The Florida Masochist

My State legislator Shelley Vana- Part III

She got mentioned in another George Bennett column in today's Palm Beach Post. For background, read my two prior posts here and here.

State Rep. Shelley Vana, D-Lantana, a former president of the Classroom Teachers Association, had to give up her classroom job to accommodate her legislative schedule. She took an administrative job with the school district but contends the CTA's collective bargaining agreement allows her to remain in the union.

The school district says otherwise, so Vana has filed a grievance.

Vana, who holds a newly created science program coordinator position that allows her to take unpaid leave for Tallahassee duties, says she still needs union protection.

"As a legislator, I could very well speak out on issues that might not be popular," Vana says.

Staying in the union would also make her eligible to run for CTA president again. Asked whether she might seek the top union post again, Vana said, "I wouldn't rule it out. But that's not the reason" for the grievance.

Shelley is an absolute hoot. She would be my knucklehead winner today except for the Broward County story is better.

I mean how many ways does she want it? State Legislator, a county job made JUST for her and now union membership. Shelley you're entitled to no more priviliges than anyone else. You've gotten far too many special ones already. Your constituents may take the privilige your of booting your butt out of office next fall.

Where is the Post on this story too? Not a word from Schultz and the editorial board on this topic. Randy do you only criticize Republicans?

Open Post- Indepundit

Why am I not surprised?

Last November Palm Beach County voters approved a half cent sales tax to pay for school construction. The tax hasn't been in effect a full eight months yet but School Superintendant Art Johnson is already saying an extension may be necessary.

"There is not a reason why we can't go back to the public," Johnson said at a workshop on the district's five-year capital plan. "We understand that possibility exists. If we explode in Palm Beach County because of Scripps or because of conversion of the western communities, there's no question that is going to have to happen."

All of that was known before last year's vote. Good thing is to get a continuation, it would have to come to a vote of county voters again. Hopefully common sense will prevail the second time around.

If you want to read the entire Palm Beach Post article, click here.

Palm Beach County Knucklehead of the Day

There are so many knuckleheads out there today for me to write about.

Our local winner is Palm Beach County Commissioner Adele Greene. She gets the local award for her recent comments regarding the shooting of Jerrod Miller and the Grand Jury decision to not charge Delray Beach Police Officer Darren Cogoni in the death.

I blogged about this story before. A inquest ordered by the State Attorney Barry Krischer had determined charges should be filed but the feckless Mr. Krischer sent the case back to a Grand Jury. I still don't agree with that decision.

There is a long catalog of mistakes in the entire Miller-Cogoni affair but Commissioner Greene is only fanning the fires and looking for trouble. Here are her two of her most insane statements.

First she'd advise black teens to be careful when approached by law enforcement. "I'll them him to run and find the biggest crowd of people. If he doesn't, he will be killed. We in Palm Beach County are living in the days of the Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia lynchings."

The end comment is outrageous enough. But the idea of suggesting teens to run from the police borders on the insane. That's what Miller did, and look what happened.

Then yesterday Greene held a press conference to clarify her comments. Law enforcement officials from the county showed up to protest and the conference turned into a ugly shouting match. You can read the entire Palm Beach Post story here.

At a news conference, Greene was met by members of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association who said she was "preaching hate," was a racist and was disrespectful to members of law enforcement. They wore T-shirts that said "Addie Must Resign," shouted comments and chanted "Resign. Resign. Resign."

Afterward, Greene flatly rejected their demands and said their behavior was rude and disrespectful: "The only thing they left at home was the sheet."

Ms. Greene just further proves what her accusers say about her. I predict Ms. Greene won't resign from office nor will she be defeated for re-election. I feel sorry for her constituents, they have a Knucklehead for a County Commissioner. Then I think most of Palm Beach County does. I'll save that for another time.

My State House Representative Shelley Vana Part 2

She is back in the news today. Earlier this month I blogged about the cozy little job Rep. Vana was lining up for herself. Before getting elected to the State House, Vana was a Palm Beach County School teacher and President of the local teacher's association.

State Rep. Shelley Vana, D-Lantana, is in line for a new "science programs coordinator" post approved by the school board last week. Vana was a teacher, but wanted a non-classroom job to allow her time in Tallahassee. With salary and benefits, the new job's listed as an $88,716 budget item, but Vana will make less because she won't be paid when she's on legislative business, schools spokesman Nat Harrington said.

A new job just for Rep. Vana? Smells like a sweetheart deal to me. In my prior post, Vana was listed as a schoolteacher when it was obviously incompatible with her state rep. duties. Is this someone's idea of a solution?

The school board decision happened last week but only rates a tiny comment in a weekly political comment today. Why isn't Randy Schultz and the Palm Beach Post Editorial board asking uncomfortable questions right now? I would be if I were them and I assume they read your own newspaper.

I'm going to email the author of today's article and Mr. Schultz. Stay tuned.

Breakfast- Basil's Blog

My State House Rep. Shelly Vana- Something smells

This little tidbit was in Monday's Palm Beach Post.

As the new school year approaches, teacher and state Rep. Shelley Vana, D-Lantana, is looking for a new job that's compatible with her Tallahassee obligations.

Vana, elected to the House in 2002, hasn't had a full-time classroom assignment since 1998. As president of the Classroom Teachers Association from 1998 to 2004, she was officially on leave while the union paid her salary. After her presidency, Vana spent the 2004-05 school year on sabbatical at half pay to allow time for her elected job.

Now the sabbatical is over and the district early last week was listing Vana as a science teacher at the Palm Beach School of the Arts for 2005-06. That would leave students teacherless during committee weeks, special sessions and the regular 60-day legislative session next spring. As of Friday, Vana said she was talking to district officials about finding a non-teaching job that would allow her to miss chunks of time while she's in Tallahassee.

Rep. Vana happens to be my State House Representative. Is she going to be a paid school teacher while at the same time serving in the legislature? The school district had her listed as a science teacher. Rep. Vana says its impossible for her to carry out the two jobs, and correctly so. But in my opinion the school board owes her nothing. What school board job will there be for someone who can't work at least 60 days out of every school year?

Maybe one designed specifically for Ms. Vana. There have been other sweetheart deals done in this county for unemeployed politicians or former judges. This story smells to me and I hope the Post follows up on it.

The Feckless Barry Krischer

Mr. Barry Krischer has been Palm Beach County state attorney for over 10 years. Last month I gave him a Knucklehead award when it was revealed he planned to give a job to a disgraced former judge who had been accused of sexual harassment. Judge Berman after accusing his accusers resigned rather than appear before a conduct board. 3.5 years later Krischer offers him a job.

Now Krischer is back in the news. Last February there was a shooting in Delray Beach. 16 year old Jerrod Miller was shot by Delray police officer Darren Cogoni. At the time Miller was driving a car and in conflicting testimony said to be threatening bystanders with his driving. Cogoni shot at Miller's car from behind killing the young man.

Miller is black, Cogoni is white and this has caused some racial tension in Delray Beach. Some black leaders calling for charges against the officer. I'm not judging the case but the shooting from behind does bug me.

Krischer is the state attorney who should be investigating if charges should be followed. Instead

Krischer said in a statement that he passed on the decision in part because the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation "did not result in a finding of criminal behavior."

He also said County Judge Debra Moses Stephens' nonbinding decision in the April inquest "was based in part on hearsay and other inadmissible testimony and evidence elicited from the witnesses in response to community questions posited by those present in the courtroom."

Judge Stephens said charges should be filed. But Krischer doesn't like the way she ruled. Why did he have a coroner's inquest in the first place? I know the answer, he doesn't want to make the decision.

Going to the grand jury, it's like what did we have the inquest for?" Jerrod's father, Kenneth Miller, said. "It seems like they're just stalling. It's causing the family a lot of pain."

I'm sorry for Mr. Miller's loss. Also I have to agree with him. Our state attorney doesn't want to do his job and wants to pass the buck to others. Enough is enough Mr. Krischer, do your job or resign it. You're to serve this county and right now you are serving no one.

PS- Read the entire Palm Beach Post article. It's very informative.