James record as Mayor 2019
January 15, 2023
James The Commissioner:
Prior to being elected Mayor, Keith James served as the district 4 City Commissioner from 2011 – 2019. He represented the Western Communities and their interest in NO Expansion of SR 7.
“James, an eight-year commissioner, a Harvard lawyer and a stalwart supporter of term-limited Mayor Jeri Muoio, received notification a collection company garnished his city wages for repayment of a decade-old credit card debt of $1,375.
If the optics were bad, there was worse to come.
Opposition researchers for his rivals in the race dug up official records showing the intelligent and affable politico also owes the IRS more than $100,000 and was hit with two foreclosures and an eviction judgment. And they topped that off with police records from Texas of a DUI conviction from 2003.”
Voters elected him Mayor of WPB. Good for James, not good for residents, city employees or people wishing to do business with the city.
April 4th, 2019: Keith James sworn in as Mayor: Let’s examine 2019 and see what type of man the people elected.
Mayor Geri Muoio:
(1) Mayor Geri Muoio formed the African American Advisory Committee.
(2) Mayor Geri Muoio promoted Sara Mooney to Chief of Police which had to be confirmed by the City Commission. At the time Commissioner James was the only no vote.
(3) “Peace in the Streets” Former Mayor Muoio had an idea to improve the lives of young black men in the north end of the city where crime is rampart and shootings are a normal way of life.
(4) Mayor Geri Muoio signed a contract with the Lord’s Place who looked after the homeless and supplies daily lunches, clothes & housing where needed.
(5) Mayor Geri Muoio appointed Dr. Deandre Poole to Criminal Justice Advisory Commission & Sales Surtax Oversite Advisory Committee.
(1) After taking office, his very first act was to dismantle the African American advisory board. During his campaign they challenged his lack of involvement in issues that faced their community. Instead of stepping up, he eliminated everyone who would challenge him on that board.
(2) James second act was to replaced Chief Mooney with Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley along with Deputy Chief Rick Morris who were waiting in the wings. Two men to replace one good woman.
Commissioner James needed endorsements and reached out to Mayor Muoio and the PBA (Police Benevolent Association) for their endorsement and received both after he stated Police Chief Sara Mooney’s job was not in jeopardy and would remain Chief of Police.
Mayor Muoio is quoted on WPTV Channel 5 as stating:
“One of the things that’s disappointing is that he promised us all he wouldn’t change the police chief. I know the (Police Benevolent Association) asked him that question when they gave him their endorsement Now he’s taking this action, so it’s very disappointing.”
Read the story below.
(3) Mayor James ended the Peace Walks.
The walks continued monthly, always led by Chief Mooney, and residents would walk with us and say they were grateful for our presence. Homeowners asked for and received “Peace in the Streets” yard signs and displayed them proudly. Every month more signs could be found in yards,
Cops would give young children a ride on their Segway, and their smiles said it all, not to mention the goodwill and trust it created between kids and cops. Chief Mooney’s idea was to reach the young before the gangs did.
(4) James ended the contract with the Lord’s Place, and found no need to explain his actions, but he had a plan for the homeless and set it in motion in 2020.
(5) James removed Dr. Deandre Poole from both positions after he had received 3 letters from the city saying he would be re-appointed. Now I’m assuming he didn’t have a “James for Mayor” yard sign or God forbid didn’t contribute to his campaign.
James increased Fire Fee from $50.00 to $100.00 and we discovered millions had been allocated to the General Fund.
If a resident wished to address the Mayor or City Commissioners we had 3 minutes, either praise the city or air their grievance. Before James, residents spoke within 10-15 minutes after the start of the meeting. James moved “Comments by the Public” until the end of the meeting. This was a + for the mayor as he didn’t have to listen to complaints, people lost the opportunity along with folks who had to be home to cook dinner or pick up their kids. If the meeting ran longer than usual residents waited until 9-9:30 to address the Mayor or Commissioners.
James awards $8.5 million no-bid contract to PSC Security. Senior Regional Manager Willie Perez, a drinking buddy of James who sent a picture of his penis to a city employee, Sharagay V. Esposito who later sued the city.
“The city solicited competitive proposals from firms early in 2019. Administration canceled that solicitation within two weeks of James taking office in April. While competitors waited for it to be reissued, the James Administration instead recommended the City Commission hand the contract to PSC without bidding.” The Commissioners voted unanimously to award the contract to PSC. Story below.
James attempts to pay out $180,000 to a former city employee, Sharagay V. Esposito who received a lewd picture sent by Senior Regional Manager Willie Perez a personal friend of James.
“A Resolution of the City Commission of the City Of West Palm Beach, Florida, approving a Conditional Settlement Agreement Dated November 5, 2019 For $180,000.00 In The Pr-Suit Claim Matter of Sharagay V. Esposito and the City of West Palm Beach; Providing an Effective Date; and for other purposes.”
The City attempted to have Commissioners pass the Resolution listed under the “Consent Calendar’ where items are not discussed, in an attempt to hide a brewing City scandal. The City Commissioners refused to approve the Resolution. A win for the good guys.
9/27/2019 @ 2:00 PM: Two Commissioners, Neering and Ryles requested a special meeting to revisit the PSC contract. Commissioners Lambert, Peduzzi and Shoaf were a no show. No quorum, no meeting. A loss for the good guys. When it was time to re-elect Commissioners Neering and Ryles, both made the decision not to seek re-election. That speaks volumes to me. We lost 2 good men.
James was out and about and was surprised when Channel 5 reporter Wanda Moore aimed a microphone at him with more pesky questions concerning the PSC no-bid contract. Here was the question; “You had said that because of new information that has been brought to your attention you had changed your mind. Can you elaborate on what that information was?”
Mayor James said he has asked Johnson, who replaced Green, for a full review.
“She did a full review of the process and of every step taken, including the decision by staff to cancel or reject all bids without my knowledge during my first week in office.”
The end