Silencing me silences the people who elected me

When political power becomes more important than public service, the public loses. Unfortunately, that is what has happened inHallandale Beach.

We have seen an Office of Inspector General investigation that found “gross mismanagement” of our CRA swept under the rug. Nowthere’s an active investigation into a majorly flawed “community benefit” program, and an admission by an elected city official that he made a side deal with a developer before approving their massive project. Mayor Joy Coopermade mattersworse when she not only had the microphones cut off at the city commission meeting, but also had CommissionerKeith London and me removed fromthe dais for attempting to discuss Bill Julian’s public admissions of wrongdoing.

Though the mayorwill say she is trying to maintain order, hermove also has the effect of protecting her political majority. When she shuts off the microphones and silences the voices of two of the city’s elected officials, the people she is really silencing are the residents ofHallandale Beach who elected us to be their voice on the commission.

Following Commissioner Julian’s public admissions, I thought itwas important thatwe discuss howthe city plans to handle the situation before he played a role in deciding how we allocate more than $100 million of our taxpayer’s funds. Cooper thought it more appropriate to have dissenting opinions removed fromthe dais by police. Imagine in Congress, one party having the other removed fromthe floor so that they cannot debate or vote on the issues theywere elected to decide. Itwould be the leading headline on every national news broadcast and in every major newspaper in the country.

Iwill continue to raise this issue until I believe it has been appropriately addressed and remedied. I owe that to the people who elected me.

I got into politics as an advocate for animals. NowI aman advocate with a title and an important vote. I take that vote and the platform it provides very seriously.

Aswe move into election season, Iwould encourage the voters ofHallandale Beach to educate themselves on the candidates. I amone of those candidates. So is Bill Julian. We are not running for the same seat.

Voters have a chance to take back their city froma political system that is failing them. To do that, they must elect people who care more about public service than they do political power.

Our next commission meeting isWednesday at 1:30 p.m. I encourage residents ofHallandale Beach to attend and sign up to speak during public comment. Your voice matters, but it must be heard. Lazarow