Back in January 2013, this commission, on a 4/1 vote with McVoy dissenting, changed the process for board appointments making it less transparent and consequently what was always political was now guaranteed to be so. The democratic public process and vetting the candidates was thrown out the window for political expediency and secrecy. Click here.
Now some are crying "foul." It seems that their "visionary," less than transparent process has some people rumbling regarding a recent volunteer board appointment. The local newspaper's editorial last week said that someone wanted to be reappointed to a board but the commissioner responsible for the appointment “had no qualms with appointing his friend to take the seat of a well qualified, active and hardworking member and leave the city with a less qualified, if qualified at all, volunteer board member while turning away a fully qualified experienced member.” Opinion is fine but it should bring forth all of the facts.
With the rotation process, each commissioner and the mayor gets to appoint people to boards. An Appointment was in front of Commissioner McVoy for P&Z. It is his right, under this commission's new rules, to appoint who he wants. McVoy appointed Elise Latorre to the Planning & Zoning board and to the Library board. John Szerdi reappointed Dean Sherwin to the Planning & Zoning board and Scott Maxwell reappointed Mark Humm.
To explain further--There were three positions up for re-consideration: Rinaldi, Humm and Sherwin. Mark Parrilla was kicked off the board due to missing too many meetings per their rules and that position had already been filled by Amoroso. Please note that Parrilla was just appointed to the Library board by Scott Maxwell. (Parrilla supported their bond issue). Szerdi had an opportunity to reappoint John Rinaldi to the P&Z as well. He didn't. The vice mayor had a chance to reappoint Mr. Rinaldi on August 19th but he reappointed Mark Humm for a term ending on July 31, 2017. Rinaldi's application to be reappointed was turned in months ago and no one reappointed him to the P&Z.
Mr. Rinaldi was taught a lesson. There will be repercussions if you go against this commission even if it is only on one issue. Free thought and free speech has consequences when you don't agree with those in power. You are automatically thrown into the enemy camp and under the bus for not agreeing with this present commission that wants to use McVoy as their talking-point political scapegoat.
Historic Preservation Board--3 year term
| Wes | Blackman, Chair |
31-Jul-2017
|
Planning Dist 3 Re-appoint Amoroso | ||
| Darrin | Engel |
31-Jul-2017
|
Prof/Architecture Dist 4 Appointment | ||
| Judith | Just |
31-Jul-2016
|
Law Vice Mayor Dist 1 Appt | ||
| Herman | Robinson, Vice-Chair |
31-Jul-2015
|
Related Field | ||
| Loretta | Sharpe |
31-Jul-2017
|
Real Estate Sales Mayor's Appointment | ||
| Jimmy | Zoellner |
31-Jul-2017
|
Citizen at Large V Mayor Dist 1 Appt | ||
| Vacant |
31-Jul-2016
|
Planning & Zoning Board--3 year term
| Cynthia | Brown |
31-Jul-2015
|
Citizen at Large/ Dist 3 Appointment |
| Mark | Humm |
31-Jul-2017
|
Citizen at Large/V Mayor's Re-Appointment |
| Elise | LaTorre |
31-Jul-2017
|
Citizen at Large/Dist 2 Appointment |
| Anthony | Marotta |
31-Jul-2016
|
Professional / Mayor's Appointment |
| Greg | Rice, Vice-Chair |
31-Jul-2016
|
Professional /Real Estate |
| Dean | Sherwin |
31-Jul-2017
|
Professional /Architect Dist 4 Re-appointment |
| Dustin | Zacks |
31-Jul-2016
|
Professional /Law |
Other appointments: John Paxman appointed by John Serdi to the CRA Board. Note that Mr. Paxman no longer lives in the City of Lake Worth (not against the rules for an appointment) but his law office is in the city.
40 comments:
While not a fan of Rinaldi, he is qualified. Humm is a waste of a pick, brings nothing to the table. Latorre will turn out to be a divisive windbag with no credentials. I am ok with political picks ,but they should be qualified.
Tell us why you think Latorre is not qualified. McVoy said that she was.
Now, let's go easy on personal attacks with no substance.
hahah. Divisive windbag? she came out against the bond. Rinaldi is not a divisive windbag? he came out against the bond. You are selective in your windbag attacks.
Of course political appointments are political. In other news, water is wet. The P&Z and Historic demolition board (oops, I meant preservation) are always stacked to the rafters with realtor/developer types.
The few times we have had some regular citizens they were quickly booted for not be qualified. I guess in order to be qualified for either board you have to be in favor of developers.
I believe one of the reasons that Mr. R was not reappointed was that he tried to push his business on a person that was before the board. Said person said there was not accommodations in the city for him to stay in, and Mr. R. From the Daiz said he should talk to him about staying at his B&B in the future.( ie. using his position for financial gain.)
I was told she found a mistake her first night on P&Z in
the back up! Good point any one of the others could've
appointed John! Yep - it's dangerous and the powers that
be do not look at unintended consequences! Like what
happens when they do not get their way! 16 - 17 Boards
is ridiculous for a city our size! When they researched it
only one other city (our size) had 5 boards. What is the fear
in talking directly to us?
Board appointments are political and everyone knows that but in my case Elise told me she did not want to be appointed if it meant taking my seat and she expressed that to McVoy who appointed her anyway. Why would a commissioner appoint someone who did not want the seat? As to pushing my business on any applicant that is a lie. I believe I mentioned to applicants bringing in out of town employees that I hoped they would favor local businesses such as our B & B's when they had to put anyone up for the night. Supporting our local businesses has always been number one for me. Fact is I told my board that there was a good chance I would not be reappointed when I publicly came out against the bond. Elise and I worked very hard to defeat the bond and became friends. She told me that she agreed to be on the P & Z after McVoy informed her there were two vacancies and the city needed her help. She called me to say how happy she was to be working with me on the board. When I told her that she would be replacing me she became upset and felt that McVoy had lied to her. She immediately texted and called McVoy to say she didn't want the seat. I was the only other applicant available to McVoy and he appointed Elise any way. So the reality is that taking a stance against the sitting majority of the commission results in the loss of a board seat. If that's what it takes I am fine with it as I will always stand up for what I think is best for our city no matter what the political consequences. The fact is that many commissioners could have reappointed me and did not. Standing up for what you believe is right is the only way for me to go.
Well, there were other reappointments there. How many come up in 2017? eleise could have refused to be seated but why would she do that. Gimme me a break.
Political appointments, well here's one for you. Loretta Sharp. The meanest person alive and qualified to ruin this town.
Oh, I LOVE Loretta. So do developers, builders, illegal banner raisers, Pam Triolo, special interests........she is the most qualified member of the HRPB. Wes and Wm waters can't hold a candle to her expertise.
Why the uproar about one board appointment ? This Commission had NO QUALMS about $hit-caning an ENTIRE ,VERY WELL QUALIFIED P&Z BOARD ! Mayor Triolo was too dim to understand why all of the applicants didn't immediately crawl back to her and the rest of her gang to beg to be reappointed.(Way to kick your volunteer citizens in their collective groins, Mayor). Don't we have paid staff in this city? WHY all of the volunteer boards ? When Wes Blackman can chair a board and get away with all of the personal attacks he is responsible for on his "blog", you begin to understand how disgusting this city has become. Katie Mcgiveron
@8:44 Rinaldi understood the bond, its ramifications, but hid behind his mantra of the bond bad for citizens. Actually, he just did not want to pony up for people who pay little or no tax. Hard not to agree with that, except he should have been honest. Latorre knew nothing about the bond but learned a little reading and reciting Rinaldis stance. Read some of her posts on facebook and you will see how clueless she was.
Like I said, if you don't agree with this commission, you are "clueless." What you posted above, at 1:33, is one big distorted lie. Elise learned a lot by studying all of the city's backup and propaganda. After she did that, she went against the bond. i think you lost the election.
Katie is right, ever since the City leaders cleaned out the boards and got rid of each and every person who was NOT a realtor, developer, architect, etc. the integrity of the board system has been called into question.
These boards should be representative of the city and not weighed in favor of those that can benefit (or their friends can benefit, etc.).
There were lots of good reasons to be against the bond, and there is nothing wrong with one of those reason's being one's own personal or business financial status.
Clearly plenty of people agreed since the bond didn't pass.
For Mark Easton to say she isn't qualified is just sour grapes. Actually he was really attacking McVoy, his usual thing to do. Elise is a professional. She may not be an attorney but she has her masters degree.
The real point here is that Elise LaTorre personally asked Commissioner McVoy not to appoint her to the P&Z Board as she did not want to take John Rinaldi's place. McVoy did what he wanted to do regardless of Ms. LaTorre's request.
1. If Elise did not want the seat, she did not have to accept it.
2. McVoy wanted to get new blood on the commission. The board is not a monopoly and there are others in the community who want to serve.
3. LaTorre is very qualified to be on this board.
4. If this commission does not like this appointment, then they can overturn it like they did the entire commission just a few years ago.
5. Not sure about a citizen at large appointment always being in the hands of District 2. Mark Humm was also a citizen at large and was appointed by Maxwell. Brown, a citizen at large was appointed by Amoroso. With a procedure as mentioned above, it would be rather undemocratic to say the least.
This is so much baloney. mcvoy, szerdi and maxwell all had an opportunity to reappoint Rinadli. Get a life.
First let me say that I believe Elise is highly qualified to be on the P & Z Board. The real issue here is the fact that McVoy manipulated Elise and the process of appointment. When a commissioner misrepresents the truth to get someone to apply for a board position and then ignores the persons request not to be appointed you have to ask why. Elise did not seek this position and had no intention of taking the seat away from me. She instead thought she was needed as there were no applicants for the spot. McVoy did not want "new blood" on the board. He knew very little about Elise and reached out to her because someone asked him to. Finally, Elise asked me a few times if I wanted her to resign and step off the board. Since we both realized that the seat would remain with McVoy to appoint a new person, and we both knew he would not appoint me, I suggested that she stay on and show McVoy that she has no intention of being a pawn. So I wish Elise the best as well as all the other good folks that volunteer their time to help our city.
John, I was sympathizing with you until now.
Hey John, Mcvoy is not the only one who "did not appoint you ". Very disappointing statements John. It brings to mind insanity like Maxwell refusing to second the budget and then screaming at fellow commissioners who did not second the budget. And Elise, how about stepping down if you agree with John Rinaldi that Mcvoy was only using you as a pawn. Otherwise,open that mouth of yours and defend Mcvoy. we don't need another fence sitting ,talks out of both side of their mouth, waffles, Elise. A thank you to Mcvoy might just be in order,right Elise ?
Why should Elise thank McVoy? He used her and was not honest with her. Elise and John are friends. That says a great deal to me and shows me that McVoy has no idea what he is doing.
Perhaps Rinaldi and Latorre both took advantage of McVoy. Perhaps McVoy can rescind the appointment. This entire thing shows that the process is not transparent and makes for hard feelings that shouldn't be there. This commission needs to go back and get it all in the Sunshine. McVoy thought he was appointing a good and qualified person who wanted to be appointed. So, what--was he fooled? When commissioners appoint you it is not unusual to say "thanks." This commission is doing its best to be divisive.
Hey Scott Maxwell,,,way didn't you appoint Rinaldi. He was qualified. You had the opportunity? Give us an answer.
Lynn I'm confused when you tell us what McVoy thought. How do you know what he thought? Elise made it very clear to him she did not want the appointment if it meant that she would be taking my seat. She was very upset with the process and called me several times telling me that McVoy was ignoring her texts and calls. McVoy knew what he was doing and there was no one being fooled except Elise. Perhaps McVoy should be the one telling us what he thought. Please don't turn the facts around to support what he did. The facts are true and need to be exposed.
It's nice to know who is friends with whom. The bullies have shown themselves.
@9:57. John, I am waiting for McVoy's call although I have communicated with him on this subject. However, once again, McVoy can appoint who he wants. That appointee can refuse the appointment. That's what should have been done in this case. You even said that you concocted a plan between you and Elise that because you believed that McVoy never would have appointed you, therefore that your friend Elise should just stay on the board as his appointee. Is this manipulation? What exactly do you call it? This is out of control. Let's just agree that Elise did not understand the facts from inception.
Elise was not "fooled" after she called you in the very beginning.
This is a joke of magnificent proportions to beat up on McVoy.
No one is turning the facts around. It seems that you and Elise had many communications on this matter. Why didn't you convince Elise to turn down the appointment if you are that into political honesty and Elise didn't want to step on your toes.
To say that this is very disappointing is an understatement.
Lynn, Else and I did not concoct a plan. She simply asked me if I thought she should resign and I told her that it was her decision but the fact remained that McVoy would not appoint me. That was his right. What we are discussing here is the fact that McVoy knowing that the person he was appointing had told him not to appoint her if it meant replacing me did so anyway. That's wrong no matter how you look at this. The commissioner manipulated the process and we are just exposing what he did.
WHY DID SHE ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT THEN???????????????????????????
McYoy appointed her because he was allowed to do so. She could have refused. She didn't. Instead, she sat on her first board meeting on October 1. You can't force people to serve? What am I missing in this argument?
It's called karma Rinaldi. Now, like 2 months ago, go back to the City Mgr and cry about not being liked and being "picked on". Don't be a sore loser
Well Lynn, you certainly like to dance around issues. Fact is McVoy knows Rinaldi is no ally. They were, for the first time, on the same side during the bond vote but for different reasons. Latorre comes off as a caver and likes Lynn, Katie, and Wapoles message. I predict she makes a run at a comm. seat. That is what all of this is about.
She accepted the appointment so McVoy could not appoint someone else as he was not appointing John. John is not upset that he was not reappointed. He is simply telling all of us went down behind the scenes. Thanks John and Elise for exposing McVoy who got caught with his pants down.
11:57. Rinaldi is no ally. Correct. Elise did not support the bond issue but she is a friend of Rinaldi's. Therefore who she "likes," which means politically, is questionable and anyone's guess. She is way too new to the city to even know what pavers and cavers are.
11:58. We are getting the report from two people involved in this appointment that one was taken advantage of by a commissioner. Unreal. If you have written proof from McVoy of his intent to manipulate this appointment and fool Elise into accepting it, then produce it. There is nothing to expose until you do that.
John was a fine member of P&Z and Elise will be the same. Lynda Mahoney, Gael Silverblatt, Robert Waples, etc. were excellent members of P&Z as well.
No one's pants are down. This is just more bad politics and frankly people are sick of it.
Here's what you're missing Lynn. Once it became apparent that should Elise resign McVoy would get the opportunity to appoint someone else he had to be stopped. Since he could have appointed one of his friends it was decided that his wild actions did not merit giving him the opportunity to appoint someone else. Therefore Elise is staying on the board to prevent McVoy from appointing anyone else. The next appointment will go back to the majority. McVoy was an ass for appointing someone who did not agree with him and i am very disappointed with his actions.
Evil alive and well in Lake Worth. So, what's new? McVoy had good intentions. He appointed someone for whom he knew was qualified. It seems that the "players" did not have the same intent that he had. I still say, who manipulated whom?
This is all too funny. No one could make this stuff up.
He appointed Latorre.
She didn't really want to be appointed if she were to replace Rinaldi.
She accepted the appointment anyway
Now it was all a conspiracy to stop McVoy from appointing someone else?
WOW!
Now tell me again, who manipulated whom?
Who was dishonest?
Does anyone really believe in this conspiracy theory besides john and the appointee who he manipulated?
TOO FUNNY!
TOO SICK!
plain and simple McVoy had a chance to support someone he thought would be an ally. I did not say Latorre knew what caver was, but she acted like one. Lynn, you and your cavers liked what she was saying because she got a lot of likes. I really do not like McVoys politics or his overall weirdness. But in this case what did he do that was wrong. I for sure would appoint an ally.
Since you have placed me in a category with which I do not agree, kindly explain what a "caver" is.
for a little trivia--this term was coined by Andrew Procyk....remember him?
Lynn if you are feigning ignorance on the term "pavers vs. cavers", then you must have forgotten to take your meds!
I am not either one, anonymous. Thanks for worrying about my meds.
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