Palm Beach County Inspector General Chosen
Following two days of interviews, members of the seven-member Palm Beach County Inspector General Selection Committee have tentatively chosen the county’s first independent Inspector General (IG).
Sheryl G. Steckler was the top choice among eight finalists for the new position. She is currently the inspector general with the Florida Department of Children and Families, and is second Vice President for the National Association of Inspectors General and President for the local Chapter (Tallahassee) Association of Inspectors General.
The County Attorney’s Office will now begin negotiating a contract with Ms. Steckler which, by ordinance, will be for four years.
Click HERE for the county press release.
RCPB members were involved in the creation of the county Ethics Ordinances that passed late last year. Through public comment, meetings with commissioners and staff, drafting some of the final ordinance wording that helped guarantee the independence of the office of Inspector General, and participation on the implementation committee, we fully support the process and wish Ms Steckler well in her new role if she chooses to accept it.
Background on Sheryl Steckler from the DFC website: (Click HERE.)
Appointed Inspector General in October 2002, Sheryl’s office currently consists of three units: Investigations, Internal & Single Audit and Appeal Hearings. Ms. Steckler’s oversight includes the agency’s programs and functions which extend to the agency’s outsourced community partners as well. Ms. Steckler has worked in law enforcement and related positions for over 24 years. Prior to joining the Inspectors General community in 2002, she spent eight years as the Director for Pinellas County, Florida Consumer Protection which included Mediation, Criminal Investigations and Regulatory Oversight. Ms. Steckler was also with the Florida Auditor General’s office in Performance Auditing and Public Assistance Fraud for over nine years. Ms. Steckler is currently a Certified Inspector General and Certified Inspector General Investigator. She is an Infragard member with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (Homeland Security). She is also a former certified law enforcement officer and certified welfare fraud investigator. Ms. Steckler holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Florida State University. She is currently second Vice President for the National Association of Inspectors General and President for the local Chapter (Tallahassee) Association of Inspectors General. She has held elected positions as President and Vice President of Conferences for the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators. Ms. Steckler has also served as a member (appointed by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services) of the Florida’s Consumer Council
Action Alert! Voters' Coalition of Palm Beach County to host debate on 1% Sales Tax Increase
This was posted in the Sun-Sentinel and appeared in Sunday’s paper:
Voters Coalition hosting sales tax increase debate
> Posted by Andy Reid on April 29, 2010 06:20 PMThe Palm Beach County Voters’ Coalition on May 6 plans to host a debate over the proposed 1 percent sales tax increase to help pay for fire-rescue costs.
The Palm Beach County commission is considering allowing voters in August to decide whether to approve a “tax swap” – which calls for a 1 percent increase in the sales taxes with the money raised being used to reduce the property taxes normally designated for firefighting.
If approved, sales taxes would go up in January.
The Economic Council and firefighters union are scheduled to discuss the proposed sales tax increase at the May 6 Voters Coalition meeting.
Business leaders have raised concerns about increasing the sales tax. Firefighters support the move as a way to potentially lower property taxes and diversify fire-rescue revenue sources.
The debate begins at 1 p.m. and will be held at the South County Civic Center, located at 16700 Jog Road in Delray Beach.!
The Voters’ Coalition meeting on May 6th at 1:00 p.m. in the South County Civic Center is open to the public. No reservations nor tickets are required.
Right Nights – Uncommon Common Sense – Encore by Aubie Baltin
5:30 to 7 pm – By Popular Demand at Bear Lakes
Hear a Pin Drop as DR. AUBIE BALTIN, Publisher/Editor, “UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE” connects the dots between Communism and Progressivism.
Apply for 2010 SCHOLARSHIP by May 3 at www.gopclubpb.org
RSVP by Mon Mar 22 (561) 697-4911—BA Starkey
or e-mail: info@gopclubpb.org
RCPB Luncheon – Take Back Our Country
“Take Back our Country”
Lunch – Bear Lakes Country Club
AMBASSADOR AL HOFFMAN
West Point graduate, Fighter Pilot, Entrepreneur, CEO & Founder of WCI Communities, Nat’l Republican Leader, Nat’l Finance Chair for Presidents Bush 41 & 43; State Finance Chair for Jeb’s successful elections; Appointed Ambassador of Portugal by Pres. GW Bush
Lessons learned from the Democrats- How to get past being the minority party-How to get rid of the elitist tag and portray Republicans as common folk–
11:30am Meet & Greet 12:00 Program Begins
Action Alert CANCELLED – UPDATE – BCC Mtg 4/6
The County has made room in its South County facilities in Delray Beach sufficient to allow the Tax Collector staff to handle DMV licensing. At the same time – the state has delayed closure of the existing DMV facility by two months to permit Tax Collector Gannon to complete the transition.
I have confirmed that the agenda item 5B1-2 has been replaced from tomorrow’s BCC meeting agenda with:
5B-1 DELETED: Staff requests Board direction: regarding a proposed Lease Agreement with Larise Atlantis, Inc. for a new Lantana Service Center for the Tax Collector. (FDO) (Being replaced with one (1) new item)
5B-2 DELETED: Staff recommends motion contingent to 5B-1 to: A) adopt a Resolution authorizing a new Tax Collector Lantana Service Center, replacing the current suburban Lake Worth Branch and ratifying and affirming the Tax Collector’s other existing branch offices;..(FDO) (Being replaced with one (1) new item)
5B-3 ADD-ON, TIME CERTAIN 10:15 A.M.: Staff recommends motion to approve: providing the Tax Collector with expanded facilities to support the continued provision of driver’s license services in the South County area. SUMMARY: The State Department of Motor Vehicles has indicated it will close its Delray Beach office on July 1, 2010. The Board has expressed a desire to provide for the continuation of such services in the South County area and the Tax Collector is proposing to assume responsibility for such services. Staff has developed a proposed plan for providing the Tax Collector additional space within the South County Administrative Complex in which to perform such services. Essentially, the plan entails relocating the Property Appraiser from the Administrative Complex to the former West Atlantic Library building and renovating the vacated space for use by the Tax Collector. (PREM) Districts 4, 5 & 7/Countywide (HJF) (FDO)
While the final estimates aren’t in yet, it is estimated that the renovations to existing facilities will cost $1.5-$2 million and no lease expenses – whereas the original approach was going to cost $4 million plus commit the county to another $4 million in lease costs.
Thanks to all who contacted their commissioners. There is no need to attend the meeting tomorrow. For more details – here is an article in the Palm Beach Post.
ORIGINAL POST:
Stop the County from wasting $4 million!
Doug Armstrong represented South Florida 912 two weeks ago at the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and a decision was delayed by two weeks. The time as come for us to ACT. Please read the details from Dougin his post entitled The Elevator to Tax Waste in Palm Beach County and RSVP below.
The topic is Time Certain at 10:15 am on Tuesday. The County Commission Commission meets at:
Government Center
Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers
301 N Olive Ave 6th FlWhen you enter the chambers, pick up and fill out a card to speak on the topic (agenda item 5B1&2) – put together a few sentences about why you think the spending is the wrong thing to do (helps if you prepare it in advance – there’s nothing wrong with reading it – that’s what most people do!). Just sitting in the audience is NOT enough!
The brief is found on page 25 of the agenda which can be found here. The staff recommends approval of the expenditure.
We need you to come out and show that we don’t want our tax dollars spent in vain!
Election Schedule in Congressional District 19
The election is fast approaching. Polls open at all reqular polling locations on April 13, and early voting in select locations starts on Monday April 5, ending April 10 in Broward and April 11 in Palm Beach Counties.
For the location of your regular precinct polling location CLICK HERE FOR PALM BEACH, or CLICK HERE FOR BROWARD.
Early voting in Palm Beach is from 10:00AM to 6:00PM (M-F) and 10:00to 2:00PM (Saturday and Sunday), at three locations:
West Boca Branch Library
18685 State Road 7 (441)
Boca Raton, 33498
Hagen Ranch Road Branch Library
14350 Hagen Ranch Road
Delray Beach, 33446
Supervisor of Elections
240 South Military Trail
West Palm Beach, 33415
Early voting in Broward is from 10:00AM to 6:00PM (M-F) and 8:30AM to 4:30PM (Saturday), at two locations:
North Regional Library/BCC
1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard
Coconut Creek, FL 33066-1647
Northwest Regional Library
3151 University Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065-6134
RCPB March Meeting 3/24
“AMERICA, WAKE UP!”
DR. AUBIE BALTIN, Publisher/Editor “UNCOMMON COMMON SENSE”, Economic, Political, & Financial Newsletter
Connect the dots between “Communism and Progressivism” with this freethinking, contrarian maverick—the penultimate nonconformist
READ: “Freedom – A New Contract With America” and bring your questions.
See also: Capitalism the Unknown Ideal and Progressive Democrats and Neocons.
Introduction by Sid Dinerstein, Chairman, Republican Party of Palm Beach County
HOLLY BENSON, Republican Candidate for Florida Attorney General
WHERE: Bear Lakes Country Club, 1901 Village Blvd, West Palm Beach
Club Rules: Business Casual Dress (No Jeans); Please Silence Cell Phones
TIME/DATE: Wed. March 24 ; 11:30 Gathering; Buffet and Program 12-1
COST: $20 Members/ $25 Guests / Complimentary Valet Service
RSVP: by MONDAY, March 22 NOON — 561-697-4911 or email: info@gopclubpb.com
Fill the Theatre with Friends and Family at the Movies with Florida Premiere
TEA PARTY: The Documentary Film
at MUVICO, City Place, 7 pm/ ONE NIGHT ONLY, Limited Seating
Follow the struggles of five grass roots individuals and their transformation from home town rally goers and organizers to national activists in the 9-12 March on Washington.
WHERE: MUVICO’s Parisian Theatre, City Place, West Palm Beach
TIME/DATE: Wed. March 24 ; 7 p.m.
DONATION $10 Members and Guests / RESERVE TICKETS on web: www.gopclubpb.org
IN ADVANCE
RSVP: LIMITED SEATING — Call 561-697-4911 or paypal: www.gopclubpb.org
Wanted – Republican College Student in need of a $500 Scholarship
Do you know a student who could benefit from a $500 scholarship.
?
Apply for our Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship to be presented in May 2010.
Deadline to return the application is May 1 .
The scholarship is available for Palm Beach County Republican undergraduate or graduate students with minimum of 3.0 GPA.
Click here to see the application. Instructions appear at the bottom of the application.
Volunteer Poll Watchers Needed on 4/13
The Ed Lynch campaign is asking for volunteers to be poll watchers around the district on election day, 4/13/10. Poll watchers of both political parties provide a valuable service by insuring integrity of our elections. They observe what occurs inside the polling places and bring any discrepancies to the attention of the poll clerk and/or Supervisor of Elections. This is a way to participate in democracy.
Training will be provided in a class by Mark Hoch of the Republican Party of Palm Beach.
You must have official credentials from the Supervisor of Elections to be a poll watcher and the deadline to get your application in is March 29.
For more information, please contact:
Steven Rosenblum
Senior Advisor/National Media Liaison/
Internet Campaign Coordinator
Lynch for Congress-FL District 19
steve@electlynch.com
MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Vote on March 9th – municipal elections.
We keep learning over and over that EVERY VOTE COUNTS! And that all politics is LOCAL.
Vote next Tuesday, March 9th at your town or city’s elections. Voting will be from 7am-7pm at your normal polling location (with some exceptions due to FCAT conflicts at some schools). There is NO early voting for these elections, but absentee ballots can be picked up at the 4 Supervisor of Elections offices found here.
Sample ballots for your town can be found here.. Contact your municipality or the Supervisor of Elections ((561) 656-6200) if you need additional information.
Here is a list of the municipalities having elections:
Boynton Beach
Delray Beach
Greenacres
Jupiter
Lake Park
Manalapan
North Palm Beach
Ocean Ridge
Pahokee
Palm Beach Gardens
Riviera Beach
Royal Palm Beach
South Bay
South Palm Beach
Tequesta
Wellington