By Larry Barszewski
Ocean Ridge’s two newest town commissioners plan to leave office before the end of the year.
Commissioners Philip Besler and Ken Kaleel, two former office holders appointed to join the board again in April following the resignations of Martin Wiescholek and Kristine de Haseth, say they won’t continue on the board past December.
Besler announced his decision at the Town Commission’s Oct. 2 meeting, saying it was being done for “personal reasons.” Kaleel, who previously indicated that he would likely resign rather than comply with the state’s new financial disclosure requirements, then emphasized that he, too, was going. Kaleel previously served 16 years on the commission and Besler three years.
The two were appointed by a three-member commission since Wiescholek and de Haseth resigned the same night. Besler and Kaleel have not set the specific days they will resign. If the dates are staggered, one of the men may participate in naming the other’s replacement.
Both seats are up for election on March 19. The qualifying period runs from noon Nov. 6 until noon Nov. 17, giving commissioners an idea of who is interested in serving.
Commissioners could also request that those who want to be considered submit their names to them.
One scenario the commission wants to avoid is having the two resignations take effect — and then have a third commissioner abruptly resign before the seats are filled. That would leave only a two-member commission unable to conduct business, turning the appointment powers over to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A new state law requiring municipal elected officials to disclose more personal financial information has many throughout the state considering resigning before the end of the year, when the law takes effect.
Commissioners indicated they were prepared to move quickly to fill the vacancies once the resignations take effect so that the appointments remain in the commission’s hands.
Commissioner Carolyn Cassidy, herself a first-time commissioner this year, said Besler and Kaleel brought needed experience to the board following the hiring of a new town manager and the resignations of the two commissioners.
Comments
The new law is designed to clearly state where commissioners have business ties to people doing business in the municipality. The only reason a commissioner would not want to disclose that is because he/she already knows they are doing business with people that have direct or indirect business in front of them.
A lawyer who on his own webpage promotes that he deals with zoning issues for developers...one might have to wonder what those connections possibly could be that he feels he is better served to resign...
Lets find out if Mrs. Cassidy, the new Ocean Ridge Insider, as she calls herself in promotional material she is sending out, will disclose the various financial entanglements she has with her real estate business in town. Same of course for Mr. Coz and his wife who send out monthly new listing announcements for her real estate business.
And maybe we will find out how many pools are serviced and built by Pugh Pools.
Again, keep in mind that this new requirement, pushed by the Republican House, signed by DeSantis, is clearly aiming at finding out the backdoor dealings going on and bringing to light if decisions are made to serve the residents or the commissioners who are supposed to serve them!