John Szerdi recommends this "green" group that doesn't pass the Smell Test

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Another non-profit wants the City of Lake Worth to give them something free.  This time it is free space at City Hall--United States Green Building Council South Florida.

On Tuesday night, the Council was endorsed by John Szerdi and City Manager Michael Bornstein, both pushing hard for a vote to allow them to have free space. The USGBC tells us that by having their headquarters' office here in the City of Lake Worth, the visibility of the City would be raised. All they want are two work stations and free wi-fi.

What does the city get out of it? It's about logo recognition and a free lunch.

• They will use our logo on everything that they do

• The City would receive 10 complimentary tickets (one table) to the Chapter’s annual GalaVerde LEEDership Awards Program ($1,250 value).

• The City would receive the opportunity to provide its marketing materials to attendees at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting of Members.

• The City would receive 15 complimentary individual Chapter memberships to be used at the City's discretion -- for employees/co-workers or as gifts to valued or prospective clients and donors ($1,125 value).

• Each member appears in the Chapter's popular online membership directory, further shining a bright marketing spotlight on the City.

What they say about themselves:  The USGBC South Florida Chapter is a nonprofit organization with more than 6,000 members and friends in South Florida, as well as solid business relationships throughout the State of Florida and the USA through the strong brand of the US Green Building Council, which is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Chapter has become the region’s strongest advocate for green and sustainable-building design and construction practices, including the LEED Certification program -- itself a positive brand. Our amazing volunteers contributed more than 11,000 hours to the Chapter last year, allowing us to continue to effectively meet our Mission of transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. Because of these efforts, we are making outstanding educational inroads from the Treasure Coast to the Keys toward a socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life here in South Florida.

They contacted John Szerdi who brought this to the commission for approval. Szerdi actually implied that Commissioner McVoy, because he spoke out against the lack of rationale about choosing one non-profit over another for special favors, must be jealous that the Council contacted him about free space and all things green.  Well, Szerdi loves to tell anyone who will listen that he is an an architect but what he never mentions is that one of the members of the USGBC is none other than Southern Waste Systems, the guys who have been around here for years--ruined our landfill and caused sickness in the Osborne community. They also gave Szerdi a campaign contribution when he first ran. 

And guess who some of its members are?
COMPANIES

CALMAC
Carlisle Development Group
GliddenSpina + Partners
GSD Contracting
Hedrick Brothers Constrctn.
Kimley-Horn & Associates
Link Construction GroupLogical Green InstituteLutron
McGraw Hill / ENR
MiaGreen Expo & Conference
Southern Waste Systems

and FPL with some prominent residents and friends of Szerdi still playing footsie with FPL wanting them to buy our Electric Utility, a utility that actually allows this city to operate, contributing highly to our general fund.

A motion was made to bring the item back for more discussion. Connect the dots. There is something very "fishy" about this entire matter. It doesn't pass the smell test.