The Wellington Village Council added Tanya Siskind as its fifth member Wednesday after interviewing 10 applicants narrowed from a field of 30.
The council’s Seat 2 was vacated last month by Anne Gerwig upon her election as mayor, and the council held three meetings this week as part of its process to fill the vacancy.
On Monday, the 30 applicants were invited to make brief presentations to the council following its agenda review meeting. On Tuesday, the council took public comment on the applicants and chose 10 finalists. On Wednesday, the finalists were interviewed, and Siskind emerged as the consensus pick.
The council reached a consensus in the second round of naming preferred applicants.
Siskind is a member of Wellington’s Education Committee, president of the Binks Forest Elementary School PTA and vice president of the Palm Beach County Council of PTA/PTSA, where she conducts leadership training.
Siskind also has served with the Junior League of the Palm Beaches for the past 10 years. She has an MBA from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Siskind is involved with the equestrian community through her children and used to ride herself when she was younger.
During her interview on Wednesday, Siskind spoke about the great relationships she made after moving to the village and raising her family.
“People come from all over the world, and we do still have that small-town feeling,” she said. “It’s a really special place.”
Vice Mayor John McGovern asked Siskind how she would fit being on the council with her other activities.
“My question to you is you are very involved as a mother, in our schools and the county PTA,” he said. “Tell us your broader view. What are you involved in… and how you are going to fit this into a very active lifestyle.”
Siskind said she has three children each going in three different directions.
“Life is busy, but it’s balanced,” she said. “I’m definitely a great time manager. I juggle their schedules, the PTA and the county PTA, but I do have great time management skills. I definitely have the time and energy to devote to this position.”
She said if she were asked to take another leadership role with the county PTA, she would pass on that opportunity. She added that she was entering her sixth and what would be her final year as president of the Binks Forest PTA.
Councilman Michael Drahos pointed out that Siskind was one of his three choices to make the short list.
“I was impressed with your presentation, as well as your background, but here is my number-one concern with you,” Drahos said. “Clearly, you have done a tremendous job as the PTA president, and you have been asked to go so far as to tutor others, but you don’t have a lot of political experience. Do you think you can step in and hit the ground running with this council right away without having the background of political experience?”
Siskind said her experience with the PTA is comparable to council work.
“If you have ever been to a PTA meeting, you would know that it is somewhat political, and I often handle sometimes difficult situations,” she said. “I’m the type of person who would, if there is something that I don’t know, find out about it. I would research. I would talk to people involved. I would talk to people it affects and get the information that I need. I’m very good at that.”
Drahos added that there were many residents who want an equestrian on the council.
“You have offered on your résumé the fact that your family is involved in the industry and that you also live in the equestrian preserve,” he said. “Can you explain what your level of knowledge is with the equestrian industry?”
Siskind said her daughter has been riding for about three years.
“I’m not riding particularly,” she said. “I did when I was younger. I’m doing something that’s of value to the kids, because I am busy in managing their schedules. I think we’re equestrians in that we’re at the barn six days a week and at the shows. We’re involved with the Great Charity Challenge through the schools, many events, and even polo, so I’m immersed in the industry in that way.”
Councilman Michael Napoleone asked Siskind about her vision for the future of Wellington over the next 20 years and what type of growth should take place.
She said smart growth in the equestrian industry was the likely area, but not to the extent that it takes away green space, parks and other desirable aspects of the village. “Equestrian is one aspect, but we have many other residents with many other interests, and I think everybody’s interests need to be protected,” Siskind said.
McGovern asked her why she was the best person to serve over the other nine finalists.
Siskind said she is transparent and has no hidden agenda. “I’m a doer, and I think my leadership roles and my experience translate very well into the council, and I would like to be a part of it,” she said.
Gerwig asked Siskind her thoughts regarding issues with the council over the past four years.
“I think everyone in the past had been disappointed to see the negativity of some of the council goings on,” Siskind said. “I see this as a positive direction, and I think that, hopefully, is in the past, and people will be working as a team and moving forward.”
Other applicants on the short list were Jeff Browning, Tomas Bueno, Jane Cleveland, Annabelle Garrett, Bernard Godek, Sergio Guerreiro, Marcia Hayden, Stephen Levin and former Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore.
In the first selection round, Gerwig and Drahos chose Priore, while Napoleone selected Garrett, and McGovern picked Hayden.
In the second round, Drahos, McGovern and Napoleone supported Siskind, while Gerwig favored Bueno, but also supported Siskind.
“I like Tanya very much,” Gerwig said. “I know her minimally from my experience at Binks, but I respect her very much, so I’m not saying I won’t support her.”
McGovern made a motion to appoint Siskind, which carried 4-0.
ABOVE: Tanya Siskind.
Fingers crossed that this new Council will learn to work together and be professional.
We now have Council people who earn at least a 6 digit $$$,$$$ yearly income (or even a 7-8 $-$,$$$,$$$ digit income!) which is Way Above what the ‘Average’ Wellington resident $$,$$$ earns.
4 out of 5 of the Council people live in gated communities and have homes valued way above the ‘Average’ Wellington resident. They are losing touch with the ‘Average resident’ and rubbing shoulders with Higher Earning peers. Their prospective is skewed.
Let’s hope the Council will remember us ‘Average’ Wellington folk when it comes to planning, budgeting and spending. Much thought and money is focused on the ‘TOP and the BOTTOM’ sections of Wellington, while the ‘Average Wellington residents tend to be ignored and shunted to the back of the line.
Many of us ‘Average folk’ do not have HOAs or lawyers at Village meetings to be our voice. We’re exhausted from going to work, taking care of our children and homes (we have jobs outside our homes and inside our homes-we don’t hire people to do that work!)
Please Do Not Forget that Average Jane and Joe in Wellington while catering to the high end or low end residents.
As to the procedure on the verbal ranking that took place to fill the Vacant Council seat. ‘Hats off’ to the 2 Council people who asked the tough questions.
It was too bad that all the candidates were not subjected to the same tough questions. It did appear that some got softball questions, while others were drilled.
Once again, it was also very apparent that friendships were involved when it came to nominations. That’s too bad, also. A pipeline to an appointed Village seat has been formed. It’s the: If I know you or you belong to my political party- you’ll get the nod from me. That is a disservice to the Village as a whole. Too many people will be excluded. There was 1 Councilperson who did seem to avoid friendships in his nominations, though.
There were some excellent candidates who threw their hats into the ring. Let’s hope they will apply and be appointed to some volunteer Wellington Committees (are you reading this Annabelle and Jane?).
The Planning and Zoning Committee would be a key committee on which to serve.
It is also very ironic that Councilmen McGovern and Napoleone have not served on any Wellington Committee prior to one’s appointment (McGovern) and then to their both uncontested election (what a shame!)
The Village had 30 applications because the candidates all saw an easy way to avoid the scrutiny and hectic pace of running for an elected position. It’s an easier path to be appointed and than it would be to run as an incumbent in the next election.
The new Wellington Council should consider a policy when it comes to Council appointments. In ten years, people will forget the fake ranking that took place when McGovern was appointed and they will possibly forget the uncomfortableness that some Council people felt with this past Appointment Process.
3 of the Council people appeared confused when it came to what the nomination process was.
Get that whole Appointment process/policy tidied up so that future Councils will a platform to work with and get that AMENDMENT IN REGARD TO A SPECIAL ELECTION approved and on the closest ballot.
Who knows, a current Councilperson could resign before the November election and once again, Wellington residents would not be able to vote for a person of THEIR choice, but have to defer to the Council’s choice.
Fix the system!