The scale of civility starts at the top with Christopher McVoy as the most civil. There has just been too much time observing this commission for this to be a rash judgment on who is the most civil because nothing in my mind has shifted nor has it waned. In fact, our leaders could use a few lessons.
In discussion, a Commissioner may condemn the nature of likely consequences of a proposed measure or initiative in strong terms but must avoid a discussion of personalities, and under no circumstances may he/she attack or belittle, either directly or indirectly, another Commissioner, staff or even the public.
Good sound advice? Absolutely. But this needs to be taken a step further. Our commission was elected to represent the people, ALL of the people, not just some of them. They are there to be respectful of all their constituents even those who disagree with them as well as other elected commissioners. There is no room for bullying in our city.
I continue to observe the belittling of Commissioner McVoy not only in what other commissioners say but what they do and how they handle his commentary on issues with which they disagree. Common courtesy is often times difficult for some--rolling of the eyes, sitting back in the chair, giving a smirk, inattentive or just plain "calling the question." McVoy can't see this but we can. He chooses to focus on only the issue during his commentary even when they dismiss it out of hand and he always is polite and maintains his composure. Can you even imagine a mayor giving a time limit on a commissioner's comment on a voting issue? This attitude is noticed in the chamber and from those watching on-line. This contemptuous attitude plants a seed in the minds of some people who don't really know the politics. It is a form of bullying and it needs to end.
This commission is unlike any that has preceded before them. They feed and foster a culture of fear and intimidation. This majority wants its own way no matter what. They don't listen half the time to what you say. Hell, they don't even honor the vote of the people. They don't return calls or e-mails, only to their chosen ones, and they encourage their supporters to bully other residents. I used to think that Maxwell was the biggest bully of all but the leader of this commission has far out paced him in sometimes strident intolerance making it now the norm of this "leadership."
The commission needs to remember what Elisa Stewart said, "We must listen to the truth in our opponent and we must acknowledge it....then we must listen; we must listen and listen and listen." In so many words she told them to knock off their arrogance.
We do not operate in a vacuum. Our meetings and our local media coverage are available to a wide audience online. Even Channel 12 is no longer interested in Lake Worth. Strong arming is uncool. Why should the press get its hands tied? It is time for this commission to stop the bullying, get bigger shoulders and regain civility and tolerance towards all. And we, the people, are here to keep you honest.
13 comments:
It's a shame you feel that way. Now you are going to switch from badgering Scott to badgering Pam? I have been there and listen to McVoy babble on and on about issues he knows nothing about. Yes, he's a smart guy but I have heard him say some real dumb things. He rambles and it takes a lot of time. Someone has to be in charge and Pam does it in the most polite way she can. Often he doesn't take the polite hint and continues and that is when you hear "call the question". I agree with you that he remains a gentleman through all this but never heard you complain when Scott was on the sh*t end of the stick.
5.8.13 CM Mike Bornstien Special Magistrate 'Hanging Judge' comment
Answers building inspections (Not Code) question. Listen to 23:50 mark
*of special note is at the 12:00 min Mark where he says the city
is a corporation, he's like the pres, the elected are like the board of directors and we are shareholders! WTF?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPXNTFA1oMc
New Speak: Tyrannical Manners
Old Speak: Tyrant
That makes it better?
Pam is shutting down free speech and watch the end of the last meeting when she goes after the dais - Andy "Got It" and went back after the Mayor about smoke breaks!
How can anyone listen to us if we aren't allowed to speak?
If you read the back up McVoy only makes sense because he read it and the others DO NOT!
Badger? No one is badgering here. McVoy was voted into office. He deserves some courtesy. No one ever badgered SCOTT MAXWELL when he was the minority. They just voted his position on certain issues down. No one was rude to him but I will say that he often times was less than cordial. Now that the pendulum has swung the other way, it would behoove this commission to be polite at ALL times to everyone. He shouldn't have to take a "polite hint" as he has the right to declare his position without the subtle "put downs." Babbling to you may not be to someone else on the other side of the spectrum.
Belittling, Bullying and LYING!
Village of Valor 104 RENTAL UNITS!
We are told from the dais we need homeowners but they APPROVE RENTALS which are suppose to be the problem!
Tell me again how home-ownership trumps Rentals but you're still approving them...?
Mayor Triolo, Cmrs. Amoroso, and Szerdi were not elected. All three walked into office.
Are they so arrogant because they had no opponents?
Commission McVoy also needs to show some respect to the Mayor as she runs the meeting. He constantly talks without being recognized and often will not stop talking when asked. The Mayor gives McVoy multiple opportunities to speak on each agenda items as he often has additional comments after other commissioners have spoken. From his questions and comments, it appears McVoy does not always review the backup material provided to the commissioners well in advance of the meeting. As has been said to other commissioners, it is his responsibility to reach out to staff for clarification on items prior to the meeting. McVoy also shows disrespect to the residents of Lake Worth by consistently being late for meetings. That behavior is clearly documented in the minutes.
As far as your comment that "No one ever badgered SCOTT MAXWELL when he was the minority." All I can say is you have to be kidding! But I guess you see what you want to see.
It's bad enough when this Mayor and Commission are rude to each other. It's TOTALLY unacceptable when they disrespect the public. What Mayor Pam Triolo allowed an ignorant Sheriffs deputy to do to Mr. Timm was unbelievably disgusting. And if a Commissioner just can't resist calling a citizen out and chastising them in public, that citizen should have the right to step BACK UP to the mike to POLITELY (of course ) defend themselves.If any Commissioner needs a time limit,it's Scott Maxwell! Talk about babbling! On and on and on,,,Anybody remember Nadine Burn's CONSTANT rants about everything under the sun? Or Retha Lowes confused ramblings? The Commission has it backwards. We the people (their bosses) should have at least 5 minutes to discuss our issues. The Commission ,however, should be held to two minutes per item. Who in the heck CARES what Scott Maxwell or ANY of them think about an issue? They are there to vote how WE want them to vote.And if they are confused about an issue, they should have had the issue clarified BEFORE the Commission meeting. And they definitely shouldn't be voting on the issue. Katie Mcgiveron
To the person who personally attacked someone by name,your comment was rejected. If you want to attack a person who comments here, you need to sign your name, NOT anonymous. Have the balls to stand up for your convictions. That person did.
Also, the ONLY one who understands "revisionism" is the other blogger...he rewrites history all of the time. :) We who attend meetings and actually write commentary, not take videos, get it and remember it, accurately, I might add.
Maxwell was never treated uncivilly by that former commission.
It is very obvious when you go to the city comm meetings how badly they treat McVoy, anyone can see it. It is like when you listen to Fox News, how obviously pro-Republican they are.
Bottomline, this city leaders ALL including Mcvoy and Trilo need to list to the people and heed our suggestions/advice. They are representing all of us and need to listen to us.
Civility has gone down the drain today. So sad to see all of this at meetings.
It is pathetic when Lynn's blog is the only voice we have in this city.
LOL, anonymous at 3:18...I will take that as a compliment. :)
Lynn, I am befuddled as to why you are not posting my comment..yes, I mentioned former Commissioners by name, but why would that stop you from posting my comment?
Well, can you try and re-post it? I have had some computer quirks.
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