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Venice on the web
Taxpayers League First Annual "Achievement in the Venice Community" Awards
for 2003 Got a comment? Make it here. Related:
Could it be possible that the Venice Taxpayers League is actually getting to be respectable? Judging by the turnout at the VTL's first annual awards luncheon that took place on Saturday, March 20 at the Holiday Inn, yeah, definitely so. City council's Fab Four were in attendance -- Fred Hammett, John Moore, John Simmonds and Vicki Taylor, along with newly appointed city manager Marty Black, sans cowboy boots. Also: former council member Diana Mier and Mike Gelormino, both of whom have announced plans to run for city council in 2004. Other names worth dropping that were in attendance: County Commissioners Jon Thaxton and Nora Patterson, Tim Miller of Waterford Homes, local attorney Jon Prieksat, Jim & Patty Hurst of the South County Residents Coalition, and former VTL presidents Capt. Edward Krebs, U.S.N.Ret., and Charles Peake. Of course the usual gang of thieves, most of the Venice Taxpayers League board, were there. Roughly, what, about 60 people in total were present. For me, it was an odd affair, reeking of nepotism -- I am on the board of the VTL and I was also one of the five recipients of the awards for achievements in 2003. Just so you know, I was not part of the awards committee and I was totally unaware that I was even being considered for one until after it was a done deal. Yeah, I know, I wouldn't believe me either. I don't care, it's a doggone nice looking plaque, I'm not giving it up. It's a big sucker, too. To be honest, I am still a bit flummoxed. I still feel like I'm a cranky outsider, and the four other winners are all heavy hitters, these are some incredibly courageous people. I feel a bit out of place being included in their ranks, but I am deeply honored. Bob Mudge, editor of the Venice Gondolier Sun, gave out the opening remarks: an interesting speech on the two Venices -- the community of Venice and the geographical Venice. He spoke of growth in other communities and of how we need to monitor and adjust the "rheostat of growth" so that the geographical Venice could change without killing the community of Venice. Alright, it sounds kind of corny the way I've described it, but it was actually a fairly analytical and concise explanation of the dilemma that faces all communities, Venice included.
Best quotes of the day: "My sole job in the Venice Taxpayers League is to keep Herb Levine out of jail." -- Roy Stout, Vice President of the VTL "I am amazed and honored to receive an award from the VTL, especially considering that I don't think any of them voted for me or for the raise in pay for city council. ...Just in the time I have been on council, I have seen a tremendous amount of change." -- Venice Council Member John Moore "When I first arrived here, I was warned to steer clear of the VTL, yet my experience with them is that they want an open government, the same thing that the press wants." -- Larry Evans, editorial writer, Sarasota Herald-Tribune "Jon Thaxton is not chicken little, the sky really is falling." -- VTL Secretary Geri Weinberg, referencing a recent south county government building's roof that collapsed just after Thaxton had left the building "When I was asked if I would accept an award from the VTL, I said, 'Are you kidding? Of course I will, this is an election year!' ...The Taxpayers League are critics of government, to get an award from critics, that's important." -- County Commissioner Jon Thaxton "Between the VTL and the CQG (Citizens for Quality Government), we are now seeing less fingerpointing and more getting together for decisions -- that's an important turning point." -- Bob Mudge "What Bob Mudge said about the 'rheostat of growth' is very true and the VTL needs to stay aware of that rheostat." -- Dan Lobeck, attorney and member of Control Growth Now "If this were a year ago and I had the city manager and four council members in a room like this, I'd be taking hostages. These are my demands: Full accountability in government, honest answers to tough questions and due process in council dealings and in the city's dealings with its employees. We now have all of that except the part about dealing with employees, and even that is quickly becoming a reality, so I guess I'll let you all go home." -- John Patten, Venice Florida! dot com
The winners and the inscriptions on their plaques
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