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Tarpon Meeting Shorter, More Cordial

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: September 20, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - Love was not in the air at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting, but the session was shorter and more cordial than it has been of late.

Before the meeting, Mayor Beverley Billiris said her recent memo asking Commissioner Peter Dalacos to be more concise in his remarks during commission meetings was not meant to stifle his ability to gather information or comment on issues.

It was only meant to shorten commission meetings, which drag on for several hours, she said.

In last week's memo Billiris faulted Dalacos for offering what she characterized as long-winded comments and asking staff questions for which he already has answers. These actions give the appearance of grandstanding, the mayor wrote.

In an interview after Tuesday's commission meeting Dalacos said his comments are designed to bring transparency to city government and inform the public.

In a written response to the Mayor's memo, Dalacos wrote: "I must admit sometimes I do repeat myself, but I wouldn't have to do that so often if you had the courtesy to pay attention and acknowledge my input. Quite often when I speak, you ignore my words and are busying yourself with paperwork in front of you or speaking or passing notes to others next to you."

"So maybe, if you paid attention the first time, I wouldn't have to repeat myself," he added.

In an interview before Tuesday's commission meeting, Billiris rejected Dalacos' claim she has a vendetta against him. She only wants him to be less verbose, Billiris said.

In the wake of the memo exchange Tuesday's meeting was shorter and there was more official cordiality on the dais between the mayor and Dalacos. Sometimes, Billiris called for Dalacos' comments before he raised his pen and neither interrupted the other.

Although there was no big agenda item up for discussion, Dalacos did appear to shorten his remarks and not comment as often.

After the meeting, he said if Billiris really wanted to shorten the meetings she would have addressed her concern about lengthy banter to the entire commission and not just him.

Blame should have been equally laid on the number of complex items discussed on one agenda and times when other commissioners have expressed their views at length, he said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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