Charlie Grapski is currently running for the State House of Representatives in Florida. For explanation and commentary about Charlie’s recording of his conversation with Clovis Watson, see “Alachua Gotcha”.
From the High Springs Herald…
A state political candidate, fresh out of jail Tuesday after a controversial arrest by the Alachua police department, said he has solid evidence that the recent Alachua election was run improperly and that numerous election laws were broken.
Charles Grapski, a candidate for the State House of Representatives, also said that he plans to aggressively pursue legal action against the city for arresting him at Alachua City Hall Monday just after he finished inspecting public records.
Grapski was taken away from Alachua City Hall in handcuffs Monday morning after being charged with illegally taping a conversation he had the previous Friday with City Manager Clovis Watson Jr. The charge is a 3rd-degree felony.
Grapski, who is running for state office against Alachua City Commissioner Bonnie Burgess and who had filed a lawsuit against the city early last week, said the city’s decision to arrest him should cause concern among anybody wanting to challenge the city.
“They came after me with a vengeance,” Grapski said. “That’s why people in Alachua keep silent.”
Grapski was released Monday night on his own recognizance.
For further background and to join in the discusssion, please check out Shining a light on north Florida “plantation” politics.
Crossposted
http://www.myleftwing.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=8244
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/6/11523/50314
http://scoop.epluribusmedia.org/story/2006/5/6/122416/7929
Has anyone heard anything about the alleged improprieties in Alachua?
Gainesville Sun story on Grapsky’s lawsuit.
Grapsky is an instructor at UF, and has an axe to grind w/ the president of the university. He’s a “type” citizen activist who seems to enjoy holding officialdom’s collective feet to the fire over the issue of public records. By type, I mean he focuses his public service, if you will pardon the phrase, as a gadfly in this arena.
I thought I had posted a response to the questions and issues that were being addressed:
First, yes, I have been teaching Political Science and Political Theory courses at the University of Florida for the past five years while I have been finishing my disseration (this month hopefully).
Second, yes, I do have current litigation against Bernie Machen, the President of the University of Florida (effectively my boss) for refusing to acknowledge that Florida’s public records law applies to him.
I would not characterize it as an “axe to grind” – because it is not personal to this individual, but in general to public officials who, in their public office, act contrary to the law and the public good.
I am seeking the rights of the citizens of Florida to public oversight and accountability of its public officials and entities to be upheld and respected.
I also would not view this as something I do for the enjoyment of it – but rather for the responsibility of being a citizen. I believe we must, as citizens, demand the best in our government – and thus we have an obligation to be actively involved in that government.
This particular issue, however, regarding Alachua was not about public records law – but about the improprieties in a recent election. The public records law was employed to review the ballots and related documents – in the investigation into these improprieties. The recording was a means to record any of the efforts of the city officials to deny or discourage the access to those records – which they have a history of doing even to sitting Commissioners.
Anyone with questions is free to email me – cgrapski@mac.com – and I would be happy to answer them.
Charlie