Another Stern No: Fort Lauderdale rejects lobbyist Judy Stern from Charter Revision Board

In a contentious 3-2 vote, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission rejected the nomination of controversial lobbyist Judy Stern to the city’s Charter Revision Board, following vocal opposition from residents and a heated debate among commissioners. Stern, who was nominated by District 3 Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman, faced criticism over her ties to lobbying, her residency outside District 3, and the lack of diversity on the board.

Several Black residents of District 3 spoke during the meeting, arguing that appointing Stern, a white woman, to an already all-white board failed to represent the diversity of the district or the city as a whole. Many called for the appointment of an African-American representative to the board.

Elijah Manley, a Downtown Fort Lauderdale resident, was among those who spoke against Stern’s nomination, questioning her suitability for the position. “This is an all-white board we’re talking about. There should be an African-American voice on that board, given the history of the city of Fort Lauderdale,” Manley said. He also raised concerns about Stern’s ethics and character, and argued against allowing lobbyists to serve on city boards.

The debate over Stern’s nomination escalated when District 1 Commissioner John Herbst engaged Manley in a debate about whether lobbyists should serve on city boards at all. Critics of Stern pointed to her career as a lobbyist as a conflict of interest, while supporters argued that her experience could be beneficial.

Ultimately, Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioners Steve Glassman and Ben Sorensen voted to reject Stern’s nomination, while Commissioners Beasley-Pittman and Herbst voted in favor. The decision came amid growing calls for the city to increase representation on its boards and ensure that appointees reflect the values and demographics of Fort Lauderdale. The city commission is also expected to vote in the coming weeks on a proposal to ban lobbyists from serving on city boards, a move that could have far-reaching implications for similar appointments in the future.

Commissioner Beasley-Pittman defended her nomination of Stern, stating that her experience on the board previously and knowledge would have been an asset to the Charter Revision Board. Bealey-Pittman has also said that she struggles to find people who want to serve on boards. However, the opposition from residents and other commissioners underscored the increasing scrutiny on appointments perceived as unrepresentative or tied to special interests.

The rejection of Stern’s nomination highlights the growing demand from residents for transparency and inclusivity. As the city commission prepares to tackle the issue of lobbyist participation on boards, the outcome of that vote could set a significant precedent.

This is a developing story. The use of AI was included in the development of this story.