Are the “Good Ole Boys” at it again in Stuart?

It appears that they are. And, if so, why is this still happening, especially for something as mundane as Flagler Place?

First, a history. What is now known as Flagler Place was originally built as a USO center during WW2. It became a recreation center for Stuart until the “Great Recession” a decade ago. At that point, the City decided to cut staff and lease out the space. For a time, the Lyric Theater ran the facility but because of a few community “activists” the Lyric decided it was not worth the aggravation they were put through.

So, the City decided to lease out the place about five years ago. They put out an RFP and the Commission had to choose between two competing bids. One was an artist group and community members and the other was the current occupant. The current occupant bid less but received the lease anyway. It was pointed out at the time that the other group was not as fiscally responsible and business oriented. Fair enough.

But the real reason — I believe that the lease was simply given as part of the “Good Ole Boys” network. The owner was a business partner in another business with Stephen Leighton. At the time Mr. Leighton was married to Commissioner Leighton and the tenant was a good friend of the Commissioner. I was there that night at the Commission Meeting as a member of the public. Though Commissioner Leighton recused herself from the vote, there was no doubt who was going to get the lease.

But times change and friendships fade. When Ms. Smith (the current lessee) wrote a letter to the City exercising her option for renewal, the City wrote back that the answer was “no.” In his letter to Ms. Smith, the City Manager based his refusal to renew on the following reasons: she had not paid her rent on the first of the month  and that she had failed to do so several times. When she paid after the tenth of the month, late fees were charged in the total amount over the years of $597.86. Because of these reasons, the City sent her a letter refusing her option.

Only the City made an error. Since Ms. Smith books events for up to a year in advance, she sent her renewal in early to make sure she could book without causing problems for some poor bride. So, the City had to walk back their refusal, at least for another year.

Why is it important and why should citizens care? Because our government should not be treated as if it is the purview of a few insiders whether awarding a lease or taking it away.

Did a Commissioner step over the line in settling a personal score? What will the City do with Flagler Place? Does it intend to go into the banquet hall business? There already is a City Community Center where one can rent space for events. How many does a small city of about seven square miles need or afford? The last time the City ran this as a Community Center, it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to do so. This was the “white center” and the other the “black one.” We do not need to go back to Jim Crow days.

When I spoke to staff, I was told that most Commissioners didn’t care about what it cost. When I spoke to Commissioners, they told me they did.  With so much in government, there is never a straight answer.

How many other City tenants owe money and or late fees? When I spoke with Ms. Smith, she claimed to be unaware of even being in arrears and upon receipt of the letter she told me she has paid those fees. If push came to shove, would a judge agree that this was enough of a breach to put someone out of business? It would be interesting, perhaps we will find out.

I do know that, if it was such a serious breach of the lease, why didn’t the City move against Flagler Place regardless of a renewal? I think it all comes back to what is going on behind the scenes — like the 55% Commissioner raise and the $3 million poison pill clause in the Mulligan lease. It comes down to being a “Good Ole Boy.”