WPB vs. Office of Inspector General Continues
The recent election in 2015 held in WPB for Mayor and Commissioners was vital for the welfare of our city. The mayors race was particularly important and much attention was placed on it with an excellent outcome when Mayor Muoio was overwhelming re-elected.
What went completely under the radar, not raised as an issue was the City’s lawsuit against the Office of the Inspector General. (OIG)
To refresh memories the OIG was overwhelming voted on by residents who took the time to vote after 3 County Commissioners, (McCarthy, Masilotti and Newell) and 2 City Commissioners (Liberti & Exline) were sentenced to prison for various wrong doing.
It didn’t take long for the mayor and City Attorney Claudia McKenna to file the original lawsuit in an attempt to undermine the budget of the OIG. It worked! The OIG was unable to hire people needed to investigate cities under their jurisdiction. A loss for residents.
WPB Watch wrote a story on October 3, 2013 concerning the investigation of the city reimbursing former City Commissioner Kim Mitchell $7,325.00. I invite you to read it below and direct your attention to City Attorney Claudia McKenna’s answers to questions asked. WPB Watch wrote their opinion of her statements to the OIG.
“City Attorney Claudia McKenna appeared disingenuously repetitive, and vague. Ms. McKenna answered no questions, and repeatedly questioned the OIG jurisdiction over her and others, and used the word “Jurisdiction” no less that 40 times. When asked a question her response was with the words Fraud, Waste, Mismanagement, Misconduct, and Abuse 22 times. My question to Ms. McKenna would be if you believe, as stated, the OIG “has no jurisdiction over me” why did you feel compelled to accept their invitation to meet for an interview, why not decline?” Her Interview time was 42 min. where she repeated the same statements until the investigator ended the interview.
WPB Officials Disrespects OIG : WPB Gov Watch
Too add insult to injury Ms. McKenna retired from the city in April 2014 and was kept on retainer for $4,800.00 a month. In 15 months she has collected $72,000.00 from taxpayers.You good with that? How many hundred’s of thousands has the city spent to continue the lawsuit?
A new story written by the Palm Beach Post can be read below.
In March 2015 lower court Judge Catherine Brunson issued her 11 page ruling that the Town of Gulf Stream vs. PBC the costs imposed on cities to pay for the office of Inspector General are legal. Of course Judge Brunson’s ruling will be appealed which will be an added expense for the taxpayers. You good with that?
There may be new hope on the horizon with an upcoming election of 3 city commissioners Moffett, Materio and Ryan in 2016. This issue will not slide under the radar this time around, and if these 3 commissioners will not commit to ending the financing for the lawsuit, they don’t deserve to represent the citizens of WPB. Time will tell.
A Good Deal For The City?
Mr. Green as the city’s Financial Director did not do a monthly bank reconciliation for over a year meaning the difference between the city cash balance shown on a bank statement and the amount shown in the city account holder checkbook. This was reported by Marcum the city’s outside CPA who works in unison with city’s Internal Auditor and Audit Committee Members. If there were unscrupulous, dishonest employees working in the finance department who knows what kind of damage could have been done in a years time with taxpayer dollars.
Business and Rental Licenses:
The Internal Auditor Dept; which is headed by Mr. Roger Strout, has an outstanding staff who audit departments for the city. I attended the Audit Committee Meeting held on 2/27/2015 and received an excellent report from the audit dept. which included a report on business and rental licenses which is needed to conduct business in the city of WPB.
Here is a small part of their audit report.
Numerous business and rental property are operating without a license.
Rental License:
The audit department made a comparison between the city, county, and PBC Property Appraisers office to locate businesses and rental property not licensed by the city.
The city’s Development Services Department (DSD) has a policy of going back 3 years if they found property being rented. The report states there is a potential to collect $1,000,000.00 a year, and possibly $3,000,000.00 for the previous 3 years.
Business License:
A grocery store for example may need multiple licenses with the city in order to do business. A Supermarket, Pharmacies & Drug Store, Beer Wine & Liquor Store, and including an ATM license. One store = 4 licenses.
The audit dept. obtained a list of businesses licensed with the county and made a comparison with the businesses located within the city limits and found based on a sample of 60 businesses they estimate that the potential yearly revenue could amount to approximately $9,000.00 a year, or an average of $150.00 per business. Now add to that a business which also pay’s for fire and zoning inspections and possibly a Certificate of Use which could raise yearly revenues to $13,000.00 or 217.00 per business.
When the Internal Auditors report was released Mr. Green stated the report was wrong and Mr. Strout was confused about the process.
Audit: West Palm Beach not collecting all its fees | www.palmbeachpost.com
City Administrator Jeff Green has one of the most responsible job’s in the city with each department reporting to him with the exception of the Internal Auditor who the City Commission oversees. I don’t believe we are getting our money’s worth with Mr. Green and questioned why he was promoted to City Administrator when he had absolutely no experience in the field.
Mr. Green recently negotiated the purchase of 336 Flagler Drive. Below are the results.
A piece of property at 3336 Flagler Drive has the lowest point along a four block length of Flagler Drive and is prone to flooding and I agree with the city something must be done to alleviate the problem. A little history.
This property was purchased in March 1983 for $300.000.00
On March 16,2015 the City Commission unanimously voted to purchase the property. Here is my problem with the commissioners vote.
When Mr. Green was finished with negotiations the commission voted to spend
$2,950,000,00 for the land and home.
1/22/15 Anderson & Carr appraised the property for the city at $2,400,000.00
PBC Property Appraiser Total Market Value as of 12/31/14 was $1,764,000.00
The city commissioners voted to spend $1,185,603 dollars over the PBC Property Appraisers market value. I don’t find this to be in the best interest of the taxpayer, but rather in the best interest of the homeowner selling to the city. This amounts to over 980% profit. The city is not only bailing the owners out, we are enriching them also.
The city had three alternatives to alleviate the problem and they choose the most expensive option.
The property is in Commissioner Moffett’s district and she has stated she wants to see the home, which she say’s is in excellent condition, moved instead of being torn down. How much will it cost the taxpayer’s to move the home, and to where? Will the city purchase more land in which to place the home? Why not auction the house to the highest bidder, and the winner moves the home?
With the city’s purchase the land and homes in the area have increased dramatically, and the city is aware there is flooding in other area’s of Flagler and will it cost taxpayers many millions more to acquire other property. The city states:
“The city is not prohibited from paying more than the appraised value if necessary to acquire property” Because the city can doesn’t necessarily mean it should.
I believe the city should advertise for a City Administrator with experience. We can’t afford more negotiation by Mr. Green.
DVD vs Thumb Drive
It is at times an exhausting endeavor to request and receive public records request (PRR) from the city of West Palm Beach. The leaders continue to make it as difficult, and now as expensive, as possible to receive documentation. 1 example.
First Amendment Foundation letter to Jeff Green, City Administrator and Elliot Cohen, Director of TV 18. This letter is in reference to a complaint filed by a city resident who’s PRR went unanswered and ignored by the city. Please read the response below.
New Tab
10/24/14 A PRR was placed with the City Clerk for the last three invoices for the purchase of DVD and Thumb Drive purchased by the city.
Here is the results of that request.
12/9/2009: 200 DVD purchased at a cost of $87.96 or $.4398 ea. (Office Depot)
6/11/2013: 400 DVD purchased at a cost of $395.58 or $.98895 ea. (VSA Inc.)
1/6/2014: 300 DVD purchased at a cost of $105.72 or $.3524 ea. (B&H)
The three invoices average out to $.65 ea.for the DVD
The city provided one invoice for a Thumb Drive.
11/ 2014 Purchased 5 at a cost of $49.95 or $9.99 ea.
Coupon for $20.00 discount for a cost of $5.99 ea.
Elliot Cohen at a public meeting when asked about the decision to change from DVD to Thumb Drives told the mayor and commissioners it was less expensive. Really?
When a complaint is filed with the OIG or the PBC COE their office request a copy of the city meeting when the residents has concerns of improper management.
The resident filing the complaint request a copy of the meeting and provides the DVD with all pertinent documentation to be investigated. The WPB DVD is imprinted with the city logo and includes the date, time, and type of meeting. Both agencies request DVD with the city logo imprinted on it.
Residents could request a copy of any meeting and it was made available within two day’s, and residents were not charged for the copy of the meeting due to the inexpensive cost of the DVD. There is no labor charge for a meeting to be copied.
Here is an e-mail sent to the City Clerk on March 19,2015. Over 5 weeks have passed with no response from the city.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Date: 03/19/2015 09:02 AM
Subject: Copies of CD
——————————————————————————–
Good morning Ms. Cobb,
Debbie Finnie filed a complaint with The First Amendment Foundation, and you can view the letter she received from them below.
Previously when complaints were filled with the PBC Commission on Ethics or the Office of the Inspector General both agencies required copies of WPB CD to have it’s logo printed on the CD. (We could not make copies and present them to either agencies)
With that said could you please give me the procedure for requesting copies of meetings on CD.
Please confirm e-mail received
Thanks
Sandy Matkivich
Subject: Re: Copies of CD
Date: 3/27/2015 10:02:48 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Good morning Sandy,
I wanted to follow up on your request. I emailed the City Attorney and asked for direction when your email was initially received. I followed up on Wednesday, March 25th, and am waiting for a response. I apologize for the delay and will let you know as soon as I receive a reply.
Thank you,
Venice P. Cobb
Deputy City Clerk
City of West Palm Beach
401 Clematis Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-822-1206 Fax: 561-822-1214
Email: [email protected]
The City of West Palm Beach is governed by the Public Records Act as set forth in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. E-mails are subject to the Public Records Act and are public records subject to disclosure. All e-mails sent and received are retained as public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in a response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
It is now been five weeks with no response from the city. Why the clerk felt it necessary to forward my e-mail to the city attorney Kimberly L. Rothenburg and why she hasn’t responded would be a guess on my part. My guess would have to be the city doesn’t want the information known.
Mayor Muoio has placed on the agenda for city commission meeting for
4/27/15 Ms. Rothenburg name for appointment as City Attorney replacing former City Attorney Claudia McKenna. If you have followed city politics you are aware of McKenna’s leadership of the attorneys office. So many bad decisions coming from her office. Ms. Rothenburg
worked under the direction of Ms. McKenna. What do you think?
Judge Brunson’s Opinion on the OIG Funding.
A long awaited decision has been reached concerning the funding for the Office of Inspector General.
Circuit Court Judge Catherine Brunson ruled in the case, Town of Gulf Stream vs. Palm Beach County, the costs imposed on cities across Palm Beach County to pay for the Office of the Inspector General are legal.
The lawsuit led by West Palm Beach elected officials and former City Attorney Claudia McKenna hopefully is over and the city will not spend any more tax dollars to appeal the ruling that residents overwhelmingly voted for after three County Commissioners, Mary McCarty, Warren Newell and Tony Masilotti, along with two West Palm Beach City Commissioners Jim Exline and Ray Liberti were sentenced to Federal Prison for betraying the public trust.
In my opinion this lawsuit was never about who should fund the OIG but an attempt to destroy their budget which led to minimal staffing. If the funding isn’t available the investigations aren’t available. Read Judge Brunson’s ruling here which is posted on the City of WPB website.
Newly reelected Mayor Muoio has recently stated WPB will join PBC State Attorney Dave Aronberg “Anti-Corruption Taskforce” and has pledged WPB police officer’s will be permanently assigned and will work under the direct supervision of the State Attorney’s office. I applaud Mayor Muoio on her decision to join forces and have more eyes on elected officials. I believe it’s needed, and hopefully this partnership was not put in place to replace the Office of the Inspector General.
The mayor further stated “Transparency and integrity have been top priorities of my administration from day 1”
I would encourage the mayor to allow Judge Brunson’s ruling to stand and not allow the city to waste taxpayer dollars in an attempt to appeal her decision.
Time to stop talking the talk, and start walking the walk, and fund the Office of the Inspector General. It’s long overdue.
Stories written on the OIG can be read here.
Busted
At a recent debate Commissioner Mitchell told listeners she was not concerned with the amount of endorsements that Mayor Muoio had received. It was of no consequence to her.
She was happy to report she had received the two PAC endorsements that were most important to her: City Watch and the newly formed SEPAC (South End Political Action Coalition). SEPAC was formed with the help of her BFF Commissioner Materio for the benefit of Commissioner Mitchell, Len Fintzy, and Cory Neering in the upcoming election.
In my opinion SEPAC is being marketed as a grassroots efforts borne from residents when nothing could be further from the truth. As I stated in my earlier story, “How to Steal an Election”, City Watch’s endorsements were bought and SEPAC was founded a few days before Commissioner Mitchell filed. Neither are true grassroots efforts.
I believe these are the only two endorsements Commissioner Mitchell received.
Unfortunately there was a problem with SEPAC and the “Thumb’s Up” the candidates received from them.
In able for you to fully understand the story I must mention the names of two people involved, and this is right out of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not”
Taylor Materio is the daughter of Commissioner Materio.
Taylor McLeod is the future Daughter in Law of Katherine Waldron, candidate for City Commission, District 2.
Both Taylor’s do, or have done, business with Mad Dog Mail.
Taylor McLeod received an e-mail, intended for Taylor Materio, from Mad Dog Mail asking her to approve a campaign mailer and pay the invoice for $5,929.65. Here is the e-mail received. Please read e-mail dated 3/3/15 @1:37 PM from Matt Martz, then 3/3/15 @ 7:15 PM from McLeod to Katherine. Told you it was right out of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” Ms.McLeod, & Katherine Waldron requested their e-mail address be blocked, and I blocked all e-mail addresses from publication.
From: Taylor McLeod <xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 7:15 PM
Subject: Fwd: Second piece and invoice
To: Katherine Waldron <xxxxxxxxxxx
This was just enailed to me. Im super confused.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: “Matt Martz” <xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mar 3, 2015 1:37 PM
Subject: Second piece and invoice
To: “Taylor McLeod” <xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: “Beth Kennedy” <xxxxxxxxxxxxx, “Richard Pinsky” <xxxxxxxxxxxx
Taylor,
heres the second piece and the invoice for it. If Dodger hasn’t already fedexed the first check if he could add a check for this piece to, that would help on our end
payment and approval need to be quick just like on the last piece
thanks
matt
PAC’s are not legally allowed to coordinate mailings with candidates or candidate staff. The e-mail clearly shows that SEPAC coordinated with Beth Kennedy, campaign manager for Mitchell, Fintzy and Neering, and please notice Richard Pinsky, lobbyist and ex husband of Commissioner Mitchell, was also copied.
As a result, an ethics compliant has been filed. So stay tuned…
Please see Mailer here.
Please see Invoice here.
Please read PB Post story below.
Residents Question Commissioner Mitchell’s Commitment to their Neighborhood.
Dear Neighbor,
There has been a Coalition of Neighborhoods, Businesses and Cultural Institutions hard at work to improve our neighborhood for the last 11 months. We have been advocating for the creation of a detailed urban design plan for the Dixie Corridor. Several of us in the neighborhood have been hard at work identifying private dollars which, in conjunction with a unique opportunity for the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization to utilize special planning dollars, will help realize that plan and make the corridor eligible for federal highway enhancement funds. Through Mayor Muoio’s efforts the City Planning staff was engaged to provide technical assistance. In addition, the Mayor provided funds to help fill the gap to cover the cost of the study. Although the dollar amount was small, it was the catalyst needed for moving forward. During the entire process, Mayor Muoio engaged with the community stakeholders to make sure the efforts of the South Dixie Corridor Planning Study team and the Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance team would not be in vain. Dixie Highway has been neglected for years. Fortunately for us, Mayor Muoio has become the champion for much needed change.
Along with others in the community, we have tried to dialogue with our District Commissioner, Kimberly Mitchell. But she refused to meet with any of the Stakeholders. Fortunately, the steps we have taken to implement the study did not require approval from the City Commission, as it was initiated and paid for by the community. When Commissioner Mitchell realized that our efforts had resulted in a contract with The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to begin this work, she criticized the project saying there were other neighborhoods which needed more attention than ours. She went so far as to say that the money raised from the Metropolitan Planning Organization to supplement the funds we raised privately, should go to area south of Forest Hill Boulevard. She did nothing to support the members of her District and, when given the opportunity, she criticized the plan and said she was not aware of the project. Watch the video below. Kimberly Mitchell has been our District Commissioner for 13 years and has never lifted a finger on our behalf. We did this ourselves, and now she wants to take it away. If Kim Mitchell was truly looking out for the City she would have done more to help bring about the much needed change we have all been advocating for. The neighborhoods and businesses along the Dixie Corridor have been the economic engine for our City for almost 100 years. To ignore our needs she jeopardizes our future.
Commissioner Mitchell said she didn’t know about the project. Maybe if she had attended our meetings or answered our phone calls she would have known. The bottom line is this is our neighborhood and we deserve to have elected officials who show up to do their job and not try to stall our own neighborhood improvement projects.
Kim Mitchell plays favorites. She chooses to reward her friends – many of whom are lobbyists – instead of helping our neighborhood. Kimberly Mitchell may have grown up in West Palm Beach, but she ignores the needs of our City, fails to show up for meetings, but is quick to criticize and complain that she wasn’t aware of what was going on in her own back yard. If Kimberly Mitchell becomes our next Mayor, she will work to prevent our project to improve Dixie Highway from going forward despite the fact that this is what our community wants and is willing to pay for.
That’s not what we need in a Mayor. What we need is what Jeri Muoio will provide: honest, effective leadership that will support the work that this community has begun.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and view the video. We hope you find this information as important as we do.
Gregg Weiss Andy Halper
Flamingo Park Resident El Cid Resident
Cory vs. Katherine
Here are the differences between the two candidates running for District 2.
Charter School:
Katherine: Has stated publicly she would not vote for a WPB Charter School.
Cory: Has recently stated he would not vote for a WPB Charter School.
What he neglected to tell residents was he was a Founding Father and sat on the Board of Directors of a failed Charter School named My Choice Academy. A story was previously written on 1/12/15. For more information please refer to the story below to view documentation.
Reminder: Commissioners Mitchell and Materio have pushed for WPB Charter School.
Outsourcing City Water & Sewage Plant:
Katherine: Has stated publicly she would never outsource city water or the sewage plant., and believes the plan is not in the best interest of the city or its residents.
Cory: Has stated publicly he would not outsource city water or the sewage plant.
Reminder: He is running on the Mitchell ticket, and Commissioners Mitchell & Materio have been pushing for the city to do just that. I personally believe he will vote yes on the issue. You decide for yourself. Read the story below published 12/21/14
Tent Site:
Katherine: Is in step with Mayor Muoio and want’s the land put out to bid.
Cory: I have no knowledge of Cory’s opinion on how he would vote.
Reminder: Commissioner Mitchell and Materio both want the land sold to Michael McCloskey (no bidding) along with a sweetheart deal consisting of his buying the land (appraised at 16 million) for 13 million, and then Mr. McCloskey wants the city to return 8 million to him for creating jobs. What jobs?He’s a developer?
There may be a bright side to the problem. If the newly elected officials vote not to accept the Michael McCloskey proposal, the process would be restarted and hopefully put out to bid, which I believe would be a win-win for the city and taxpayers.
Business Experience:
Katherine: Retired as VP of Sprint where she ran a nationwide sales force that grew from 40 million per year in sales revenue to 400 million a year.
She has co-founded Gamxing Inc. a software development company located in WPB and has three patents pending. A proven business woman.
Cory: Since graduating college Mr Neering has worked for non profit Planned Parenthood for 16 years and advanced to VP of Education. Mr. Neering has no business experience, although his wife has a small business located in Palm Beach Gardens.
Residents are not the problem, but the solution. Please take the time to vote on Tuesday 3/10/15.
Muoio vs. Mitchell
Here are the basic differences between Jeri Muoio and Kimberly Mitchell.
Charter Schools:
Jeri: Has listened to the public, and has committed to helping public school system.
Kimberly: Has attempted to bring a WPB privately run Charter School to the city since 2002.
Outsourcing Water & Sewage Plant:
Jeri: Not on her watch—-ever. Backed by Keith James,Sylvia Moffett, Ike Robinson.
Kimberly: Has directed staff to look into the possibility of moving the water plant, and insist the mayor and city commissioners look to Poseidon for privatization. Commissioners Mitchell and Materio, unknown to the commissioners or mayor, met privately with the ECR board with a request for privatization. Poseidon Lobbyist, Richard Pinsky, her ex. Commissioner Materio is her strongest supporter for outsourcing.
Please view Channel 5 “To the Point” interview below.
Police:
Jeri: The city has successfully negotiated with police dept. give and take on both sides.
Police fully staffed. Police have been issued body cameras. City is in the process of ordering 19 new cruisers. Painting of the police building, and other repairs. All cost are budgeted, 70 million in the annual budget and approved by the commission.
The Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Jeri for 4 more years.
Kimberly: Said in the interview this was all news to her, never heard about new police cruisers being ordered. She has heard about the body camera’s. Did she read the budget, and approve it?
Tent Site: Health & Wellness Campus to be built on the land.
Jeri: Is in favor of sending the property out to bid. The highest bidder win’s the property. She is very outspoken concerning the sweetheart deal that Kimberly is pushing for.
Kimberly: This deal must be OK with her, because she has not denied otherwise.
Wants the land sold to Michael McCloskey , a strong supporter of Kimberly’s, who is by her side at all forums and debates, while his daughter works on her campaign.
This is Kimberly’s deal. A piece of land that has been appraised for 16 million, she wants sold to him for 13 million, and, are you ready?, she wants the city to give back to McClusky 8 million dollars for creating jobs, leaving the city with 5 million. Can you imagine giving the developer 8 million dollars for creating job’s. The developer does not, repeat, does not create jobs. Business creates jobs, and if incentives are given it goes to business, and not, repeat, not, 8 million dollars.
I attended the Mayors debate 3/2/15 sponsored by the Economic Forum and the moderator was none other than retired PB Post editor Randy Schultz. One of the questions was concerning the tent site.
Here is what Kimberly Mitchell said. The City Commission has already passed the Health and Wellness Center. Mayor Muoio, appearing stunned, said Commissioner it has not been passed by the commission, Kimberly arguing back said it was.
Randy asked if there were any City Commissioners sitting in the audience, and Commissioners James and Moffett stood, and was asked if it was passed. Both replied it had not. Commissioner Mitchell’s reply. “I wish I had “my” commissioners here.
Here is what the commissioners, acting as the CRA board passed. 90 day’s for negotiations with Mr. McCloskey to come up with a proposal. No other developer invited.
Now is the time to mention Richard Pinsky, lobbyist, and ex husband of Ms. Mitchell.
Taxes:
Jeri: Budget proposal has not raised the Millage in 3 years, and she has pledged it will not be raised in 2015.
Kimberly: Also pledged not to raise taxes, while failing to mention in 2013 she voted to increase Millage 15%, and voting to raise the non-ad valorem assessment for the WPB Fire Protection 240%. That is not a typo, it’s 240%.
Writing Letters:
Jeri: Wrote 1 letter to the parole board stating the many programs that would be available to Michelle Lennon (convicted of murder) should she be granted parole, and relocate to WPB Fl.
Kimberly: Wrote 2 letters on behalf of Michelle Lennon, 1 letter on behalf of former City Commissioner Jim Exline who pled guilty to cheating the IRS, and 1 letter for Mr. Vigliotti, who pled guilty to helping mastermind $8.5 million mortgage scam. Also reported to have mob ties. Kimberly used her influence as a commissioner to appear before the judge on behalf of Mr. Vigliotti with a request to not revoke his bond. Mr. Vigliotti was arrested 2 weeks later at the Miami airport, with a one way ticket out of the country. Read the story, and the judge’s remarks to Kimberly. Read the story below.
Mitchell court letters latest salvo in bitter mayor’s race | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
If Commissioner Mitchell is chosen as WPB Mayor, along with her sure votes namely Len Fintzy and Cory Neering, and let’s not forget Commissioner Shanon Materio, who always votes with her BFF Mitchell, say hello to WPB Charter Schools, Outsourcing of city water, the Tent Site and Michael McCloskey deal, along with higher taxes.
Please take the time to vote, this election is to important to ignore. City government shapes the city and your pocketbook.
PS
Just arrived home from the Northend Coalition of Neighborhoods Debate. Commissioner Mitchell, in her final remark made a comment “No body died on my watch” referring to Mr. Herminio Padilla, who died when a grate he stood on gave way and he fell to his death. You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Ms. Mitchell used Mr. Padilla’s death from a tragic accident for political gain, and that’s just plain wrong. Shame on her.
Fishing For Votes
On Feb.19,2015 I attended the SENA (South End Neighborhood Association) Debate between the Commissioners and Mayor Muoio & Commissioner Mitchell running for election. Here are the hi-lights of the debate.
Upon arrival we were presented with an invitation to join a newly established PAC called “SEPAC” and it contained a “Preference Poll” asking our preference on candidates.
During the debate a question was asked concerning 8111 So. Dixie Hwy. The city spent 2.9 million dollars for the land in order to prevent Walmart from building, money that was not budgeted for the purchase.
Commissioner Mitchell pointed to her BFF Commissioner Materio,(sitting in the audience, and on home territory) and stated Commissioner Materio was familiar with the plans for the land and on March 11, after she was elected Mayor, she was “going to cut her lose” What does that mean? Cut her lose with more of our tax dollars? I was surprised to hear Commissioner Materio was familiar with the plans, I wish they would educate the taxpayers on their plans.
Well, anyway SEPAC was born and within the week they made their first endorsements.
SEPAC endorsed Mitchell for Mayor, Neering for District 2, Fintzy for District 4.
On Feb. 23,2015 I attended the Downtown Neighborhood Association Debate between the Mayor and commissioners running for election. I sat first row, center, best seat in the house.
At all previous debates here were the seating arrangements. Commissioner Keith James sat next to Len Fintzy (District 4) Mayor Muoio sat next to Kimberly Mitchell, and Katherine Waldron sat next to Cory Neering (District 2)
Commissioner James took his seat on the left side of the stage, Katherine Waldron took her seat on the right side of the stage, leaving a chair for their opponent. That left Mr. Fintzy and Mr. Neering standing. (Did they forget they were to sit next to their opponent?)
I sat in total amazement as Commissioner Mitchell pulled out the chair next to Ms. Waldron and directed Mr. Fintzy to sit down, she then pointed to Mr. Neering and told him to sit next to Commissioner James. Now is the time to tell you the moderator was occupied with directions to the folks keeping track of time candidates were allowed to speak. When he finished he turned and asked if everyone was ready.
Ms. Waldron questioned the new seating arrangements, and explained the District Commissioners should be sitting together. Commissioner Mitchell stood and unfortunately I didn’t hear what she said, but the moderator requested Mr. Fintzy and Neering change seats and sit next to their opponent. Ms. Mitchell appeared disappointed. Here’s where I need reader’s input. Why was it important to Commissioner Mitchell to have Fintzy & Waldron and James & Neering seated next to each other?
Fishing For Votes
Commissioner Mitchell, along with Mr. Neering & Fintzy visited Joseph’s Village, an African American retirement home, located in the northend of the city. All three were thoughtful enough to bring fish dinners with them to pass out to residents. While they were there they did ask seniors for their vote. I can’t help but wonder if they would receive the support of the residents if Commissioner Mitchell drove them by Westward Park, located in her district, and allowed them to witness the corroded railing sitting in the canal, that children walk by daily on their way to school. It is by the Grace of God no children have fallen in, and hopefully will live to see their own retirement.
In closing I would tell readers that I am a senior citizen, and we are not so easily fooled. Amen!
Keith James vs. Len Fintzy
In 2011 when Commissioner Keith James won election to the WPB City Commission, I must admit he was not one of my favorite commissioners on the dais.
I noticed a change in Commissioner James during his second term in office and he became more attuned to the residents and their concern. He “broke” from the controlling members of the commissioners, became much more independent, and free thinking.
Today Commissioner James is among my favorites on the commission due to the fact he has “led the charge” in stopping Commissioners Mitchell and Materio with their attempt to outsource our city water to a private company. With the backing of Commissioner Robinson and Moffett the issue has been put to rest, for now.
If Commissioner Mitchell is victorious in her bid for mayor the issue will be back on the table, and I am confident knowing if he were reelected he would once again lead the charge. Commissioner Moffett is voting with James on the issue, but with the retirement of Ike Robinson James would need another Commissioner to stop the project.
Katherine Waldron has stated publicly she would not support outsourcing.
I have no knowledge of where Paula Ryan stands on the issue, and she will be the new commissioner for District 3.
Commissioner James’s challenger, Len Fintzy is close enough to Mitchell I am convinced he would back her project, along with Materio.
Cory Neering is campaigning along with Mitchell and Fintzy as a team, so how do you think he will vote?
2015 will be a crucial time for WPB and I respectfully ask you to consider retaining Commissioner James to the District 4 seat. He is the best choice to keep balance on the City Commission, ensure our city water is not privatized and provide much needed experience on the City Commission.