Tag Archives: iris siple

City Manager Says Pembroke Pines Commissioner & Spouse Running Illegal “Inquisition” Of City Employees

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City manager Charlie Dodge stunned his bosses at last week’s City Commission retreat with accusations that one Commissioner was violating the city charter by conducting an “inquisition” of employees. At the end of the meeting, Dodge told Mayor Frank Ortis he had one last item to discuss. Dodge laid out evidence that a fellow commissioner “intimidated” city employees to the point they “feared retaliation” if they did not cooperate.

Charlie Dodge said, “It is really unfortunate today that I feel compelled to bring your attention…to an ongoing problem…I believe is an ongoing violation of our city charter by a member of the city commission.” He said, “There’s no other way to address this issue in a private way because that could be a violation of sunshine laws.” Dodge said he hoped for “a development of trust,” but the commissioner repeatedly questioned staff about issues and their supervisors.

Dodge said the Commissioner’s questioning “intimidated” employees and they “feared retaliation” if they did not answer the questions. Dodge said the questioning amounted to “interference with administration” which is a clear violation of the city charter.

Dodge said he shared an item to be discussed at that very meeting with one commissioner. The item was a briefing on discussions between staff and representatives of North Perry Airport. After discussing the item with the Commissioner, Dodge said he received a phone call from North Perry Airport officials asking why they had not been invited to the meeting.

Dodge said this was just the latest example of this Commissioner’s attempts to “derail” his administration.

In addition to spreading”misinformation” about Pembroke Pines water quality, Dodge said this Commissioner provided a “constant criticism of employees.”

Dodge said even the spouse of this Commissioner would contact employees to ask the same questions. Dodge called this behavior “totally unethical.”

“I want it to stop,” Dodge said. “It needs to stop.”

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION?

The Pembroke Pines Commission was stunned by Charlie Dodge’s report. Mayor Frank Ortis said contacting Perry Airport officials was “wrong” and “undermined” city staff. Calling the news was “embarrassing,” Vice Mayor Angelo Castillo apologized to city staff. City Attorney Sam Goren stated the sharing of privileged information from labor discussions, shade meetings and other issues could lead to criminal penalties. Castillo said there needs to be an investigation to see if a crime was committed. Saying her head was spinning, Commissioner Iris Siple apologized to staff. She called the alleged behavior “bullying” of city employees. Siple said she was thinking “holy *#$” while listening to Dodge. She said the behavior is “very serious stuff that [not only] crossed the line, it erased the line.” Newly appointed Commissioner Ismael Monroig said he learned in private business to respect the chain command. Monroig told Dodge he would discuss disagreements with him personally. He said he would never treat staffers so poorly. City Commissioner Jay Schwartz did not take the opportunity to address the matter and the meeting was adjourned.

WAS DODGE TALKING ABOUT COMMISSIONER JAY SCHWARTZ?

Some Pembroke Pines insiders believe Charlie Dodge’s remarks were aimed at Commissioner Jay Schwartz. During the Perry Airport discussion, Schwartz smugly declared he would give real “facts” about Airport issues. Schwartz rarely fails to mention his love of flying his small airplane.

Why didn’t Jay Schwartz speak on the matter at the Commission retreat?

We asked Jay Schwartz for comment. We will update story if he responds.

The Daughter Of Pembroke Pines Commissioner Filed Brenda Forman Ethics Complaint

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On August 2, 2017 the State of Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed a complaint filed against Broward County Clerk of the Courts Brenda D. Forman. The complaint alleged Forman violated the law during a foreclosure proceeding against her in Broward County court. The Commission ruled the complaint failed to “indicate a possible violation of…Florida Statutes” by Forman.  Brenda Forman was elected in 2016 after her husband, Howard Forman, decided not to seek re-election as the Clerk.  The Forman’s are currently going through a bitter divorce.

According to an October 11, 2017 Daily Business Review (DBR) article, the complaint was filed in July 2017 by Christine Rodriguez, “a former Broward resident.” Rodriguez told DBR she wanted someone “strong” as the new Clerk of the Courts. “I just didn’t think she had the capability. I’m happy for her family…but that doesn’t mean i think she’s right for the job,” Rodriguez said.

Upon hearing of the dismissal, Rodriguez told DBR she would file a second complaint. She said, “It’s not really to nitpick, but to make sure that everyone is on the up-and-up.”

Why would a “former Broward resident” be so interested in the Broward Clerk of Courts office? The motivation behind the complaint is never explored. While the surprise divorce of Howard and Brenda Forman shocked Browad political insiders, it has hardly been a big issue for the general public.

REDBROWARD decided to ask Christine Rodriguez about her complaint.

In telephone interview with REDBROWARD, Christine Rodriguez, she said she was born and raised in Broward. While she currently lives in the Keys, Rodriguez said her entire family still lives in Broward. She said she “keeps close tabs on things” in Broward.

Rodriguez said she was “upset” that Brenda Forman won the 2016 election.  “[Forman] won under her last name and not so much, uh, for her qualifications and education,” Rodriguez said.  One of the reasons she filed the complaint was to keep politicians honest.

Her in complaint, Rodriguez alleged Brenda Forman used her maiden name, Jenkins, in a foreclosure case. REDBROWARD asked Rodriguez how she learned this information.

“I just happened to be looking online, looking for someone with the last name ‘Jenkins’ and came across it. I spend hours looking at things.” Rodriguez said.

Christine Rodriguez said she was “shocked” by her discovery. She said, “Wait a minute that is so wrong.”

When asked if Rodriguez was specifically looking for Brenda Jenkins or anyone named Jenkins, she said she stumbled across the information. “I’m a Broward girl. I do it for a living. I was just fiddling around in my pajamas and came across it,” she told REDBROWARD.

Christine Rodriguez said, “Politicians should always be on the up-and-up and should always divulge everything so that we can be assured that there’s nothing going on and all the rules are followed.”

When REDBROWARD asked Rodriguez if she had any family members working at the Clerk of Courts office she responded, “nope.”

FAMILY TIES TO BROWARD CLERK OF THE COURTS OFFICE

In spirit of divulging everything, REDBROWARD asked why she did not divulge fact that she is the daughter of Iris Siple, the longtime Chief Administrator for the Broward Clerk of Courts Office under Howard Forman? Even though she left her position at the Clerks office in late 2016, Siple is currently a Pembroke Pines commissioner.

“She doesn’t work there anymore. You asked if I had family who ‘work’ there,” Rodriguez said.

At first, Rodriguez claimed Iris Siple was unaware of her discovery and subsequent ethics complaint. Then she admitted she had discussed the matter with Siple. Rodriguez said, “She knew I was looking into filing a complaint.”

Later on, Rodriguez said “talked to” Siple about matter, “but she didn’t know what exactly I was doing.”

When asked if she ever told anyone about her mother, Rodriguez said it was not a requirement of the ethics complaint. She told the Daily Business Review reporter she had family that worked for Howard Forman. “But she never asked a specific name like you did,” Rodriguez said.

So this was all a simple coincidence? The daughter of Howard Forman’s former chief administrator just happens to stumble across this information? Anyone who has ever used the Clerk’s website knows it is less than user-friendly. It’s highly unlikely you could find anything by happenstance.

So why would the family of Iris Siple be digging up dirt on Brenda Forman?