10/04/2026
Anyone have Bail Money ???
Seriously, never in my life would I have ever thought that I, a lawyer in good-standing for over 30 years, would be taken away by 3 police officers from a podium during a Town Hall meeting!
If a known attorney is silenced, how are most other citizens not to fear repercussions for upholding their civic duty to make our government officials accountable?!?
Why shouldn't I inquire whether the actual technical minimum for Notice Requirements were met?
Also, that even if the actual technical minimum for Notice Requirements were met, that should Never become the Maximum effort made to inform us, as homeowners, when our community will be impacted.
I truly appreciate everyone who has reached out to give me support.
This has definitely been a bit overwhelming and upsetting.
I held a lot of admiration and a long-standing friendship with County Commissioner, Maria Sachs, who I truly applaud for her past efforts to Preserve the Reserve, as well as so much more for our State.
She was actually one of the few commissioners to vote against this proposed private school and holds an incredible civic record spanning decades as an Outstanding lawyer and government official.
In her own words:
"The Ag Reserve was created by the voters over 20 years ago to preserve our land and to ensure that Palm Beach County always had a base in its agricultural roots".
Nonethess, this past week the Commissioner and the county chose to infringe upon my 1st Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech and expression.
I was not only silenced at this meeting, prior to that I was sent a Cease and Desist regarding a flyer I created, which I thought simply encouraged attendance for this public forum.
Several people were provided the opportunity to speak at this meeting before (and after) me.
Why was I not even given the opportunity to ask my question?
Was the Commissioner acting upon her annoyance, regarding my efforts to rally people to attend this meeting?
Was she trying to preempt my questioning legal procedure of the past vote?
I attended a public meeting not to attack anyone's religion.
I took time off from work, postponing many other obligations and encouraged others to do the same, because Residents deserve to know what is happening in their community BEFORE decisions are made — not after they discover them.
Government works best when the public and its elected officials are communicating with one another!
Transparency should not be an inconvenience!
Public participation should never be an obstacle.
Communication should not begin only after hundreds and hundreds of residents become this angry!
So many came to have their Voice heard and were not permitted entry into the meeting, even though they received an email confirmation of their intent, which the County required.
One other woman was actually even escorted out in handcuffs because she wanted entry - and there were plenty of empty seats in that room.
This is just truly horrifying to me on so many levels.
This all proves that Your voice DOES count.
Every email, letter and call to your county commissioner helps make a difference.
Whatever your position may be on any particular proposal, we should all be able to agree on 1 principle:
Citizens should have a meaningful opportunity to know, to Participate, to Ask Questions, and to be heard before important decisions affecting their community are made!!
Today, I mourn not only the connection I had with a woman I once considered my mentor.
I grieve what I see as the beginning of the derogation of our constitutional rights.
However, if We ALL Stand Together, United and Determined, we WILL impact change.
🗽⚖️🇺🇲