A Waterfall of Litigation

To all,

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, news has been released that a lawsuit has been filed against Mayor Shelly Stanczky, Councilwoman Joan Lindsey, Councilman Tim Shaffer, the Councilwoman’s Husband Jerry Templer, Gary Pastorella, Delores Triana, Warren Lovely, Betty Pegram and the owners of PBCHECKTHERECORD.ORG.

So what do all these individuals have in common?  They all supported Brian Pariser’s reelection campaign and Tim Shaffer’s campaign to win Howard Tendrich’s seat.    Brian Pariser has not been named in any litigation.

OK, maybe this isn’t breaking news to everyone who lives in Palmetto Bay, but I’ve been on vacation and it’s the first chance I’ve had to write about it. 

The suit contains allegations of negligence, defamation, libel, etc., etc., etc.     Apparently, it’s judged as bad form, if not illegal, to disseminate misinformation about an individual’s (in this case Jim Ariza and Louis Medina’s) character based on apparent lies that will damage their respective reputations. 

The definition of defamation and libel is simply the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual a negative or inferior image, or in layman’s terms, a blatant lie that injures someone’s reputation.

I prefer not to detail the facts of the case, because I for one don’t want to further damage these individuals reputation more than they’ve already been damaged.  Apparently, or allegedly, the individuals named in the suit had no difficulty in that exercise.    

The real issue is that three of the individuals - Shelly Stanczky, Joan Lindsey and Tim Shaffer - named in the suit are Village of Palmetto Bay Councilmembers that should be holding themselves to a higher standard.  But once again, they may be found without the moral fiber to serve in office.

My question to these individuals, if they are found to have been libelous, is: was it really necessary to behave so poorly to get your candidates elected to office that you were willing to be devoid of any morals?  Is that the way you want to be known within this community?  Is this the face you want to show your colleagues within your profession? 

How long do the citizens of the Village have to put up with elected officials and their cast of groupies who apparently have a moral handicap?    How long must this Village be subjected to members of our Council that do not serve us in our best interest?

If they insist on acting like obstinate children then they should be punished.   Maybe the Village electorate will show their continued dissatisfaction with their behavior and vote certain incumbents out of office as they did in November 2012 or maybe we shouldn’t wait. 

In any event, they should to be held accountable if they acted improperly as alleged in the pending lawsuit against them.  We as a Village deserve better.

In the meantime, I can assure you, I will be reviewing the Village’s legal bills to ensure no legal expenses are incurred to defend any of the accused in this litigation using public money.  Be sure to keep an eye out  for my reports on this matter.

You can find the complete lawsuit on recallpalmettobay.com

David Singer