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Charges fly at session about mayor's ethics

The commission rebuffs charges brought by one of its own members.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published February 7, 2007

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - City commissioners made clear Monday they believe ethics charges levied against Mayor Bill Ockunzzi are completely unfounded.

For much of the three-hour special meeting, Ockunzzi interrogated City Attorney Andy Salzman and other city officials about his actions relating to a vacant property that apparently straddles the border between the city and the town of Indian Shores.

Ockunzzi repeatedly drew responses that indicated he had done nothing wrong.

Commissioner Jose Coppen sat silent through much of this, stating only that he felt there were "irregularities" that he wants investigated by the state Commission on Ethics and the state attorney general.

Coppen claims Ockunzzi acted improperly and possibly in violation of the city's charter when he revised a draft development agreement with the owner of the empty lot at 20256 Gulf Blvd.

That agreement was brought by Ockunzzi to a November commission meeting for discussion and consideration. The agreement was never approved.

"We are wasting taxpayer money to have to deal with fallacious allegations driven by personal vendettas," said Vice Mayor R.B. Johnson, who chaired Monday's special meeting.

Commissioner Ed Piniero pointedly asked the city's attorney, Andy Salzman, whether or not Ockunzzi has "in any way, shape or form violated our charter".

Salzman's reply was "no."

"This is a disgrace. It's all bullcrap," said Commissioner Jim Palamara, as he called for a formal resolution declaring "invalid" the complaints levied by Coppen.

"It's better for the Commission on Ethics to receive documents, not opinions," cautioned Salzman.

The commission then approved sending verbatim transcripts of Monday's three-hour meeting, as well as of the November meeting, to the state Commission on Ethics.

James Helinger Jr., an attorney representing the property owners, Parker and Rosemarie Willis, also charged in a letter that Coppen "has chosen to distort the issue because of his personal interest in the outcome".

Coppen lives within 100 feet of the lot and is actively opposing any development that he feels would encroach on Indian Rocks Beach land or negatively impact nearby residents.

Helinger also complained that "at the direction and insistence of Commissioner Coppen" Indian Rocks Beach inspector has "threatened" Willis with a code violation over a fence the city says is on public right of way.

Coppen, in turn, criticized Ockunzzi and the commission for putting an e-mail from a resident on the meeting agenda. The e-mail implies that Coppen and his wife may be improperly receiving a homestead exemption on a combined two-unit condominium.

"How despicable can you be and how low can you get," Coppen told the commission. "Now you are getting into dirty politics. This is an accusation made by followers of the mayor. This is getting personal."

Coppen strongly denied that he has done anything wrong and said he "has nothing to hide".

Salzman warned the commission they were about to "go down a very dangerous road" if they formally pursued the homestead exemption complaint against Coppen.

Heeding that warning, the commission instead referred the e-mail to town officials for possible forwarding to the county Property Appraiser's Office.

[Last modified February 7, 2007, 07:30:41]