Why bother with the play acting?

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) responded to my public records request.  Their follow-up on the Dean residency issue was underwhelming to say the least.  I’m sure this surprises absolutely no one.  Basically, the FKAA sent the letter and investigative report to the governor…and that’s it.

The governor didn’t respond.  Unsurprising.  The letter never asked him to.  So rather than following up or handling the situation themselves, like you might expect from grown adults, the FKAA weakly fell back on an email from Cheri Smith of the Key West Canvassing Board to buttress their self-serving decision to do nothing.  Here is a link to all the documents provided.

As you might recall, the canvassing board conducted their own sham hearing, and pointedly ignored the evidence collected during the most recent – and by far the most thorough – investigation conducted by the state attorney’s office.  I don’t even know why the FKAA bothered with all their silly gyrations, to be honest.  They clearly never had any intention of taking this matter seriously.  Why attract unwanted attention with all the ginned up drama?  It just makes them look even more dishonest and ineffective than they already do.

You know and I know, and FKAA board members certainly know, they can get away with just about anything and there’s not a damn thing Keys citizens can do about it.

• They can blow money recklessly and just blame it on their partner in crime.
• They can serve on the board with frequent and recurring conflicts of interest.
• They allow (or perhaps direct) staff to lie to the public.
• They can finagle the bid process and then try to hide the evidence.

The board members are appointed by the governor and are completely unaccountable to the public they are supposed to serve.  To make matters worse, the state is adamant about keeping it that way despite the clearly stated will of Keys voters.  The state’s irrational support for the appointed FKAA board has persisted at least since Jeb Bush was governor.  It seems to have gotten exponentially worse under Gov. Rick Scott.

I guess we’re stuck…for now.