Court Decision on Mayo Campaign
Mayor James along with Commissioners Warren and Peduzzi are up for reelection. Warren and Peduzzi had no challengers and will retain their Commission seat.
I assume Mayor James was feeling good about the election until Rodney Mayo presented his papers to the City Clerk and qualified to enter the race the day before the cutoff date.
In an act of desperation Mayor Keith James has filed 2 complaints against Mayo, PBC Supervisor of Elections, and his own City Clerk and the taxpayers will pick up the tab for Attorney and Court costs.
For the past four years James has basked in the power of the Mayor’s seat, taking full advantage to enrich his friends with no bid contracts, Contracts to his Political Consultant Rick Asnani, forced the closing of Henrietta Farms, which helped feed blacks in poor neighborhoods, firing good employees, and forcing others from their livelihood, criticized the state for vaccinating Palm Beach while he ordered vaccinations for the Bristol ( millionaires and billionaires), let’s not forget the Sunset Lounge, located in the Northwest neighborhood, and always considered an African American nightclub. He found a way to cancel the Commissioners vote to allow Vita, a small black owned company to manage it which led to another lawsuit, and the court ruled James must give his deposition. Sometimes he just doesn’t care for courthouses. Allowing residents to use contaminated water for 8 days before sending out a notice and so much more happenings that we have learned about, and I shudder to think what he has kept secret.
Most importantly the total disdain he has for WPB residents, and the lack of respect he has for the black community.
Included with the story I have added the court documents along with Mayo’s City’s qualifying records if you care to read them, and I encourage you to take the time.
1 COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF AND INJUNCTION
“COMES NOW the Plaintiff, KEITH A. JAMES (“JAMES”), by and through his undersigned attorney, and files this Complaint against Defendants RODNEY BRIAN MAYO (“MAYO”), WENDY SARTORY LINK AS PALM BEACH COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS (“LINK”), and THE CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH (“THE CITY”)
Read the court papers here: Court Papers 1 of 2
The judge dismissed the complaint and Mayo can continue to campaign for Mayor.
2 “MOTION TO SET EMERGENCY HEARING ON PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION COMES NOW the Plaintiff, KEITH A. JAMES (“JAMES”), by and through his undersigned attorney, and moves the Court to set an emergency hearing on Plaintiff’s request for the entry of a temporary injunction prohibiting Defendant WENDY SARTORY LINK AS PALM BEACH COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS (“LINK”) from taking any official action with regard to the “candidacy” of Defendant RODNEY BRIAN MAYO (“MAYO”) for the position of Mayor of the City of West Palm Beach; to prohibit MAYO from campaigning for the position of Mayor of the City of West Palm Beach; and prohibiting the CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH (“THE CITY”) from treating MAYO as a candidate of the position of Mayor of THE CITY in the election scheduled for March 14, 2023, and as grounds therefore would state as follows:”
Read the court papers here: Court papers 2 of 2
The judge will set a hearing date before January 15, 2023, as that is the cutoff date when the ballot must be sent to the printers.
I am confident both names will be on the ballot. James & Mayo.
Mayo has made one promise so far. He will not accept donations from pacs, or special interest, and will not accept donations over $100.00. That tells me when the election is over and he is sworn in as the new mayor of WPB he will owe no one except the residents of WPB and will look after us. I had to check if he meant what he said, and his word is good. Read his financial statement below with names and amount of contribution’s.
Mayo campaign flier to enlarge open the flier and left click.
Invites you to join his team “We will announce our 10-step action plan shortly, and you will be the 1st to see it as you have chosen to get involved.
Ask you to take a survey (what city issues have you concerned?)
RSVP for 1/4/2023 get-together (come meet the candidate)
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Keith James fight to hold onto power
Below you will find a story concerning Mayor Keith James fight to hold onto power.
The story is by Investigative Reporter Terri Parker, WPBF channel 25. Below is an excerpt and the entire story along with Terri’s interview of Rodney Mayo and James campaign manager Rick Asnani, of Cornerstone Solutions. My comments will be in italic.
“The mayor of West Palm Beach has filed a lawsuit against his sole challenger in the March mayoral election. Keith James is trying to disqualify Rodney Mayo from running against him, claiming Mayo does not live in the city.
James is also suing Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link and his own city of West Palm Beach, asking a judge to stop them from allowing Mayo’s candidacy to move forward.”
In the story Mr. Mayo states his water & electric bills are sent to his home since 1982 at 520 Clematis St. Water bill should be easily verified because the City sends the bills. WPB Drivers License lists 520 Clematis St. His campaign lists 520 Clematis St. WPB. Now I am assuming people will send Christmas cards to 520 Clematis St, but unable to verify at this time.
Mayor James did not give an interview, although his campaign manager, Rick Asnani made a statement simply stating he didn’t believe Mr. Mayo lived in the city. If the name Asnani is familiar to readers it’s the same man James gave three contracts totaling $357,500 taxpayer’s dollars, without City Commissioners input and possible knowledge.
Ms. Parker has added the court papers to the story and can be read by simply clicking on the link.
I read them and a couple of things jumped out at me. On page 4 & 5 titled Certificate of Service.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
“I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of foregoing document was served by process service on this 5th day of December, 2022 to: Rodney Brian Mayo, 520 Clematis Street, Apt 1, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 and 6171 Pine Dr., Lantana, FL 33462 ; Wendy Sartory Link Supervisor of Elections of Palm Beach County, 240 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415; Hazel Carson, City Clerk, City of Wes Palm Beach, 401 Clematis Street, West
Palm Beach, FL 33401.
By: /s/ Gerald F. Richman
GERALD F. RICHMAN
Florida Bar No. 66457″
Above you read “foregoing document” that means: A subpoena which is a written order to compel an individual to give testimony on a particular subject. A subpoena was issued to Rodney Mayo at 520 Clematis St, and his home in Lantana. Lucky man got two, and Mr. Richman acknowledges Mr. Mayo does indeed live at 520 Clematis St.
A subpoena was also issued to Hazel Carson, City Clerk of West Palm Beach. Hazel Carson retired from the City 4-5 months ago and Jacqueline H. Mobley has been the interim clerk ever sense. Ms. Mobley has displeased the mayor, and most know the meaning of that.
Now ask yourself if you would re-elect a man who isn’t even aware who is in charge of the City Clerk’s Office. I believe James is terrified of losing his job. Maybe now he will have empathy for Phyllis Brooks and Mark Parks, two excellent employees who knew their jobs, along with where the bodies are buried.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-west-palm-beach-mayor-lawsuit-james-mayo/42192622
The end
City Won’t Release Public Records
Below you will be able to read my request for a PRR (Public Records Request) to Jacqueline H. Mobley, City Clerk who responded.
Dates are important, and I have them in bold print to draw your attention. If it’s bold print please notice. Any comments I make will be in Italic.
I don’t believe Ms. Mobley is holding up my PRR, but is receiving direction from two individuals who obviously don’t want me to receive them. Judge for yourself.
***********************************************************************************************
From: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
To: Jacqueline H. Mobley <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 3:24 PM
Subject: PRR 11/18/2022
Please provide an electronic copy of the following:
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the City
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the CRA
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the DDA
FY 2022-23 budget book
Please acknowledge request received.Thank you in advance for your help
Sandy Matkivich
**********************************************************************************************
—–Original Message—–
From: Jacqueline H. Mobley <[email protected]>
To: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
Sent: Mon, Nov 21, 2022 9:13 am
Subject: RE: PRR 11/18/2022
Good morning,
We are in receipt of your public records request and will respond accordingly
Thanks!
Jackie H. Mobley
City Clerk, Interim
****************************************************************************************************
From: Sandy Matkivich [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed, Dec 7, 2022 9:07 am
My PRR for the info. below was sent on 11/18/2022. On Nov./21/2022 you acknowledged receipt.
Today date is 12/7/2022. That is 17 days I am waiting for a response from the city. Does that amount of time seem reasonable to you as City Clerk?
Florida Statute Section 119.07(1)(a) — Requires every person who has custody of a public record to permit the record to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so.
The documents I have requested are PDF files that already exist and require no scrutiny by any department.
By law, you, as the Clerk, are required to provide me with the ability to receive copies in a reasonable time. My request only requires the sending of an email.
Please assure me you will get this done immediately, and acknowledge email received.
Sandy Matkivich
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the City
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the CRA
FY 2022-23 line item budget for the DDA
FY 2022-23 budget book
****************************************************************************************
Before publishing this story I checked my email and did not receive any acknowledgement from the City (Ms. Mobley)
Next step:
Ashley Moody, Attorney General
“Every citizen has been granted the Constitutional right to inspect or copy any public record with some exemptions in Florida, and the Sunshine Law provides a right of access to government proceedings at both the state and local levels.
Citizen Guide to Public Records and the Sunshine Law in Florida
You have the right to inspect and copy public records at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under the supervision by the custodian of the public records.
You have the right to request public records without having to show identification, without saying why you want the records, and without making your request in writing.
You have the right to request an estimate for the time and costs involved in producing your public records request.
You have the right to ask for a written statement of the statutory basis for denying access to public records.
You have the right to be present and unobtrusively record public meetings.
For more information regarding Florida Public Records and the Sunshine Law, contact the Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program, (850) 245-0140, or visit the FAQ section. Attorney General website below.
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/main/3dbe69bb9a74d5188525791b006a54e6
“How much is the fine for knowingly violating Florida public records laws?”
“Knowingly violating public records laws is a crime, a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, a $1,000.00 fine or both.”
Dear Ms. Mobley,
Who do you think will be fined $1,000.00 and spend a year in prison?
The end (not even close)