Editor's note: This article was updated  April 11 with a response from Sheriff Noel Stephen.

OKEECHOBEE – The April 10 Okeechobee County Commission meeting again drew out-of-county protesters, despite clarification that free speech in the meeting is limited to Okeechobee County issues that come under the purview of the commission.

Most of the free speech period was taken up by people who wanted to comment about the sheriff’s department.

“I could stand here all day and say how disappointed I am in the sheriff’s department,” said Ruby Minton. “There is an innocent woman standing trial that stood up against her abusive husband.”

Commission Chair David Hazellief advised her the commission has no jurisdiction over the sheriff or the courts and she should take her complaint to the governor. She said she would. He asked if she had other comments.

“I was pulled over about five years ago, by the sheriff’s department …” she began before Hazellief stopped her and again.

“Please keep it to something we have jurisdiction over,” he explained, giving roads, libraries, parks and senior services as examples.

“The roads are terrible. I just hit a pothole and it cost me $400,” said Minton.

The next speaker, Barry Rhodes, said he wished to speak on a “senior” issue.

“Noel Stephen put a hit out on me, a contract on my life,” he claimed.

Hazellief interrupted the speaker to again explain that the commission has no authority over the sheriff. “We have no jurisdiction,” he stressed.

Rhodes continued to complain about the sheriff’s office and after two warnings, Hazellief asked the deputies to escort him out.

A scuffle ensued when the man refused to go, with other audience members trying to interfere with the deputies. One man was arrested.

The next speaker, Mike Taylor, sang “hush little commissioners” (to the tune of Hush Little Baby, Don’t You Cry) and offered them pacifiers.

“Free speech is something that people can’t grasp,” he said. “For three minutes, just let us speak.’

Hazellief again explained that the limited speech of the public comment period during the meeting is confined to issues under the purview of the county commission.

 “I should have the right to address you on anything I want to address you on,” stated another commenter, who was also asked to leave and did so with a stream of profanity.

“This is a public meeting,” said a man wearing a yellow hat with a “Don’t tread on me,” logo. He started reading a statement about Freedom of Speech. Hazellief stopped the speaker, reminding him comments were confined to “something we have jurisdiction over.”

The last speaker in the public comment period was a local resident, and the commissioners listened intently to her.

“Douglas Park is a mess,” said Emma Byrd. “We need a cleanup on the roads. People are cutting trees and putting them by the roads. You can’t see when you are driving down the road.

“There are houses that have junk everywhere,” she added.

“I also want to address drugs,” she said. “I think it is time for something to be done. I am asking for some help.

“If you have to, shut things down to clean it up,” she added. “We’re losing a whole generation of young people.”

She said a community committee is trying to help the young people, raising money to help them go to college.

The commissioners and county staff agreed to work with her.

Hazellief apologized to the audience for the profane language used by some of the speakers.

“I want to apologize to the community that we have these people coming into our community and using this type of language. They don’t have any respect,” he said.

In a related matter, County Attorneys Gemma Torcivia and Zackery Good recommended the commission adopt an ordinance related to trespass from public facilities for up to two years.

Trespass warnings are allowed under state law to protect and respond to a threat of public safety and protect the public welfare explained Torcivia.

Currently, trespass from county facilities is authorized in the Public Camping Ordinance and the Parks and Recreation Rules Ordinance.

The recommended update would provide procedural due process protection. It would be similar to the Palm Coast ordinance which provides for trespass from public facilities for up to two years. The ordinance provides a procedure for appealing a trespass warning to a special magistrate.

The ordinance will be advertised for discussion at the next meeting.

The commission also discussed changes to  Administrative Regulation 3.09 to allow public hearings to be held at the start of the meeting, moving the open public comment period to follow the advertised public hearings. County Administrator Deborah Manzo said the first public hearing on the agenda will be advertised to start at 9 a.m.

State law does not require public comments period to be at the very start of the meeting, but does prohibit the public comment period from being moved to the last item on the agenda.

At every county commission meeting since Feb. 13, the public comment periods have been taken up by protesters from other counties who complained about the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office in regard to 2024 arrest of Warren Sapp on a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice. The charges were later dropped.

The Lake Okeechobee News reached out to Sheriff Noel Stephen for comment who responded: "It saddens me that a few grown adults choose to spread slander and untruths in an effort to voice their concerns or complaints rather than take appropriate actions.  This is a sad reflection of “some” of our society.  The silent majority have grown weary of negativity and will eventually have enough.  Although most of these attacks are against me personally and professionally, I feel that my position is one to take some of that. BUT.. My staff, my family and my community should NOT be subject to the same.  These individuals are disrespectful, rude and just completely irrational.  As Peter said….” Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult”… "

The meeting video is online at: Video Outline - Okeechobee County, Florida