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Commission appoints Mike Marquez to Planning & Zoning Board amid questions about prior petition
Summary
Commissioner Rosano's pick, Mike Marquez, was approved for a Planning & Zoning Board seat despite objections that he organized an online petition opposing the downtown developer agreement; the vote passed with a 3–1 roll call (Simone No).
The commission considered and approved the nomination of Michael (Mike) Marquez to the Margate Planning & Zoning Board on April 1 after a contested discussion.
Commissioner Simone said she could not support Marquez because he had started an online petition opposing the developer agreement and a 99-year lease tied to the downtown City Center project and said that strong prior advocacy could undermine the impartiality expected of an advisory board member. Commissioner Rosano defended the nomination as a normal honor-pick and said residents should be allowed to participate. Resident Rick Zucchini agreed with Commissioner Simone, saying an applicant who pre-forms strong opinions and a petition "could disqualify him" from quasi-judicial duties.
Marquez addressed the commission and said he circulated the petition to allow residents to vote on residential apartments and stressed community input. The commission voted by roll call: Simone voted No; Rosano, Casciano and Mayor Serio voted Yes, and the appointment carried.
