These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.
Last week, Jo Mayfield set up her table on the steps of the Okeechobee County Tax Collector/Property Appraiser office asking passers by to sign a petition making the use of …
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
Please log in to continue |
OKEECHOBEE — Last week, Jo Mayfield set up her table on the steps of the Okeechobee County Tax Collector/Property Appraiser office asking passers by to sign a petition making the use of recreational marijuana legal for those over the age of 21 and for use in their own homes.
Shortly after the offices opened, a county employee told her she had to leave and even called the Okeechobee City Police to have her trespassed. To the employee's surprise, the police officers who responded said because the building was owned by the county, they would have to have Okeechobee County sheriff's deputies respond. In addition, the officer pointed out an area where Mayfield could set up her table without permission of the county.
Jo said she has been setting up on government property in several different counties and Okeechobee was the first one to object. "I was shocked when I turned around and saw two police cars," said Jo. "I thought I was going to jail. Both of the officers were very nice though. "
County employees did not come back with an ordinance against setting up on county property, but by then, Jo was ready to go home for the day. "I was honestly so shook up that I didn't go to work the next day."
This week, with her husband by her side, Jo felt ready to try again. She set up where the city police officers told her to, but it wasn't long before the same county employee came out to present her with a memorandum. "I talked to our attorney, and she said a memorandum means nothing. They have to show us an ordinance if they want us to move."
The memorandum recognized the right of peacable assembly but claimed the right to restrict free speech when restrictions are justified.
Though the Mayfields said they did not have to obey a memorandum, they did move their table to the area specified. "The spot they wanted us to sit in was actually a better spot than where the city said we were allowed to sit. They also said we could use a 10'x10' , so we will bring one next week.
The couple said they both work for the same company, and have been working on getting signatures. "If we can't get it on the ballot in 2026, we won't be able to try again for seven years," said Jo.
The duo will be back next week, so if you want to sign the petition, look for them from about 7:30 a.m. until the heat gets to be too much, probably around 2 p.m.
