Showing posts with label James D. Stokes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James D. Stokes. Show all posts

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Broward School Board mtg. re General Counsel semi-finalists is Tuesday at 3 p.m; their Financial Advisory Comm. mtg. is on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.



I actually could've written the following post weeks or even months ago, but it's just as apropos here now, so here goes:

I'll give you a dollar if you can show me even one mention -before today- of who the actual candidates were for the position of Broward Schools General Counsel position -to replace Ed Marko- in the Miami Herald, South Florida Sun-Sentinel or any local Miami TV newscast.

Well, that dollar of mine isn't going anywhere, which really shows you how despite a story being right in front of them, the actual coverage of local government and agencies in South Florida has never been worse, especially given the technology that's available to them to make sense of what's going on and keep South Florida well-informed.


And have you seen anything noteworthy yet in the local news media on who was named the new CRA Executive Director for the City of Hollywood?


Yet it was newsworthy last year when the last Beach Executive Director, Gil Martinez was fired because of public perceptions -and the belief among his boss, the Hollywood City Commission- that taxpayer money was being wasted, perhaps thru fraud, and that certain other matters weren't being properly addressed, in part, due to stories in the Miami Herald. (Can you say Brazil?)


But an October 7th Herald story,
Audit finds no CRA fraud, reads in part:
The audit, which cost the city $65,500, concluded that the agency failed to have proper controls and oversight of its spending, which was often unauthorized, not budgeted and not subjected to a competitive bidding process.
Oh!

Well, the City of Hollywood hired someone a few weeks ago to be the Executive Director for both the Beach and Downtown CRAs. Who are they, what are their qualifications, and what do they plan on doing to regain the Hollywood community's trust that they will be kept 'in-the-loop' and make prudent decisions?
All good questions.


The answer to the first is
Jorge Camejo
The answers to the rest, though available now, have YET to appear in the local newspapers or on Miami TV newscasts.

In fact, Camejo's name has STILL never appeared in the Sun-Sentinel two months after he was hired. Not that the Herald has anything to brag about in that respect.


Just more of the same from the sleepwalking South Florida news media members that basically snooze until something awakens them or the public.

Consider the Herald's coverage the past six months on the Ed Marko replacement and retirement stories, a point I shared via an email with Rick Hirsch of the Herald many months ago.


Months before Hirsch was named the Herald's Managing Editor.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/05/2001320/rick-hirsch-named-miami-herald.html

They were completely MIA on that story for months, even while
Buddy Nevins of Broward Beat, and to a much-lesser extent, yours truly, was telling people just what was being attempted by the Broward School Board and Supt. James Notter, thru the made-up Emeritus position they were considering creating, a ham-handed attempt to completely emasculate and frustrate the new hire, James D. Stokes.

You remember, that's the position
that would have paid Marko a $266,000 annual salary?

Mr. Stokes, the General Counsel-to-be, had the good sense to promptly say non thanks once news about what was really in store for him down here started appearing and the public saw the attempt for what it was:
appalling decision-making by people seemingly incapable of ever being right, even when they had the final say.


The ad at the top was published in the Miami Herald on March 1st, 2011


Published in Miami Herald on 2/27/2011

What were they thinking?

The Broward County School Board was poised to approve -- by voice vote, no discussion -- a generous golden parachute for outgoing board general counsel Ed Marko as it was about to hire a new attorney, James Stokes. The board planned to create a one-year ``general counsel emeritus'' job for Mr. Marko, to the tune of more than $266,000 in salary and benefits, so he could look over the shoulder of Mr. Stokes, who was negotiating a salary of between $180,000 to $216,000.

Mr. Stokes, to his credit, pulled the plug on the deal on Monday. And Board Chair Jennifer Gottlieb, wisely, albeit a little late, pulled the item creating the emeritus position until new board members are sworn in. Truth is, this item should be given a deserving burial.

Mr. Stokes, Palm Bay city attorney, objected to having his predecessor hang around for another year. And rightly so. He has 15 years of experience as a government lawyer and, as he pointed out, there's a staff of capable lawyers already serving the board in case he needed some guidance.

Altogether, hiring Mr. Stokes and retaining Mr. Marko would have cost the school district roughly a half-million dollars. This at a time when teachers' pay is flat and the district's budget is hurting?

A 2008 contract between the board and Mr. Marko created the emeritus position for him. Luckily, the proposed $266,000 compensation wasn't part of the contract. So the board might be legally bound to create the job, but it doesn't have to pay him a whopping salary.

Mr. Marko has served as the School Board's attorney since 1968. It's time for him to retire, but the School Board doesn't owe him anything more than his pension and a nice send off.

Meantime, it will have to decide what to do about hiring a new attorney. What an unnecessary brouhaha.

------
See my previous posts on Ed Marko at:
http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Ed+Marko

Buddy Nevins at http://www.browardbeat.com/

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Mendacity at Broward School Board Only Gets Worse and Worse; Ann Murray's shameful votes are like a noose she puts around her OWN neck!

Above, it's the return of the Broward County pol with the completely upside-down sense of right and wrong, Broward County School Board member Ann Murray.
And look who's joining her today, below, her good pal, Jennifer "Hello, I must be going" Gottlieb, the Board's current chair and principal apologist for all things ridiculous and absurd, which is to say every single thing they touch.



Individually and collectively,
they continue to set very bad examples for young Broward school children on how to accept responsibility, treat others, how to be a responsible person in society at large, and how to act towards people whom they work for -Broward taxpayers.

As I've previously stated in emails and on my blog, in my opinion, a recall of two Broward County School Board members next spring or summer may well be required to get some semblance of genuine accountability and transparency there.

I'm not only fine with that, I will be happy to be an active part of making that a reality so that kids, and NOT immature, incompetent and self-involved adults, are the number one priority.


Seriously, how did they not see ANY of these problems coming down the pike?


As I've written in this space repeatedly, these are the same School Board geniuses who between them and Supt. James Notter, couldn't figure out a way to actually have their so-called Integrity public meetings televised on the TV station they already own and operate, and for which Broward taxpayers have already paid for.

Something I publicly wondered about in this very space before their first meeting.


Meetings that, for the record, were never held south of Fort Lauderdale.

Within the next two weeks I will find out definitively from the Broward County Supervisor of Elections how long both Jennifer Gottlieb and Ann Murray get to stay in office from their recent re-election before a recall process against them may begin.

In most places I've lived in this country, to prevent bad-loser referendums, you can't recall someone from public office within six months of them being elected or within three months of them being on the election ballot, but I'm not sure whether or not the fact that both Gottlieb and Murray were already in office prior to the election affects that time-line or not.
Assuming such a rule even exists here in Broward County.


I will keep you apprised as I gather the facts and will also let you know about those Public Records Requests I'm about to drop on the Broward School system.


Just a reminder -the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel NEVER mentioned anything about this controversy surrounding School Board general counsel Ed Marko and the replacement process until Buddy Nevins at Broward Beat wrote about the Board's expensive parting gift to Marko last week.
Nothing!


Both newspapers never mentioned the interviews or meetings that supposed new-hire James Stokes was present at, meetings that even I mentioned on my blog days before they happened.
In fact, Stokes' name never appeared in print or online at either paper's website.


Sorry, but that's not just completely "Unsatisfactory," that's a well-earned grade of "F"


Above and below, July 13, 2010 photo by South Beach Hoosier looking south at the Broward County Schools HQ, 600 S.E. Third Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.



As we see from today's School Board developments, when a circular firing-squad in Broward County has a deadline, they brook no discussion.
Shots must be fired regardless of the consequences!


Why should logic and reason get into the act NOW when it has been absent
for so many years?

And what can you say about shameless Ann Murray -the rep for SE Broward, inc. Hallandale Beach and Hollywood- and her continuing lack of foresight, common sense and gravitas?

Today, rather than do the prudent and sensible thing, vote no or vote to table the motion,
Murray voted to do something that should more properly be decided upon by the ENTIRE School Board that properly reflects the new additions from last week's elections.


To call what
Ann Murray has shown over the past few years merely a political tin-ear, is to misunderstand what that term means in reality, and underestimates how reckless and unrepentant she's been in doing exactly what she said she wouldn't do if elected.

If Ann Murray, thru her own behavior and cast votes continues to put a political noose around her own neck, am I wrong for wanting to yank -HARD- on that noose and have her recalled from office?
And her pal in chaos and mayhem, Jennifer Gottlieb?
I think not.

-----


The Daily Pulp
blog
Broward Politics
Broward School Board Pushes Forward With Bad Deal
By Bob Norman
November 9 2010 @ 12:20PM

The Broward County School Board has a bad case of emeritus.

You might think that after the stink caused by the Broward County School Board's plan to give outgoing Ed Marko a $266,000 salary to serve as general counsel emeritus after he leaves his position, the board members might just throw that idea out the window.

​Yeah, you'd be wrong. Today -- moments ago, in fact -- the board voted 5-2 to approve the position for Marko, though the salary is still up in the air.

Read the rest of the post at:
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2010/11/broward_school_board_pushes_fo.php

-----
Broward Beat

Farewell Letter Says Volumes About School Board’s Shortcomings

By Buddy Nevins
November 8, 2010

James Stokes’ farewell letter, which he sent when he dropped out of consideration for the job of the School Board’s general counsel, says it all.
Stokes appears way too polite to throw brickbats.
However, for a government lawyer, the letter is pointed and it is easy to read between the lines.


It is obvious that the employment contract negotiations with current General Counsel Ed Marko were both insulting to Stokes and prompted him to walk away from the job.


Read the rest of the post at:
http://www.browardbeat.com/school-applicants-letter-says-it-all-about-notter-marko/

-------

Mayo on the Side
blog
Sun-Sentinel news columnist Michael Mayo

New school board attorney backs out
By Michael Mayo November 8, 2010 11:22 AM

The turmoil keeps coming for the Broward School Distirct: The attorney chosen to succeed longtime general counsel Ed Marko has quit before he started.


James Stokes, the city attorney from Palm Bay, Florida, notified district officials this morning that he is no longer interested in the job.

Stokes was offered the position last month, but his contract terms hadn't been finalized.

The salary was supposed to be in the range of $180,000-$216,000.


Read the rest of the post at: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/mayo/blog/2010/11/new_school_board_attorney_back.html

-----

Broward Beat
School Board Back To Step One After Attorney Choice Drops Out

By Buddy Nevins
November 8, 2010

James Stokes, the city attorney in Palm Bay, Florida who was slated to be the new Broward School Board attorney, has decided he doesn’t want the job.


That puts the School Board back at step one in the process to replace longtime General Counsel Ed Marko.

Stokes dropped out after negotiations with Marko over his future pay and responsibilities.


Read the rest of the post at:
http://www.browardbeat.com/school-board-attorney-candidate-drops-out-board-back-to-step-one/


-----

Mayo on the Side blog
Another Broward School Board outrage: $266,654 retirement gift to attorney Marko
By Michael Mayo
November 5, 2010 09:58 AM


Talk about outrageous: On the verge of a big revamp, the Broward School Board is set to give longtime attorney Ed Marko a fat retirement gift: a one-year contract worth $266,654 to serve as "general counsel emeritus.


Read the rest of the post at:
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/mayo/blog/2010/11/another_broward_school_board_o.html

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Worst of Times, The Worst of Times: For Broward taxpayers & school kids, the era of "Marko the Bad & the Extravagant" seemed like it'd never end

No, it's not just your imagination.
The Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel have never reported on the hiring of James D. Stokes to replace Edward J. Marko as General Counsel for the Broward County School Board.

Or even the public meetings held to reach the final candidates, which I, at least, posted on my blog days in advance so that people would know what was going on.
I've been looking and waiting -nothing.

So I checked again after reading Buddy's Nevins' Broward Beat article this afternoon.

Result: We didn't find any Articles containing James Stokes.
Please refine your query and try again.


Per Buddy Nevins' jaw-dropping story, I'd complain to SE Broward School Board member Ann Murray about this situation, but since she hasn't been publicly seen in Hallandale Beach for a non-political purpose all year, there's no point.

Perhaps you feel differently, if so, here are the folks who remain after Tuesday's election results.


It'd be nice to see the South Florida news media actually try to ask the newly-elected School Board members on camera what they think of this outrage, and whether it seems at all consistent with what the so-called Integrity Comm., formally known by the tongue-twister,
Commission on Education Excellence through Integrity, Public Ethics and Transparency, recommended for regaining the community's trust.
http://browardschoolsintegrity.org/

Oh yeah, and be sure to ask Integrity member Bob Butterworth what he thinks -on camera, too- about the very idea of the present School Board members voting on this before the new members are sworn-in.

Yet another nail in Broward Schools Supt.
James Notter's coffin.
Please pass the hammer when you are through with it!


This afternoon I heard from Broward Coalition President Charlotte Greenbarg and Charlotte says:
"They're going to give the Stokes contract to the board Monday as they planned yesterday when they were negotiating with him. I was there."

After hearing that, all I can say is that from here in Hallandale Beach, it sure l
ooks like a railroad robbery, and an "inside job" at that.

Note to self: I wonder if any Broward School Board members have ever been recalled from office before?
If not, there's always a first time, and I'd only be too happy to help get the party started.

I can think of two perpetual no-shows in Hallandale Beach I'd start with: rhymes with Gottlieb & Murray
.

------

Broward Beat
Outgoing School Board’s Last Minute Big Contract With Attorney
By Buddy Nevins

A $266,654 contract to give longtime School Board attorney Ed Marko an extra year’s employment is being rammed through a week before the new School Board takes office.

The contract appointing Marko “general counsel emeritus” is due to be voted on at next Tuesday’s meeting, the last meeting of the outgoing School Board.

The new Board will be sworn in a week later, on Nov. 16.

Read the rest of the post at:
http://www.browardbeat.com/outgoing-school-boards-last-minute-big-contract-with-attorney/

-----

http://eagenda.broward.k12.fl.us/cgi-bin/WebObjects/eAgenda.woa/wo/6.0.7.1.3.0.1.7.2.0.40.3.0.13.1.0.0.1.3

The School Board of Broward County, Florida Agenda
Created : October 11, 2010 at 06:46 PM

Public Hearing - Interview the Finalists for the General Counsel Position
October 11, 2010
Monday, 03:00 PM
K. C. Wright Administration Center
600 Southeast Third Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida




CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CLOSE AGENDA

PURPOSE OF MEETING:
For The School Board of Broward County, Florida to Interview the Finalists for the General Counsel Position, and any other items the Board deems necessary.







SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION:
1. Interview with Candidate for Position of General Counsel and Determination Whether to Authorize Contract Negotiations with a Selected Candidate or to Consider Other Alternatives for the Position of General Counsel

To Interview a Candidate for Position of General Counsel and Determine Whether to
Authorize Contract Negotiations with a Selected Candidate or to Consider Other Alternatives for the Position of General Counsel

At the February 2, 2010 School Board meeting, The School Board authorized
approval of the release of the Request for Letter of Interest (RLI) to seek interested and qualified candidates for the General Counsel position. Advertisements were run in the Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, The Florida Bar News, Daily Business Review, Broward Barrister, Council of School Attorneys and the Broward County Public Schools website.

Thirty-one (31) candidates submitted applications for the position of General Counsel. In accordance with the RLI, the following steps were taken. The applications were reviewed by the screening committee, Edward J. Marko, Esq.; Robert Soloff, Esq.; and Ms. Gracie Diaz. The screening committee identified those candidates who met the minimum qualifications for the position and whose resume and documentation indicated substantial experience in governmental and/or governmental law. As a result of the review, six (6) candidates were recommended to be interviewed by the Legal Services Committee. One of the six candidates withdrew, leaving five candidates who were interviewed by the Legal Services Committee. The committee reduced the field of candidates and decided to conduct a second interview with the two remaining candidates, Gary M. Glassman, Esq. and James D. Stokes, Esq. The Legal Services Committee recommended that both of those candidates be interviewed by The School Board. In accordance with the RLI, district staff conducted reference checks for the two remaining candidates. During that process, Mr. Glassman declined to provide a letter of reference from his supervisor at his current employer. Although he was informed that his failure to provide such a letter of reference would result in the withdrawal of his invitation to be interviewed by The School Board, Mr. Glassman declined to do so while requesting that he remain under consideration for the position. As a result of the lack of a letter of reference from his supervisor at his current employer, Mr. Glassman’s invitation to be interviewed has been withdrawn and Mr. Stokes is the only candidate being submitted to The School Board for an interview.

There is no financial impact to the school district.


---------

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mayo on the Side
blog

Will Broward Superintendent Notter start feeling heat for school district woes?

By Michael Mayo
October 22, 2010 10:35 AM

As if corruption arrests of two school board members and an ongoing state grand jury probe weren't enough, now comes the latest embarrassment for the Broward school district: a scathing federal audit that questions $15 million in disaster aid spending after the 2005 hurricane season.

The audit examined $15.7 million of $60.8 million (CORRECTION APPENDED: an earlier version had an incorrect figure of $65 million) in FEMA grants that the school district received after Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

Shockingly, it found problems with $15 million of the $15.7 million, nearly 95 percent, calling the district's expenses "unreasonable, unsupported, unnecessary or excessive."

Read the rest of the post at:

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/mayo/blog/2010/10/federal_audit_another_black_ey.html