Council Meeting wrapup for 10/04/2006 Part 1

As if to set the tone of the meeting, someone apparently parked in Mr. Rosado's parking spot, and Mr. Rosado was unable to park there. Terry Stewart asked if anyone seated in the Council Chambers happened to be parked in Mr. Rosado's space. The only person who responded was council member Hair. He was uncertain as to whether or not he had parked in the correct space. We'll forgive the new council member, just in case he grabbed the wrong spot.

I can say with absolute certainty, that if any of the allegations presented during the protracted meeting this evening stand to be true, Mr. Rosado will not be overly worried about his parking spot. Rosado arrived with at least three individuals in tow. One turned out to be his defense attorney, Mr. Villalobos. His defense attorney would play a key role, throughout the afternoon. He started by usurping several chairs in the front row. One gentleman got up, after a brief conversation, and moved to a different spot in chambers.

The Mayor first laid down the ground rules. Rosado's statement, followed by his attorney, then council members could discuss facts. He requested that no compound questions be asked. Only simple, direct questions. After this was done, residents were to receive two minutes each to either provide sworn facts, or opinions.

During the beginning of Mr. Rosado's speech, he requested that residents "take notes". A brief pause was taken where every Council member, the City Manager, and the City Attorney all stood, and were sworn in. Mr. Rosado said that he wished to "Ensure that the truth" was spoken. He referenced both "Misrepresentation" and "unfounded ennuendo". He requested that all discussions be "germaine to the City of Cape Coral". Mr. Rosado held up a paper, showing an explicit information request for documents related to his alleged Zemel dealings.

He emphatically stated "Yes" to inquiring about the Zemel Property. He stated "Absolutely not!" just as emphatically, when speaking to his culpability in any gain he would receive from a sale of some of the Zemel property. Instead, he claimed "Concerns, and visions" for the future use of the property.

He then read an email, from Carl Schwing, which talked about reserving the benefits of impact fee reductions to developers, based on projects, rather than allowing the current land owner to decide who would have access to these reductions. This wasn't his email, but I will admit, it wasn't until the end of the reading that I was aware that it was not Mr. Rosado's own writings.

He then began discussing his assertion of "I don't dispose of any paperwork". He repeated this meme many times throughout the evening. The WINK news report, Eric Wiener made claims otherwise. I heard Grant at the end, claiming eye witness reports of 'stacks of documents' leaving the Council Offices. I have no idea of the veracity of this, I merely was present after the meeting had concluded, to hear these accusations.

Mr. Rosado then coined the term "diplomatical" when asking for an "Amicable and diplomatical" solution to the issues which had been raised. He questioned the timing, then followed this quickly with an accusation that the City Manager had violated his responsibilities, by not reporting him sooner. He called for an investigation of City Manager, and Staff. He claimed "He decides what council needs to know".

And this, friends, was only the beginning.

Edit: I got my WINK news reporters switched. Sorry Eric!