How much money, time, and effort did commissioners Ryan Maier and Chris McVoy cost the taxpayers at the last City Commission meeting?

It's still not known how much the delay tactics by Maier and McVoy will cost. They both took advantage of Mayor Pam Triolo's absence to force items on last Tuesday's Commission agenda to a date uncertain. You'll see for yourself what Maier and McVoy did in the video below.

The Lake Worth Herald addresses this situation in an editorial titled, "The Price of Politics from the Dais". If you don't receive the Herald you can pick up the print edition at the City's news stand across the street from the Starbuck's downtown. Here are two excerpts from the editorial:

     "Calculating each and every move and the reactive moves of opponents in an effort to keep each other from advancing their agenda.

     It is a dangerous and sometimes costly game for municipalities and elected officials often don't care what the cost to the taxpayer or the municipality.
     This week, there was a public hearing on the agenda for second reading. The item was passed 3-1 on first reading. With the absence of Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell was chairing the meeting. [emphasis added] Commissioner Andy Amoroso made a motion to hear the ordinance at which time Commissioners Christopher McVoy and Ryan Maier swallowed their tongues."

[and. . .]

     "Maxwell asked for a motion, Amoroso made the motion and McVoy and Maier sat there in silence.
     Waters [William Waters, Director of Sustainability], stated it would have to be re-advertised and when asked, replied it could be several hundred dollars. Maxwell asked for the record to reflect the uncooperative nature of the commission tonight.
     This tongue swallowing act by McVoy and Maier has cost taxpayers unnecessarily. Political games like this chip away at taxpayer money and breed animosity in the community. McVoy and Maier have in the past shown they will do whatever they can to keep Lake Worth from making any progress."

[and. . .]

     "He [Maier] will continue, for the rest of his term to team up with McVoy in efforts be counter productive and stall any progress.
     Political games will continue to cost Lake Worth taxpayers, at least until the next commission election."

Below is the video showing the delay and obstruction tactic: two commissioners, Maier and McVoy, just sitting there and not saying a word. At the 30 second mark the item begins on the City's LDR's. At the 2:00 mark Commissioner Amoroso makes the motion on the item. At the 2:50 mark you'll hear Vice Mayor Maxwell say:

"Spend how much money to play along here?"

If you didn't know, both Maier and McVoy may or may not be up for re-election next year. Enjoy the video:
Now you know how every City Commission meeting is going to be, at least until March 14th, 2017.