Here is a link to a letter that was printed in the 11/24/2013 edition of The Stuart News:  http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/nov/24/letter-analyzing-stuart-commissions-vote-to/

This is the letter I submitted….just in case there are problems connecting via the link.

I was at a recent Stuart Commission meeting where they voted unanimously to lease the Flagler Center. I, like Mr. Steinberg whose letter was recently published in this newspaper, was initially confused as to why the lowest bidder won.   But, calling on my experience as an owner and manager of real property, it is important not only to look at the amount being offered but also to the person’s ability to perform on his proposal.

Since I was not privy to the information or the metrics used by staff on why one was chosen over the other, I don’t know how I would have voted if on the Commission. But what bothered me that night was the reason given by each Commissioner for how they voted. Each stated that they could not go against staff recommendations. If the commissioners had said that, after digesting the report, they agreed with staff, then I would have had no problem.

As elected officials, they are the final arbiter. That is why the matter comes before them.  The Commission is not a rubber stamp of the bureaucracy. Stuart does have dedicated and knowledgeable employees, but in the final analysis, it is our elected Commission that serves to protect the people’s interests. While that interest may have been ultimately served, it was in spite of the reason expressed that night by the Commission.

To the other point in Mr. Steinberg’s letter, I voted no on the ballot initiative. I did so only because of the non-county use expressed therein. Mr. McDonald and the Commission are exactly correct in wanting the County offices to remain in the city. While I was not in favor of abandoning the ball fields, I would not hesitate to donate the Frazier Creek parcels. To do otherwise would be penny wise and pound foolish.