Palm Beach County Commissioner, Shelley Vana, an easy "mark" for bullies, is your typical "bad" politician. Elected to office to represent the people in her district, she instead represents special interests, big business and shills for other politicians behind the backs of her own constituents. She even threw Century Village under the bus. She, like Scott Maxwell, NEVER reached out one time to get a point of view from those living adjacent to or across from John Prince Park..never contacted or called the ROLOH president...NOT ONCE. There is nothing worse than a self-serving, self-absorbed, narcissistic politician.
With municipalities trying every way possible to come up with revenue, neighborhoods are often sacrificed by politicians to achieve more tax base or in this case, hope that those attending Spring training baseball games will meander over to the City of Lake Worth before or after a game and spend their money. They believe in the Field of Dreams.
I remember when I used to like Shelley--when she was running for county commissioner the first time. I trusted her then--how naive of me. Boy has she learned the political, corrupt ropes of politics since that first day I sat down with her at the Lake Worth Towers for coffee. I've learned something too--how unscrupulous politicians are.
My apologies to Bob Kanjian, Republican--I should have listened to his mother. Shelley Vana beat him by 57% of the vote in a Democratic majority District and I voted for her. This was right at the time my politics began to change and my eyes were opening. Kanjian had been appointed to the seat vacated by convicted felon Warren Newell by then Governor Charlie Crist in 2007. Just taking over Newell's spot (and this was blasted all over the news) was an image buster for him. In retrospect and as development minded as Bob was, I believe that the people would have had a better playing field with him as county commissioner.
Photo credit: Sun Sentine by Carline Jean l
13 comments:
Tyrant
ty·rant
[ tī́rÉ™nt ]
absolute ruler: an absolute ruler who exercises power cruelly and unjustly
authoritarian person: an unjust and oppressive exerciser of authority
ancient Greek ruler: in ancient Greece, a ruler who took control of a state without legal sanction and governed with absolute power
I bought a home a few roads west of 95 and 7 houses south of 6th Ave. S 14 years ago. I have a good job, two school age kids who are very active in youth sports and I am very involved in my kids lives. I don't have the time or interest to attend neighborhood meetings because my kids futures are more important to me than going to meetings run mostly by people that were probably always the last to be picked for everything when they were in school so this is now their chance to be listened to. I don't talk to political supporters who go door to door, or religious fantastics at my front door for the same reason. If I want to find God I know where to go and if I want to talk to my elected officials I know were to go find them too. Neither group needs to seek me out to ask my opinion. When I first heard about JPP being considered for a sports complex I sent sent Commissioner Vana a letter in support of bringing the complex to that county park. Why shouldn't residents in the eastern part of PBC have some of the benefits of family recreational complexes that the more affluent parts of the county enjoy like Jupiter and Boca? If the few dozen vocal opponents who are using the time to time traffic delays, that will usually be in the early afternoon, or the stadium lights and sounds of families enjoying themselves for a few hours as reasons to not wanting this needed and certainly deserved improvement to that property, should go volunteer at a Boys and Girls club or some other organization and improve a kids life. It's safe to bet she heard from a lot more supporters than me when she went against the county staff opinion that JPP might not work for the field. ROLO or ROLLOFF or what ever the club is known by, stop saying you're speaking for the residents of the area when you're opposing the facility. There are a lot of us with families in the area that would like to have it in our backyard! Thank you Commissioner for listening to the people in you district.
Standing up for your convictions would have been worthy IF you had signed your name. But you didn't...just another anonymous poste4r throwing personal attacks at people standing up for their neighborhood and where they live and calling them "losers."
They did the same thing in PBGardens and the ball clubs went elsewhere. I guess they are losers too.
Every group has its leaders. Usually those who are involved excelled in school and were leaders. So to insult people with a different viewpoint just shows your ignorance and tells me that you were never a leader, not then or now 5:43.
Lynn, you are such a phony. 5:43 was not credible because she signed anonymous. 6:18 did not draw any insults from you because she is on your team.
Thanks, anonymous @ 8pm...we know who the phonies are. By the way, it's my blog so don't bother coming over here and insulting me or my friends or those in this neighborhood. Take a hike. 6:18 made sense, the other post was ranting. Yours is BS.
Shelly Vana is a treacherous COWARD.Commissioner Hal Valeche said in no uncertain terms-John Prince Park is not on the list ,has never been on the list of stadium sites and will NOT be on the list. Meanwhile Vana was too cowardly to say what she was doing behind closed doors-giving away our public park. Who in the hell does this woman think that she is? And poster at 5:43 - you are a liar. We know the people in your false location- and it certainly ain't you. I would imagine that you live somewhere EAST of Dixie. Go kiss Amaroso's azz.,if you haven't already.
What a feeble excuse, She doesn't go to neighborhood association meetings because her kids future is more important. Newsflash, your kids are growing up in the very neighborhood you choose to ignore. Many of my friends who are actively involved in N.A. have children and are very involved in their lives and are great parents. I am so glad my Mother raised me right from the very begining teaching me the importance of being involved in my community and sharing in helping others and the community as a whole. Oh and by the way I was very popluar throughout my school years always picked for sports, school plays, graduated on the honor roll which I kept from fourth grade to my senior year with a full scholarship to NYU. Don't marginalize a group of people, many not all, who are active in their community because they care enough, they possess leadership skilss they don't make EXCUSES for non involvement and we do make a difference. Your insipid comment about all people involved in N.A. having been picked on in school and just want to someone to listen to is a cowardly way for you to make a sad attempt at justifiying you apathy and non-participation. Shame on you for teaching your two children that celf centered lesson of it being all about you...wake up and smell the coffee...IT'S NOT!
Sincerely,
Mark A. Parrilla
Lynn,love the tee shirt you posted on the side. Are you having them printed to wear to the Commission meeting?
9:04 pm--the most treacherous of all is our very own vice mayor. Shelley Vana was just easily convinced through his aggressive skill at communication and "bully" tactics. When he gets through with you, you babble like a baby.
I was initially neutral on the idea of JPP as a site for spring training. My first pick was the Lantana hospital site that is be redeveloped and has to keep ball fields as part of that deal.
But, the more back room dealings that go on, the less supportive I am. If the deal is so great for the City of LW, then bring it to the public and let's discuss it.
P.S. There are lots of ways to be involved, not everyone can attend meetings due to work and family commitment. But paying attention and voicing your opinion to your elected officials does count as participation in my book. I often email the City Commission on issues that are important to me.
I think the poster at 5:43 is upset because the same group of people that always claim they speak for all the people of Lake Worth are doing it again and they don't like it. If the entire ROPLOH community was as outraged as you claim they are you would have had more than 11 people at your nature experience in the park. You are probably ignoring the residents that want the ballpark to be there. Just like you claim the poster that approves of it a phony fake or liar.
Thanks, Wes. There are a lot of people in the wings who don't get off their couch and demonstrate, banner wave during elections, or speak at city hall meetings. It does not mean there is little support. Because no one on the other side of politics bothers to show up at meetings or events anymore does not mean that people are satisfied with what's going on. Take it where the sun don't shine--you usually do.
The walk was organized at the last minute by Dorothy Brindle, a resident across from JPP.
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