The new Pahokee City Commission majority has dealt a serious blow to Pahokee’s Stability and Future.

The new majority on the dais has developed the habitude of wrecking the city’s stability by their words, actions, and votes. To me, it is because they are all in their first terms as commissioners except for Mayor Babb. They have endlessly questioned both Manager Jackson and city staff’s work and ability to perform their duties. They caused the resignation of current Manager Michael Jackson who is from the Glades and has served as city manager in a Glades sister city. Prior to Jackson being chosen as the latest Pahokee municipal manager, many in the community demanded a local person for the position. The sad part is that the community never spoke up to defend or stand up for Mr. Jackson at commission meetings.

Upon viewing the interviews of the September 30 special meeting, it cemented my view that Connolly was far and away the best candidate to fill the Pahokee interim manager position based on his experience and education. He has over 20 years of direct professional municipal service and experience. As of 8:00 am this morning on October 2, the meeting video has 262 views online: https://youtu.be/ZBAvEUSlD98?si=0hWJUwieOZqEWJ9y. The interviews ended at meeting mark 2:28:30. After the interviews, the Commission deliberated and started scoring the interviews from highest to lowest. As scores were being added up and after first saying he had a tie with Bulkeley and Bussey, McPherson abruptly said “We did not agree to a scoring system but a consensus.” The interviews and scoring system was the exact same way the interim manager was chosen the last time when Michael Jackson was the pick.

The Commission approached the interim manager vote exactly the way they did with the vacant Boldin Commission seat. They decided by simple majority vote. How the new majority commission approached the vote for interim manager is a shining example of what is wrong with their approach to city government. They change established processes to fit their narrative and personal agendas. In short, they manipulated the process. It was truly an embarrassment that the world can now see. Cowan motioned to make Bussey interim city manager, and McPherson seconded the motion. McPherson’s own question of “How many years of municipal budget experience do you have?” should have been enough to disqualify many of the interviews and the commission’s choice of Bussey.

Mayor Babb failed to rearrange the agenda to allow public comment prior to the vote for interim manager. Three people commented after the vote during public comment, and I agreed with all three. First to comment was Former Vice Mayor Murvin, who stated “Eyes of the state, county, and local leaders are upon Pahokee.” Up next was Carl Morrison, Sr. He rightfully pointed out to the commission that if they allowed their HR Director to do her job, half the applicants would not have been interviewed. He pointed out that the commission was not adhering to their own interim manager job advertisement for qualifications and experience. Finally, former Commissioner and Vice Mayor Allie Biggs reminded the dais that “For the last 3 years Pahokee has not gotten any government funding.”

With this disastrous choice and vote for Interim Manager, these 4 out of 5 freshmen office holders have dealt a severe blow to Pahokee stability and future. The city will not bounce back soon enough with this tremendously reckless vote.

Given Pahokee’s devastating long record with its municipal managers, it was very irresponsible and damaging for Cowan, Scott, McPherson, and McDonald to put the city in further jeopardy with their pick. I strongly believe with this horrendous action by the new commission majority, Pahokee will once again get zero additional government funding from the state next year and for the near future.

Cowan, McPherson, Scott, and McDonald’s vote has put the last nail in Pahokee’s coffin. It will lead to Pahokee continuing to be excluded with other government agencies and funding sources. Under this commission leadership, Pahokee will remain on the do not engage list. They have not given Pahokee the tools to succeed with their interim manager choice and vote. I have long pushed back against those Pahokee critics who say that the city’s charter should be pulled, and the city turned over to the county to manage. With this commission’s latest vote, I am seriously starting to consider the option. Finally, this new commission’s words, actions, and votes are not improving Pahokee’s future one bit. The only criteria the elected body should have based their choice for interim city manager on was someone who can bring back government funding to the city, directly manage city projects and staff, and direct city budgeting experience. Pahokee, your commission has failed you. You will not be able to blame anyone else when Pahokee remains unfunded by other government bodies.

Sincerely,
David Joseph Ruiz
Advocate For Pahokee