Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-19-08 special agenda -cancelled — reading text

Page 1 of 1 Helen Spencer From: James E. Hartwell Jr [4eagles@cox.net] Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 7:23 AM To: dustyr@nwfdailynews. com Cc: Helen Spencer Subject: Special Meeting Dusty. Please read the copy of the e-mail 1 sent to Helen this morning: Dear Helen. 1 hate to put you and the City through the hastle ( again) but 1 am cancelling my request to have a Special Meeting. I am going to turn this matter over to the State of Florida to conduct an investigation. I do not want to put the City employees through another media circus again as the public and employees are pitted and stirred up by the lobbying of opponents for (the City Manager) one side or another on this issue. I don want this investigation to be muddied by the lobbying of the press. This is not a popularity contest. This is a serious matter that permeates throughout the very fabric of City government. The State Ethics Commission and o / r State Attomey General's Office will conduct a professional, thorough and unbiased investigation. Their conclusions will come with recommendations that can not be misinterpreted and will state a course of action THEY will be taking. This investigation (is) at NO cost to the City. This type of investigation will also leave no room for the public and the media to make false accusations and attempts to politically crucify the councilmen who are trying to do the correct thing for the City and its employees. Very sincerely, Jim. Parenthesis added where 1 have added words for clarification Ninety -nine percent of the public never attends any city council meetings or views the television broadcasts. I find it incredible that so many claim to know the daily workings of this city's government. They have NO idea, other than what they read or hear second hand. I have been in council meetings where only the Council and staff are in attendance. Too many times, the public only comes to meetings for the sensationalism. Many times the majority of attendees aren't even residents of the City of Ft Walton Beach but they feel inclined to lobby one position or another. You wouldn't believe how many times I have heard people come up to the lectern and state...' I am not a resident ...but I live in the area' or " I used to live here' or' l went to school here'. This is akin to my going next door to my neighbors house and telling them how to run his or her family matters and how to spend their money! 1 hired neither Joyce Shanahan nor Lisa Absher. I have no vested interest in either one. My decisions do not now or have ever been made using_the criteria of who I ' like or dislike'. I will not be caught up in the fervor /hysteria of a popularity contest. I think the use of a City paid attorney, who had just received a pay increase by the City Manager, was not the prudent thing to have done. The mere appearance of impropriety tainted the ability of many to objectively evaluate the findings of the report I feel that the State of Florida needs to investigate the operational workings within the City of Ft Walton Beach. Once these results come back to the Council and to the residents of Ft Walton Beach ...then I will be satisfied with the conclusions. Jim Hartwell FWB City Council Seat 6 3/ 13/ 2008  Page 1 of 1 Helen Spencer From: James E. Hartwell Jr [4eagles@cox.net] Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:47 AM To: Helen Spencer Subject: Special Meeting Cancellation Rear Helen. I hate to put you and the City through the hastle but I am cancelling my request to have a Special Meeting. I am going to turn this matter over to the State of Florida to conduct an investigation. 1 do not want to put the City employees through another media circus again as the public and employees are pitted and stirred up by the lobbying of opponents for one side or another on this issue. 1 don't want this investigation to be muddied by the lobbying of the press. This is not a popularity contest. This is a serious matter that permeates throughout the very fabric of City government. The State Ethics Commission and /or State Attorney General' s Office will conduct a professional, thorough and unbiased investigation. Their conclusions will come with recommendations that can not be misinterpreted and will state a course of action THEY will be taking. This investigation, at NO cost to the City. This type of investigation will also leave no room for the public and the media to make false accusations and attempts to politically crucify the councilmen who are trying to do the correct thing for the City and its employees. Very sincerely, Jim. 3/ 13/ 2008 Helen Spencer From: Joyce Shanahan Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1: 45 PM To: Helen Spencer Subject: RE: Special Council meeting Thanks. Joyce Shanahan City Manager City of Fort Walton Beach, FL Phone: 850 -833 -9504 Fax: 850 -833 -9640 Cell: 850- 803 -9621 Please Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from City of Fort Walton Beach officials are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e- mail address and communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. From: Helen Spencer Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1: 24 PM To: Jim Hartwell; Dennis Reeves; Dr. Wayne Pullen; Virgil Miller; Bill Garvie; Mike Anderson; Mike Holmes; Mike Minich Cc: Joyce Shanahan; Toni Craig ( tonicraig@cox. net) Subject: Special Council meeting File: 03- 19- 08. DOC >> Hi Everyone: Attached is the legal going in the NWFDN on Monday for the Special meeting called by 3 members of Council, Hartwell, Pullen and Miller ........... to consider the termination of the City Manager and any other business to come before the City. The Special Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 5: 30pm. Toni, please approve as legal sufficient or change as necessary. Helen Spencer City Clerk -Fort Walton Beach 850 -833 -9509 850-833 -9640 -Fax hspencerCa),fwb. org Special Council meeting Page 1 of 1 Helen Spencer From: Toni Craig [ tonicraig@cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1: 35 PM To: Helen Spencer Subject: RE: Special Council meeting The notice is approved for form. Toni L. Craig Attorney at Law Fla Bar No 115444 850) 243 -6969 www.tonicraig.info From: Helen Spencer [ mailto: hspencer@fwb.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1: 24 PM To: Jim Hartwell; Dennis Reeves; Dr. Wayne Pullen; Virgil Miller; Bill Garvie; Mike Anderson; Mike Holmes; Mike Minich Cc: Joyce Shanahan; tonicraig @cox. net Subject: Special Council meeting 03 -19 -08. DOC>> Hi Everyone: Attached is the legal going in the NWFDN on Monday for the Special meeting called by 3 members of Council, Hartwell, Pullen and Miller ........... to consider the termination of the City Manager and any other business to come before the City. The Special Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 5:30pm. Toni, please approve as legal sufficient or change as necessary. Helen Spencer City Clerk -Fort Walton Beach 850 -833 -9509 850 -833 -9640 -Fax hspencer@fwb. org 3/ 12/ 2008  CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH NOTICE OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, will meet in a Special Meeting in the Fort Walton Beach Council Chambers, located at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 5: 30 p. m. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the termination of the City Manager; and any other business to come before the Council. Any person who decides to appeal any decision made by Council with respect to any matter considered at such hearing will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based ( FS286. 0105). The City of Fort Walton Beach adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to this meeting upon request. Please call the City Clerk, Helen Spencer at 850 -833 -9509 to make a request. For Hearing Impaired call the City Hall TDD # 833 -9925, or 1- 800 -955 -8771 TDD), or 1- 800 -955 -8770 (Voice). Requests must be received at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting in order to allow the City time to provide requested service. HELEN A. SPENCER CITY CLERK Publication date: Monday, March 17, 2008  a March 12, 2008 51 =4 AI 6 1 t ',; 40 g 5 % 3 op Helen Spencer City Clerk Please call a special meeting of Ci 219 2008 at 5: 30pm for the purposi the City Manager." 1- 11 Wed /! a Councilman Jim Hartwell 1CC\ Unci1ma.- I' : Dr. Wy" ca yy n e Pub len ounciDuAriAUUAILL owner Helen Spencer From: Helen Spencer Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1: 24 PM To: Jim Hartwell; Dennis Reeves; Dr. Wayne Pullen; Virgil Miller; Bill Garvie; Mike Anderson; Mike Holmes; Mike Minich Cc: Joyce Shanahan; Toni Craig tonicraig @cox.net) Subject: Special Council meeting 03- 19- 08. DOC ( 31 KB) Hi Everyone: Attached is the legal going in the NWFDN on Monday for the Special meeting called by 3 members of Council, Hartwell, Pullen and Miller ........... to consider the termination of the City Manager and any other business to come before the City. The Special Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 5: 3Opm. Toni, please approve as legal sufficient or change as necessary. Helen Spencer City Clerk -Fort Walton Beach 850 -833 -9509 850 -833 -9640 -Fax hspencer(a-)- fwb. org