Less than a day after an independent investigative report blistered Mayor Mike Norris for violating the city charter and for chronically unbecoming conduct at City Hall, Council member Charles Gambaro this morning called on the council to request that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove Norris from office for “malfeasance.”
Norris was a no-show for a 9 a.m. workshop this morning. The workshop agenda is packed with half a dozen presentations on the city’s finances, its golf club and aquatics center, a proposed YMCA, and a discussion on goal-setting. Norris received the full agenda Thursday and was in his City Hall office for much of the day Monday.
The investigative report, conducted by a Tallahassee attorney and distributed to council members late Monday afternoon, was not on the agenda. “It will be discussed at an upcoming meeting that has not been determined at this time,” Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston wrote shortly after the report was disseminated Monday evening.
“We’ve got a lot of important issues to discuss today regarding the future of our city,” Gambaro said immediately after the 20-minute public comment segment. “However, to me, nothing is more important than immediately addressing the findings received yesterday regarding the investigation that this council directed to review the mayor’s actions. In short, the accusations that led to the investigation have been sustained and are extremely concerning, especially the substantiated finding of clear malfeasance.”
To be clear, there was no outright finding of malfeasance: the lawyer’s conclusion was more nuanced, but not by much: the investigative report drew a clear line between the city charter’s prohibition on council members interfering with the administration withou council permission, and from there, to the charter’s explicit assertion that “Such action shall be malfeasance within the meaning of Florida Statutes.” The only missing link in the charter is the definition of “interference.”
The lawyer provided it. It is “the act of meddling, intervening, or intruding into affairs or duties that one is not authorized to inϐluence or control. It typically refers to unauthorized involvement in the performance of another ofϐicial’s lawful responsibilities, especially in a manner that impedes or undermines that person’s duties.” Norris, the investigation found, sought to force the resignation of the acting city manager and the chief of staff in a face-to-face meeting witnessed by the city attorney, and was said to have sought the firing of several others. None of that was permissible by charter.
“I wish the mayor was here today so I can tell him myself,” Gambaro said. “I’m truly disappointed with his behavior, his wild accusations against this council, members of our city, staff members of our community without any supporting facts to his claims. An example of this is the Flagler Buzz interview where he gave all of us the middle finger.” Gambaro also cited the mayor’s grim performance at the recent State of the City.
“I know this is a workshop, but I move that this council immediately issue a vote of no confidence and a vote of censure for the reasons that I have laid out,” Gambaro said. “And I also move that this council immediately send a letter to Governor DeSantis requesting the mayor’s removal from office for clear malfeasance. I ask that this letter include signature blocks of those on this council that choose to vote in favor of this motion.”
Customarily, no motions are made or votes taken at workshops. But neither are barred by law. Pontieri asked Gambaro to delay his motion to the end of the meeting, which could be hours later. That’s where the matter stood as the council moved on.
Two of the council members have faced censure issues before: One of them is Pontieri, who was in the majority censuring former Council member Ed Danko last November for his perceived role in undermining a lawsuit at the time pending against the city, and for his loutish behavior. Dank was not at the meeting for that vote.
The other is Dave Sullivan, the former two-term County Commission member appointed to the council last week. Sullivan, in his less creditable acts, twice refused to censure then-fellow-County Commissioner Joe Mullins despite finding Mullins’s conduct reprehensible–his bigotry directed at residents, his frequent lies, his invectives directed at a commissioner at a 9/11 event, and his public name-calling of two fellow-commissioners. Sullivan chaired the commission when he first refused to censure Mullins. He wouldn’t say why.
This morning the council’s five members waited a few minutes past 9 a.m. to start the meeting, figuring Norris may have been running a bit late. Neither Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri nor Johnston had received any word from Norris.
Pontieri gaveled the meeting to order. Dave Ferguson, one of the few people who addressed the council during the public comment segment, and one of three finalists before last week’s appointment of Dave Sullivan to the District 3 Council seat, suggested: “Everyone smile! It’s not the end of the world.” He was not It’s not clear whether he was referring to the Norris investigation or to the process that led to Sullivan’s appointment by inadvertent semi-secret ballots, which he urged the council to fix.
Standing at the lectern in front of the mayor’s empty chair, Ferguson said: “I was going to take him down today. I was going to tell him why isn’t a Grand Haven resident eligible to represent District 3?” One of Norris’s strangest, if not discriminatory, objections to several of the 13 candidates who’d applied for the appointment, and the 10 who’d interviewed with the council, was their home address. He didn’t want Grand Haven residents, even though they represent one of the larger blocs in the district, and are typically–voter for voter–the most politically engaged, if voter turnout is a measure.
A call to Norris’s cell phone led to the same odd voice mail, by a different person, that a call had on Monday.
Shark says
Norris should be removed for malfeasance !!!!
Fernando Melendez says
Do us all a favor and resign.
Judith G. Michaud says
Oh well, that’s what you get when you put another Republican in! Please vote Blue next time!
JC says
Do we really want the governor to really suspend Norris and place Dennis McDonald (or his wife) in the mayor seat? Maybe even replace Norris with Ed Danko…….
James says
Knowing the maga mentality they will probably put Alfin back into the mix !!!!
Ben Hogarth says
You can be removed from office for simple gross negligence aka *MISfeasance.*
But an investigation that has a finding of “MALfeasance” is next-level. Would a court come to the same conclusion? Does it matter?
What standard do we have for elected officials, I wonder. To bare minimum follow the law? What about setting the best example?
The problem is that the average voter expect a circus. They’ve been led to believe all government is bad and all government inevitably and absolutely is corrupt. So they get clowns. It’s now accepted because we expect it.
But imagine a world where the voters were educated and the candidates for office were among the best of us. Imagine a world where the voters understood the issues and the candidates spoke to issues and not identity cults of personality.
What an incredible world that would be. Sorry to hear that the public sector employees in Palm Coast were tormented by the behavior of one seriously bad actor. Perhaps the voters of Palm Coast need to do more due diligence before they cast ballots. And perhaps cast ballots based on character rather than party and identity.
A man can dream
Land of no turn signals says says
The Palm Coast city council has been a shit show for over a decade.
Worrisome says
It seems like Deja vu in this town. Remember all the scathing articles against Melissa Holland. The lies the FBI was investigating her. She was forced out by these people who wanted someone in office to push their agenda of overbuilding in this city. Now they are doing it to Mike Norris because he won’t play the game.
The residents voted him in to stop all the corruption. Stay strong Mike, don’t let them get their way.
Three ring circus says
Idk if this show is a comedy or a tragedy.
Either way the show isn’t very good
JimboXYZ says
I would think if they were trying to remove him, a recall would be more likely than Governor DeSantis removing him ? But here we are, a similar situation that brought us into the 3.5 years of David Alfin. Nobody wants approve & spend Alfin back either. The voter mandate on Nov 2024 was that Alfin wasn’t the Vision/Imagine of 2025. I don’t see what Norris did was really all that wrong. As an employee, whenever the new Director was hired, the staff was restructured, some were outright fires, some were retirements, others resignations. That’s how the staff & departments are restructured to be “leaner & meaner” as new management coined & termed for a spin on any corporate restructures. Government employees aren’t any more sacredly safer just the same. How long did it take the City Manager under Holland to figure that out when she resigned that he would resign “out of the blue” as unexpected resignation ? Fire Department office politics too for any that have stepped down for retirements, ahead of the inevitable removal(s) before those became uglier internal affairs. Bevan was terminated by Alfin as well, only the appearance was a blind side motion & vote that Alfin already had his proxy to push that vote ?
When I read the article on the findings, I had a gut feel the Mayor Norris coup was on, refrained from commenting on that article. But recall reading that the panel of the investigation found against Norris, there were sanctions that weren’t off the table vs Norris. Then this article hit the interwebs and it’s as drastic as the State Governor getting involved to remove Norris as mayor. It’s clear Norris wanted a restructure, clear that the targets of his restructure have banded together collectively for this for not being at a workshop. If it isn’t clear that the direction of the City of Palm Coast & Flagler County needed a change from Holland & Alfin eras. Norris inherited that mess and staff even. Change won’t happen, the first months and a moratorium of Norris & the mess of growth that was grossly underfunded was incompetence from top to bottom of anyone that’s been elected & employed by the City of Palm Coast over recent eras of Mayors is obvious. Norris can’t correct the course without restructuring the problem(s) that got us all here.
That YMCA thing, what sense does it make to spend millions for pools that already exist that are loss leaders for more manageable thousands on an annual basis ? The last YMCA failed here, this one will too. So let’s tax up & build ball fields & stadiums with no sports leagues or franchises to utilize, because the existing fields of dreams aren’t grand enough as a mecca for parents as sports fans & mediocre local athletes for 2025. At any rate the short list are the same topics & items that nobody wanted/wants over the course of prior years. The sports complex was one that was voted down. How is Norris supposed to uphold that when Synergy does the county end run to get back in the picture for something that nobody wants. Same old council workshop, trying to find ways to cram it down taxpayers throats that has been overwhelmingly opposed to & defeated in a ballot vote. Not really Democracy & a democratic process when the public shoots down by vote. Yet somehow the dead issue rises & still being kicked around in workshops & council meetings for consideration, as if the results of a public ballot vote didn’t matter. It’s like finding ourselves with $ 512-700+ million for STF’s water bill increases. I feel for Norris in that regard, Holland & Alfin screwed us pretty good for this mess.
MAGGIE M. says
I believe if he has any respect for himself he will just resign. He will learn to be more polite and respectful of people in the future as I am sure he has learned his lesson. I believe his PTSD and Anger issues caused this problem, and you have to feel a little sorry for the guy. His MAGA supporters are in a tizzy aleady using the ‘witch hunt’ and conspiracies phrases taught to them by Trump. Palm Coast is a ‘red’ town and we need to get democrats in here to fix all the wrongs that have been done and are still being done.
The dude says
Didn’t vote for the guy.
Don’t approve of this situation.
Being a hotheaded asshole doesn’t rise to the level of “malfeasance” needed to remove an elected official, unless it doesn’t stop and/or gets worse.
Still have no hope for any decency, or competence from a MAGA elected official. But this is what you all voted for.
Willing to let him learn on the job.
He’s better than a Mayor Danko, or a Mayor Lowe would be by many many orders of magnitude.
NJ says
DeSantis will appoint one Raynior’s PUPPETS so that the Greedy SCUMBAG Developers can continue to DESTROY Palm Coast
Tired of it says
Have to love those trump Republicans. He thought he could act like trump and everyone would be afraid to fight back. The local Republican organization knew what he was like and still supported him.
polysci says
I am really curious about what Gambaros game plan is because he seems to have much to say. Especially for an unelected council member. But then again, look who appointed him.
polysci says
Just saying. I am so disappointed in last council and this council. We the residents voted for Mike Norris. This is ridiculous what they are trying to do to the Mayor Mike Norris. I wish DeSantis would come to check out Gambaro. How did he get a seat?
Critical Eye says
Governor DeSantis needs to be made aware that Mike Norris is nothing less than a bully. Plus the fact Norris has done absolutely nothing to improve our city. Instead he has caused discord and division in ways that are not normal. If we have to endure
3 1/2 more years with Norris in office it will completely destroy Palm Coast.
In my opinion Mike Norris appears to have very strong mental issues and dangerous anger issues that he needs to address. We cannot afford or allow Norris to stay in the position of Mayor any longer. .
Billy says
I think the city council is corrupt! These actions prove it!
Facts matter says
Thank you NJ, Billy & Jimbo for confirming Norris’ & your continued support of unethical, AWOL actions & baseless assaults on working people’s reputations. The public now realizes that no amount of bizarre and damaging behavior can deter your support. Time & light have proven Norris’ & remaining supporter’s only talents are defaming and bullying.
Despite the facts never aligning with Norris’ and your false narratives, you continue to bleat endless garbage and destroy the reputations of hard working staff and the silent but dedicated people who actually contribute time, money & jobs to the community. May we suggest you volunteer at the food pantry, high school, get a hobby or read a novel. Heck, how about repairing the reputations of people you have falsely maligned? Your, “I got mine, now screw everyone else” ethos has worn out Palm Coaster’s “welcome” .
Yeah, it's over. says
https://flaglerlive.com/wp-content/uploads/at-prayer.jpg
Does one need to face the flag to pray? Are you praying to God or the flag, or the wall here?
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to church, so forgive me for not being up to speed on this.
Sparks says
This is just unbelievable. We voted Mike Norris in Now let him do his job.Gambaro you need to go. We didn’t vote for you and I would never vote for you. One word for you. ( BULLY)!!!!
Steve says
Joe Mullins for Mayor NOW /s
James says
I think “Yeah, it’s over” has made a good observation.
Flags are to be respected, not worshipped.
Respected for what they stand for, the values they represent, and for the sacrifices of those that made those values and legacy possible. Pledging allegiance to one is in this sense reasonable.
Worshipping one perhaps questionable.
Of course the picture is a moment in time, the caption a choice of words. A moment of prayer/silence would not in my opinion necessitate even getting up out of one’s seat, let alone turning to the flag. But again, that’s just my opinion as well.
Again, the picture is a moment in time… it could be just before they said the pledge, or after. But even to put thought to such a consideration speaks of our times here in Palm Coast. For to dissent… to have the ability to even do so… is a strength of our democracy, not a weakness, and one of the values (paradoxically) for which one pledges.
Yep, time to move on.
Just an opinion.