pals on the Florida League of Cities, using water usage as a cover?
Hmm-m...

Seems to me that absent any tangible proof that a new law is necessary, or that similarly-situated cities in Broward are initiating similar laws -that are enforced- are we being used as guinea pigs solely for the mayor's benefit, not ours and our families?

Below this paid ad for next Wednesday's meeting, the Second Reading, are links to the staff info for the First Reading of #3 below, which took place on March 2nd.

Published in Miami Herald on 4/9/2011

http://www.hallandalebeachfl.gov/files/2011-03-02/Staff%20Reports/00006447.htm

http://www.hallandalebeachfl.gov/files/2011-03-02/Item%207A/index.html

Here's another question that HB City Hall refuses to answer -what are the names of the parties in Hallandale Beach, business and private, who were the subject of the most complaints the past three years?

That's public information that I think we'd all like to know, since it will show in part whether this whole thing has been a sham from the beginning, given the lack of actual enforcement of current rules, and how VERY LONG it's been since the city itself removed all those SFWMD signs that used to be everywhere in this city, esp. on city-maintained medians.

One day, they just removed them and they've never been seen again. Why?

The onus is clearly on them to make the case -with no evidence- not on us.

-----
Stephen Orr's blog: what were the skies like [reporting on gardens, horticulture, and botany]
http://www.whatweretheskieslike.com/

Hallandale Beach wants to enact new water restrictions? Why?; SFSS: What restrictions? South Florida's year-round watering rules not being enforced

The City of Hallandale Beach wants to enact new water restrictions?
Why?

Today, Andy Reid of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has an article that hits every note: What restrictions? South Florida's year-round watering rules not being enforced

It's well worth your reading below, and as you do so, look at the public notice from the City of Hallandale Beach directly above it that ran in today's Miami Herald and ask yourself a simple question.

Beyond the general idea that we'd all agree that it's clearly NOT smart to waste water, IF it's such a problem in Hallandale Beach now, then how many actual citations has the city issued here the past 12 months?
My guess is ZERO.

The burden of proof that there is currently a problem in this city worth legislating lies entirely with the city, and it requires them citing and showing thru photos or some other tangible means, the evidence of a problem, along with totals, etc.
Where's the evidence?

They need to make make a PowerPoint presentation before the public in the City Commission Chambers before voting on this, NOT do something simply so that Mayor Cooper can pat herself on the back in an attempt to get more attention for herself.
Otherwise, this is nothing more than a new Stamp Act.

My experience from personal observation walking and driving thru HB is that the city itself is THE worst and biggest offender, just as they are with so many other Code Enforcement problems, starting with the longstanding violation located just a few feet from where City Manger Antonio parks his own car, which he is perfectly aware of because it's so obvious.
And the one a few feet past that one... and then the other one nearby...


August 16, 2010 photo by South Beach Hoosier

And what about the glaring Code Enforcement violation that Hallandale Beach City Hall has allowed to exist for years in the Upper Deck Ale & Sports Grill parking lot, next to Gulfstream Park Racetrack & Casino?
And when did restaurant parking lots in this city become boat marinas, as this boat above has been in this parking lot for well OVER two years, as it's visible from the sidewalk and the Gulfstream entrance/exit along N.E./S.E. 10th Avenue?

(I'll have more on this particular subject later this week, with damning photos taken by me over the past two years proving that Hallandale Beach City Hall's wink-wink system of code enforcement fails citizens, and which completely disproves any notion that City Hall treats everyone in the city equally. They don't!)


Two years ago at a HB City Commission meeting, I cited several examples of the city breaking the South Florida Water Management District rules on water, including one just a block from Hallandale Beach City Hall.
Guess what happened?


Published in Miami Herald on 2/19/2011

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South Florida Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-watering-restrictions-ignored-20110219,0,4541591.story

What restrictions? South Florida's year-round watering rules not being enforced

By Andy Reid, Sun Sentinel
February 19, 2011

Lax enforcement means few citations have been written for violations of South Florida's new year-round watering rules, according to a Sun Sentinel sampling in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Since the new rules began last March , neither Broward County code enforcement nor city of Fort Lauderdale code enforcement officers issued a single citation for violating watering restrictions, as of the first week of February.

In addition, Fort Lauderdale lets homes and businesses water landscaping on more days than Broward County's countywide rule allows.

Rider hits bus driver across face in Oakland Park. See the video here.

Over the same time period, Palm Beach County issued just three notices of violations for water users breaking the new rules. Of those three, only one was forced to pay the $125 fine.

Neither Delray Beach nor Boca Raton issued a watering violation.

Also, the South Florida Water Management District — charged with protecting regional water supplies — stopped keeping track of whether cities and counties each week enforce the new year-round watering rules that the agency imposed.

While the year-round watering rules are intended to promote a permanent conservation push, the district requires cities and counties only to report weekly enforcement totals during droughts.

The new year-round landscape irrigation rules were supposed to create a new "culture of conservation" in thirsty South Florida, but backers say that requires stepped-up enforcement. "It hurts everybody when there's no enforcement," said Drew Martin of the Sierra Club, which advocates tougher watering restrictions.

"It punishes the people who obey the law and rewards people who don't."

Code-enforcement officials contend that budget cuts during Florida's economic downturn left fewer people to look for watering rule breakers and code-enforcement priorities changed as droughts faded away.

Now, after months of lax enforcement, concerns about forecasts for a dryer-than-normal spring could trigger tougher watering restrictions for South Florida homes and businesses.

"There's no overtime to speak of," Patrick Saba, Broward County code-enforcement supervisor, said about the possibility of being asked to crack down on watering rules. "We will do the best we can. … Officers will write the violations when they see them."

District officials and local community representatives contend that ticket totals aren't the best gauge of conservation success. They say more water users are voluntarily following irrigation rules and that overall water use has declined.

But code-enforcement officials acknowledge that if drought conditions worsen and the district requires tougher restrictions, enforcing them only gets harder.

"With a tight budget … we are not sure how much of an effort we would be able to put forward," Palm Beach County Code Enforcement Director Kurt Eismann said.

South Florida uses the most water in the state, averaging about 179 gallons per resident per day, according to the water management district.

About half of South Florida's public water supply is used for landscape irrigation.

While South Florida typically gets more than enough rainfall to meet its water-supply needs, guarding against the flooding of neighborhoods and farms that now cover what used to be the Everglades and other wetlands leads to dumping much of that stormwater out to sea.

Lake Okeechobee is South Florida's backup water supply. But during 2010 the Army Corps of Engineers drained more than 400 billion gallons from the lake, with most of the water — more than 300 billion gallons — flushed out to sea because of flood-control concerns.

Also, because of a lack of water storage space, the vast system of drainage canals operated by the South Florida Water Management District dumps about 1.7 billion gallons of stormwater out to sea after a typical summer rainy day.

The South Florida Water Management District last year switched from temporary watering restrictions, imposed during droughts, to year-round watering rules aimed at prolonged conservation.

The district agreed to allow watering as much as three times per week for southeast Florida, but also allowed local governments to be more restrictive.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties require the more-restrictive twice-a-week limits year-round, while Palm Beach County allows up to three-day-per-week watering year-round.

Despite Broward County's two-day-watering rule, Fort Lauderdale allows its residents to water three times per week.

The city contends that its rules actually save more water by establishing fewer allowable hours of watering, and then spreading the watering over three days.

Adding up the total allowable watering time means 33 hours per week under the city rule and 36 hours per week under the county rule.

"The overall goal of the ordinance is water conservation." Fort Lauderdale spokesman Chaz Adams said.

Yet using the total hours allowed for watering as the comparison assumes that homes and businesses actually run sprinklers during the entire watering periods — a wasteful practice the city's own website discourages.

Fort Lauderdale passed its watering rules before the county's twice-a-week standard took effect. But when it comes to watering issues, the county rule takes precedence, according to Broward County Senior Assistant County Attorney Michael Owens.

Fort Lauderdale code and environmental officers focus on "communication and outreach efforts," Adams said.

"Their first objective is to educate and inform citizens, not penalize them," Adams said.

The lack of citations in Boca Raton since year-round watering went into effect largely was due to favorable weather conditions, Assistant City Manager Mike Woika said.

"There hasn't been a drought," Woika said. "There wasn't a significant enforcement need required."

Forecasts for worsening drought conditions could change that.

The water management district focuses on education and outreach to try to win local governments' cooperation to enforce restrictions, said Terrie Bates, its assistant deputy executive director for water resources.

"It's going to take time to keep repeating that message," Bates said about the watering rules. "It's in effect. We expect people to be compliant."