Dear Citizens of Pahokee:

Please take the time to watch Sept. 28, 2021, Pahokee City Commission Meeting. You will be shocked, perplexed, bewildered, astonished, saddened, angered, frustrated, and above all in disbelief.

That meeting was yet another example of violation of the public trust, and downright disrespect by Bohlen, Perez, and Gonzalez. The worst example of behavior came from Attorney Bradenburg.

Since their first meeting on April 5, 2021, Perez and Gonzalez (along with Bohlen) have been on one accord to sow doubt, mistrust, allegations, question city staff’s motives, and create a hostile environment. The crescendo of these actions and behavior can be seen most evident in the June, July, and most recent meetings.

Bohlen, Perez, and Gonzalez have emboldened their handpicked Attorney Brandenburg who has exemplified this same disdain for Pahokee’s residents and community. They have allowed his hotheaded attitude to go unchecked. This has become a direct reflection of their arrogance toward the voting public. They allow a formerly fired city lawyer to overtalk, yell, disrespect, question, and interrupt citizens. This makes perfect sense since they will not answer direct questions from the local taxpayers who pay their public checks.

The most shocking part is that they terminated a professional, respectful and true public servant in Attorney Weeks. Mrs. Weeks has not once acted out like Brandenburg who claims 42 years of professional experience. As the Mayor rightfully pointed out last night, some anger management is needed. The first two enrolled in anger management classes should be Brandenburg and Perez. Attorney Brandenburg’s outbursts and general demeanor toward the mayor and citizens is indicative of his hostility to our minority community.

If Bohlen, Perez, and Gonzalez are not ashamed of Brandenburg’s attitude and actions then they are to blame as well. Furthermore, they show no willingness to challenge, correct, or reprimand him for his disruption of city proceedings. Ask yourselves, why his conduct is very different as the lawyer for the City of Clewiston? I would like to advise Brandenburg to know his role at city meetings. He should only speak when asked to read a resolution, ordinance, proclamation, as well as during Attorney Report on active litigation against the city. He can also speak when asked a legal question. In all other matters, he should refrain from speaking and attempting to run the meeting as that is the Mayor’s job. He also doesn’t run the day-to-day operations of the city so he should let his handpicked manager Thompson do that. Bohlen, Perez, and Gonzalez’s rehire of the dismissed attorney is the best example of their corruption and general incompetence.

Lastly, we witnessed a disgrace last night orchestrated by Bohlen who motioned to make Thompson permanent city manager. This was shocking as Bohlen was the main person calling for outside help in setting up a process by which a permanent manager could be selected. With last night’s actions by Bohlen, Perez, and Gonzalez they have destroyed Pahokee’s credibility with said agency. At the rate Pahokee is going no prospective manager will ever wish to come to serve our city. To hire a man with no resume or even an application on file to this day with city hall is the true injustice and corruption that the three rail against. Gonzalez’s position that Pahokee doesn’t need a qualified, credentialed, certified, degree having manager is unintelligent. His reasoning is Pahokee has not been progressing under those type of managers. Our municipal managers haven’t been making progress because they are constantly being fired by commission or resigning. Would Gonzalez accept a non-degree having doctor to treat him or an uncertified professional to serve him? Anyone who goes back and watches city meetings since April will see with crystal clear precision who is truly damaging and hindering Pahokee. I have included last night’s meeting video below as well as the website where you can watch all the city meetings.

In these short six months (April-September), it has become pathetically clear that it is beyond time for Bohlen, Perez, and Gonzalez to be removed from office. They despise when citizens and the public make comments at the meeting. I strongly encourage you to continue asking direct questions, speaking out, and holding them accountable. In the final analysis, your vote is a terrible thing to waste.

https://youtu.be/dCvFWgnESDU

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6r5fRCdlXi0Y2kEbfg5oFw/videos

With hope for a prosperous Pahokee,
David J. Ruiz
Updated Thursday, September 30, 2021