Selecting a replacement for former Commissioner Cannon's vacated seat on the board of the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District Board is an important decision, perhaps too important for the remainder of the board, given their weak track record for decision-making. Can our community trust them to make a wise choice?

 

Let us briefly review the "deciders" who we have on hand, along with some of their recent actions and statements.

 

First, do we want a vote cast for any candidate by a chairman who, beyond a question of a doubt, showed a stunning lack of leadership in what can now be called the "Cannon Affair?" Commissioner Thomas C. McKone was an absolute utter failure in his words, and leadership.

 

Next, we have a Treasurer who recently stated that he does not really care about rules. In the past, he even tried to slip by the use of taxpayers' funds for a celebration.  Thankfully, he could not get it past counsel.

 

Then, we have a Secretary who in the past has failed to attend one of his main functions,

i.e., the budget meetings.

 

The one remaining member, who holds no designated functions, is spread thin by his

attendance of meetings of all types throughout the community.

 

Given the quality of the "deciders," would not it be wise to have a "Blue Ribbon Panel"

select who will fill that empty seat from the list of interested individuals?

 

The East Lake Community Should be making a clarion call for a "Blue Ribbon Committee."

 

The board will cite the bylaws "Article FOUR, section 5. Filling of Vacancies:  Vacancies shall be

filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Board". The entire process will be another

ruse of their inept leadership ability