One week after Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia’s surprise resignation from the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council, former Councilman Todd McLendon was chosen to fill her seat at a special council meeting held Tuesday, June 10.
Maniglia submitted a letter of resignation at the tail end of the Tuesday, June 3 council meeting. It was read into the record by Mayor Anita Kane.
“Together, we have had many struggles to build up this town, and in the end, we have accomplished many great things,” she wrote.
However, she noted that she has been very upset by the malicious commentary being made both in the council chambers and around the community.
“This hostile environment culminated in unwarranted physical and character attacks on me,” she continued. “At this time, I believe that stepping down in the only next move I must make in order to continue my mission for a better Loxahatchee Groves.”
Maniglia vowed to continue her service to the town.
“At this juncture, I can say with much certitude that I feel like I can be most effective not from the dais, but from the podium,” she concluded.
Maniglia was first elected to the council in 2018 and was one year into her third three-year term when she stepped down. Her resignation was effective the close of business on Wednesday, June 4.
The council agreed to hold a special meeting a week later to consider appointments to Maniglia’s now vacant Seat 1. Kane suggested putting the focus on candidates who had filed to run in the most recent election, since their necessary paperwork was already in order. Other candidates were given until Friday, June 6 to come forward.
At the special meeting on June 10, each candidate who wished to speak was given up to three minutes to address the council. McLendon was the first up at the podium.
“I’m requesting this appointment to the council confident that my proven track record demonstrates a strong commitment to our community,” he said.
McLendon was elected to the council in 2016 and served one three-year term. This past election cycle, he filed to run before dropping out before the election.
Since leaving the dais, McLendon said that he has continued to work with the sitting council members “toward the betterment of our town.”
While on the council, McLendon said that he fostered consensus among different viewpoints.
He considers his top accomplishments on the council to be reducing the speed limits on Okeechobee Blvd. and Folsom Road; mandating underground utilities; fighting the widening of Okeechobee Blvd.; advocating for the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District to become a dependent district; implementing a more restrictive sexual offender ordinance; and establishing the greenway trail system.
“My experience will allow me to seamlessly hit the ground running and continue in improving Loxahatchee Groves,” McLendon concluded.
Also addressing the council to seek the appointment were residents Bill Ford, Brian Zdunowski, Paulo Santana, William Stephens, Manish Sood and Danielle Harrity.
McLendon was not the only person to be considered for Seat 1 once the council started taking nominations. Councilman Paul Coleman first nominated Bill Ford, a longtime resident who has served on several town committees. His nomination deadlocked 2-2.
Next, Councilwoman Lisa El-Ramey nominated Manish Sood, current chair of the town’s Finance Advisory and Audit Committee. That nomination also deadlocked 2-2.
Finally, Vice Mayor Marge Herzog nominated McLendon, who was appointed to Maniglia’s vacated position on a 3-1 vote with El-Ramey dissenting.
McLendon was immediately sworn in to the position. He will serve until the next scheduled election, when the final year of the Seat 1 term will be on the ballot.
