As we all know, the entire Palm Beach County Commission, other than Paulette Burdick, has supported, encouraged and fought for the Atlanta Braves to bulldoze John Prince Park for a Spring training baseball stadium. They have all, other than Paulette Burdick and former commissioner Jess Santamaria, encouraged development after development even in the Ag Reserve. It is a big disappointment that one of our former Lake Worth commissioners contributed to some of their campaigns. Money talks.
What has not yet been revealed by the press is the campaign money (given to those who are up for election) by the Atlanta Braves (back scratching). Shelley Vana was term limited as a commissioner and received a resounding defeat for her quest to be the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser.
However, Hal Valeche and Mary Lou Berger are up for re-election to the Board of County Commissioners on November 8. They both had opponents from opposing Parties.
Following is their baseball campaign donations/connections...until we investigate further.
2016 Election Cycle
| Mary Louise Berger - Contributions |
| Mary Lou Berger will run against Republican Taniel Shant on Nov. 8. |
| Date | Name | Contributor | Type | Amount |
| Aug 17, 2016 | Atlanta Braves
P.O. Box 4064 Atlanta, GA 30302 Sports Franchise |
B | CHE | $500.00 |
| Shelley Vana - Contributions |
| Atlanta Braves
PO Box 4064 Atlanta, GA 30302-4064 Sports |
B | CHE | $500.00 | |
| Aug 04, 2016 | HW Spring Training Complex LLC
3233 Commerce Place, Suite B West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Sports Arena |
B | CHE | $1000.00 |
Hal Valeche will be running against Democrat, Tony Bennett on November 8.
Aug 08, 2016
| Atlanta Braves
PO Box 4064 Atlanta, GA 30302 Pro Baseball |
B | CHE | $500.00 |
Aug 08, 2016
| HW Spring Training Complex LLC
3233 Commerce Place West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Pro Baseball |
B | CHE | $1000.00 |
And Democrat Dave Kerner is running for Vana's old seat in District 3. Dave says he has not received a contribution from the Atlanta Braves and does not anticipate receiving one. He said that the contribution from HW was for the stadium being built off of 45th Street.
David Kerner - contributions
David Kerner will be running against NPA Sean Hogan on November 8. Hogan says he is against everything this present commission stands for.
Aug 19, 2016 HW Spring Training Complex LLC 3233 Commerce Place West Palm, FL 33407 Ballpark B CHE $500.00
Mack Bernard - contributions
Mack Bernard is the new county Commissioner District 7 having beat Priscilla Taylor in the primary
He received a contribution from Hudson Holdings.
Feb 29, 2016
| HH GULFSTREAM LAND HOLDINGS LLC
3299 NW BOCA RATON BLVD BOCA RATON, FL 33431 INVESTMENTS |
B | CHE | $500.00 |
What's surprising is that the Braves didn't give them the max contribution. You would think they would considering they were getting the place for free with the taxpayers building them the stadium.
ReplyDeleteShelly Vana got what she deserved. The Deomocratic party lucked out.
ReplyDeleteI trust very few of those presently in power. Thanks for showing these contributions. We need to remember this when voting. Thank the good Lord Shelly Vana did not get to be prop appraiser, that would be a very sad joke!!
ReplyDeleteI consider a vote for Hal Valeche a vote to destroy John Prince Park; he certainly won't get a vote from me for that reason. We have to remember that pay to play is rampant here, and he and Scott Maxwell seem to buddy up on this issue. I would place a bet that old Scotty is still hankering for that one million dollar finder's fee from the Braves.
Just because this issue seems to have died down, don't be fooled. The Braves have only extended in Orlando for one year.
Dave Kerner talks a good game. But so do all politicians before an election. I just found out he also has taken money from the Braves this year while proclaiming he is against them coming to John Prince Park. I believe the follow the money rule much more than the pretty election speeches. We would have had an excellent and honest representative in Drew Martin. So sorry he lost; he doesn't play the play to play game at all. We so desperately need honesty in government and honest representation.
Please spend you vote wisely, our county and homes depend on it.
Dave Kerner also got a 500.00 contribution from a Thomas McNicholas (listed on Mary Lour Berger's T-report as a lobbyist for the Atlanta Braves) 500.00
ReplyDeleteAlso ,this crappy Minto West deal and the law which allows five people not even living in an area to create a new city: Dave Kerner voted FOR that when he was in the legislature. Jeff Clemens and Irv Schlossberg voted against that nonsense!
ReplyDeleteMore back scratching: On August 19 this year Dave Kerner accepted $500 from the Atlanta Braves. (T reports). He won't get my vote with that kind of behavior. Anyone who would give away a public park for money is not representing me. Pretty speech, dirty money.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget that if the Braves do come they also come with their billionaire greedy hands out for $110-230 million from us taxpayers. On top of increased millage in Lake Worth, county sales tax 17% increase and Lake Worth Bond of $40 million.
Why, they must think we can "urinate money."
It's very sad that our officials can take money from people/corporations that will be coming before them for a vote and not have to recuse themselves.
ReplyDeleteAnd even sadder is that many of these politicians will make the wrong decision for a measly $500-$1000.
ReplyDeleteWe have to vote these drunken sailors out of office.
Amen. Send the drunken sailors to rehab.
ReplyDelete