The Queen of Mean: Royal Pain for Safety Harbor Future
By 
SAFETY HARBOR — If Shelley Schellenberg and David Riggle want to operate a hate-peddling, divisive and malicious Facebook page that seeks to turn Safety Harbor into an unwelcoming and unfriendly dead zone by pitting neighbor against neighbor, that is their right.
They should not, however, be allowed to push an angry agenda while serving as city commission-approved board members, who, by definition, are appointed to represent all citizens with an even hand and open mind.
Three things you never want to see: Bonnie and Clyde heading the Police Benevolent Association, the Kardashians teaching Bible study, and Schellenberg-Riggle looking out for others’ well being.
How can any citizen have faith in city government when forced to plead their case in a code violation dispute or while asking for a zoning variance when the very board members being addressed have an announced agenda — an angry “newcomers aren’t welcome here” rhetoric dispensed under the guise of Saving Safety Harbor?
It’s time to name it and shame it. The purpose of Schellenberg’s Facebook page – to insult, intimidate and harm anyone with opposing views — is an affront to Safety Harbor’s character, image and dignity. She’s a cancer eating away the fabric of a community.
She is The Queen of Mean.
If city leaders do not to stand up to Schellenberg’s hate it can only mean they condone the disgraceful behavior of Saving Safety Harbor supporters who, to express their opposition to new construction and new residents coming into town, have taken to leaving dog feces and notes of hate as welcome baskets. As if that’s not enough, others have turned to vandalism and shouting verbal insults and threats – most notably, at an 80-year-old senior citizen, who after weeks of being targeted, recently suffered a stroke.
It is painful to suspect Saving Safety Harbor considers that a victory.
The ultimate insult is that Schellenberg posts her hate speech, incites despicable behavior, then deletes the nastiness before word spreads to rational residents outside her circle of fanatics. Then she denies, denies and denies – except screen grabs don’t lie.
It’s laughable. A recent Schellenberg post stated “this page does not condone being mean to residents,” yet a past screen shot recorded the Queen of Mean cheering on vandalism as community activism.
Also, Schellenberg calls Saving Safety Harbor simply a “forum” for community debate. Except, any comment posted on Saving Safety Harbor offering even a hit of disagreement with the Queen of Mean is immediately removed.
So much for serious discussion, exchange of ideas and compromise.
And there lies the rub.
Schellenberg is the singular reason Safety Harbor elections have become distasteful and childish. Recently, I had an impromptu meeting and chat with Commissioner Andy Zodrow, the one city leader with whom I have the most disagreement. However, after only several minutes of respectful conversation, there was common ground recognized and discussed.
Common ground, however, is never mentioned during Safety Harbor election times, because, despite there being room in the middle for all sides to meet and build, Saving Safety Harbor lives to soak common ground with gasoline and hand out matches.
This is not to say Shelly Schellenberg is a poor representative of Safety Harbor, but Russian hackers emailed the Chamber their condolences.
When is enough enough? I do not care who is elected mayor. I do not care who is elected to commission. I do not care who is already serving. Nothing is going to change or improve downtown business and livability until Safety Harbor becomes a community working together instead of one divided by a bullying bomb thrower.
Downtown development? Waterfront Park construction? Food trucks? Condos? Forget it. The most pressing issue Safety Harbor faces, no matter who is leading, is uniting citizens and eliminating divisiveness as the local pastime.
Stop it, already. Bind the wounds of division, hate and intimidation. The whole concept of targeting residents, first at the Second Street South townhouse project, and now Iron Age home owners with messages of hate, insults and “you are not welcome here” is repulsive. It’s childish. It’s polarizing.
It’s as low as it can go – until you realize it is fueled by a Facebook page operated by City Government board members appointed to represent each and every citizen fairly and with respect.
~~ by Mick Elliott ~~
Crazy Diane – you DID complain, just the other day LOLOLOLOL
Both sides in this argument are pitiful. Only thing this editorial does is fuel the fire that you are allegedly tired of. No mirrors in your cottages, Mick?
JD;
Typicallly, I do not respond to comments because I have already had my say, so others deserve to have theirs. However, on this, i will make an exception because I have to admit I somewhat agree with you … except on the part about the cottages’ mirrors. Yes, the cottages have mirrors. Actually, great mirrors. They are designer mirrors found at a wonderful studio in South Tampa. They fit perfectly because everything about the cottages is Big League. Thanks for asking.
But I digress.
As for your other observations, I have to agree I, too, am tired of hearing myself bitch. I’m disappointed by myself because i became angered by the hate and harassment spewed by Saving Safety Harbor and allowed that smalll segment of our community to drag me down to their level. I’m regretful of that.
As my dear ol’ daddy used to say, “Never wrestle with a pig. First of all, you are gonna get dirty. Second, the pig likes it.”
He was right. I allowed myself to be bothered by haters who do not deserve my reaction.
So, I’m looking in the mirror –really, a very nice, beautiful, huge one — and vowing to hold my tongue.
Thanks for the motivation.
Two thumbs up!
It appears Ms Schellenberg has posted some responses to some of the complaints that the commission has received. It is very telling, that she is not trying to explain or defend her own behavior. Instead, typical of the standard demeanor on her site, she has resorted to attacking others, ( Mick,Desanya, Mr Shampaine), in an attempt to discredit them as a means to justify or rationalize her own behavior. She calls out Mick as blogging while a board member. Mick was on the Museum board. The important distinction here is that Mick did not blog about Museum issues. Mick did not publicly attack anyone over Museum related policies, issues or decisions. Mick did not mislead or lie about facts surrounding Museum issues in his blogs in attempt to gain support for his own Museum Agenda. (People were not concerned about requesting a Museum variance while he was on the board). Because if he had, that would have crossed the ethical boundaries and responsibilities that need to be upheld as an appointed board member.
Kevin, I have been trying to digest the allegations against Shelley Schellenberg and you are the first to make sense. I appreciate your input and hope others will see the light. Thank you.
Riddler,
After much thought and consideration, I actually think Shelley has some valid points. She presented very well at the meeting the other night, so please don’t be so hard on her, she’s actually a very nice lady. Thanks.
Riddler this is the Real Real Riddler. No one believes Shelley has valid points. Nice try you dirty rascal you. I am riddled with doubt about your riddling.
-The Riddler-
Good one Fake Riddler! There used to be a TV show that had three people all pretending to be the same person. Maybe we could start a new modern day show, what do you think?
Alas, I am growing tired of Riddling (which is actually manually turning champagne bottles), so I am considering retirement. I am too old for all this riddling, so perhaps it’s time for me to turn in my question mark and move on.
We are accomplishing nothing by riddling all over SHC, although it has had a few bright moments. You are a witty one and have kept me on my toes.
Should you chose to carry on the riddling, please do so in good faith and honesty. I, The Riddler, hereby bequeath my traditional ? to you Fake Riddler, which now makes you the Real Riddler. Let’s be kind to one another.
Enjoy!
– The Retired Riddler –
To the Retired Riddler,
You are good you dirty rascal you! Take care of that ??? And yes, always be kind.
I have a client/friend who is involved in contracting. He was at a job site here in Safety Harbor, a town he just adores and was looking to move his wife and new baby in to thinking it would be a great place to live. While at the job site he was approached by a few different people, at different times mind you and treated terribly. Being grilled about his purpose there, who sent him, etc… He is just doing his job. He is now looking in Dunedin for a home because he does not feel that Safety Harbor is a good fit for his new family. I find this behavior coming from people in this community appalling. This is my town too. This is my home. This is awful. Things will not change here until the board changes. Shelly and Sharon are supported by most of the commissioners, 1 of which has been very vocal himself to residents including a newer resident describing his new home as basically destroying the community. Change and growth is inevitable. I personal do not like being urinated on as if my property is territory that they are marking so that they can enjoy fulfilling their need for control by telling me what to do with my home/property. It is time to take our town back. It is time to take our lives back and quite messing with people who really have no claim on our properties or what we do with them while they complete their selective personal agenda. Our town and our values will continue to suffer if this does not stop.
Thanks Mick for your clarification. Looks as if words get misplaced, replaced or jumbled when Shelley writes her Facebook comments. Case in point on why residents should be warned about her intentions of misrepresenting information.
As automatic as the sunrise over Tampa Bay, Shelley Schellenbereg is already doing her voodoo that only she can do.
From Shelly’s Facebook, quoting this blog and making her comment:
“In another rabit attack … Mick Elliot (sic) t stated on SHC:
” I do not care who is elected mayor. I do not care who is elected to commission. I do not care who is already serving.”
“Really? Then how about this posting on Joe Ayoub’s facebook page? Maybe it’s not there anymore, but it is clear that Mick Elliott is talking out of both sides of his frothing mouth, about his support of Joe Ayoub. It is clear that Mick’s tirades are politically motivated. He and his wife have posted dozens and dozens if not hundreds of hatefull, nasty, and illegitimate comments, making all sorts of ridiculous claims on SHC. And then he whines about “polarizing”. Why not just stick with the facts, instead of making up stuff?
Additionally, Mick is up to his old tricks, being (not-so) clever with his name calling, again. It would be very easy to retaliate with a catchy and appropriate name like Mick the _____, but it’s more important to expose his duplicity.”
Another example of Queen of Mean telling half-truths or lies:
Here’s what I really said:
“When is enough enough? I do not care who is elected mayor. I do not care who is elected commissioner. I do not care who is already serving. Nothing is going to change or improve downtown business and livability until Safety Harbor becomes a community working together instead of one divided by a bullying bomb thrower.”
Birds fly, fish swim and Schellenberg hates.
Great Article Mick, Imagine how surprised I was when I went on her page to see the owl picture (with a picture of my FB profile) with my name on it referring to my new home and having to read all the nasty comments people posted afterward, and then she had the nerve to erase everything when caught after accusing me of having a fake facebook page (I have had it since 2009) . She knew that the two names were the same person or she would have not used my old name and linked it to Iron Age. She also states that after she discovered it was a fake that my page has been deleted, another lie. its still active. I worked in the school system for many years and if there is one thing I cant stand it is a bully, especially a bully that doesn’t let someone defend themselves. I have never met this women and I don’t know why she feels the need to keep mentioning my home. Free speech is ok but not while on a city board. I must also say thank you Commissioner Diaz for sticking up for me.
Some one like Shelly should have been taken off the Board of Commissioners for a conflict of interest. I don’t understand why the mayor hasn’t done something with her previously. Harassing neighbors is not a good sign of Goodwill or good faith among the Commissioners and just in general a happy community. They represent and work for the people they should not be working for themselves for their own gain. Great article Mick and I think that this needs to be looked into further and she needs to be exposed for the harassing menace that she is.
There are homeowners that are afraid to allow campaign signs on their property because of fear of retaliation by people like Shelly and her gang of haters. Her candidate and the rest of the City Commission need to disavow Shelly now.
Mike
Mike, it saddens me to report that we have been the victims of just such activity. My husband and I own a small vacant lot in town and are planning to build a small house with a front porch for us to live in. We placed a Joe for Mayor campaign sign in the yard only to have it removed within a couple of days. Late last week we replaced that sign and also added a Scott Long for Commissioner sign. On both signs I attached a notice stating that they were placed by the owner of the property and were not to be removed. Well, the following day we went to our lot and they were both gone! It just sickens us to see this happen. Of course, we have no idea who the perpetrator is. These signs cost the candidates money and it was illegal to remove them from our property.
Karen, after seeing this post I have to admit I took your signs. I apologize and will not touch another political sign again. Please forgive me.
-The Riddler-
Riddler, thank you for admitting that you took them. Can’t imagine what motivated you to take them in the first place. Would love for you to return them.
Karen,
I wish I could but I threw them away. Another mistake. My bad.
-The Riddler-
Karen,
I didn’t steal your signs. I don’t even know you or where you live. I am sorry someone prestending to be me misled you, and that your signs were taken.
– The Real Riddler –
-The Real Riddler- how do we know you don’t know Karen and you didn’t take her signs? Who are you pretending to be – I am riddled?
-The Real Real Riddler- REALLY!
Mick…..a very articulate and well-thought-out editorial. As a Tampa resident, I have visited Safety Harbor often and can see that it is very “underachieving” when it comes to what it could be. It has a wonderful Main Street but I was surprised at the number of retail vacancies which tells me the town and the commission are not properly promoting Safety Harbor. It has a lot of potential but I find it shameful that you have commissioners with the attitude of the folks mentioned in your editorial. Hopefully the residents and business people will unite and make their voices one and overcome the obstacle posed by the people you have written about in your editorial. Nice to see you in print again!!!
Regardless of her tactics & behavior, I don’t see how anyone not in bed with developers or with some other vested interest, can be in favor of the impending condos across from the marina. They are completely out of character with the rest of Safety Harbor. They belong on Clearwater Beach or similar urban beach developments. The proposed 7 story monolith will forever negatively impact Safety Harbor. Sure it will increase our tax base, but it will block the scenic view of many residents, including, ironically, the newly built homes not far away. It is two stories taller than the spa & 4 stories taller (I.e. more than twice as tall) than anything else I can think of in downtown. The commission/board should revise building codes to prevent this kind of atrocity from EVER happening again.
Dan – “regardless of her tactics & behavior”?? Your concern is over condos and not how SH citizens and new residents are being treated? What does this have to do with condos? What happened to compassion and neighborly love? I hope you will not join in the harassment of new residents if and when the condos are built. Where have you been? The code has been changed – no building over 3 stories in downtown area which I agree with.
Desanya Daly, we are still waiting for the results of your lie detector test. Anyone who knows both of us do not believe a word that you or Mick say about us. Your neighbors may be afraid of you, but we are not, and we will call you out for your nasty and dishonest comments. I will stop telling the truth about you when you stop lying about me.
Dan- really?
Aren’t you just a ‘little’ embarrassed that you support making new homeowners so upset that they have a stroke?
Wow.
Dan Pressler is a perfect example of Saving Safety Harbor mentality – win at any cost, casualties and stroke victims be damned!
I’m glad they are being so transparent about who they are.
Dan, As Desanya has indicated, the code has been CHANGED to three stories for future development. If you have never read the Serenity Prayer. Here it is: “God grant me the serenity to ACCEPT the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.” All of your posts continually reference the condo project. Well, it can’t be changed so it’s time to just move along. Putting up your posts isn’t going to change or stop the project. The Iron Age residents were well aware of the condo project when they built/bought their homes. You don’t see them putting up posts complaining about the project. I honestly hope that this small group of residents with evil tactics and behavior do not transfer their focus of unwelcome tactics on other residents moving into the city such as this condo project. It will be deplorable for the entire community of Safety Harbor.
Well Dan if you are truly worried about someone’s water view then we should probably take all the homes back about as far as 10th St S. There are a bunch of homes that were built blocking some pretty amazing views at 1 point. Again, progress. Progress is also growing, and growing up! No one has the right to disparage anyone who lives in this town. There are plenty of homes that are in awful condition and you do no see anyone going and giving those homeowners as hard of a time as the new homeowners are getting. It is a mistake to do this, and it just looks and sounds stupid., one sided and mean spirited. There is so much being taught to children these days regarding bullying, set the example Dan, get people like Shelly and Sharon who are bully’s shut down. They should be treated as they bully’s they are. There is so much being taught and spoke today to children regarding bullying and they are expected to treat each other respectfully. It is pretty sad when the children of our community have better manners than the adults, however this will not last long if the adults continue to act this way and then we will really start complaining. Children live what they learn and learn by example. It takes a village. Our Safety Harbor children are watching….Are you?
By the way, Mick-you are amazing-love the blog!
Dan just to let you know I have never heard any of the Iron Age residents ( I am one of them) say a word about the new building. The builder did everything he could to make sure we are happy in our homes and we have nothing against him. As a matter of fact two of us are thinking about buying a unit for a family member. We were told about the building up front before we bought our homes. I surely hope the new residents moving in are more welcomed then we have been.
Dan, we really need to let the condos go. After studying this issue, they were approved and have the right to be built. And I hope the new residents are not harassed as the Iron Age owners.
-The Riddler-
Dan,
Keep on posting buddy, you make good sense. We have a fake Riddler amongst us now.
I do, however, agree with the Faker, and hope there is no further harassment, if there ever was any. No one wants to be harassed or bullied.
– The Real Riddler –
But I am the Real Real Riddler, and Dan should keep his head in the sand if he doesn’t want to see Downtown Safety Harbor become what it can be!
-The Real Real Riddler- REALLY!
Well said, Mick. Luckily, the good people of Safety Harbor are standing up and trying to blot out the hate mongers. It is all the more difficult when one is serving on a SHC board.
Not only do the new people pay more than their fair share of taxes, they vote! I for one hope their voices are heard. Does anyone really believe people who have invested so much in their homes want to hurt and lower values around them? It’s simple and plain jealousy or something worse, self hatred directed at others.