Editorial: Now Playing: " The Real Council Members of Wellington "

By Rhonda Swan

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Those catty “housewife reality” shows have nothing on the histrionics of the Wellington village council when trying to conduct what should be routine business.

Take Monday’s special meeting to discuss hiring a village attorney. Councilman John Greene asked for the meeting because he had to leave early on April 15, when the council voted to negotiate with Laurie Cohen. The council couldn’t reach an agreement with first choice Don Dufresne because he wanted a $325,000 compensation and benefits package. The village wanted to pay between $150,000 and $175,000.

Mr. Greene said he felt excluded, and the meeting devolved into a forum about his hurt feelings. “I do feel slighted,” he said. “And I do feel like my vote is a little less important than everybody else’s.” Anne Gerwig, who with Howard Coates is often on the losing side of votes, noted that she also feels at times that her vote doesn’t count.

Mr. Greene wanted the council to reopen negotiations with Mr. Dufresne. It’s unclear why Mr. Greene is intent on giving Mr. Dufresne the job. Mr. Dufresne, though, has represented Neil Hirsch, owner of the Players Club and a long-time friend of Mr. Greene’s. As a board member of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation, where Mr. Greene works as a fundraiser, Mr. Hirsch is also Mr. Greene’s boss.

Mr. Greene made a motion to reject Ms. Cohen’s contract, which had yet to be discussed, in an effort to bring the discussion back to Mr. Dufresne, who was present and had apparently changed his mind about negotiating. Matt Wilhite seconded the motion, but it failed when Mayor Bob Margolis, Mr. Coates and Ms. Gerwig dissented.

Mr. Greene, whose face by then had turned red, stormed out like a child leaving the playground and taking his ball. “My vote doesn’t really matter, I guess,” he said as he stuffed papers in a folder. “You guys have a quorum.”

The remaining council members discussed Ms. Cohen’s contract. On Tuesday, the council voted to hire Ms. Cohen 3-2, with Mr. Greene and Mr. Wilhite dissenting. She starts Monday.

The village has been without a permanent attorney since November, when Mr. Greene, Mr. Wilhite and Mr. Margolis made the irresponsible decision to fire Jeff Kurtz, who had been with the village for 10 years, for no valid reason and with no plan for filling the position. The village faces numerous lawsuits.

Mr. Coates noted then that the decision was “reckless” and motivated only by the councilors’ inexplicable dislike of Mr. Kurtz. Mr. Coates warned Village Manger Paul Schofield that he might be next on their hit list. Mr. Coates said, “This is going to be a long four years if we keep having issues like this that come up for no really good reason.” Indeed. Village residents deserve better than this catty drama.

Rhonda Swan

for The Post Editorial Board