
Coconut Creek Vice Mayor Jackie Railey and challenger Philippa Sklaar.
Tensions are mounting between Vice Mayor Jackie Railey and her opponent, Philippa Sklaar, as the District B commission seat race in Coconut Creek heats up.
During the December 12 commission meeting, Sklaar and her supporters leveled a series of allegations against Railey, accusing her of abusing her authority as a community leader. Railey has served as president of the Wynmoor Community Council, the governing body for a 55-and-over community of 5,260 units, for eight years.
At the January 9 commission meeting, Railey called for a third-party investigation into Sklaar’s accusations concerning her work as a commissioner.
“I would like to take this opportunity to address the delusional allegations made by my opponent at the last Coconut Creek commission meeting pertaining to my role as commissioner. These allegations are completely absurd,” Railey said.
Sklaar’s complaints against Railey include claims of filing multiple false police reports and abusing her position. Sklaar also accused Railey of filing a false and malicious stalking charge against her live-in boyfriend, Joe Wade, with the Broward County State Attorney. Assistant State Attorney Margaret Carpentry dismissed that charge.
In response, Railey sought and secured a consensus from the commission to authorize City Attorney Terrill Pyburn to hire an independent investigator to review the allegations.
“Just because allegations are constantly repeated doesn’t make them true or factual. I welcome any and all inquiries,” Railey said.
Pyburn recommended Tom Lynch, a retired judge and certified mediator, to conduct the investigation. Lynch will be paid $550 an hour, with costs covered by the Coconut Creek government.
Commissioner Jeffrey Wasserman voiced his support for Railey, commending her for requesting an independent inquiry.
During public comments, residents expressed mixed opinions about Railey’s leadership. Some praised her contributions as a community leader, while others criticized some of her actions.
Robert Boudreau, a supporter of Sklaar, said during the public comments, “This commission and all Coconut Creek residents need to know that commissioner Jackie Railey has falsely advertised in two local newspapers, that the Broward County Police Benevolent Association has endorsed her campaign for the March 11 election when in fact they have not endorsed her.”
Boudreau continued, “This is not an allegation. This public information is available on the PBA’s Facebook page which I have also verified today with the PBA that they have not endorsed her. Anyone who would advertise a false endorsement from any person or endorsement cannot be trusted.”
Rod Skirvin, the president of the Broward PBA told Coconut Creek Talk that the PBA has endorsed Railey and that he had given her a verbal endorsement in December 2024. “She has done a fantastic job in the past, and moving forward she has the experience and knowledge to lead Coconut Creek to a new future,” said Skirvin.
After the meeting, Railey told the Coconut Creek Talk she has the Broward PBA endorsement and did not know why Boudreau and Sklaar claimed that she did not have it. Scan_0001
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