A Letter From A Citizen
 

January 20, 2007

Dunnellon City Council
City of Dunnellon
22750 River Drive
Dunnellon, Florida 34431

RE: Request to sever relationship with Ted Schatt and the law firm of which he is a part

Dear Council:

  This letter is an appeal to you as an individual citizen to obtain new legal counsel for the citizens of Dunnellon. The City of Dunnellon and City Council is entitled to legal counsel that can passionately and consistently be relied upon to represent their view. Ted Schatt may have such a voice but apparently has no will as demonstrated by his lack of performance to defend the council’s positions as seen in the council meetings and reported in the press.

  In the world of public opinion the city needs an advocate who can speak to the concerns and questions of its citizens and reflects the concerns of the seated council. Mr. Schatt’s comments have been off the mark when it comes to complaints regarding the Tree Permit. I wrote a letter to the city on November 13, 2006, and have never had my questions addressed by either our city manager or our city attorney. My questions were not personal. My questions had to do with the legal validity of the Tree Permit itself.

  I believe there is a legal argument that should have been made which articulates that a city permit, in order to be valid, must be consistent with city’s comprehensive plan, general ordinances and land regulations. That language can be found in general law as well as the Dunnellon enforcement code. I would fault Mr. Schatt for not having made such an argument and not having advised the council and public that the permit issued under the former city council was not valid.

  The city has paid Mr. Schatt’s law firm money to draft utility agreements, draft development agreements, and draft a preliminary PUD for the Rainbow River Ranch. Yet, this same law firm has been silent when our seated city council has tried to challenge during recent city council meetings that development and not siliculture is the activity on this property.

  The citizens and council are not lawyers. We have the right to adequate representation. We are presently paying the bill for an attorney who is more passionate about the right of the developer than the concerns and questions of the residents (elected and otherwise) regarding due process.

  This needs to change. We need the voices of our citizens and leaders to be received clearly in the papers and at council meetings that our collective desire is responsible government and that we are struggling to protect our town , limited in its tax base, to make decisions regarding our future that will allow for its continued existence. We are at a crossroad regarding impending development and our fiscal responsibilities to provide capital improvements and infrastructure to maintain our present level of service to our community as well as the preservation of our most important natural resources.

  I ask that the city’s relationship with Mr. Schatt (and the law firm of which he is a part) be ended with haste. I ask that a search process begin immediately to find a law firm that can truly represent the will and the heart of the people.

Respectfully,

Louise Kenny
Dunnellon resident