Anthony Valicenti

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  New Life Community Church United Methodist - New... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/29/2007    Last Visited: 8/2/2008  

  ,Tony Valicenti, Detective, NYPD (Retired)

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  TCPalm: Editorials - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/3/2002    Last Visited: 11/3/2002  

  Minsky's opponent on Tuesday is 26-year resident Anthony Valicenti, 63, a retired New York City police detective who also served in the city's police department, on the Code Enforcement Board and as disaster preparedness director.
  
  Valicenti, supported by the city's unions and by the two mayoral candidates who lost in the primary, believes he can build confidence in government and use tax dollars more efficiently.He favors replacing the city manager and "returning fair treatment" to City Hall.Generally, he said, he wants a less arrogant, more people-friendly demeanor in the mayor's office and he has plans to carry it out.
  
  The News believes, however, that Minsky's firm grasp on what it takes to make Port St. Lucie strong and independent for the future is too important to give up right now at this kinetic time in the city's history.Nor has Valicenti convinced us that he has the dynamism or consensus-building qualities that Mayor Bob Minsky is already giving the residents of Port St. Lucie.Therefore, the News urges his re-election.

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  TCPalm: Editorials - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/16/2008    Last Visited: 10/31/2002  

  While Minsky's opponent, retired New York police detective Anthony Valicenti, also recognizes the need for orderly growth and teamwork among city officials and the public, he lacks Minsky's experience and the knowledge gained by that experience in dealing with the multitude of city issues a mayor must confront and in dealing with other governmental leaders and agencies.

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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 3/14/2002    Last Visited: 3/15/2002  

  PORT ST. LUCIE -- Anthony Valicenti, the former police administrator at the center of the department's 2000 internal turmoil, has decided to run for mayor, even though he's still suing the city.
  
  Valicenti, 62, who lost his police job after saying he was "scared" of his own department, said Wednesday he wants the leaders of city government to be more accountable to citizens, and to "put it all on the table."
  
  Valicenti's job was eliminated in 2000 budget cuts while he was on suspension for criticizing the department after the arrest of his son, Vincent, on a child abuse charge that was later dropped.
  
  Police Chief John Skinner had recommended Valicenti be fired.
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  It alleges Valicenti was forced out because top officials believed he was the source of anonymous allegations of financial improprieties within the department.
  
  Valicenti has denied being the source of the allegations, which led to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation of the department.That investigation found no evidence of improprieties.
  
  Valicenti would not comment on whether he would drop his lawsuit if elected mayor.
  
  "I'm not going to hide from this lawsuit, I am not going to walk away," Valicenti said at a press conference he held to announce his candidacy.
  
  When asked if he thought residents would object to having a mayor embroiled in a lawsuit against the city, Valicenti said:
  
  "Do you think I should just sit under a rock and not do something about what was done to me and my family?My family and I were treated badly.But I have the courage of my convictions, the same qualities I think will serve me well as mayor of Port St. Lucie."
  
  Valicenti moved to Port St. Lucie about 25 years ago after leaving the New York Police Department, where he retired after receiving a gunshot wound to his arm, he said.He made two unsuccessful runs for Port St. Lucie mayor in 1981 and 1983, and started working for the police department in 1986.
  
  "If I am elected, I commit to you that I will provide the necessary energy, courage, integrity and leadership to faithfully serve our community," he said.
  
  When asked if he had an ax to grind against Skinner or City Manager Don Cooper for eliminating his position, Valicenti said, "My goal is to have everybody governing the city, including the city council, held accountable.If I am elected, it's going to happen.
  
  "The purpose of why I am running has nothing to do with the police department," he said."I have a great rapport with the rank and file of the Port St. Lucie Police Department.The theme of my campaign is to return the city back to the people."

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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/16/2008    Last Visited: 8/10/2002  

  PORT ST. LUCIE -- City Attorney Roger Orr plans to meet with the city council this month to discuss Port St. Lucie's next step in a two-year-old lawsuit filed by mayoral candidate Anthony Valicenti.
  
  Valicenti, a former police administrator with the Port St. Lucie Police Department, sued the city in August 2000, claiming he had been "retaliated against."He said Thursday he does not intend to drop the suit.
  
  "You just don't drop something like that," said Valicenti, who had commanded the department's Community Services Division."I've given this a lot of consideration because I am running for mayor, and I want to conclude this litigation.
  
  "You just can't walk away from this," he continued."Both sides have to sit down and negotiate."
  
  The case is scheduled for trial in St. Lucie County circuit court Oct. 21, and Orr on Monday plans to schedule a closed-session meeting with council members to discuss the city's options in the case.
  
  Since announcing his candidacy in March, Valicenti, 63, said he's tried to distance himself from the lawsuit and the police scandals of the summer of 2000 after his son's arrest on child abuse and battery charges.
  
  "I am not a one-issue candidate by any means," said Valicenti, who moved to the city in 1976."This just happens to be a curve ball in my life.I don't want this to happen to another city employee.It is not going to detract from me running for political office."
  
  Valicenti, who supervised more than two dozen police employees, was placed on administrative leave after criticizing the department's handling of the May 12, 2000, incident involving his son Vincent, Vincent's 27-year-old ex-fiancee and her daughter.
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  His position was subsequently eliminated by budget cuts, and Valicenti later sued the city under the state's Whistleblower Act.
  
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  Although Anthony Valicenti said he is "not seeking any money" from the city, he admits that he does want Port St. Lucie to pay his legal fees.
  
  "Some fees have to be paid," Valicenti said."It is resolved through the attorneys.I am not looking for any money.My part is resolved."
  
  A private law firm in Boca Raton is representing the city in the case, but Mary Jean Navaretta, a city attorney, said there is "conflict with [Valicenti's] statement."
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  Valicenti said he hopes to have the suit settled by the November election.
  
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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/20/2002    Last Visited: 9/20/2002  

  PORT ST. LUCIE Mayor Bob Minsky and his opponent for the office, Anthony Valicenti, went head-to-head Thursday night, deviating little from their campaign platforms and slinging little mud.
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  Unlike his usual calls for change, Valicenti took only one shot at his opponent, ridiculing Minsky for his attack on the Coastal Florida Public Employees Union and the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association.
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  "The incumbent has challenged the union," Valicenti said during his opening remarks."That means he's attacking the city employees, and I don't think that's right."
  
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  Although Valicenti did mention problems with Minsky's tenure as mayor, he, too, spent most of his time talking about his plans for the city's future.
  
  He attacked recent tax increases, which he attributed to unnecessary tax breaks for developers.
  
  Valicenti said developers are given too many incentives to operate in the city.He said the city would be better served if developers were controlled more and take more responsibility for providing amenities.
  
  "This is your city, not the developers'," Valicenti said.
  
  Sponsored by the Port St. Lucie Homeowners Association, the forum gave candidates for Districts 1, 2 and 3, as well as the mayor's race, their first chance since the Sept. 10 primary election to sell themselves to voters.
  
  The candidates were given five minutes to address the crowd of about 65 people.After opening statements, the candidates answered questions from the floor, which covered the candidates' thoughts on the West Virginia Corridor, a strong-mayor form of government, a full-time City Council and a citizen budget review committee.
  
  Valicenti said he thinks the city should have a strong mayor because he does not see the benefit of paying for a city manager and a mayor.

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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/11/2002    Last Visited: 9/11/2002  

  PORT ST. LUCIE Four-term mayor Bob Minsky garnered the most votes in Tuesday's primary but will still have to defend his position in the general election with runoff mayoral candidate Anthony Valicenti because neither candidate gained a majority of the votes.
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  Valicenti and Minsky beat candidates Victor Muntianov and former mayor Jim Fielding to reserve their positions on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
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  As the race's incumbent, Minsky garnered 8,609 votes, or 47.5 percent, while Valicenti gained his spot on the general election ballot with 5,557 votes, 30.7 percent, in complete but unofficial totals.
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  Valicenti, however, thought he would have done a little better at the polls, but he said he was still pleased.
  
  "I am comfortable with the amount of votes we got, considering it was a four-man race," Valicenti said.
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  In the weeks that led up to Tuesday's election, Minsky and Valicenti often sparred, writing back-and-forth letters to the editor.
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  Valicenti, a former police administrator who is suing the city, based his campaign on a call for big changes in City Hall, including more accountability in upper management.
  
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  Valicenti criticized Minsky for seeking and accepting contributions from out-of-town "interest groups" and builders.
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  Valicenti said the public would be more appreciative of a candidate who, like himself, runs a "grass-roots campaign," taking money primarily from city residents.
  
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  Valicenti, who trailed Minsky by the least margin, collected about $17,000 for his primary challenge.

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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/29/2002    Last Visited: 7/29/2002  

  Mayoral candidate Anthony Valicenti, a former police administrator who is suing the city, agrees that city officials could have done a better job controlling the road work by "putting the information on the table prior to anything happening."
  
  "The entire city needs to have a goal and objective," Valicenti, 63, said."I want the people to hold the managers who operate this city and the elected officials accountable.The different departments need to be working more closely together."
  
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  Valicenti has raised about $11,000, campaign records state.
  
  Valicenti, who sued the city under the state's Whistleblower Act after he lost his job with the police department, said he "doesn't want to take any money" from the city, but does not plan to drop the lawsuit.
  
  Councilman Jack Kelly, who wants to reclaim his District 4 Council seat, leads in contributions against 12 other candidates competing for seats in all four districts.
  
  Because there are only two candidates, the District 1 and District 2 elections will not be on the Sept. 10 primary ballot.The race will be decided in the Nov. 5 general election.

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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/16/2008    Last Visited: 7/21/2002  

  Other candidates include Anthony Valicenti, a former police administrator who is suing the city, and Victor Muntianov, who teaches at Indian River Community College.

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  TCPalm: Local News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/8/2002    Last Visited: 9/8/2002  

  Mayor Bob Minsky strongly supports the current administration while former mayor Jim Fielding calls for better fiscal control, and former police administrator Anthony Valicenti and college instructor Victor Muntianov seek more citizen involvement in City Hall.
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  Anthony Valicenti
  
  Valicenti, a former police administrator who is suing the city, calls for big changes at City Hall, including more accountability in upper management.
  
  Valicenti, 63, said he thinks there is dissension among employees, and that the root of the problem is poor leadership from City Manager Don Cooper and other administrators.
  
  "I don't think morale is good in the city," Valicenti said.
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  Valicenti sued the city in 2000, claiming he was "retaliated against" for criticizing the police department's handling of his son's arrest.Valicenti was first put on administrative leave and then his position was eliminated due to budget cuts.He sued the city under the state's Whistleblower Act.
  
  While he has not dropped the lawsuit, Valicenti said he is asking only for legal fees and does not think the lawsuit will hurt his election chances at the mayoral seat.
  
  "I'm standing up for my rights as an unjustly treated employee," Valicenti said."People like to see someone who is going in ready to fight for what's right."

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