You make a very good point. However, if such a law as the one in Florida came to be here in Texas (how great that would be!), then it could be worded that it only implicates the individual or individuals who are responsible. I'd hope that's how it would be done here in Texas.Lynyrd wrote:Let's say a person wants to run for city council, county commissioner, school board, etc., etc., because they don't like what that body is doing and they want to change things. This person gets elected and now has a vote when decisions are made, but they are just one vote. If the elected body still makes the wrong decision, do you lump the one good guy in with the rest and tar and feather him too? Or do you get a little backbone and run for another seat on that body so that you can add to his vote?AJSully421 wrote:I am not picking on you here, just using this as an example:Lynyrd wrote:Easy now. I'm a city council member, and I should not be held responsible for the votes of others on the council.AJSully421 wrote:This. Any political subdivision who is found to be in violation will have each of its principal employees (the mayor and city council, city managers, county commissioners, library board members... any and all of them) shall be fined $10,000 each.
And for the record, we don't have any signs.
It is not so much a matter of who votes how; we need some Paul Reveres in these elected offices at every level. It's not that hard, stand up and say "Cut the crap!". Instead of some elected official saying how they should not be held responsible for the actions of others, how about you TAKE responsibility for the illegal actions of those other members who are acting as mini tyrants?
If a sign is put up illegally, YOU go rip it down, or you get the crud fined out of you. They put letters on the glass, YOU go get a razor blade. They bolt metal signs to the brick work out in front of city hall, YOU bust out a socket wrench. They put a 30.06 up on an easel in the hallway, YOU go toss that sonofagun in the dumpster out back.
I swear, when the AG gets off their duff and finds the City of Benbrook to be in violation on their signs, I will go in there and take down the signs myself. Worst they can do is Class C Criminal Mischief for removing a sign that is less than $100 in value. Come and get me.
Our town is small. Council members are not paid one red cent. We donate our time to help the community. I am on the council (which is basically volunteer community service) just so that I can try and help steer things in the right direction. Many of you here have attacked me for my earlier comments about being held responsible for the votes of others. I do not understand. If I am trying to do the right thing, but get outvoted because more liberals have been willing to make the sacrifice to have a voice than have my fellow conservatives, why in the heck would I be the bad guy?
You can sit at home and fling flaming arrows, or you can step outside of you daily zone and try to make a difference. I'm not mad at anyone here, and I'm not saying your anger is unjustified. But if you attack people that are trying to make things right, some of those people will just leave those public bodies and go back to being on the sideline because they just don't want the conflict. Then what do you have left?
So, if your council voted to put up the unenforceable signs, and if you were the one guy who voted against it, then that should be public record. You wouldn't (and shouldn't) face any liability at all."The 2014 Florida Statutes 790.33 (3)PROHIBITIONS; PENALTIES.—
(c) If the court determines that a violation was knowing and willful, the court shall assess a civil fine of up to $5,000 against the elected or appointed local government official or officials or administrative agency head under whose jurisdiction the violation occurred.
(d) Except as required by applicable law, public funds may not be used to defend or reimburse the unlawful conduct of any person found to have knowingly and willfully violated this section."