Controversial board member Schellenberg quits over conduct clause

As the City of Safety Harbor enters a new era following the March 14 municipal election, embattled Code Enforcement Board member Shelly Schellenberg has resigned her position, effective immediately, according to a letter sent to the city on Friday, Mar. 17, 2017.

Schellenberg had served on the CEB for 5 years, having been reappointed twice since she originally became a member of the volunteer board in 2012.

However, in the wake of numerous allegations levied against her over the past several years, including claims of harassing behavior by Commissioner Carlos Diaz and online bullying via her Facebook page by a new resident of the downtown district, Schellenberg along with her husband, Planning & Zoning Board member David Riggle, decided to resign after the city implemented new code of conduct standards for all board members.

The following is a transcript of Schellenberg’s resignation letter, which Safety Harbor Connect obtained from the City of Safety Harbor through a Freedom of Information request:

Dear Code Enforcement Board Members, et al,
As you may know, I was first appointed as a volunteer member of the Code Enforcement Board in 2012. Approximately two years ago, Commissioner Carlos Diaz attempted to “kick me off” the CE Board, due to our political differences. Since then, I have been re-appointed (twice) by a 4 to 1 vote of the Commission. In addition, you (as members of the Code Enforcement Board) have chosen me to represent this board as the Vice Chairperson (twice).
It has been my pleasure and honor to serve the City of Safety Harbor in this capacity, and I appreciate your ongoing confidence and support. However; the time has come for me to choose between remaining as a volunteer on this board, or continuing to voice my ideas and concerns on Saving Safety Harbor face book page. The Saving Safety Harbor face book page is dedicated to the preservation of the character of our community and the protection of the environment of Safety Harbor.
The new “Code of Conduct” agreement that we have all been required to sign is so substantially vague that any expression of a candid or contrary opinion may be construed as a violation of that agreement. Therefore; I respectfully resign from the Code Enforcement Board, effective immediately.
I enjoyed working with you and wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Shelly Schellenberg

Safety Harbor Connect reached out to Schellenberg for comment regarding her resignation, and this was her response via email:

“The situation is that we serve at the pleasure of the commission, and with the “changing of the guard” it’s likely that Carlos Diaz will renew his false accusations against me,” she wrote.

“As for Dave, the fact that no Commissioner or paid employee of the city is required to sign the code of conduct is highly offensive. The “code of conduct” is more appropriately required of those persons having the real authority and influence. Carlos Diaz is a perfect example.”

Note: According to officials, all city employees and staff members are required to adhere to a code of conduct that is more strict than that of the volunteer board members’.

According to a records search, every volunteer board and committee member had signed off on the new conduct ploicy, save for two due for reappointment, as of Thursday, Mar. 24.

For his part Diaz, who was reelected to Seat #4 on March 14 and was named vice-mayor by Joe Ayoub during his first meeting last week, said he is ready to put the issue to rest, and hopes Schellenberg can do the same.

“She’s infatuated with me,” Diaz said after the commission meeting on March 20. “I haven’t mentioned her name in so long. She needs to move on with her life.”

As for what Schellenberg’s refusal to sign the new code signifies, Diaz was definitive.

“I don’t know if it had anything to do with the new code,” he said, adding, “She can use that as a crutch if she wants.”

“This had to do with the change of the commission. She was going to be held accountable for her actions, and she didn’t want to be held accountable.”

Related content:

• Commission approves code of conduct standards for board, committee members
• Commission to create code of conduct for advisory board members
• Safety Harbor board member again accused of harassing behavior
• Spat between Safety Harbor officials continues to simmer