
This blog's purpose is to bring awareness to the citizen's of this FIRE DISTRICT about it's elected commissioners and what was going on with the Union's push behind the last elections - which was regardless of all their propaganda and self-promotions NOT in this districts best interests.
Since it's inception, this blog as tried to be as honest as possible with as many facts as possible. Admittedly, I have not always succeeded at that and where possible have conceded & remanded whatever discussion I may have been inaccurate about.
But recently, everything took a sordid turn down a road no one wanted to travel. I have posted the charges brought forth by the State of Florida against former Commissioner Mark Ruben on 8 counts of CHILD sexual molestation and Lewd & Lascivious behavior with a minor.
At this point, I want to make myself perfectly clear:
This blog will not discuss these charges or this case or venture any further opinions about Mark Ruben than has been said already in the comments. I am incredibly apalled and deeply disgusted just as any moral human being (and especially those of us who are parents) should be. However, in order to allow the justice system that suffers terribly from every loophole there is, to work to it's fullest and most responsible extent, this blog cannot become the media playground for discussing it. It will only HELP Ruben's case, could cause a mistrial or in some manner interfere with the due process.
Therefore, please, stop posting ANONYMOUS posts of miscellaneous information that I will not post that is too personal and can affect the case directly Please don't email me with info to send out, or expect me to make waves where there are none to make. Without anyone's help, Mark Ruben has plenty to think about and figure out for himself.

Better now to focus on exactly what this commission has been up to, whether the firefighters' judgment is all that trustworthy after this recommdation and what the future holds for Southern Manatee Fire District. It IS an election year. It's time to choose new seats again, please Voters, Beware and Choose wisely!