Pahokee’s Regular Scheduled Meeting took place April 14, 2026, with the important addition of Permanent City Manager interviews with 4 applicants. They were BRENDA BRYANT, RAMSAY BULKELEY, Current Interim Manager TAMMY BUSSEY, and KIM JOHNSON. During the interviews, City Clerk Clarke mentioned that candidate BULKELEY would not be interviewing. The interviews consisted of each candidate providing an opening statement followed by said candidate responding to 10 questions from HR Director Prince.

After the interviews were completed, the Commission voted to offer the permanent City Manager position to Brenda Bryant in a 3 to 2 vote with Mayor Babb, Vice Mayor Cowan-Williams, and McPherson in the majority. Scott and McDonald gave their vote to Bussey which was no surprise as they originally voted her as Interim Manager. From their words, actions, and votes, it was clear that in Scott and McDonald’s eyes, Bussey could do no wrong or take no blame for the current climate in city hall or in the city meetings. Neither of them ever brought up the Former Finance Director’s resignation due to his allegation that Bussey was “violating internal controls”. In meetings, McDonald always tried to distance Bussey from criticism and accountability for her words and actions. Scott and McDonald never examined Bussey’s managerial style.

In the end, Bussey sabotaged herself with the City Clerk altercation, the way her supporters and family used the public comment period at the meetings, etc. I admit that I had it wrong on McPherson. I lumped him in with Scott and McDonald as not moving away from Bussey. I felt this because I observed his words, actions, and votes since he voted her in as Interim Manager. As the Vice Mayor changed her view on Bussey, I too should have given grace to McPherson and see where he landed. I can admit publicly, I was wrong to insist that McPherson was tethered to the Bussey camp. I sent McPherson this text last night: Thank you for truly moving Pahokee forward tonight. I really liked Johnson, but Bryant has experience directly working under state legislator!

After the vote, people were disgusting with what they called McPherson. I won’t repeat it here but it’s on video. It is deplorable. Losers show you their character on how they take defeat. Thank you, McPherson, for seeing beyond the ones that disrupt meetings!

Questions to be asked now: Will those that came to meetings to attack specific Commissioners, continue coming? Will Bussey’s family and supporters return regularly to meetings? Will those that showed up simply to support Bussey, show up to support the city? Will those claiming to love the city join advisory boards? Will those claiming to have a heart for the community come to city/community events? Will those in last night’s audience show up to volunteer opportunities like the April 18 Great American Cleanup? Will Bussey herself even come to future meetings?

To see the applications and resumes for the candidates: https://pahokee-fl.municodemeetings.com/bc-citycommission/page/city-commission-regular-meeting-77

To see the meeting video which already has 1,664 as of now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV7BcOCMqtI

CONGRATS to PAHOKEE’s NEW permanent CITY MANAGER, BRENDA BRYANT! #PahokeeProgress

Sincerely,