Comments on: Stewart’s Blog: How to Stop Conflicts with Vendors and Campaign Consultants

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 01:01:54 +0000

You know the real problem is the existence of lobbyists that undermine our democratic process. They have far more access to elected officials than the average citizen, and have the ability to wield power and influence.

Look at the recent Florida Trend article. The Orlando City Attorney still is a manager at a powerful law firm. Can people really make unbiased decisions and avoid conflicts of interest?

Let’s work to ban lobbyists. No more texting elected officials. No more conference calls with two or more elected officials. Lobbyists like to say they are needed in order to provide information and expertise to elected officials. But guess what, that’s what the staff is supposed to do for an office holder. And with the internet, we have access to all kinds of info.

By: News_Maven

News_Maven — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 01:04:18 +0000

In reply to Thomas C. Hooker. Thomas: Did you see the other Op/Ed above Yordon's? Written by a Burneice Cox? That's Gary's wife.

By: Hope

Hope — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:23:11 +0000

In reply to News_Maven.

The e-mails if there are any will surface in the recent subpoena.

Wonder who the “source” was for the FBI, Maddox, Las Vegas pic? Let’s see…copy of pic sent to Maddox, Maddox sent it to Yordon, Yordon sent it to the TD…hence the TD’s stool pigeon…er, source?

By: Thomas C. Hooker

Thomas C. Hooker — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:22:25 +0000

In reply to Hope.

I saw Yordon once again had his special commentary or whatever it is in the Tallahassee Democrat this past Sunday. Either the Tallahassee Democrat is tone deaf, complicit, or has a contract with Yordon to write this very silly column.

They ran a front page story on JT Burnette and 311 E. Jennings complete with pictures of some people under FBI scrutiny/subpoena, but no picture of Gary Yordon with this report.

How can you feature someone prominently who has been named in FBI subpoenas? Is the Tallahassee Democrat to be subpoenaed next?

Hey look!!! Kitty Litter!!!

By: Rosemary N. Palmer

Rosemary N. Palmer — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:52:48 +0000

Why is the amount of the donation the issue? As one recent news article pointed out, donations paid by LLC’s can hide massive donations. It ought to be that people who sell to governments, or who are government employees whose job can be changed by the elected person (true for schools, not supposed to be true for the city where the commissioners are forbidden from meddling in personnel decisions) cannot be receive a vendor contract, or a raise while the person they donated to remains in office. It is those vendors that fund much if not most of the candidates, and therefore which have influence with the elected officials that interferes both with identifying the best work for the value, and holding vendors accountable for less that good results. And I’ve heard from plenty of school district employees that they felt compelled to not just donate to a campaign, but not to donate to others.

By: Steven Hougland

Steven Hougland — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:14:43 +0000

Great post! The only individuals who would protest such a common sense approach to reform are Maddox, Richardson, Gillum, Miller, and Ziffer. I challenge any of them to put these suggestions on the agenda, vote for passage,and prove me wrong.

By: Snydley Whiplash

Snydley Whiplash — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:06:12 +0000

Great article Mr. Stewart. These are the positive planks to a campaign platform any aspiring honest politicians out there considering running for office should stand on.
Unfortunately as our local Tallahassee City Government now exists it seems we must elect a full time honest mirror government to keep our dirty existing government in check.

Of course we can not afford to do that which is why we are hopeful for some strong indictments followed up with harsh punishment which includes real Federal prison time for our corrupt “usual suspect” local darlings.

By: News_Maven

News_Maven — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 03:59:42 +0000

Clearly, the FBI should subpoena Gabordi’s emails going back 5 years too.

By: Hope

Hope — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 23:09:34 +0000

“Why is it that campaign consultants like Vancore Jones, Sean Pittman, and Gary Yordon have all received lucrative no bid contracts with local government?”

Also, the criminal suspects (formerly the Usual Suspects) are in collusion with the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce to receive payment for gigs, special PR promos, etc.– to advance their clients and their clients who are elected officials to get their clients rings kissed by the chamber. The Tallahassee Chamber runs this like an organized crime organization for the sake of Yordon, Pittman, Maddox, their clients and their clients who are elected officials.

Rather than the TD questioning it they participate in it, promote it, endorse it, and attend it. But, what would you expect when Gabordi is in a bromance with Scott Maddox and the county reporter is doing video coverage of Gary Yordon making a Caesar salad as a news story rather than at the time covering the Joint Dispatch Center when it was not functioning?

This is how corruption is able to thrive!