Lynn Dannheisser, Surfside Town Attorney, Compares Bloggers Critical of Her to the KKK

By Gus Garcia-Roberts Tue., Apr. 19 2011 at 10:00 AM

Categories: News

Surfside town attorney Lynn Dannheisser has been on a bit of a multi-media rampage recently. In March, we wrote that Dannheisser, who makes more than $177,000 a year, successfully recommended her boyfriend, Gerald Houlihan, for additional legal representation for the town. Blogs Save Surfside and Who Controls Surfside Florida? had also written about the issue.

On Saturday, Dannheisser published an op-ed in The Miami Herald, taking a vague stab at "anonymous" "cyber-terrorists" and "pseudo-journalists [who] blog without the facts."

She was more specific in a 20-minute speech at a Surfside Commission meeting on Tuesday, in which she blasted the Surfside blogs and the "Miami Due Times" (0:47 in first video) by name.. Choice quote (2:33):

With a click of a 'send' button, these cyber-bullies throw proverbial rocks through your window and burn crosses on your lawn for no other reason than they can, and they want to incite unrest.

Elizabeth Perez-Bankes, editor and main writer for Save Surfside, replied to Dannheisser in the comments section of her Herald op-ed:

1) We're not "anonymous". All our names have always been listed in the "About" section of the website.

2) We're not "Pseudo-journalists". I have many years of experience as a journalist. I was a network correspondent for ABC News, a legal affairs reporter (I'm also a graduate of Harvard Law School) for Telemundo, and a Brussels-based "European Union" reporter for a PBS program. All our posts are thoroughly researched. I am sorry Ms. Dannheisser does not enjoy them.

Enjoy these videos-- uploaded by some "cyber-swaggerer"-- of Dannheisser's outburst. It will be the best twenty minutes you spend today.

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Tags:

Lynn Dannheisser, Surfside, Tiger Blood

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Littpmc753

I wish I had a video of the Sunny Isles commission meeting I attended ,years ago. LD was the town lawyer, and she sat at the podium, eating lollypops, given to her by developers who built condo after condo against code.

Michael Wind

surfside is one of the most corrupt towns in usa,its just a tip of a iceberg,there are many companies that operate from a po box in that town like michael szafranski and others like him hiding under a shield of religion,its over...

SunnyIsles

Does anyone know if she disclosed her arrest record to the Florida Bar?

linda

I'm new to Florida, and I was trying to explain to friends and family in Europe how different things are here. I just sent them this video and the email back thinking it was a joke from an American television show -- nothing that was real in politics here local. Too funny. Too sad for the people of that town and every town with craziness like this. But, very funny for my family back home -- thinking it was from Hollywood.

Toodle

This nut job works for Surfside???

Slyguy

What is it with Surfside officials and administrators? They cannot tolerate dissent or criticism, whether founded or unfounded. And now the problem is... all town employees... feeling... underappreciated (!) The town atty's arguments show how inept and and incompetent she is. Arguing on her own behalf, she is her own worst enemy. For a great read and insight, check out the "To Cease or Not to Cease" memos between her and Randazza law group at http://www.savesurfside.com/id.... No wonder she is worried about losing a lawsuit. Comparing criticism of political and administrative officials to cross burnings? That is insulting. But not surprising... Surfside cops, who only get praise from town officials, have continuous corruption convictions, racial profile, and run the town like a police state.

elaine

don't even try to ask the Mayor - he follows her around like a happy puppy wagging his tail and approving every comment that falls from her lips.

Shaq Russell68

As an African-American whose grand-parents lived in the south in the days of REAL, actual cross-burnings, I am appalled that this woman would use the phrase, just throwing it around like that -- are there any people of color in that town that can complain to their mayor?

sasher

That video is hilarious! Hey, can't that not annonymous blog she mentioned in the video sue her for defamation, or something like that? Now, THAT would make an even funnier story. roflmao...

concerned lawyers

Sasher, yes, if what is stated concerning the credentials of the blog is true, they can sue for defamation, and seek damages. Go to lawyers.com to find a lawyer in your area.

Peter J

Wow...this lady is actually licensed to practice law? Don't they give any on-going exams-- kinda to see if the person is still "competent"? Charlie Sheen-esque...wow...He lost his job, didn't he?