Regular readers of this newspaper know that Attorney George Maurer, who writes an every-other-week column here, has been more than a little critical of the fledgling Bahama Conch Community Land Trust (BCCLT). He has, for example, questioned the propriety of BCCLT Chief Executive Officer Norman Jean Sawyer also serving as Chief Financial Officer. He has also pointed out that some of the Trust's initial purchases of property for "affordable housing" seem to benefit Sawyer and her family.
But last April 28, BCCLT board member Bert Bender called Maurer and gave him an opportunity to put up or shut up. Bender presumably representing the board, asked Maurer if he would be willing to accept the position of treasurer of the BCCLT. Maurer thought about it and, on April 29, faxed a memo to the board agreeing to accept the position— with conditions:
"I shall not be silent if I think that there are areas in which BCCLT is acting inappropriately or wrongly, and/or has done in the past, even if this means that I'm then in disagreement with officers and/or the Board. I shall abide by all proper Board decisions, of course, even where I disagree.
"I shall be allowed the full spectrum of rights and duties normally associated with being a Treasurer, including an examination of past financial transactions where appropriate.
"There shall be two signatories on each check, one of which shall be mine. I shall not inappropriately refrain from signing same.
"All financial transactions shall be through a BCCLT checking account(s) except for limited petty cash transactions for which there shall also be an accounting.
"Your Board will have a Board oversight committee to regularly review BCCLT financial transactions including those with which I am involved, and in addition to monthly bookkeeping reports and periodic audits."
You can probably guess what happened. The BCCLT board backed away from Bender's offer to Maurer faster than Michael Jackson doing a moon walk. They reportedly voted to reject Maurer— even though he had never solicited the job in the first place. City Commissioner Carmen Turner, who has been a major advocate of funneling public money to the BCCLT-- and who is routinely critical of Maurer at Commission meetings— may have been involved in that decision. But Bender refused to either confirm or deny that.
In any event, after rejecting Maurer, they "forgot" to inform him of their decision. Classy outfit, huh? It was only when Key West The Newspaper, on to a potential story, faxed Bender, asking for a status report concerning his original offer to Maurer that Bender hurriedly phoned him with a belated apology.
In other news, Sullins Stuart, another BCCLT board member has just been charged with violating voting laws and committing perjury in connection with his unsuccessful run for County Commissioner last year.
At presstime, neither Bender or anyone else associated with the BCCLT had responded to KWTN's request for comment on the Maurer fiasco. We asked Bender if the meeting at which Maurer was discussed was an open meeting and if minutes are available for review. He wouldn't say. We even asked him to refer us to the BCCLT's "public information officer." He refused— in writing.
What's the deal at the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust? Take the public money and hide?