The Dish- June 2023

DINER LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATING FORT PIERCE NUNS' MONEY

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DA Y FORT PIERCE

SHO OTIN G After a violent year in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County officials cut funding for the city's Juneteent h Peace \Valk and moved the celebratio n to Lawnwood Stadium.

According to records obtained from St. Lucie County, the annual Peace Walk, organized by Majorie Harrell cost taxpayers $4,500 last year. The event is held near 21st Street and Avenue Q. With a crime rate in Fort Pierce considerab ly higher than the national average, this year, citizens were reluctant to attend the Peace Walk and failed to pre-registe r causing the County to scale back Juneteenth festivities.

ACCOR DING TO FBI CRIME DATA, FORT PIERCE HAS A CRIME RATE THAT IS HIGHER THAN 75% OF THE STATE'S CITIES AND TOWNS OF ALL SIZES.

"The Fort Pierce crime data is frightenin g," said Jarret Romanello , ,vho was recently named the US Attorney's Office Outstandi ng Investigat or of the Year for Violent Crimes in the Middle District of Florida for his work on a FBI Task Force.

But the Fort Pierce crime problem would not stop the County from celebratin g the national holiday that commemo rates the end of slavery in the United States.

Although the Peace Walk was cancelled, the County held a Communi ty Celebratio n of Freedom on Saturday, June 10th, at Lawnwood Stadium complete with live music, vendors and food. On June 13th, the County also held the Uncro\\'ned Queens and Kings Event at the Ravert L. Fenn Center.

"We want everyone to feel safe and welcome at the Juneteenth Celebratio n," said Cathy To,vnscnd, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.

Allegany

Franciscan Ministries

The actions have caused harm to the organization and the people they aim to serve. The alleged fraudulent activities that range from embezzlement and misappropria tion of funds to false reporting and deceptil'e practices rnay be present in Fort Pierce.

A Member of Trinity Health

A spokesperson for Allegany Franciscan Ministries confirmed an ongoing law enforcement investigation and said that the Catholic non-profit organization is cooperating with investigators.

Since 2014, Allegany Franciscan Ministries Nuns have dumped nearly $7 Million into Lincoln Park through grants designed to bring Fort Pierce a compassionate, transforming , and healing presence.

But residents are questioning where the money is going and has gone, and the Regional Vice-President of the organization has been on leave since November 2022.

The Dish first reported the concerns in November 2022, when we exposed that Fort Pierce City employees took $500,000 from the Nuns and obtained city property, promising to build a mixed-use community engagement space. The group "Rooted in Change" led by city employee Vennis Gilmore has built nothing despite receiving the property and funds 3 years ago.

And following our story, Upendo Shabeez, the Regional Vice President of Allegnay, who was in charge of handing out the funds to area non-profits, was placed on indefinite leave.

The spokesperson for Allegany says the Nuns are not the target of the investigation and that they take allegations of misconduct seriously.

Sources familiar with the investigation say the non-profit fraud is a serious issue.

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In 2018, Allegany Franciscan Ministries posted this picture on Facebook. "Great day in community- 1st Celebrating Unity Day in Lincoln Park with Chief Diane Bohley-Burney, Mayor Linda Hudson and Ms. Chloe our new Catholic Volunteer in Florida with Fort Pierce Police Department 2nd, Walk-thru of final renovations of Boys & Girls Infinity Club with City Mgr. Nick Mimms, Fort Pierce Housing Ed Kiley and Will Arn1stead."

Police investigators sustained the allegation against Henry for Neglect of Duty.

And When Henry wasn't using citizens as punching bags, he was accused of threatening them.

Police Investigators sustained an internal investigation against Henry for throwing an individual to the ground and threatening him.

In one case, when Henry's son was involved in an argument with a citizen at a gas station, Henry arrived in uniform while off duty and was accused of placing his hand on his firearm and saying, "All I need is a reason."

After retiring from throwing 1-2 combos in Baltimore, Henry started "A Future Worth Fighting 4" to mentor youth and to teach them boxing.

The founder of a Fort Pierce non-profit organization that teaches kids boxing has a past worth running from.

Before Duane Henry Sr. started,"A Future Worth Fighting 4" he senred as a Baltimore Police Officer and was accused of throwing a couple of jabs and hooks at citizens.

In one case, a prisoner at the police station accused Henry of slapping him in the face, calling him a "bitch" and striking him in the mouth, causing his lip to bleed. After the assault, the prisoner alleges, Henry gave him a piece of paper with his name written on it, to let him know who did it.

In another case, a citizen accused Henry offollowing him out of a nightclub and striking him several times in the face with a closed fist.

Both complaints were administratively closed.

But Henry wasn't the only heavy-handed Baltimore Officer. When another officer held a citizen's head between a car door and the door jam, Henry \\'as accused of failing to protect a prisoner and making a false statement during the subsequent investigation.

At one point, Henry partnered with former State Representative Larry Lee and is n'orking on a facility with a covered outdoor boxing ring in the 3100 block of Avenue D, just ,vest of the Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library.

To date nothing exists there. ., j o4

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF 7'atre mSt. £11CW - - -. , . ,llf fINUUl l tUllOUH ...... "

and Director's Award to Deanna Fielden for the season's closing show, "Steel Magnolias."

The Award Ceremony closed with Rick Reed winning the Pineapple's highest honor, the Diane & John Procino Lifetime Achievement Award. Reed, Pineapple's Vice-President and longest current serving board member, was recognized for his philanthropic support and his business-savvy guidance to the of the all-volunteer non-profit organization.

Before the night was over Long announced the show line-up for the 2023-2024: Celebrating the oldest Community Theatre in St. Lucie County, the Pineapple Playhouse held its 50th Anniversary Gala on 1\ilay 20th at the Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, delicious dinner, awards presentation, live entertainment, and a raffle, all to support the performing arts. "Tonight, we honor the commitment of our community support since 1973," said Alex Yahn, the Pineapple Playhouse Board of Directors President.

The sounds of live entertainment performed by Cathernic Pirro, Jeff Smith and Molly & Frank Raimondi set the mood for the night as friends old and new anxiously awaited the announcement of the season's star performers.

The night's emcee, Gala Committee Chair, and Board Secretary Josef Long, announced the season's award winners: Best Leading Actor James Wood Best Leading Actress Heather Kilbrcth Best Supporting Actor Jeff Stanley Best Supporting Actress Molly Raimondi Best Featured Actor Ryan Webster Best Featured Actress Shelley Brietling Best Newcomer Maria Alves Best Rookie Darian Brown Long then presented the Pineapple's Volunteer of the Year Award to longtime supporter Myriam Hardy

September 2023: "Next to Normal" by Brain Yorky Music by Tom Kitt.

October 2023: "Four Old Broads" by Leslie Kimbell.

December 2023: "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever''

by Barbara Robinson.

January 2024: "Play On!" by Rick Abbott.

February 2024: "Crimes of the Heart" by Beth Henley.

April 2024: "Exit Laughing" by Paul Elliott.

The successful event was made possible by the tireless work of the 2023 Gala Committee and the event's sponsors Sweeties Diner and Giordano's Floral Creations.

"We are incredibly grateful for our community's support and excited to bring another 50 years of community theatre to St. Lucie County," Long said.

For more information about the Pineapple Playhouse visit WlVW .pineappleplayhouse.com.

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Summer is here, so kayakers can begin using the public access kayak launch St. Andrc\\'s Episcopal Academy staff hijacked during the school year.

Sweeties Owner Rick Reed built the Kayak Park at Indian River Drive and Citrus Avenue to remember the life of Sylvie Kramer, who founded Healthy Start Coalition and helped lower the county's infant mortality rate.

With limited parking, citizens regularly complain to the city that they cannot use the park because St. Andrews Upper School, which is adjacent to the park, allows their staff to use all the parking spots l\itonday -Friday.

The Dish confirmed with the school's administrator, Mandy Doss, that school staff use the kayak launch parking lot despite the school and church having ample parking in their lots. Doss told The Dish the school needs parking improvements.

On May 12th, before school started, The Dish observed six school staff members park their cars at the kayak launch. By 8:00 am, all the spots except for the handicapped spot were filled by school staff - none with kayaks. When a kayaker arrived, they had to leave because their was no parking.

Upper Academy Instructor Doug Herron told the Dish, "I didn't know we weren't supposed to park here." Another employee apologized and teacher Brittany Valequette told The Dish, "I'm not moving my car."

Later that day, the City of Fort Pierce Parking Committee voted to put 4'No Parking" signs at the park to stop St. Andrews staff from parking there.

City Engineer Jack Andrews told the Dish, "Once the signs are up, they arc enforceable."

St. Andrews staff vehicles will be subject to tow once the city installs the signs.

Despite public outcry, school staff use the parking lot daily against the park's intended use.

Several complaints have been lodged with the City of Fort Pierce yet St. Andrews staff continues to park in the lot and school and church officials refuse to stop them.

So The Dish decided to check the problem out.

City of Fort Pierce Code Enforcement Manager Peggy Arra,z told The Dish," St. Andrews Academy has not been compliant with requests to stop parking at the kayak launch II

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The City Attorney provides legal advice to the City Commission on ,•arious issues, such as zoning and land-use regulations, municipal liability, and labor and employment law. The Attorney also drafts and rcvie" s the contacts the City enters into represents the City in legal proceedings and Court cases if the City is sued.

Fort Pierce City Attorney Tanya Earley made a final demand to Mayor Linda Hudson at the May 15th regular meeting of the City Commission.

Earely, resigned on April 20, she's been employed with the City since 2019 and became City Attorney in 2021.

Earley's departure will send Fort Pierce searching of it's fifth City Attorney in eight yean. The City has been plagued with high turnover in its Legal Department. In 2018, James Messer resigned, before he could be fired following allegations of sexual harassment.

A City Official who spoke to The Dish on the condition of anonymity said The City is having difficulty retaining a City Attorney because of the reputation and improper influence of the City Mayor and Commissioners.

On May 15th, The City Commission voted to accept E:arley's resignation. Before they did, Commissioners commented on her performance.

During the meeting, Earley never mentioned why she was leaving the high-paying job or offered her plans for the future, rather when it was her time to speak, Earley said, "Whoever makes the motion, if you could include my last da)' as part of the motion, the 90 days per my contract works out to July 19th."

Records show Earley is quitting about a year shy of a three-year contract that paid her S165,000 a year.

Earley would not respond to requests for comments over alleged conflicts with City officials to see if clashes with Commissioners and the Mayor created an uncomfortable and unsatisfactory work environment, leading to her abrupt resignation.

Her resignation came just days after city leaden voted on a third extension to the Fisherman's Wharf development project in which the City has failed to meet its contractual obligation with the developer.

The revolving door of Fort Pierce City Attorneys has citizens questioning the integrity of the city's elected officials and manager. _ ~ , .1--".I.

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-ta Fort Pierce City leaders are lobbying Brightline to put a Treasure Coast stop in the Sunrise City, and no one would be happier than one high-ranking City employee who recently took a ride down to Miami with his special friend in March. No room for a spouse on this high-speed train because the City Leader was traveling with his private security guard.