Tavares, FL Oct. 26, 2018
A shorter version of this opinion commentary by Vance Jochim was also posted on CityGrader.com.
Updated Oct. 27, 2018 with more facts.
The opinions in this commentary are all my own, based upon observations at meetings and my research.
Will Eustis, FL, controlled by liberal or RINO (Republican in Name Only) City Council members, become the first Sanctuary City in Lake County, FL?
As an active Republican and fiscal watchdog blogger in Lake County, FL, I rate this City a C due to the Democrat or liberal sympathizers on the City Council. I live in nearby Tavares and the contrast of "vision" is quite strong. The City staff are quite competent, and the historic ambiance is great, but the elected leaders with a liberal bias are not helpful.
I am a watchdog blogger in Lake County, and have been monitoring Eustis politics for years. They keep electing liberal or do nothing Council members under the cover of "non-partisan" elections, leading to disputes with residents. Under the right circumstances, they could become Lake County's first Sanctuary City. City Elections for City Council candidates are now in progress for the Nov. 6, 2018 elections. The positions are "non-partisan" but several Democrats or RINOs are on the Council, causing dissension in a County that is heavily Republican.
Incumbent Mayor Robert Morin is a full fledged Democrat but not up for election until 2020
Incumbent City Mayor Bob Morin, an active Democrat, has been involved in controversies and disputes related to gun rights and other liberal causes. Now critics have uncovered some damaging information about Morin, and how he was pushed out of employment in another state. An article published in the Virginian-Pilot (pilotonline dot com) on Jan 14, 2013 provides details of questionable leadership ability by Morin as a Human Services Director for the Virginia Dept of Social Services.
"His leadership was criticized as "ineffective" in 2012 and he later resigned. A child died while under the care of his department, leading to an investigation and sweeping changes in "his" department. "A review by the Child Welfare League of America into Braxton's death (the child) found that while no single change in the agency's actions would have saved his life, numerous shortcomings in policies and procedures needed to be addressed."
Effect of Anthony Sabatini
There had been hope for Eustis conservatives when Republican Anthony Sabatini was on the City Council and he challenged some of the liberal antics, but he resigned earlier this year to run for the Florida House in South Lake County, and most likely will win. His vacancy was filled when the libs appointed former Mayor Michael Holland to his seat. In 2017, in an attempt to stop Sabatini's questions and criticisms, the City Council voted to sue him over issues related to residency. Not smart when Sabatini was finishing a law degree, hired an attorney, and caused them to drop the case. That's what happens when you get emotional leftists who don't think and just take emotional action. Watch our video of that City Council meeting and hearing on August 6, 2017.
About Michael Holland - running for re-election to Seat 2
Holland was an earlier Mayor who was involved in pushing the City to use city funds to acquire a run-down building in downtown (Acie's Barbershop), then "sell" it (give is a better term) to friends for a minimal down payment. They sat on it over a year, didn't implement required renovations, and the City Manager recently took back ownership of the building. I reported extensively on this questionable transaction on my FiscalRangers blog. The City put the building up for bid in August, as shown on this PAGE. Citizens should ask for a full accounting on how much was lost in the deal.
Holland also, in my opinion, manipulated Commissioner appointments to fill one seat with relative Carla Gnann-Thompson who generally just followed his direction.
Holland had resigned in 2016 to run for Lake County Elections Supervisor but lost. He was re-appointed by his fellow leftists on the Council, although I was told there were several WELL qualified candidates. Besides Morin, three other City Council members all come from government employment ( Linda Bob, Carla Gnan-Thompson & Marie Aliberti), while Holland does have business experience running mortuaries.
Holland is opposed in the current elections by a younger, aggressive Republican candidate Wendell Husebo who is supported by Anthony Sabatini, former incumbent of that district. ( https://www.huseboforeustis.com ) Husebo did support re-developing the Sharp's Mobile Home Park (see below) with $3.3-million in taxpayer CRA funds while Mayor Morin sat in meetings refusing to discuss providing moving subsidies to the tenants. He said they won't use taxpayer funds to subsidize such actions, but completely ignored the $3.3-million proposed developer subsidy. But Husebo repeatedly described action needed to develop downtown to increase revenues for police, etc. That is better than trying to annex existing retirement communities (also described below).
Thus the race between insider, "connected" Holland and newcomer Husebo will dictate whether the City changes direction or bumpily continues wandering in the wasteland of leftist ideas and mob mentality.
Government workers vs Non-Government professional expertise
Then there are three teachers on the current Council, who act mostly in a liberal fashion, cementing the downward spiral of the historic town. Linda Bob is more independent of Holland's direction but is retiring so her Seat 1 is open for three candidates. Another incumbent is Marie Aliberti who is not up for re-election until 2020. Incumbent Carla Gnann-Thompson is also not up for re-election until 2020. Gnann-Thompson, is a relative of Holland (insider?) who rarely contributes to city progress except with opinions. So, Eustis will still have two incumbent teachers on the Council. The City needs business people with management expertise, vision and ability to set direction to implement them, not teachers to lead it.
Seat 1 - three candidates running to replace retiring Linda Bob: Karen LeHeup-Smith, Nicie Parks & Lorenzo Hagins
One Seat 1 candidate is former Commissioner Karen LeHeup-Smith , a registered Republican and financial adviser in Tavares, running against two Democrats, Parks & Hagins. When Smith was on the Council before, she generally followed Holland's direction in my opinion. She is a follower, not a leader. The City needs business leaders with management expertise, vision and ability to set direction to implement them, but Smith is a better choice than the two Democrats.
Further evidence of bungling by City leaders is the atrocious decision to subsidize a developer with $3.3-million in CRA funds to redevelop the Sharp's Mobile Home Park, which angered many residents, and finally was discontinued due to rising resident complaints. There are many articles in the local Daily Commercial newspaper about that.
Then earlier, there was the attempt to annex non-contiguous existing retirement communities east of the city, which they and the County fought, and that effort was also discontinued. The video of that contentious meeting between leaders of Mt. Dora, Eustis and the County Commission is on the FiscalRangersFlorida YouTube channel.
AND, what about the time in Oct., 2017 when the City Council planned to expand the concept of Home Rule? Here is a video from local conservative radio talk show host Ralph Smith and Richard Pettis about the City Council attempt to restrict gun sales in Eustis, contrary to State law. Local home rule can be used by liberal officials to bypass State regulations and implement leftist initiatives like increase taxes, set minimum wages, set regulations on trees, signs, outlaw plastic straws, etc. Local power via regulations and taxes are what leftists live for. If you want those restrictions on freedom, move to a development with an Home Owner's Association.
So, will Eustis coast into historic oblivion through the mismanagement of left-leaning leaders with mostly government employment experience?
Recommendations
If Eustis residents want new directions, they need to oust Michael Holland, and elect Wendell Husebo. Although Karen Smith acts like a RINO, she is preferable to her two Democrat opponents, who really have no skills for setting budgets and City policies.
Then in 2020, voters could further improve conditions if some experienced Conservative business leaders step up, run for office, oust the leftists and turn the city around. Where are the TRUE fiscal conservative bankers, attorneys, accountants and larger business owners? They need to step up to run for office in 2020 and rebuild Eustis like Tavares, Mt. Dora and Leesburg are doing. Even tiny Howey-in-the-Hills with an almost 10 mills property tax has stronger leaders than Eustis in my opinion.
Vance Jochim
Vance Jochim
[email protected]
YouTube Channel "FiscalRangersFlorida"