Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is
As you’ve noticed, occasionally I drift off topic (investing, lest you forget) and indulge myself in writing about things that may touch on my core interest but are only indirectly related to it: current events, the economy, politics, etc.—things about which I have strong feelings and which current events compel me to comment.
As you know, I’m disgusted with the obvious absence of financial literacy, responsibility, and just plain common sense that’s displayed by so many in elected office, from the top of our government institutions to the bottom. And I’ve railed about it time and again, wishing that some able folks would get off their duffs, take the bull by the horns, and give up their comfortable complacency to act instead of just talk.
As it happens, my own community here in South Florida is as much a textbook case of what’s bad in governance as any in the country except, perhaps, Illinois. And, as the deadline for filing to run in the local election approached, my thoughts turned to the issues here. I was forced to say, “I don’t really want to do it but…. I’m more than well-qualified to do the job. Goodness knows I’ve been outspoken about such issues as fiscal responsibility, cronyism, and corruption! I do have the time—only,and most enjoyable, responsibilities (aside from the normal and happy family duties) are this blog and my weekly ‘radio’ show. This is something I should do.” So, at the last minute possible, I filed to run for a seat on my Town’s Council.
I detest politics! I know nothing about campaigning. But I think and hope my principles and my experience will guide me to make the right decisions along the way.
In any event, for the next eight weeks, this blog—and my “radio” show, “Take Stock with Ellis Traub” on BlogTalkRadio—will be silent while I campaign for that modest office. (If I do have a moment and an issue, I might post a short comment once in a while—maybe even tell you how I’m doing, if you’re interested.) The impliciations of winning are greater than that office might suggest. There’s a powerful political machine, larger than my town, that winning this election can substantially weaken. And that’s as much of a goal as winning the office and making a difference in the more conventional ways. My goal is, of course, to have as many issues as possible, in my small corner of the world, decided on their merits rather than on political expediency and behind-the-scenes deals.
In any case, I hope you won’t lose interest in what I have to say while I’m silent. I can assure you I won’t lose any interest in helping people learn to make money with their money. And I look forward to picking up where I left off on this blog as soon after March 9th (election day) as possible.
See below for remarks sent to the Davie Town council and the Mayor about the purchase of Forman’s property. Marlon left a number but has yet to return my call. I am trying to obtain all of the resident email addresses that the town has on file for its newsletters as this seems the only way to communicate with many residents. This should be public information under the Sunshine Laws. If you are not familiar with Bob Normans blog there are a number of interesting posts there about the Davie land purchase.
Good Luck
Bill G
—– Original Message —–
From: BGowanloch
To: Mail@SchoolBusMart.com
Sent: 02/11/2010 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: 12.5 Million land purchase
Thanks for the response, Been able to get very little from the Town Website. I watched the Video of both meetings of the Town Council and I personally thought that way too little time was spent on this item. From everything I have heard it was a terrible purchase even if we needed the property.
I am trying to get current copies of the town residents email lists from the Town as they are public under the Sunshine Laws. The list I used was back from when they used to send out town hall meeting minutes in email format and is totally out of date.
Looking at the video I had a sense that some of the council members were intimidated by others and not very forceful in their opinions’. I don’t know but the whole thing just doesn’t seem right. I have had to get my water through Sunrise since I bought my house and have always paid more than regular Davie customers. However, to spend money on a maybe if project at this time seems ridiculous. To take it out of the Town reserves is more insane. Then on top of that their is broad consensus that what was paid was way over the real market value.
I would like to see the due diligence information as well as all environmental evaluations which should have been part of the process.
Bill Gowanloch
Davie, Fl
I agree I think the Council members need to explain themselves.
Subject: 12.5 Million land purchase
How about a public response….
from you and the other town council members….
Randy Mazie
poliakoff.com
Sent: Wed, Feb 10, 2010 11:50 am
Subject: RE: 12.5 Million land purchase
If anyone would like to discuss this issue with me please call me on my cell(954)559-5098
Thanks
Marlon
Subject: Fw: 12.5 Million land purchase
This land purchase deal stinks all over. We paid way too much for the property and it was pushed through with no notice to anyone. I wonder why. The three council members that voted for it won’t be reelected. The other two should have done more to slow done the process and make the deal more transparent to the residents. I am appalled. We are again the laughing stock of Broward
Bill Gowanloch
Davie paid a premium price for the land based on today’s depressed market, said Jonathan Kingsley, managing director for Grubb & Ellis Co. in Boca Raton and Miami. The town paid $12 per square foot, while today’s going rate is closer to $4 per square foot for vacant land in Broward County with that zoning, Kingsley said.
See Bob Normans Blog. http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/
Ellis,
I see where your link to my web page is still pointing to the old site rather than to the new site at
http://lherr.org/ita/
Thank you for making the change.
Lowell