Thursday, March 11, 2010

We've all been told not to debate with those who buy their ink in drums. I don't choose to debate, just to set the record straight.

Mr. Timothy O'Hara's March 9 Key West Citizen article, coupled with the headline, "Neugent seeks to relax gift rule," could not be a more distorted point and inaccurate attempt of addressing an item on the County Commission agenda for March 17.

I did not agenda an item that Mr. O'Hara refers to in his article. At the time, I did not even know the item was on the agenda for discussion. In visiting with the county attorney it has been discovered, as was pointed out by State Attorney Dennis Ward, the administrator was/could have been in violation of a county policy, something I take very serious.

Due to that accusation, the county attorney put this item on the agenda for discussion and clarification with the Board of County Commissioners, as she should have.

The ramification of the way county policy is written now is that employees could be punished/written up by a superior for eating a cookie at a homeowner's property association meeting.

I would add, this item, which has been placed on the agenda for discussion, has nothing to do with the county commissioners, who are regulated by state statutes concerning meals and gifts -- all of which I adhere to and abide with.

Our county administrator's job could be at risk for going to lunch and having his tab picked up, even accepting the ride to the restaurant by a salesperson who just spent a couple hours presenting to him how he could save the county money with a new product. He cannot accept an offer to go to a Children's Shelter fundraiser that is sponsored by a bank, etc.

Our growth management director could not accept a meal; maybe even attend the contractors' luncheon as policy is written today.

If a World Wildlife Federation representative picked up cab fare for the county attorney in a shared cab in D.C., she'd be in potential and technical violation of policy as written.

I believe the county attorney to be correct in putting this item on for discussion.

The detail-people want it written correctly, written correctly, written correctly, so we don't create those headlines?

George Neugent is a Monroe County Commissioner representing District 2.