The January 27 Pahokee City Commission Meeting was yet another example why this current crop of neophyte Commissioners are out of their depth and woefully unprepared to lead. The quarrelsome part of the meeting came when the topic of seeking a permanent city manager arose from Mayor Babb. He inquired the status of the interim manager’s process for hiring a permanent city administrator. The latest search for an interim manager began when Mr. Jackson announced he would be resigning. In September 2025, the city had nine candidates who applied and interviewed to serve as interim manager. Among them, the best qualified candidate, in my opinion, was Colin Donnelly. The current commission selected Tammy Bussey. This was a very shocking choice as she has neither the education nor the direct experience the city placed in their own job description/job posting ad.

After Bussey’s installation as interim manager, the commission opened the application process for permanent city manager. The city has only received three applications. Those were from Ramsay Bulkeley (applied for interim), Tammy Bussey (applied for interim), and Kim Johnson.

At last night’s meeting, Babb rightfully motioned to reopen the application submission period for permanent manager which was seconded by Cowan. McPherson, Scott, and McDonald voted against the measure. In essence those three are saying they are fine with only having three applicants for permanent administrator: Ramsay Bulkeley, current interim Tammy Bussey, and Kim Johnson. Presumably, this is to hand the permanent city manager role to Bussey.

Last night, Scott wanted to hire Bussey as permanent manager. Mayor Babb correctly pointed out that something of this nature under commission rules needs to be placed on a future agenda. This is because the commission can only take action on items that were given public notice on a public agenda. This is a fact some on the commission seem to forget or are completely ignorant of. McPherson’s words and actions last night were simply performative. He declined reopening the search for a city chief executive while simultaneously saying he wants to stick with the set process and policy regarding interviewing all candidates. He cannot pull the wool over the eyes of the watchful, as we know he would be the third vote to make Bussey permanent city manager.

Mayor Babb was very on point in his words and discussion on the permanent manager position at the meeting. High city manager turnover has most definitely caused stagnation in Pahokee’s progress. It is my view that this is one of the top reasons other levels of government do not take Pahokee seriously or have paused funding. My friend Sybare is right. If Pahokee gets any state funding this session, it will be because it is an election year.

The public speakers (during public comment) do more harm than they know. They are partially to blame for why others don’t take Pahokee’s needs seriously. They knowingly give motive to those who say Pahokee is a clown show.

If you would like to see both the city’s interim manager and permanent city manager job description and ad, you can view it on the Facebook page Pahokee Speaks. There you will also be able to read the OIG Audit Report 2025 - re: Pahokee memo by the Office of State Attorney, by Alan S. Johnson, Chief Assistant State Attorney, so we can once and for all stop saying that past managers, elected officials, city staff, etc stole money.

A seasoned, experienced, proven, capable CITY MANAGER IS NEEDED IN PAHOKEE!

Sincerely,