Pahokee’s regular city commission meeting convened on Feb. 24. The meeting was going smoothly until the topics of the permanent city manager interview process and Interim Manager Bussey came up. First, Scott literally called the HR Director a liar in the meeting while she was present. The accusation surrounded on if an application for permanent city manager was received by the deadline. At every possible opportunity, Scott relishes in disrespecting staff, calling into question their duties and character. He constantly bashes former and current city staff. Scott is so unprepared and unserious as an elected official. He's a joke. Every time he speaks, he makes himself look ignorant.

Mayor Babb spoke truth when he gave his Mayor’s Report. He stated that Interim Manager Bussey should publicly (if not privately) speak to her family and friends about their conduct at city meetings. He stressed that she does little to nothing to stop their rancorous actions at the public podium. Babb went on to say what I have maintained, which is that the City’s CEO should be helping to make the city business meetings productive rather than discordant. Mayor Babb opined that Bussey could quell the tensions brought to the meetings by her family and friends if she desired. Babb also inquired what the Former Finance Director Joseph R Martin said was his reason for leaving the city. Martin stated in his exit interview paperwork that he “left due to internal financial controls violations by Interim Manager Bussey.” To that Bussey’s response was that Martin was not comfortable with change to processes that she brought forward. This is an odd excuse as Martin had served under a handful of Interim and permanent City Managers, so change was constant.

Shockingly, without further discussion or a true investigation, McDonald concurred that the Former Finance Director was lying about his documented accusation. She took Bussey’s side without doing her due diligence. This is a slap in the face of the voters who never got a chance to elect her (she was appointed by Cowan, McPherson, and Scott). She snidely mentioned that Martin made that accusation right before resigning. To an unbiased person that would be enough cause to investigate further but not for Bussey’s sidekicks on the commission which are McDonald, Scott, and McPherson. Ms. Susan who was the former Financial Consultant who started with the city in October 2019 to help with the city audits (that were constantly 2 years behind) spoke during public comment. She gave the Commission her direct timeline of work done. She provided the dais with her experience with the current Interim Manager. Bussey was unprofessional and unbecoming of a Municipal Manager in her dealing with the former Financial Consultant. Again, outrageously, neither Scott, McPherson, or McDonald probed Susan or Bussey further into the situation. Bussey said Susan was lying. Susan mentioned that two people in the finance department have left the city. So, three city staff leave with bad dealings with Bussey, but she is not the problem. Make it make sense. The meeting video as of 9:41am, February 25, 2026, has 708 views: https://www.youtube.com/live/d1Zdg1l1wts.

Everyone calling each other liars. Wonder why nothing gets done?! This is why Pahokee is a non-starter with other levels of government. Not only do community members embarrass the city, but the governing body is a shining humiliation. These are your city leaders... Are you impressed?!