The Shaker Village clubhouse. {Google Maps}
A Tamarac resident has launched an online fundraiser for a legal appeal challenging a judge’s decision that clears the way for Tamarac’s controversial Shaker Village Clubhouse purchase.
Shaker Village resident Tonya Nesbitt filed a lawsuit in September 2023 challenging the Shaker Village Condominium Association’s authority to make the clubhouse deal. Nesbitt’s suit argued Association members did not properly approve the $1.9 million sale to Tamarac, but Judge John Bowman rejected Nesbitt’s arguments and ruled for the Association in his April 29 decision.
The GoFundMe fundraiser, which seeks to raise $6,000 for Nesbitt’s appellate case, was launched by Freddy Kahook.
“We need your help to support Ms. Nesbitt’s fight for justice,” the fundraising page says. “Any amount you can give will make a big difference. Our goal is to raise $6,000 to cover the legal fees for the appeal.”
The page, signed by “Friends of Ms. Nesbitt and Concerned Community Members,” says that Association lawyers are “trying to make Ms. Nesbitt pay their legal fees to stop others from speaking out” and “want to silence her and anyone else who might disagree with them.”
Nesbitt’s litigation has impeded the city’s contractual closing on the dilapidated clubhouse property for months. Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez has said there are title issues at Shaker Village that would likely slow down or hinder the city’s purchase of the clubhouse even without the lawsuit.
Shaker Village is a community of over 350 townhomes built in the early 1970s. Association members have said the community is drowning in debt due to mismanagement by previous boards. Severe drainage problems and roofing issues plague the community.
The city has said it plans to build a community center on the clubhouse property – which has become an eyesore – to better serve Eastside residents.
Tamarac’s commission voted 3-2 in July 2023 to purchase the 2.4-acre clubhouse property, with Mayor Michelle Gomez and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos casting the only two votes against the deal.
The sale has stirred vocal opposition from Tamarac residents on both sides of the issue.
Commissioner Marlon Bolton, who lives in Shaker Village and supports the sale, has said he will not accept any benefits from the deal or any others regarding Shaker Village and Tamarac.
The Broward Office of the Inspector General has demanded records from the city about the clubhouse deal but has not announced any findings.
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