Showing posts with label camera surveillance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camera surveillance. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Hallandale Beach's latest scandal grows by the day. Fact update, with new info re #HallandaleBeach's corrupt and unethical govt./political sensibility. Long past time for Alex Lewy to answer some hard questions from public & press about what he knows or has any involvement in the electronic surveillance scandal

Hallandale Beach's latest scandal grows by the day. Fact update, with new info re #HallandaleBeach's corrupt and unethical govt./political sensibility. 
Long past time for Alex Lewy to answer some hard questions from public & press about what he knows or has any involvement in the electronic surveillance scandal


This is an important update to my last post, of October 21, 2016, Unethical and corrupt political & govt. culture of Hallandale Beach City Hall being exposed for what it is tonight on Local10 News, via Bob Norman; So what have Alex Lewy and Joy Cooper been commiserating about recently? Their mutual Keith London & Michele Lazarow obsession!
http://hallandalebeachblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/unethical-and-corrupt-political-govt.html

Necessarily, I'll be incorporating much of what I wrote then into this piece so I'm going to try to join them together so that you have a much better understanding of what's been going on in Hallandale Beach for many, many years with the current incompetent Joy Cooper Rubber Stamp Crew holding the reins of power, while the vast majority of South Florida's press corps looked on, drolly, saying and reporting precious-little-to-nothing.

So, I have received quite a lot of responses from my email and blog post of late Friday afternoon, most of it, though not all, positive.



State criminally investigating Hallandale Beach political spying case
Politicians say they discovered illegal tracking devices attached to their cars

By Bob Norman - Investigative Reporter
Posted: 7:00 PM, October 21, 2016
Updated: 7:18 PM, October 21, 2016
http://www.local10.com/news/local-10-investigates/state-criminally-investigating-hallandale-beach-political-spying-case






Plot thickens in hallandale beach political spying case
By Bob Norman - Investigative Reporter
Posted: 5:59 PM, October 24, 2016








First, what I heard from you, and then what I realized I neglected to mention yesterday 
in the email that might've better helped your understanding of the facts. 
To wit, some useful context and nuance.
I was pressed for time as it neared six o'clock but in retrospect, I wish I'd have waited 
that extra minute or two to get it in...

I've edited some of this to make it clearer, since some of you might not be as familiar 
with the pertinent facts as others.

"David, How come you did not mention that as a HB Commissioner, Alex Lewy 
voted for the 2000 S. Ocean Drive project that allowed a 36-story building be built,
practically in the ocean, and much closer to the actual shoreline than other HB 
buildings, thus ignoring not only global warming concerns, but also approving
the variance without the developer meeting the City of Hallandale Beach's OWN 
criteria for going past the Florida Coastal Construction Line, CCL?
The direct result of this move was tBLOCK the views of roughly 250 condominium 
owners to the ocean, even though 95% of the HB residents who actually took the 
time to attend and speak at the HB City Commission meetings on the project clearly
and publicly OPPOSED it?"

Some of you will recall that this was the very same development project that involved 
former HB City Commissioner and state Rep. Joe Gibbons, that I wrote about several 
times via emails, tweets and blog posts, raising questions whether he had, in fact, 
followed the city's rules requiring him to register as a lobbyist on the matter, and the 
potential he had to make up to $200,000 if he succeeded.

See: 

As to the link of Alexander Lewy that I included yesterday that was the original tweet 
that Mayor Joy Cooper was responding to on September 20th when she wrote
can't think without him !! Pitiful

https://twitter.com/AlexLewy/status/779777131199037440
Lewy's twitter feed has been changed to private very recently. I wonder why. 
He was always so keen to tell everyone just what he thought.

Endlessly...


Now when some of you went to Lewy's initial tweet, it showed nothing but the news that his Twitter handle was now PRIVATE, after being public for many years. 
Nothing was ever too personal for him to not share and reveal it.
So what happened?

When Alex Lewy first posted this specific tweet and I first saw it -and Mayor Cooper 
as well- what he had uploaded to his Twitter feed were strange-looking photos of Hallandale Beach City Commissioners Keith London and Michele Lazarow outside of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel building, where they were being interviewed that day as part of the newspaper's candidate vetting process, such as it is.

(Notwithstanding their recent endorsements in Hallandale Beach, 
@SunSentinel To change decorum and direction, choose Anabelle Taub 
and Michele Lazarow in Hallandale Beach http://sunsent.nl/2ePhNdh 
for many years I have been very critical of the Sun-Sentinel's coverage of Hallandale 
Beach and the Editorial Board consistently ignoring controversial issues in HB for many, many years that if they happened almost anywhere else in Broward County, would have likely been the subject of a series of blistering editorials, most especially re the HB CRA scandal and the millions of CRA dollars that went... 
somewhere

One of the many reasons for that opinion of mine was that it's clear from people who were physically present in the room during past interviews that that the people on the Editorial Board asking questions, themselves, frequently did NOT know basic 
facts that most HB voters and residents already knew and were considering, or even quite angry about.
Not that the paper wrote about that particular anger or why it existed.

Like, for instance, how many people were running for the seats or why HB voters were recently NOT allowed to vote for a candidate for each open seat, and instead, could only vote for two people, with the candidate coming in third being elected as well. 
Who voted to make it that way for voters? 
Cooper, Lewy & Sanders.

Another reason for that opinion is the case of one person involved in the endorsement process showing overt favoritism for Comm. Sanders in ways that seemed particularly egregious, and the Editorial Board not directly challenging Sanders on any of the MANY controversial and unethical things he has done since being appointed to the Commission in an anti-democratic fashion in August of 2008, rather than the Mayor simply following the city's written rules for filling a Commission vacancy. 
Instead, Cooper demanded a vote many weeks BEFORE it was necessary -or there even, legally, WAS a vacancy- and never allowed the public to speak that night.

The Editorial Board has never asked Comm. Sanders how he could justify voting for every single development project that has come before him at City Hall. 
Not 85% or 90% as might be common in most cities over such a period of time, but 100%. 
Really, 100%? Yes. :-( )

To be honest, my initial thought upon seeing the photos of London and Lazarow were that they looked exactly like photos that a private investigator might take if he was tailing someone for a client.
Which, quite naturally, makes me -and perhaps you as well- wonder who took the photos that Lewy posted publicly in an obvious attempt to infer something sinister, when it also could be seen by most people, much less, people who live in HB and who know them, to be seen as two friends who happen to be candidates, talking outside of a place where they were there to talk about their candidacies with other people who could actually play a role in THEIR futures.
Frankly, it would be weird for them to not be talking, given that they are friends. 

That Lewy was foolish enough to post it should not be surprising to anyone who kept their eyes focused on him and noticed the sorts of curious things that always seemed to be going on around him, including his often-messy personal melodrama that some of you have been privvy to.

There's a sound and compelling reason why I first started calling Alexander Lewy "Lewy the Liarmany years ago on my blog after I saw and experienced first-hand his phony, self-serving nature. In fact, I coined that nickname six years ago this past weekend:

Lewy has clearly thought for quite some time that he could (and perhaps even had) fooled nearly everyone hereabouts, including the press corps, and made his over-weaning personal ambition and personal nastiness fairly well disguised as public service to fool most people, but it hasn't worked for most of the city's well-informed citizenry, including many of you.
Most of you know exactly who and what kind of person Alex Lewy is.

Whether this city's well-informed citizenry actually constitutes a majority of HB voters is the question that will be decided on Election Day.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Personal technology that's Fun and Fascinating? That's for me! Lexus Ignition technology competition: Botiful X vs. SOLOSHOT



Lexus Vehicles video: Introducing the Lexus Ignition Project. Uploaded September 23, 2012. http://youtu.be/xhY7G8-yBrM



Lexus Vehicles video: Lexus Ignition: Botiful X product video. Botiful is a personal telepresence robot that can be controlled remotely from anywhere in the world.
Uploaded on October 8, 2012. http://youtu.be/RTdPc7_nNX4


Lexus Vehicles video: Lexus Ignition: SOLOSHOT product video. SOLOSHOT automatically rotates your camera to follow you. The new mount will keep it pointed at cars, bikes, helmets and more. Uploaded on October 8, 2012. http://youtu.be/A9mUv1VQrEY

Personal technology that's Fun and Fascinating! Lexus Ignition technology competition: Botiful X  vs. SOLOSHOT 

Lexus is committing up to $100,000 to fund stunning works of technology. Four winners will receive up to $25k each. 

Vote for Botiful X or SOLOSHOT at http://www.LexusIgnition.com, and follow conversation on Twitter at #LexusIgnition.

https://www.facebook.com/lexus/app_335311073229344

http://www.lexus.com/

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Still a case of different rules for goose and gander in Hallandale Beach, depending upon whether you're a citizen or the City

Still a case of different rules for goose and gander in Hallandale Beach, depending upon whether you're a citizen or the City.

I'll be at City Commission meeting at 3 pm to talk about agenda item 9D -highlighted in red below- the city's so-called security cameras, maintained by the HB Police Dept. and the city's abject failure for almost 4 YEARS under former (sleepwalking) City Attorney David Jove to have the city itself be in compliance with State Law.
Yes, the very warning signs it requires businesses in HB to publicly post when they use security/surveillance cameras on the premises.
That it fines business owners who don't comply.

After all, as we are always told, ignorance of the law is no excuse.
But the City of Hallandale Beach has known for years that it didn't comply -it just didn't care.
Still doesn't.


Underneath the city's only security camera on the City Hall side of the municipal complex. The parking lot light closest to it -less than 10 feet away- has only worked for about one month out of the past 44 months since the camera was first placed there. But at a City Commission meeting, in response to my complaints that he and the city had neglected safety problems at City Hall for years -how many dozens of photos have I placed here that proved THAT?- former Police Chief Magill said that the public parking lot light(s) being out didn't really matter. Well, it's STILL out. Who could make this up? October 2, 2011 by South Beach Hoosier

In case you don't want to take my word for it, here's some proof of the above from almost exactly THREE YEARS ago. Just saying...

Arturo O'Neill under the same security camera. October 15, 2008 photo by South Beach Hoosier.

A pitch black parking lot is not an inviting prospect at any time, especially after a HB City Commission meeting that was long on hot air and short on, yes -wait for it- ILLUMINATION. October 15, 2008 photo by South Beach Hoosier.

"And the flag was still there..."
That pitch black parking lot behind Arturo is the one closest to the Hallandale Beach Police Dept. HQ. October 15, 2008 photo by South Beach Hoosier.

In fact, the city's Code Compliance office has already cited RK Associates in the past two years because the parking lot on Hallandale Beach Blvd. for Publix, that placed cameras in front of their building when, they opened their liquor store next door, STILL does NOT have those simple signs that Target has always had.
I've seen the city's written complaint myself.

That was soaking wet.
That was lying on a sidewalk on HBB & SE 14th Avenue.
That I took inside and gave the Publix manager for his attention, knowing that I'd mention it publicly when it was appropriate.
Now you know.

At the HB City Hall complex that is roughly two city blocks by two city blocks, there is but ONE warning sign -near the Employees entrance on U.S.-1.



Above and below, the employee entrance to Hallandale Beach City Hall off U.S.-1/S. Federal Hwy. Note the parking lot pole to the right of the entrance. Do you see THE sign?
Just ignore those city vehicles in the foreground that never seem to leave the parking lot's reserved spaces for city vehicles.
If they don't use them, why don't they move the cars to the back so the public can park there instead?
If you wonder about that, too, clearly you've never lived here. That's SOP hereabouts.
October 2, 2011 photos by South Beach Hoosier


There's no signs near the public entrances to HB City Hall, the HB Police Dept or the HB Cultural Center buildings, or the three vehicular entrances to the complex -nada.

FYI: Below, a shot of this month's calendar captured on Sunday afternoon when my friend and fellow HB civic activist Csaba Kulin and I walked around the HB City Hall complex before the Dolphins-Chargers game, and I personally showed him the graffiti and vandalism directly in front of the complex that HB City Manager Marc Antonio STILL says he NEVER noticed in front of the building he's worked at for the past ten years.

Which, no doubt, pleases the very people who put it there to no end, since it proves how truly disconnected from reality City Hall really is.
As if we needed any more evidence of that...



REGULAR AGENDA

CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2011 1:00 PM and 7:00 P.M.

http://www.hallandalebeach.org/files/00413/Exported%20OV%20Docs/Agenda%20Outline%20for%202011-10-05%2013-00.htm

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. STUDENT CITIZEN OF THE MONTH AND SCHOOL ACTIVITY UPDATE

5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - Items not on the Agenda ( To be heard at 1:15 PM)

6. PRESENTATIONS

A. Proclamation Celebrating October 16-22, 2011 as "Florida City Government Week"

B. Proclamation Proclaiming October 10-14, 2011 as " National School Lunch Week"

C. Proclamation Proclaiming October 9-15, 2011 as "Fire Prevention Week"

D. Proclamation Proclaiming October, 2011 as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month"

E. Presentation Regarding Activities at the Village of Gulfstream Park (Suzanne Friedman, Development Representative, Village of Gulfstream Park) CAD#029/04

7. CONTINUATION OF CITY BUSINESS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

8. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Draft Minutes - Regular City Commission Meeting of September 21, 2011 (Supporting Docs)

9. CITY BUSINESS

A. Investment Policies Update - General Employees and Professional Management Pension Plans (Staff: Director of Finance)(See Backup) CAD# 007/11 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

B. Consideration of Approval of the 2011 Annual Floodplain Management and Hazard Mitigation Plan Evaluation Report (Staff: Director of Public Works, Utilities & Engineering)(See Backup) CAD# 030/03 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

C. Pursuant to Chapter 23, Article III , of the City of Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, Consideration of an Extension to the Short Term Agreement with Choice Recycling, Incorporated, for the disposal of Municipal Solid Waste in accordance with the terms and conditions of said Agreement, as amended. (Staff; Director of Public Works, Utilities & Engineering) (See Backup) CAD# 018/10 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

TO BE HEARD AT 3:00 PM

D. Pursuant to Chapter 23, Section 105, Award of Contracts, of the City of Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, Request Authorization to Increase Contract for Additional Services under RFP # FY 2006-2007-004, Cameras System Upgrade and Expansion, to Aware Digital, Inc., in an Amount Not -To-Exceed $143,653.90, plus an additional $20,000.00 for miscellaneous upgrades and maintenance. (Staff: Director of Public Works, Utilities, & Engineering) (See Backup) BP#023/07 & CAD #038/05 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

TO BE HEARD AT 4:00 PM

E. Pursuant to Chapter 23, Section 105, Award of Contracts, of the City of Hallandale Beach Code of Ordinances, Request Authorization to Award RFP # FY 2010-2011-006, Hallandale Beach Elevated Water Storage Tanks Project, to the Lowest Responsive, Responsible Bidder, Worth Contracting, Inc., in an Amount Not-To-Exceed $289,025.00 for the Beach Tank Rehabilitation, and to reject the Utility Services Company Inc., bid for the Bluesten Tank Rehabilitation. Furthermore, Authorize a 5% Contingency for Unforeseen Circumstances. Also Consideration of Permanent Removal of the Bluesten Elevated Water Tank and Replacement with a Monopole for Community Utilization. (Staff: Director of Public Works, Utilities & Engineering) (See Backup) BP#005/08 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

F. Resolution of the City of Hallandale Beach, Florida, Authorizing the Submittal of a Response to the Request for Proposal for the Purchase of the Hallandale Beach Post Office Property Located at 500 South Federal Highway and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Purchase of said Property under the First Right of Refusal as Set Forth in the Property's Warranty Deed. (Staff: Director of Parks and Recreation) (See Backup) BP# 012/08 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

G. Consideration of an Alternative City Budget Process (Commissioner Lewy) (See Backup) (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

10. COMMISSION PLANNING

11. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - Items not on the Agenda (To be heard at 7:00 P.M.)

12. PUBLIC HEARINGS (To heard at 7:15 P.M.)

A. Application #38-11-CU by Alvaro Lopez d/b/a Hallandale Reception Requesting a Conditional Use Permit to Operate a Banquet Hall Pursuant to Section 32-175(d)(1) of the City's Code of Ordinances at the Property Located at 772 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd. (Staff: Director of Development Services) (See Backup) CAD# 015/08 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

The Planning and Zoning Board Recommended Approval of this Item at their August 24, 2011 Meeting by a Roll Call Vote (4-0).

This is a Quasi-Judicial Item

B. Application #39-11-CL by MB Gulfstream LLC d/b/a Martini Bar Requesting a Nightclub License Pursuant to Section 5-9 of the City's Code of Ordinances in Order to Serve Alcoholic Beverages Seven Days a Week Until 6:00 A.M. at the Proposed Martini Bar Located at 601 Silks Run, Suite #2497 in the Village at Gulfstream Park. (Staff: Director of Development Services) (see backup) (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

The Planning and Zoning Board Recommended Approval of this Item at their August 24, 2011 Meeting by a Roll Call Vote (4-0).

C. Application #52-11-AV by Julio Berrio Requesting a Variance from Chapter 5, Section 5-6(d), Relative to the Distance Requirements Between Establishments Selling Alcoholic Beverages and a Church, School or Public Park at the Property Located at 1630 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd. (Staff: Director of Development Services) (See Backup) (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

D. An Ordinance of the City of Hallandale Beach, Florida, Amending the Code of Ordinances to Address Firearm Regulations Preempted by State Law by Amending Chapter 19, "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions'; and Amending Chapter 21, "Personnel"; Providing for Conflicts, Providing for Severability; and Providing for an Effective Date. (Staff: Acting City Attorney) (See Backup) CAD# 008/11 (Staff Report, Supporting Docs)

13. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATIONS - Items not on the Agenda

A. COMMISSIONER LEWY

B. COMMISSIONER LONDON

C. COMMISSIONER ROSS

D. VICE MAYOR SANDERS

E. MAYOR COOPER

14. CITY ATTORNEY COMMUNICATIONS - Items not on the Agenda

15. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS - Items not on the Agenda

16. ADJOURN