Minutes 07-10-07
Verbatim Excerpt of Community Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting of July 10, 2007
requested by Commissioner Ron Weiland
Samantha Simons: I would like to go on record. This is Samantha Simons, Principal of
Intown, uh, regarding David Katz, because it's been an issue and I, I believe even, um
board member McKoy asked about whether we had a lobbyist, okay? David, I want to
go on record so this is all on record. We were contacted, I don't know exactly what
month, but we were contacted by board member, former board member Marie
Horenburger, that you must call David Katz, 'cause he could help you with your
projects, okay? I returned the call um to um Horenburger. She called me three times. I
met with David Katz at Starbucks Restaurant and I told him, under no uncertain terms,
were we gonna pay him to help us, but, if as a citizen of Boynton Beach, he wanted to
help us, he could but we weren't paying him. He was never gonna be a paid lobbyist
for us. He was only gonna do it on his own will. It obviously got very heated but David
Katz was quote unquote lobbying for Intown. That was never the case because again I
state he was doing it on his own will. We were asked time and time again, "are you
paying David Katz?" And I understand, I mean, not everybody's liked and some people
like some people and other people don't like others, okay? And, we got a lot of heated
discussion. I want to go on record that outside board member Weiland's office, he
asked me "when are you gonna pay David Katz?"
Chair Taylor: Thank you. (Commotion in the audience)
Samantha Simons: "When are you gonna pay David Katz?" (Commotion in audience)
Board member Weiland: Who asked you? (Commotion in audience)
Samantha Simons: You did. You did, board member Weiland (commotion in
audience), and I'm going on record today as this has been a very, very heated
discussion.
Chair Taylor: Okay. (Commotion in audience)
Samantha Simons: And I've got Richard Barron (someone saying "shush") to attest to
the facts. We never paid David Katz. However, you asked me "when are we gonna
pay David Katz?" And that's all I have for the record. Thank you. (Clapping and
commotion in audience).
Board member Weiland: If you would like... (Commotion in audience)
Chair Taylor: Excuse me.
Samantha Simons: (Walking out of Chambers) (commotion in audience) Payor play in
this City. Payor Play.
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Chair Taylor banged the gavel.
Board member Weiland: If I could make a response to that.
Samantha Simons exiting Chambers and saying something (inaudible).
Chair Taylor: I'm sorry, please, call the place to order. I'm sorry, please leave the
Chambers.
Board member Weiland: I would like to make a public statement. I met with Mr.
Barron and the girls at my office. I never made a statement of that nature and I will be
willing to take a lie detector test tonight, tomorrow morning, whenever it may be. I
know I can to go sleep tonight and know I've told the truth. I'd be willing to take a lie
detector (sic) any time somebody asks me to.
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