Palm Beach Post editorial board circumvented the news division—a very bad precedent

"It’s healing time, folks."

—Rick Christie, Editor of the Palm Beach Post editorial board, 3/15/2015

Prior to March 3, 2015, there have been no news reports in The Palm Beach Post concerning alleged inappropriate activity by Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein, Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, or Commissioners John Szerdi and Andy Amoroso. Not one single reference.

However, that didn't stop Stacey Singer at The Palm Beach Post editorial board from "making news" in her endorsement of Commissioner Christoper McVoy and candidate Ryan Maier.

Here's some 'new information' from Stacey Singer in her endorsement of McVoy/Maier on March 3rd:

For a couple of years, City Manager Mike Bornstein has been hosting a private buffet for commissioners before the public meeting.

[and . . .]

The problem is his [Commissioner John Szerdi's] business relationships with a major city developer.

[and . . .]

[Candidate Serge] Jerome is focused on taking needed steps to raise property values. He’s likely to side with the majority.

Note that there is not one single citation to a news item backing up the conclusions of Stacey Singer. If there are, from another source possibly, they are not referenced.

• City Manager Bornstein's "private buffet"? Vice Mayor Maxwell addresses that. 
• Commissioner Szerdi's "business relationships" aren't with a "developer" in Lake Worth. He works for Hudson Holdings in Delray Beach.
• Candidate Serge Jerome, Jr. "likely to side with the majority"?

The most disturbing part of Ms. Singer's endorsement is the unfair treatment of City Manager Michael Bornstein. She writes this:

[Michael] Bornstein insists the meetings are innocent of Sunshine Law violations. That’s probably true, but McVoy has asked the county’s inspector general for an opinion.

Ms. Singer has my email address. My readers would be very interested in proof that McVoy had sought an opinion from the PBC Inspector General, prior to March 3rd.

Ms. Singer, with the data/information she had available, made her endorsements in the City of Lake Worth elections. That is fine. What is not right is damaging the reputation of City Manager Michael Bornstein, including others. The words "Sunshine Law" should not be used lightly, especially by a member of The Palm Beach Post editorial board.