I'm tired of getting beat-up
Rudeness in the Florida Legislature: a part of the Culture and it's also a part of the culture at Lake Worth city Hall. Our vice mayor says he's getting "beaten-up" but ignores, chastises and condemns the public who he bullies at every meeting.
This is a great article and it's about time that someone wrote about this ever growing problem with elected officials.
The author wrote about the Florida legislature but this is also prevalent as well as typical behavior with our city commission in Lake Worth. These elected officials, especially Scott Maxwell and Pam Triolo, ignore the fact that we, the citizens, are their bosses. They rant on an on and even get irritated with other commissioners with different views. They condemn a resident who speaks negatively towards something they have done and the Vice Mayor, Scott Maxwell, even suggested that a written comment by a resident be edited by the Mayor before reading it into the record.
Our Constitutional rights are rapidly being eroded by boors on the dais who even allow political personal attacks, citizen against citizen. We attend city commission meetings and have two minutes to tell them that 1) they have done a good job 2) they have done a crappy job, 3) offer a suggestion or tell them about a problem they have that the city might be able to help them with, agree or disagree with them. That's what we are there for; that is the only purpose and they are there to listen and to be polite--not to give lecture after lecture and raise their voice and tell us, "I'm tired of getting beat up...I'm over this" or the mayor and vice mayor telling us that they haven't listened to any part of the ITN.
The ITN and the Selection Committee's recommendations (how did these people get appointed to make any major recommendation at our beach--one city board member and five from staff?) is appearing before the commission and the public on April 28th. It is incredible to even assume that the mayor or vice mayor have not listened to the meetings as they were recorded and now in the sunshine. If you haven't listened to them and have no knowledge or a thorough understanding of the plans and what is being proposed, then you have no business making any decision on our beach or representing the people in any capacity.
Put on your big girl panties, Vice Mayor.
yes, it has become a spectacle. there is only w=one way to change all of this.
ReplyDeleteYes there is! Get control of these meetings, stop allowing shoutouts from the audience who ever they are. Have decorum all around, a little humor and stay on task. This not a Maxwell issue nor a Triolo issue, its rudeness from all involved including the loud mouths from the audience!! Its a problem that goes all ways not JUST the commission!
ReplyDeleteIf the commission was respectful, there would never be "shout-outs" from the audience. We should not have to sit there and listen to insults and lies and angry comments from the dais. If they can't handle the job and be cordial at all times, then they need to step down.
ReplyDeleteNo.... I agree with annon @ 9:12. Public commenters should not be exempt from snarky comments being met with snarky comments addressing them.
ReplyDeleteIt is called mirroring. You react the same way someone is treating you. You fight fire with fire.
It is why we don't have good quality people on either side willing to take the BS you must endure to put in full time hours for a part-time job.
I personally would never subject myself to all the ridicule and lambasting each and every one of our commission take daily.
Again.... on either side.
Let's have anyone's employee scream and shout at his boss. Do you think he would last very long? That's what's happening with this commission towards the residents, the very people who pay the taxes to keep this damn place afloat.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the face that Scott Maxwell asked the audience a question and then someone answered. He continues to engage with the audience and the MAYOR admonishes the pubic. She doesn't even address her VM who started the banter. Childish and very unprofessional. The standards are set by the elected Officials and they are not making a good example.
ReplyDeleteAhh the ole two wrongs make a right....that should help a lot!
ReplyDelete