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Mayor was out of bounds in accident case

Re: Belleair mayor scolds police, story, Aug. 1.

It would seem that the mayor of Belleair, George Mariani, has a very interesting concept of his official role. He seems to have assumed the guise of police commissioner, although we don't have one of those in Belleair.

While proclaiming that his interest in an ongoing police investigation involving a hit-and-run accident was motivated by some perceived mandate to respond to complaints made by citizens, he stepped over the line by publicly criticizing the police, who were without question engaged in the proper execution of their duties.

A complaint was made about a vehicle making contact with a pedestrian, resulting in a possible injury. Sitting as arbiter of the facts (and having the ability to determine credibility and motive by virtue of the driver's status as a local citizen and the "victim's" menial status), he passed judgment, found fault and declared the police flawed.

Regardless of whether the young lady driving the car was legally justified in leaving the scene, the actions of the mayor in intervening, forming premature conclusions, castigating the lawful exercise of police discretion and then declaring the pedestrian to be a cheat and a fraud was nothing less than a raw and blatant abuse of power. Mr. Mariani, I did not elect you to do that.

Although I don't know this for a fact, I am quite sure that the mayor is considerably less informed on the applicable and relevant law than the police officers and state attorneys who review such matters for possible prosecution. I do know that it is immoral and unethical for an elected official to abuse a position or office for personal reasons.

Mariani's intervention and uninformed recriminations and accusations of local law enforcement are further tainted by his publicly declared goal of disposing of our local Police Department. Fortunately, he would appear to be in the minority, and he does not have the power to do that unilaterally. I, for one, (and most of my neighbors) will oppose him aggressively on that subject.

I agree with council members Steve Fowler and Gary Katica: The mayor's intrusion into an active police investigation was perpetrated to influence the outcome of the investigation and undermine the independence and authority of the police. That goes beyond simply being wrong and ill-advised - it undermines the public's confidence in the objectivity, neutrality and competence of our local police, and it tarnishes the image of any public official who engages in such a transparent abuse of authority.

I read how the unauthorized complaint of one sitting commissioner in Belleair Bluffs not too long ago resulted in the involuntary transfer of a female deputy (the sheriff contracts police services in that city). That involved a commissioner with no authority whatsoever, but the Sheriff's Office went along, only to have the local community erupt in outrage and demand the reassignment of the female deputy, which did in fact occur.

That arbitrary personnel action is not my only concern about the Sheriff's Office. The sheriff is an elected official and his office is inherently political. I would prefer to keep politics out of policing. George Mariani obviously disagrees. He injected it at the highest level to secure some special benefit for a citizen of the town in the hit-and-run incident, and for that he properly deserves the title of officious intermeddler.

Robert G. Walker Jr., Belleair

Mariani must be told he's wrong - again

How can the mayor of Belleair constantly be so right at being so wrong?

Clear indications that Mayor George Mariani doesn't know what the residents of his town really want:

- Mayor Mariani thought it would be a good idea to tear down the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel and allow developers an opportunity to build on the land. Citizens spoke up and said how wrong he was.

- Mayor Mariani thought it would be a good idea for the town to municipalize the electrical distribution system. Citizens spoke up and said how wrong he was.

Now Mayor Mariani would like to disband the town's own law enforcement by getting rid of the Belleair Police Department and contract with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Once again, the citizens need to speak up and tell Mr. Mariani how wrong he is.

Laurie Adams, Belleair

Concern should be pet's safety, not fines

Re: County can't make money on wild animals, letter, Aug. 3.

The letter writer should be concerned about the safety of this cat, not that the pet owner is being fined for breaking a law that has been in effect for many years.

There have been several articles written over the last few years about coyotes moving into much of the county and small pets left outside disappearing. These defenseless pets are dying terrifying deaths.

If this neighbor truly loves her cat, she should imagine finding the remains of her beloved cat with its insides ripped out or maybe only finding a leg. It's happening all over the county. Your neighbor is fortunate that she still has a cat to be fined about.

Pets depend on us to protect them. Keep them inside!

Marion C. Cox, Clearwater

Dunedin could be ruined by its leaders

Re: Mayor set city on course of dirty politics, letter, July 28, and Mayor, 2 commissioners must go for sake of city, letter, Aug. 4.

Voters would have known what Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth was like had they watched the televised meetings of the City Commission under the leadership of former Mayor John Doglione.

Commissioner Dave Eggers appeared to be a reasonable and competent man, but he is now influenced (intimidated?) by the mayor and Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski, who takes the prize for rudeness and arrogance.

How do we go about deposing these people before Dunedin is completely ruined? Perhaps City Attorney John Hubbard could give us some guidelines.

Margaret Dozell, Dunedin

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[Last modified August 10, 2006, 06:49:12]