In Pompano, the emphasis is abruptly on “No.”
The once-cantankerous Broward metropolis has labored diligently for years to re-brand itself as a pleasant, open, even hip vacation spot. However swiftly, it’s at risk of being undone, as barely a month after an election, Pompano Seaside is in critical political disarray.
A shock shift of only one seat within the November election carries critical implications for residents, metropolis staff and a thriving metropolis’s picture. Commissioner Andrea McGee misplaced by underestimating the power of a novice challenger — her cousin, Audrey Fesik.
In a single day, Fesik’s upset victory within the beachfront District 1 race created a celebration of three overtly hostile to the established order, with Commissioner Beverly Perkins and the opposition chief, Vice Mayor Alison Fournier. It’s a recipe for chaos and controversy.
Mike Stocker/Solar Sentinel
Steve Bousquet is a Solar Sentinel columnist.
As a result of Pompano oddly has an even-numbered six-member metropolis fee, and a tie vote defeats any proposal, town is struggling to maneuver forward on essentially the most routine issues.
The enormity of this mess got here into full view at a six-hour session Tuesday that was a full-fledged political circus.
The Fournier faction defeated one routine merchandise after one other, from a state grant for police extra time to ratifying a brand new contract for metropolis staff that had already been permitted by a earlier fee.
“These monetary shenanigans have gotten to cease. We’ve acquired a metropolis to run right here,” mentioned Mayor Rex Hardin, who took to Fb to vent and repeatedly named the three naysayers.
The three blocked a pass-through sewer fee enhance from the county that town says is required to keep up the system’s reliability.
They refused to increase for one yr a decades-old settlement with the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina, which makes use of a close-by metropolis car parking zone and ensures town a minimal quantity of month-to-month parking income in a deal that advantages each events.
Two weeks earlier than Christmas, Fournier held up a pay elevate in a brand new contract for metropolis staff. She objects to Pompano’s four-day work week, which she mentioned imposes burdensome delays on residents who want constructing permits and different approvals.
Metropolis officers vehemently denied that, and cited a survey of residents to show it, and Metropolis Supervisor Greg Harrison famous that the four-day, 40-hour work week was negotiated as a separate concern, outdoors the union contract.
“The workers had been extraordinarily disenchanted that they could not see retroactive checks … in time for Christmas,” metropolis spokeswoman Sandra King wrote in an e mail.
An apparent subtext right here is Fournier’s frustration with town supervisor, who at one level on Tuesday known as her “borderline ridiculous” due to her persistent opposition.
In an interview, Fournier mentioned she has misplaced religion within the supervisor and would vote to fireside him, partly due to “the best way he treats folks,” together with her. She mentioned that when she emails the supervisor along with her particular considerations, he blows her off with “We’re on prime of it, thanks in your curiosity.”
Harrison, mentioned that in his 11 years as metropolis supervisor, “I’ve by no means earlier than had anybody ever accuse me of being disrespectful.”
Parking is a most important concern of Fournier. She’s essential of metropolis workers for not offering ample background on agenda gadgets. She needs workshops on homelessness and different points.
Her refusal to be a rubber-stamp is comprehensible, however she and her allies must be way more strategic in how they carry metropolis authorities to a standstill. To date, all they’ve executed is stir chaos.
“There’s going to be some rising pains right here,” Fournier mentioned. “It’s not all gloom and doom. I’m not as pessimistic because the others.”
On a few points, all six officers did work in concord. They had been effusive and unanimous of their reward for Metropolis Clerk Kervin Alfred, who acquired rave critiques and a 5% pay elevate, and the Metropolis Corridor chambers erupted in loud cheers when commissioners permitted a brand new skateboard park, a mission that has moved swiftly by means of town forms.
As one agenda merchandise after one other went down in flames, Metropolis Lawyer Mark Berman repeatedly warned that the strident opposition by Fournier & Co. might set off costly lawsuits; jeopardize town’s bond score, making it costlier to borrow cash; and draw complaints of unfair labor practices from a metropolis union.
Berman urged the three to rescind their opposition and alter from “no” to “sure,” and their reply was a agency — and predictable — no.
Stated the lawyer: “That is like Star Trek, the place no man or girl has gone earlier than.”
Steve Bousquet is Opinion Editor of the Solar Sentinel and a columnist in Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale. Contact him at sbousquet@sunsentinel.com or (850) 567-2240 and observe him on X @stevebousquet.