Secret Meetings on City Projects Have Been Confirmed
.City of Port Orange
Why does Port Orange City Officials condone secret meetings concerning city projects? Are they trying to hide some type of mischief?
Dear Perry,
I redirected my request to attend your meeting to Mr Giannini. – Mr Ted Doran, of Doran, Sims, Wolfe and Ciocchetti, attorney for Quentin L Hampton replied on his behalf. He stated that the referenced meeting was not subject to the Sunshine Law, QLH’s policy is to conduct business according to the law, and, therefore my request is denied. His reasoning may be a little obscure but the intent is clear–I won’t be allowed at your meeting.
Best,
Mike Gardner
Dear Mr Giannini,
I would like to attend the upcoming meeting between members of your firm and representatives of SJRWMD and Mr Perry Jennings indicates that my attendance would require your permission. If my attendance is acceptable to your firm please send me a date and time. If it is not acceptable please send me the reason(s) why it is not.
Thank you,
Mike Gardner
618 Ruth St
Port Orange, FL 32127
386-527-1959
manddgardner@cfl.rr.com
from SJRWMD
On 6/15/2015 10:10 AM, Perry J Jennings wrote:
Hi Mr. Gardner,
Unfortunately, the request to attend is misdirected. Staff did not request this meeting. It was requested by the engineering firm, Quentin L. Hampton and the determination of the attendees, is at their discretion.
Regards,
Perry.
From: Mike Gardner [mailto:manddgardner@cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2015 1:41 PM
To: Perry J Jennings
Cc: Cammie Dewey; David Harden; Andrew Neff; Andrew Giannini; Lee Kissick; Ron Meade; Albert Neumann; Wendy Anderson
Subject: Meeting with SJRWMD
Dear Perry,
I see from your communications with the City of Port Orange that a meeting will be taking place soon between Andrew Giannini of Quentin L Hampton and representatives of SJRWMD to discuss the major revision to permit #29869-4 regarding deletion of the berm. Given all the controversy over whether the berm deletion was a “major” versus a “non-substantial” deviation from the original plans, I would very much like to attend that meeting.
Please contact me with a time and a location.
Best regards,
Mike Gardner
618 Ruth St
Port Orange, FL 32127
386-527-1959
manddgardner@cfl.rr.com
Port Orange News @poimages 49s49 seconds ago
Port Orange News retweeted Dinah Voyles Pulver
ok,but the sunshine laws are full of holes and does not give the citizens what they need. hank Port Orange News added,
—-
Dinah Voyles Pulver @DinahVP
@poimages As long as there’s no more than one member of council and no one is delegated to act on behalf of council, not illegal.
9:11 AM – 19 Jun 2015 · Details
In reply to Hank; Not sure if Dinah Voyles Pulver is a lawyer but if she is, she may need a little additional training.
FOIA is not all about whether one or more councilmen attend a meeting, it covers a broad spectrum of all public agencies activities.
When I made my request to St Johns River Water Management District and later to Mr Giannini of Quentin Hampton, I was not trying to assert any LEGAL right to attend their meeting. I was simply asking to attend as a taxpayer of Port Orange, a resident of the neighborhood that floods whenever Dunlawton Avenue floods, and a citizen living in the district served by SJRWMD. The whole matter of the berm deletion has been done without proper notification and consent of the City Council and I thought that the parties involved would welcome the chance to conduct business in the sunshine. And to quiet some of the rumors about engineers and City staff overstepping their authority. The question I have been asked by others is “if there is nothing to hide, why are they hiding?”
I understand Mike. Let us not forget that the meeting between DBS and PO regarding 900,000 dollar billing mistake was not a secret meeting. Everyone knew about the meeting being held, but under the two citys’ aggreement no information could be released to citizens and the public about the details in that meeting. Oh yes, not a secret meeting, but citizens are not invited. I guess we have to rely on this web site and onlooker 2 to tell us what goes on in “non secret meetings”. Welcome to the new version of transparency. I am so fed up with how this city of Port Orange and the people who have financial interests in city work are treating the “investors”. — hank
how is this a secret meeting
In reply to Onlooker 2 ….. Closed door meetings = Secret meetings
Very obviously a cover thy ass meeting!