At the Tuesday, March 10, Pahokee City Commission meeting, a truly baffling action took place. Interim Manager Bussey showed her contempt for public records requests made by me, Vice Mayor Cowan-Williams, other agencies, and more. She indicted that such requests are wasting time, and she could be doing more for the city if not having to deal with public records requests. City records requests are not optional and should be provided in a timely manner.

It should not take over a month to provide a member of the public requested documentation as it has for my Feb. 10 request for “all emails sent between the Finance Director and Interim Manager Bussey.”

I was advised by the City’s IT person Mark Liskay on March 4 that the request was fulfilled the weekend of Feb. 28-29. I have sent six separate emails requesting a follow up and status of the material to the clerk. Last communication from the City Clerk on March 5 said, “The request is under review.” I would like to have faith that nothing improper is happening and that “concerning emails” are not being removed from my request but the extreme delay in this material begs serious questions. This morning, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, I sent my seventh public records request email for this material.

Most shockingly, from last night’s meeting, is that Bussey felt the need to name drop Pahokee’s Vice Mayor and myself as the individuals who are putting in public records requests. I submit all my documentation requests directly to the city clerk, as she is the custodian of the city’s records. So, I am unaware how the Interim Manager even knows that I put in requests for records, documentation, and back up material. My point for years to the city has been the more information you give directly to the public on your city website, the less we the public must waste time putting in formal requests for such material. Since Bussey felt the need to call out my public records requests, I submitted a new one this morning to City Clerk Clarke. I requested names of all persons who have put in public records requests since Bussey began employment with the city so those names can also be made public.

I would argue that public records requests are not a meaningless part of a public employee’s job. They are vital for the public and the news media to hold public governmental employees accountable. If you had prior city management experience, maybe you would have known the amount of time one should allocate to fulfilling the vital role of the public’s right to know via public records and documentation requests.

On a side note, no one on the city commission last night felt it improper that Bussey hired Commissioner McDonald’s daughter for a position in the Finance Department. That decision deserves further evaluation and scrutiny both internally and by appropriate agencies.