The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-19

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tainment was permitted on Pigeon
Key.
From the records. il appears
that the Commissioners who held
office in March, 1853 and the State
Board of Administration by-passed
the State Road Department in
transactions involving certain lands
Of the District and conveyed them
to Claude A. Gandolfo and Paul Z.
Sawyer. The Road Department
should investigate the legality Of
these transactions.
During 1858, the evidence before
US indicates that there was q re-
commentator that the duties Of
the District be taken over by the
Road Department but that the
local Representative, B. C. Papy,
interviewed and urged that il not
be done because he said the peo-
pie Of Monroe County objected.
Consequently the Commissioners
continued in Office and Bateman
remained on the job at his request.
We have learned also that while
Mr.. Lee Shield was supplying the
laundry service to the District, In
1852 and 1858 he dealt exclusively
with the steward, Joe Lance, and
that he was paying Mr.. Lance IN
amount equal to 10% Of the gross
business done. This did not in
crease the cost to the District but
it was q hckback to the steward
and we condemn the practice.
We have evidence before us
that Mr.. Bateman utilized the ser.
vices Of District employee, Phillip
Sanchez, and perhaps others TO do
survey work and painting for him
on his private property at Fl
Paraiso while being paid BY the
District.
The practice Of the District IN
employing Constable d. M. An
drew and supplying him with un.
restricted use Of high priced car /.
was very expensive for the servie-
es received. :.
The practice of Constable An
drew and Bateman buying saso-
line at retail prices in Marathon
with pumps available on Pigeon
Key just two miles away was very
bad and should not have been per.
mitted.
Though the tolls have been lift
ed We must comment on the fact
that the system of collecting was
ANTICIPATED and offered the oppor.
tunity of manipulation.
In effect there was lack of can.
able supervision and inspection
from the top all the way down. We
were very favorably impressed
with the efforts OF Mr.. Tom Manuel
to get the affairs Of the District
in good order. II goes almost with.
out saying that the frequent com.
plete changes Of Road Board Mem.
bers and Chairmen causes confus.
ion particularly in situations like
this. We hope our legislature viii
use this. as an example and pass
proper laws to correct 1t 20 that !.
there viii be an overlap Of Road
Department Board members IN
part each time the administration
changes and that employees and
career men be given Civil Service
protection.
There are outstanding bills owed
to local merchants by the District
which should be paid; there are
items Of equipment to be sold, re.
paired, cared for, or delivered 10
proper authorities; there IL the
question Of title to the property
handled by the District: we believe
that there is q necessity for ap-
pointment of Commissioners for
the short period necessary to ac-
complish these things.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS or
OUR JURY ARE:
1. That the Acting County So
licitor John Marsh proceed with
the prosecution of the cases now
pending in tire Criminal Court 81
Record against Brooks Bateman
and Alonzo Cothron.
2. That the State Of Florida file
appropriate law suits immediate
ly. against all persons or organiza-
tons who shared in the proceeds
from the Fill Contract with Al
ONO Cothron for the purpose Of
recovering any overcharge Tor 9TH
er improper payments) and the
recovered money to be used 70
repair and maintain the roads and
bridges in the District. :
8. That the Legislature take
steps to improve the method d
appointments to the State Road
Board 30 that all terms win not
expire simultaneously leaving q
new Board uniformed on unfin-
ished projects.
/ 4. That career persons and en-
ployees In the Road Department
and other similar State organiza-
tons be protected by Civil Ser
vice and required to measure up
to those standards.
S. That wherever q vacancy Ia
to be filled by appointment Of the
Governor or any other person in
governmental authority, the Job Be
given to q person having the pro-
i fessional .kifI needed IN v,Arforrn