Tag Archives: Steve Geller

Why Is Steve Geller Appointing Young At Art Board Member To Broward Cultural Council?

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According to the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller (D-Tallahassee) will appoint a Young At Art (YAA) board member to the Broward Cultural Council. Agenda Item 77 states Geller wants Rebecca Bratter to be his representative on the Council. Bratter, an attorney with Greenspoon Marder, has been a YAA board member since December 2014.

As a Young At Art board member, Rebecca Bratter must be fully aware of the 2016 lawsuit filed against Broward County.

Last October, REDBROWARD reported how County Commissioners blasted Young At Art Board Chairman David Di Pietro for filing a lawsuit against the County while trying to negotiate another deal for the troubled taxpayer-funded kids museum in Davie. County Attorney Joni Coffey called it “ridiculous” while Commissioner Mark Bogen signaled the County was ready to “go to war” if YAA did not come back to the table in good faith.

David Di Pietro, husband of Judge Nina Di Pietro,  claimed the museum had no choice because the County was ready to take control of Young At Art. However, REDBROWARD showed YAA insiders laid the groundwork for the lawsuit in 2015

Earlier this year, it appeared there would be no new deal between YAA and Broward County. REDBROWARD reported  Broward County lawyers asked a judge to dismiss most of the claims made in a lawsuit filed by the taxpayer-supported children’s museum in Davie.  In February, YAA asked a Broward County Judge to stay the proceedings for another ninety days. Judge William Haury gave them just forty-five days to finalize a deal. The stay was set to expire on March 23rd.

On that very day, Broward County lawyers filed a motion to dimiss three key counts of the YAA complaint.

In April, key representatives from Young At Art visited Broward County Commissioners to discuss the matter. Representatives included museum CEO Mindy Shrago, David Di Pietro, YAA finance director Dana McLean and attorney Bruce Green. It’s unclear if Shrago’s spouse, the tempermental former judge Jay Spechler is active in negotiations.

Did David Di Pietro and the YAA legal team discuss the lawsuits with Rebecca Bratter? According to one published report, Bratter is a “rising star” in the South Florida legal world. She is the youngest shareholder in Greenspoon Marder history. The Daily Business Review, “[Bratter] became the firm’s litigation manager in 2014, is managing shareholder of the business development group and is a member of the diversity, charitable foundation and executive litigation committees.”

Seems like a no brainer that David Di Pietro and company would ask Bratter for her take on the whole matter, right?

(Over the last few weeks, REDBROWARD tried to reach Bratter for comment via telephone and email. She has not responded.)

As a former member of the Greenspoon Marder team, Geller is well acquainted with Bratter’s legal resume. She was Geller’s lawyer when he sued the Democratic National Committee in 2008.

One may ask why it matters if Rebecca Bratter is appointed to the Broward Cultural Council. It’s just another do-nothing government committee filled with flunkies and cronies, right?

Stay tuned for part two…

David Di Pietro, chairman of Young At Art board

Title-Gate: Broward Commissioners Geller & Rich Offer More Proof Politicians Out Of Touch

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A recent Sun-Sentinel story revealed new Broward County Commissioners Steve Geller and Nan Rich are obsessed over titles. As former members of the Florida Senate, Geller and Rich prefer to be addressed as Senator. “It’s not something we’ve made up. There is a book,’’ (Senator) Geller said. “I always refer to Nan as Senator Rich.”

Geller rightfully points out that proper protocol calls for one to be addressed by their highest title. 

According to the Sun-Sentinel, Geller says he doesn’t demand to be called “senator.’’ But if someone inquires, he educates them on the matter.

Come on Steve. You work for the residents of Broward County. While you’re a frequent visitor to Tallahassee, you gave up the hallowed halls of the Senate chamber and the Governor’s Club for an office in the old downtown Burdine’s.

Broward residents are worried about wasteful spending at the County level, not the titles of elected officials. Don’t you have more important things to worry about?