Martino: City... Intimidation, Humiliation, or Bullying!
April 17, 2018
Have you ever heard of a Kangaroo Court? A Kangaroo Court can be defined as an unofficial or mock court set up spontaneously for the purpose of delivering a judgment arrived at in advance; usually a verdict has in reality already been decided before the trial has begun. The term may also apply to a military court, a court held by a legitimate judicial authority, or a court held by political decree. Usually, these courts intentionally disregard legal or ethical obligations and are characterized by dishonesty and/or incompetence. The defendants in such courts are often denied access to legal representation and in some cases, proper defense.
On April 5th, at their only monthly scheduled meeting with the Public, the City Council of Palm Beach Gardens convened their unique version of a Kangaroo Court under the guise of a political decree. That’s my opinion. It might be yours, also, if you view the video of said meeting, and more particularly, agenda Item IX, the City Manager Report, which is devoid of an announced topic.
In February the City Council issued a political decree to the City Manager for a report concerning two particular residents who have continuously raised various issues and complaints at Council meetings and with the City Administration. The report was to explain the persistent complaints that have continued over time about the various issues that the two residents deemed injurious and the City’s positions and responses. It is my understanding that prior to the political decree and ultimate report, penalties and punitive measures, both lawful and otherwise, had already been meted out to the two residents in question as retribution for their indiscretions. One has had all phone calls and emails made to the City blocked and had been advised that all further contact with the City should be conducted in person or in writing. The second resident had been assessed fines totaling $150,000 which was reduced to $40,000 through mediation, and paid.
However, back to the City Manager’s “report”, which was not a “report” at all, but a 38 minute Kangaroo Court. It was a trial in absentia of the two referenced City residents which amounted to a public humiliation of them in addition to the penalties and punitive measures described above. The trial was conducted by the City Manager as Chief Prosecutor, with the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney, the City Engineer, and the Deputy Assistant City Manager as his Assistant Prosecutors. The City Council was presiding in a manner reminiscent of a sphinx. Throughout the intimidation of this trial their silence was pervasive.
The “report”, from my perspective, could have and should have been no more than a 5 minute verbal summation by the City Manager and a written account of further details, if necessary. Instead, the Public was subjected to a Kangaroo Court. It was a costly, well rehearsed, verbal and pictorial “trial” complete with charts and anecdotes, that “tarred and feathered” the residents in question without them afforded an opportunity to refute. The “innocence or guilt” of the residents in question is not mine to assess. However, their public humiliation was a senseless exhibition of bullying by an Administration that appeared to be frenzied and out of control.
There simply is no justification for this 38 minute Kangaroo Court, trial, “report”, or whatever the characterization may be, of the two referenced City residents, or any other residents for that matter. There is and are no redeeming qualities to be found in attacking residents, publicly, in this manner regardless of the circumstances, particularly, when penalties have already been assessed. This “report” should not have been scheduled for any City Council meeting agenda as presented. From my perspective, the Mayor and City Council bear the brunt of responsibility and their offices have been demeaned.
When elected officials raise their right hand to swear the oath of office the words, humiliation, intimidation, or bullying, are nowhere to be found.