It landed with a thud, but a recent report from the State Attorney’s Office pointed out how politics prevails in City Hall, which is not exactly a startling revelation.

Prosecutors wasted an entire year and who knows how much money investigating another collusion theory, much like the one at the center of the Washington witch hunt.

Slippery Sam Mousa, the mayor’s chief aide, had alleged funny business between two City Council members: they had too many phone calls to each other.

This is a weakness in Florida’s government-in-the-sunshine laws. Politicians are not supposed to talk or email each other about issues facing them.

It is nonsense. There is nothing wrong with discussing issues, and it is impossible to stop.

All it has accomplished is to cause reporters to spend their time reading other people’s mail and tracking their phone calls, instead of finding and reporting real news.

After diligently investigating many people and tracking hundreds of phone calls, the state attorney said she could not find a violation of the sunshine law, according to the Daily Record.

One of the council members involved is now challenging Mayor Lenny Curry – Mousa’s boss – in the upcoming elections.

Clearly it was much ado about nothing, and possibly just a ploy to cast shade on a potential political opponent.  Curry wasted no time running attack ads on TV the moment the same council member began showing interest in running for mayor.

All we have learned from the incident is that a few modifications of the sunshine laws may be in order.

Lloyd Brown
Lloyd was born in Jacksonville. Graduated from the University of North Florida.  He spent nearly 50 years of his life in the newspaper business …beginning as a copy boy and retiring as editorial page editor for Florida Times Union.  He has also been published in a number of national newspapers and magazines, as well as Internet sites. Married with children. Military Vet. Retired. Man of few words but the words are researched well, deeply considered and thoughtfully written.

Lloyd Brown

Lloyd was born in Jacksonville. Graduated from the University of North Florida. He spent nearly 50 years of his life in the newspaper business …beginning as a copy boy and retiring as editorial page editor for Florida Times Union. He has also been published in a number of national newspapers and magazines, as well as Internet sites. Married with children. Military Vet. Retired. Man of few words but the words are researched well, deeply considered and thoughtfully written.

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