Lake Worth Beach District 4 Commissioner Tom Copeland?

There will be a run-off election next Tuesday.

Please continue reading to learn more about this, a topic of discussion at the Lake Worth Beach City Commission this week at the City Commission.

And if you think it is unlikely or even impossible for Mr. Copeland to defeat incumbent Commissioner Herman Robinson then you are delusional.

The chances of Copeland becoming ‘The Accidental Commissioner’ are actually very good. Taking such strong stances on several key issues Copeland believes that damaged his candidacy but those very same positions may actually help him in a run-off.* In other words, if you support Commissioner Herman Robinson you better plan on turning out next Tuesday.

However, if the editor at The Palm Beach Post endorses Copeland again that would help Commissioner Robinson greatly when the public learns of his advocacy,

[F]or many of the better things that have been coming from city government: the license-plate readers, an internal auditor to analyze city operations, a reduction in sober homes.

The editor at The Lake Worth Herald endorsed
no one in District 4 this year.

And kudos to the editor at the Herald. The breaking news from Friday, March 15th was spot on and was headlined, “Ain’t Over Til It’s Over”.

Here is an excerpt:


The election held on March 12 produced no clear winner in race for the District Four Commissioner. A majority of 50% plus one vote is required. The two top vote getters in the four way race were incumbent Herman Robinson with 48.81% and Tom Copeland with 27.73%. Although Copeland has “conceded” the race to Robinson, the run-off is still mandated and preparations for the election are underway according to the Lake Worth City Clerk’s office.


And of this there is no doubt: Run-off elections must be a referendum question on the ballot next year. Either eliminate run-offs and make it winner take all or allow candidates to withdraw if they wish by visiting the City Clerk and making it official. What happened this year cannot happen again.

Run-off elections are the most unpredictable
of all elections.

Maybe some time soon will re-examine once again what happened in 2006.

At the end of this blog post is the YouTube video of last nights meetings at the City Commission, first the ratifying of the March 12th elections and swearing-in of Commissioner Omari Hardy followed by the regularly scheduled City Commission.

Now back to the March 26th run-off.

Copeland ended his campaign on Wednesday, March 13th. And the more concession speeches Copeland gives like the one last night at City Hall he could end up conceding himself right into the District 4 seat on the City Commission.

If elected then one could call Copeland “The Accidental Commissioner” on the theme of the movie The Accidental Tourist (1988) starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner who also both starred in the classic 1981 film noir Body Heat filmed in Downtown Lake Worth.†

And interestingly, as an aside, in the movie Body Heat the City of Lake Worth was referred to as “Miranda Beach” and last evening this City was officially renamed Lake Worth Beach and West Palm never had a beach. Maybe West Palm can have a referendum and rename itself “West Palm No Beach”?


Moving on. . .


Copeland got clobbered on Election Day, March 12th. And so did Messrs. William Joseph and Richard Guercio. However, when combined Copeland, Joseph and Guercio got 51.19% of the vote on Election Day. So because Commissioner Robinson did not get the magic 50%  +  1 vote there has to be a run-off according to City Attorney Christy Goddeau of Torcivia, Donlon, Goddeau & Ansay, P.A.

Goddeau’s opinion after researching Florida election law and precedent is follow the process to avoid any problems later on. 

This law firm representing the City of Lake Worth Beach has been representing this City for a very long time. It would be wise to take their advice and proceed with the run-off election by the PBC Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link.

Just to be very clear.

Even if Mr. Copeland decided to pack up and move to Mongolia and pursue a career in domestic yak milk production there would still have to be a run-off election on March 26th and that is not accidental in the least.

Mr. Copeland begins speaking at the 31 minute
and thirty second mark in the video.

The City Commission goes into recess at the
fifty-six minute mark and reconvenes at
the one hour and ten minute mark.

Thank You for visiting once again today and stay tuned for more information about the run-off election next Tuesday.


*Worth noting is this line on Tom Copeland’s campaign website: “Videos courtesy of Wes Blackman”.
     After many years of taking video of the debates at the Playhouse it was appreciated getting credit from a candidate. To learn more about Copeland’s positions on the major issues click on this link.

†To learn more about the 1981 classic film Body Heat click on this link.