A proposal with tenuous support completely collapsed after residents and city commissioners clashed during the May 26 commission meeting in Wilton Manors.

At issue was ordinance 2026-009, the “nepotism prohibition.” The idea was to prohibit the mayor and commissioners from running for office if they are “married, engaged, reside, or intend to form a household with another commissioner.” If it had passed commission on second reading, it would have gone to voters in November. 

But it didn’t, and it won’t. 

The story isn’t that a proposed charter amendment died. The story is the way it died in spectacular fashion. 

During first reading, two weeks prior, it had tepid support and the vibe of a solution in search of a problem. Resident Jake Valentine picked it up from there during public comments. 

“This has never been a problem in Wilton Manors’ history. There’s no scandal, no ethics complaint, no pattern of abuse that justifies this restriction.” 

Then, it turned personal. “[the idea] came from one commissioner, self-serving, self-preserving calculation. It is being dressed up as reform when in reality it is an attack on our voter rights.” 

The remarks came during general public comments, when anyone can speak on any issue. Moments later the proposal itself came up for discussion and Valentine was back. 

The idea was also challenged as impractical and difficult to enforce. City attorney Kerry Ezrol said the language mirrors state nepotism law. 

Commissioner Don D’Arminio asked what prompted the idea. Commissioner Paul Rolli said it is to align with rules for city board members and prevent the appearance of transparency issues and “sunshine laws.” 

“I see our rights being restricted at the state and federal levels. I don’t think it’s appropriate to do that at the city level,” D’Arminio said. 

Caputo said he would support removing the restriction at the board level to attain consistency. That idea would be an easier fix. 

At this point Commissioner Mike Bracchi and Mayor Scott Newton were indifferent. Then the idea was open to public comments. Several spoke against it, but it was when Valentine returned that things got heated. 

“I’m shaking mad,” he said. “This is a thousand dollars of Paul Rolli enjoying to find a way to kill two birds with one stone and it’s stupid.” Then he launched into his perspective on the politics. 

“We all know what this was brought for. Nobody will say it but I will. Frankly at this point I would rather have Marc on the commission than Rolli."

He is referring to Marc Martorana, the longtime partner of D’Arminio. Martorana was considering a bid for a commission seat. 

“This is just mean. This is vindictive,” Valentine continued. “This is you going out of your way to use your power to kill two birds with one stone.” 

Rolli tried to interject but was hushed by the speaker. By rule, the dais does not respond during public comments. Once those closed, Rolli responded. 

“I’d just like to say something since it’s all aimed at me. I’ll just get it out on the table. I brought the issue up because I thought it was inappropriate for two people in the same household to run, because of transparency rules and sunshine laws. It has nothing to do with getting anybody out of the race.” 

He then tried to withdraw the motion, but commissioners decided to hold a formal vote. The measure failed 5-0. 

Rolli is running for mayor and his seat is open.