I come from a background where FACTS matter and drive the decisions made by management.

The Islamorada Community Alliance (ICA) works diligently to provide facts on issues to residents as soon as they are available. And we are often criticized for the efforts.

We have taken heat from those intimidated by the truth.  That’s life. We will continue to do credible reporting and encourage Village governance to avail themselves of the facts as part of their decision-making.

Facts drive solid decisions and minimize fallout from emotional or poor decisions.

Unfortunately, many decisions in this village are made based on friendships and business associations. Facts have been ignored and relationships have prevailed.

Many residents have expressed to ICA and other citizen groups that residents do not trust our officials to make decisions. They cite business relationships and cronyism

Unfortunately, our local media lacks the ability to closely examine decisions that deserve scrutiny. The “power people” control much of the advertising revenue.

I get it., but don’t like it.

Village Council meeting agendas publicly provide hundreds of pages of background information on items to be decided at the meeting. They become available only several days before the meetings where decisions will be made. You have to be an accomplished speed reader in order to comprehend the facts. Is this good governance?

Issues that should be publicly discussed often are placed on the “consent agendas” where no discussion or individual public comment takes place, just the bulk council vote.

Is the “consent agenda” where the village hides its mistakes? These agenda items routinely commit millions of tax dollars. Is that transparency?

We have endured a previous village manager committing millions of our tax dollars on enhanced employee benefit packages without council approval.

Any conversation on this violation or thoughts of disciplinary action for this prior manager’s monumental unauthorized expenditure? No - swept under the rug. Council later approved the expenditure, after the fact, with no discussion or public understanding.

How about the $3 million wastewater work, approved after the work was done and the questionable invoices were paid.

This behavior seems routine in our government. Consent agendas and ignoring legal purchase procedures wash away sins.

Our current village manager has made attempts to change this trend. I am optimistic.

I am asking our elected officials to reverse this decade long aberration and encourage the FACTS to be presented and discussed.

Council decisions should have the legitimacy this village deserves. Council actions will forge their legacy. They should embrace FACTS.

We must deal with the critical issues facing us: our fragile environment, bloated taxes, uncontrolled growth, and dangerous traffic trends.

The choice is clear. Respond to residents’ problems or continue more ”good ol boy/girl” poor decisions.

FACTS cannot be ignored. The ICA and other citizen groups will continue to present real concerns.

Islamorada Council: You can and must do better.

Tom Raffanello