After failing to follow the resign-to-run rule and being called out by our publication, the Orange County Commission candidate goes into damage control.
By Jacob Engels
Last Wednesday, we published an article detailing potential sunshine law violations that occurred during a campaign kickoff and fundraising reception for Betsy VanderLey.
Present at the campaign event, along with VanderLey, was fellow Planning and Zoning board member Jose Cantero and several land owners/development interests with business before the Planning and Zoning board – which VanderLey chairs.
Having multiple board members together in a private setting with land owners and development interests is just the kind of climate that would encourage these people to discuss public matters privately, a direct violation of sunshine law…and that’s what we hear may have occurred.
On the heels of our article, it seems VanderLey is moving quickly to remove all of her self induced obstacles – starting with submitting her resignation to the Planning and Zoning board, which would free her from being subjected to further scrutiny as a public official during her campaign.
Our sources tell us that VanderLey submitted her resignation late last week and that her replacement will be made public VERY SOON. The only problem? The law dictates that she should have submitted her resignation before forming a campaign, which she did not.
Something tells me we have just scratched the surface…
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
