Lobbyists a Wedge Issue in Hollywood

Maybe Hollywood Commissioner Beam Furr is right that an ordinance to ban private commissioner meetings with lobbyists is "unconstitutional." But it's still a shrewd move by Mayor Peter Bober and Commissioner Heidi O'Sheehan to champion the legislation. Or rather, to force their less savory colleagues to effectively vote for lobbyists...

By Thomas Francis

February 5, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Maybe Hollywood Commissioner Beam Furr is right that an ordinance to ban private commissioner meetings with lobbyists is "unconstitutional." But it's still a shrewd move by Mayor Peter Bober and Commissioner Heidi O'Sheehan to champion the legislation. Or rather, to force their less savory colleagues to effectively vote for lobbyists -- a demographic despised only slightly less than sex offenders and journalists.

Now in the next election, the challengers to those five pro-lobbyist commissioners can use the vote in their campaigns: Hollywood's been hosed by commissioners who favor lobbyists, and your commissioner is part of the problem.

Yes, as Bober said at yesterday's meeting, there is a perception of "backroom dealing" at Hollywood City Hall. But practically speaking, an ordinance is not the best way to address it. The best way is to stop backroom dealing -- and that simply calls for more responsible governance from the city commissioners. In other words, a conscience.

Keep an eye on campaign contributions. Not just those of Furr and Commissioners Linda Sherwood, Patty Assef, Richard Blattner, and Fran Russo, who all voted against restricting lobbyist meetings. Watch the campaign finance reports of whomever runs against Bober and O'Sheehan. Here's betting those candidates are bankrolled by lobbyists.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.