Public Input Submitted Before June 13

Charter Review Committee Input from Public

Submitted by Richard Reiss, May 26, 2008

My name is Richard Riess and I am present board member of the NMB Civic Association and the founder and past president of the once highly attended Uleta Neighborhood Association that has since been disbanded due to politics of power that be. I have lived in Uleta for 40 years at the same address and know the city History well. With that background to dispel misinformation and rumors I pass this highly overdue issue for you consideration.

The subject issue reported below is quoted directly from the Miami Herald on Monday May 26.2008 by BREANNE GILPATRICK I am submitting this direct quote as a suggestion for our NMB Charter Review Board for a ballot issue they may see as a need to be addressed asap and might even consider in combination with other issues such as term limits. This should be readily embraced by city leaders and administration since our city manager lives in Hollywood has hired staff from there and has sighted Hollywood frequently along with the NMB mayor over the years as a city we should copy from issues on economic development to CRA's etc. If the committee examines NMB Election campaign records for just the past two elections they will see the concern Hollywood is referring to on the distortions from outside the city and even State of Florida with influence in campaign contributions and the maxed contributions expose.

I understand the city attorney has started to draft some ethics reform for councilman Julian but I feel they should come from a base of best of practice verbiage with maximum concern to limit outside and special interest that seem to have descended on our city including our own lobbyist in double roles with conflicts of interest concerns etc.
Regards, Richard Riess

"Residents selected for advisory board Hollywood commissioners have picked a slate of residents to examine the city's ethics, campaign finance and election rules, jump starting long-awaited reforms. Commissioners created a charter review committee late last year, and the committee has become a priority for Mayor Peter Bober. Earlier this month, commissioners picked nine residents to serve on the advisory board and will discuss whether to add two more spots Wednesday to make room for more of the 47 applicants.

On the committee so far: Sara Case, Miya Burt-Stewart, Charles Howell, Gary M. Bagliebter, Kevin Biederman, Andy Rogow, Gregory Greene, Gerard J. Gunzburger and Lawrence Legg. Issues the committee may explore include eliminating the city's single member districts, creating term limits, implementing staggered commission terms, creating a strong-mayor city government and tightening conflict-of-interest and campaign finance rules. 'We have just had an amazing number of people who actually applied,' Bober said."