Top 10 Scrooges of 2013

2013 is almost over. For the average working man and woman, nothing really changed in Orlando, yet again. And despite what our local leaders will say about “progress” or “improvement” – the status quo continued to rule the day. That’s why it is important to look back and remember the top Scrooges to our community. Here’s a short recap of some of the worst offenders:

#10 – SeaWorld Orlando

It’s been a tough year for SeaWorld, but they are not completely free from the blame. Many are aware of the damage done when Blackfish aired on CNN, which was followed by the majority of musical acts cancelling on SeaWorld’s Blues, Brews & BBQ event. But SeaWorld also announced earlier in the year they were cutting hours for part-time employees to avoid Obamacare. SeaWorld also had no regard for the people of historic Parramore, as their representative on the Tourist Development Council helped move the new soccer stadium forward.

#9 – Consulate Healthcare

It was a bad year for workers in general, but Consulate Healthcare provides a local example of the pain. SEIU union members rallied with Consulate caregivers calling for living wages and proper work conditions. One caregiver said: “Consulate has been systematically cutting back on staffing, making it harder and harder for those who remain to care properly for residents at the facility,” said Diane Mazion. “We don’t have affordable health insurance ourselves, and can’t in turn care for our own families adequately.” Meanwhile, executives took home million dollar pay.

#8 – Tax Collector Scott Randolph

This Tax Collector still has never had the voters vote him into office (Earl K Wood’s name was on the ballot though he died before Election Day) but that day may come in 2014 if Teresa Jacobs puts the issue of consolidating Randolph’s $150,000+ salary into an appointed position. Showing Randolph’s personal insecurity, he has printed his name along with “independently elected to serve only you” on every Tax Collector material his office mails out. That along with the full-page color insert about Scott playing Tax Collector is enough to make voters beg Jacobs to put his office on the ballot. But Scott Randolph started off 2013 as a Scrooge when he was cash-strapped and had himself “hired” for over $10,000 along with his political employee a month before he was actually sworn into office. He got into a little back-and-forth with fellow Democrat Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles, lied to the Sentinel and been busy attacking local black churches. Not only that, Randolph resigned leaving the local Orange Democratic Party in shambles. His wife even earns an honorable mention for her use of taxpayer time and money in Congressman Grayson’s office.

#7 – Congressman Dan Webster

Congressman Webster sure showed his true colors during this year’s financial crisis in Washington. Webster was one of 16 Florida lawmakers who helped shutdown the federal government. Even Webster’s own supporters were not happy about that. Webster also refuses to accept healthcare reform as law. Angry voters showed up to his office on multiple occasions demanding Congressman Webster shift his priorities to the concerns of the people.

#6 – Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke

Commissioner Pete Clarke started the year on the right track, but his actions late in the year earn him a spot on the Scrooge list. After defeating the establishment (including Teresa Jacobs) to earn his spot on the County Commission, many of Orlando’s Hispanics and even some Democrats that crossed party lines to elect him hoped Clarke would be a different kind of politician. Those hopes ended when Clarke went along to get along and followed orders to approve a new soccer stadium which will gentrify Parramore. Clarke was an early outspoken critic of the deal and was made aware of many community concerns up to the vote. He betrayed many who helped elect him and in 2014 Clarke will see the consequences of that.

#5 – City Commissioner Daisy Lynum

Commissioner Daisy Lynum could easily make the Scrooge list every year for how she treats people. As Mayor Dyer’s lap dog she has systematically helped destroy the historic African-American community she is supposed to represent. She even admitted at a Council meeting she wants minorities out of Parramore. She is a pawn of Dyer’s destructive policies, period. There’s not much more to say other than Daisy goes along to get along. And that Lynum is up for re-election in April 2014.

#4 – Governor Rick Scott

There should be little surprise about Rick Scott on the list. Heading into his re-election in 2014, Scott remains embattled and a top target of Democrats. In 2013, Rick Scott still could not let go of the healthcare reform battle and despite 3.8 million uninsured Floridians, he barred health navigators from helping people in addition to everything else he has blocked. Closer to home, West Orlando was also punished by Rick Scott’s veto pen in 2013. In fact, the only thing that may possibly distract voters from all the bad Rick Scott has done, could be the bigger distraction of Charlie Crist, millions in attack ads and hypocritical flip-flop positions.

#3 – Orange County School Board & Bill Sublette

Providing more money for public school teachers may be the one positive item Rick Scott pushed, even though the motive is clear. However, higher teacher pay is the one thing the Orange County School Board and Chairman Bill Sublette are holding up in their fight with teachers. The school board’s budget was full of excuses and tossed blame to other elected officials. The Orange County School Board did not seem interested in serious negotiations with teachers over the pay raises they deserve. Talks stalled as the Board declared an impasse and negotiations became more protracted. As the year ends, it is clear there was no time for talking. This battle is far from being over and the taxpayer funded School Board has given itself yet another black eye.

#2 – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Orlando Mayor “Not My Buddy” Dyer and his policies were more Scrooge-like than ever in 2013. Dyer spent most of the year as the top lobbyist for the Orlando City Soccer team and their new stadium. But Dyer wasn’t lobbying for a higher minimum wage or earned sick time for workers, just money to benefit the soccer team and a stadium. Because he was so busy lobbying in Tallahassee for the soccer team, he even failed to show up for a key vote that would have provided dedicated funding for cash-strapped Lynx. Now we still don’t have dedicated funding for Lynx.

Dyer never stopped his gentrification of Parramore, but in 2013 he picked up the pace. The City of Orlando conducted a huge land grab in the historic African-American neighborhood. Dyer didn’t even have the money for all his spending and Dyer’s debt on debt land purchases were deals brokered without full terms. The gentrification of downtown continued with Dyer’s plan to essentially give away the Orlando Police Department Headquarters and a few city blocks to the Orlando Magic.

It was no surprise Dyer’s budget also faced another $12 million shortfall. Orlando was also recognized for “Most Crime Ridden.” Dyer even angered environmentalists and the Sierra Club when he pushed through a very weak fertilizer ordinance. The Mayor even had a meltdown during City Council. Oh, and don’t forget when Dyer tried to give himself a 21% pay increase — before he awarded himself a smaller, but still hefty pay raise.

But who could be a bigger Scrooge than Buddy Dyer himself, you may ask?

#1 – Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs

There’s only room for one at the top, and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs takes the honor. In 2013, Jacobs came out of her shell and really started to own her new role in the “good ole boys” club. Move over Buddy Dyer, Teresa Jacobs is the new darling of the club.

Mayor Jacobs started the year with a sit-down exclusive interview with WONO and sounded good – real good. Then all year, she seemed to contradict her own words with her actions. First she was concerned about the City of Orlando’s credit and spending. Then she enabled the City by providing all the tourist dollars they wanted for more reckless spending. Jacobs said she was concerned about what was happening to the people of Parramore, before she changed tunes and became a leader in the gentrification of the historic African-American community.

Teresa Jacobs was the cheerleader for the new soccer stadium and became buddies with team owners. Did Jacobs and her family benefit in return for pushing the stadium? That’s still unanswered. But Jacobs ignored national and academic economic studies and fast-tracked the corporate welfare project that will destroy Parramore.

And voters can’t forget that after Jacobs performed some fine acting in public hearings, she was busy texting elite business insiders to shut down earned sick time. Teresa Jacobs broke the law, but was only given a slap on the wrist by State Attorney Jeff Ashton.

Teresa Jacobs has also been busy spending taxpayer dollars fighting the Hispanic community over her redistricting debacle.  Aside from the lack of actual accomplishments, Jacobs did continue to show voters she is good at appointing commissions to look into issues and then never following up on them in public. “Typical Teresa” even became a target for her flip-flopping ways in an effort that seems ready to gear up for her 2014 re-election campaign.

After a year full of these characters, we’re still left asking “Where are the Heroes?”

See how the 2013 Scrooges compare to 2012’s Top Scrooges. And let’s hope a whole lot of things get better for Orlando in 2014 (but we’re not holding our breath).