Broward Politics: Candidate Pays Delinquent Taxes After Questions
BY BUDDY NEVINS
The taxpayers have already benefitted from Ken Cooper’s candidacy for mayor of Fort Lauderdale.
Cooper was delinquent on his 2018 and 2019 property taxes for two rental properties in Fort Lauderdale. His wife Paula Kessler was delinquent on taxes she owed on the couple’s $2.3 million home off east Las Olas Boulevard.
On the three pieces of property the couple owed $101,183.07 until this week.
Ken Cooper and his wife Paula Kessler, who are both lawyers
Then because he is a candidate for mayor, questions about his taxes started.
Mayor Dean Trantalis asked him about the taxes. He paid the taxes on one building $32,233.86 on Tuesday.
Browardbeat asked the couple about the taxes on Thursday.
On Friday, the couple paid the rest of the money — $68,949.21.
“The question has been raised by the Mayor Dean Trantalis regarding my payment of property taxes. As of this writing all of property taxes have been paid, in full, on all my properties which we own.,” Cooper emailed Browardbeat.
“I personally dropped off the “CASHIERS CHECKS. AT THE VERY TIME I DROPPED THEM OFF THEY WERE PICKING UP THE MAIL FOR PROCESSING. The office is not open to walk into at this time, therefore, I would expect by Monday or Tuesday they will process them…You do have three years to pay the taxes.”
Cooper said he now is largely debt free.
“All of our mortgages are paid off. The house and both buildings are paid off. All of my cars are paid off. I don’t have any debt other than minimal credit cards. I did not take out a PPP loan or any other loan. I am fortunate that my properties are paid in full,” he emailed Browardbeat.
It is true that a lot of business types wait until the absolute last minute to pay bills. Cooper is one of them with his taxes and he isn’t alone.
Although Cooper’s major issue is the city’s continuing sewer and water main breaks, he brags a lot about his financial acumen. His campaign website trumpets his background as “an economics lecturer,” “a banker” and a teacher of “economics courses.”
Voters can decide whether Cooper is the financial maven he claims? Or is he just a guy who is being unfair to the rest of us by holding his money in his pocket until the last minute?
Cashier Checks that Cooper says he used to pay his taxes this week.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Basically practice what u preach.This way an easy one Mayor Trantalis.I if could have run which Mr.Cooper should follow suit is the mayor’s handling of the BLM protest and esp.the city manager( under his directions ( Dean’s) to demote our Police Chief.The sewer ruptures were not Trantalis fault and any implication is silly..
August 30th, 2020 at 1:28 pm
Mayor Trantalis has done a good as job aa possible under incredibly difficult conditions. NO ONE HAS OFFERED ALTERNATIVES to his actions WHEN DECISIONS HAD TO BE TAKEN. So called ‘city activists’ bitch n scream BUT NEVER OFFER TIMELY ADVISE either in the past under Mayor Seiler or now under Mayor Trantalis.
August 31st, 2020 at 4:02 pm
I can’t believe I agree with County Chuckalucka. No one has any better idea how to stop the sewer and water problems so that there will be no disruption of services. He works 24/7 for the city.
September 1st, 2020 at 8:38 am
The financial tricks Cooper used are legal, like the financial tricks Seiler used to hide the problems with infrastructure.
September 1st, 2020 at 8:42 am
Trantalis must tell every voter that Kenneth Cooper is a Republican. No way a follower of Donald Trump can win in Fort Lauderdale.
Being mayor is only non-partisan to Republicans like Cooper who want to hide their allegiance.
September 1st, 2020 at 1:06 pm
To #5 – great point. We’re in such good shape b/c every city and government agency in Broward is run by democrats. Who do I call to thank for my TRIM notice which only shows a 20% property tax increase this year, the sewage disaster surcharge bill, and all the contaminated water we’re surrounded by?
September 4th, 2020 at 11:02 am
With all your sources for information (Styles by Felony Barber, Count Coconutz) I’m surprised you did not break the story about Broward County Mayor Dale Holness delinquent taxes.
Wear your mask, until Nov 4.
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/09/03/broward-county-mayor-owes-nearly-20000-in-property-taxes/
September 5th, 2020 at 1:39 pm
To #5 Many commissioners and Mayors have kicked the can down the road regarding our increasingly fragile sewer system for far too long. I am not concerned whether he is a Republican or not. I would ask one question of him if I was given the opportunity and that would be “Do you think Trump has been a good President?” His answer would tell me all I need to know.
September 6th, 2020 at 3:58 am
I wish Charlie Dodge was in charge of Fort Lauderdale……things would vastly improve!!!!
September 7th, 2020 at 4:08 pm
#7 Buddy Wake Up HAS BEEN ASLEEP FOR 5 or 7 YEARS as for that time Dale Holness was named publicly as behind in his taxes. IT WAS AN ISSUE IN ONE IF HIS RACES and VOTERS DIDNT CARE IN HIS DISTRICT. FRANKLY THE ISSUE IS BEATING A VERY DEAD HORSE for his supporters. AGAIN PEOPLE WHO BLOG UNDER FAKE NAMES ARE USELESS.
September 14th, 2020 at 12:27 pm
#7 …to Mayor Holeness pay your property taxes and be done w/ some of these comments.Also #7 u got it wrong I get alot of info from Buddy blog not the other way around.
Lastly,to the Ft.lau Police- hang in there.Many of us support u..City manager take note..
September 15th, 2020 at 1:30 pm
And to mayoral canidate Mr.Cooper.First and foremost
I hope u paid all your outstanding taxes etc( easy one Scott).
Secondly u r missing several opportunities to give Mayor Trantalis a run for his money.Ditch the strategy in regards to blaming Trantalis on the sewer ruptures and the sentiment that he is responsible for the ruptures.What direction to take is Trantalis voted more than once to raid the water/ sewer monies( first yr on comm and I believe second etc- ) siginicant,not he is accountable for the ruptures.
The salaries he will get come January where is salary will be almost a 100 thou( take note county comm) which he and he alone (Dean) initiated raise.
Also bring out his performance dealing w/ Black Lives matter.Where under is direction had the city man.demote our police chief( a 30 yr veteran).
Lastly,his travels to China, Israel etc on our dime.Office furniture etc in excess of over 10 grand.These points will resonate w/ the residents..
September 19th, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Cooper could be the best mayor for FLL but without 2 others on dais voting with him, forget it. That 3-2 triumvirate since 2009 till 2018 is what put FLL where it is today. No need to rehash the incompetence and dereliction of duty as we lived it and we’re helpless to halt it. Took the end of useful life of cast iron sanitary pipes to get people’s attention, and then a wuhan virus to decimate revenue to make many think something should change at City Hall.