Speaking at the end of the commission’s meeting Thursday evening, Flagler Beach City Commissioner Jane Mealy warned Commission Chairman Eric Cooley of unspecified “consequences” if he were to ever treat her the way he did at a special meeting last week. Cooley conceded that he had been “spitting fire,” doubled down, dismissing Mealy’s criticism as “armchair quarterbacking” and accusing her of not behaving like an adult.
While the two commissioners spoke with level voices, only occasionally interrupting each other and letting the matter be after each spoke, it was a rare moment of open, bitter discord on a commission that–with notable grandstanding moments in the past couple of years–has generally avoided the sort of personal clashes that have undermined other local government panels in recent years.
Mealy in her 17 years on the commission has challenged fellow-commissioners (notably Steve Settle more than a decade ago) and doesn’t take kindly to men shutting her down. Last Thursday’s meeting was convened to formalize the profile of the city that would be part of the search for a new city manager. Cooley thought it would take a few minutes, correcting a few facts in the draft and giving the recruiting firm direction on how to proceed. Mealy was more interested in a page-by-page review.
An already harried Cooley, who said he’d been having a difficult day, heavy-handedly cut her off and on more than one occasion spoke condescendingly of and to her and Commissioner Rick Belhumeur, saying he wasn’t there for “small talk,” then, addressing how salary ranges work, saying it was “pretty sad I have to explain this.”
Mealy purposefully wanted to go last during commissioner comments at the end of Thursday’s meeting. “Eric,” she started, “if you ever talk to me again the way you did last week, there will be some kind of–I don’t know what the repercussions will be, but no one in my lifetime has ever treated me the way you did at that last meeting. You weren’t really nice, and you came into the meeting clearly not wanting to be here. Your goal was to get out as quickly as possible. We had a goal for being here. You kept telling me that everything I said was unimportant, it had nothing to do with it, and whatever you could say that would get us out of here. And I’ve heard from people all over the city, that ‘How could you have that happen to you?’ So it’s not just in my imagination. Right from the beginning, the very first thing that was brought up, you interrupted me right away, so that we would move on to something else.”
Mealy continued: “You said something to the fact that we’re majoring in minors. You spent a lot of time texting. I watched the meeting again. I didn’t even notice you were doing that until I watched it.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Cooley asked.
“You aren’t paying attention is what it had to do with it,” Mealy said.
“‘You’re not here for small talk,'” she quoted him again. “I don’t think any of us had small talk. You may not have thought what we were saying was important, but we did. You are one of the group. We all get elected the same way. This year you happen to be the chair, whose job it is to move things along reasonably, but never to denigrate somebody in any way.”
The May 4 special meeting:
Mealy said she did not sleep for two days after the meeting, “and that is not something that is acceptable to me. You said something was government 101 and it was a shame that you had to explain it. And you said to Rick that this isn’t social hour, ‘I’m not going to listen.’ You have no right to cut any of us off. I don’t know where you thought you had to be that could have been so important. We all have issues in our lives. When we’re told that we have to accomplish something at a meeting. That’s what we come here for.”
She timed every commission member’s talk time during the workshop earlier that week, and found him to talk longer than others. ” So obviously you think that whatever you want to say is more important than the rest of us,” she said.
“Jane,” Cooley cut in, “if you’re going to have an opinion, don’t state my feelings that you’re assuming is fact. You state your complaint. Don’ make stuff up.”
“I didn’t make anything up,” she said.
“You think my thoughts are more important than other people. Leave that nonsense on the side. Just state your concerns,” he said.
“OK. What you presented at both of those meetings last week was, we need to talk less so you can talk more,” Mealy said. “That is a fact, timing-wise. I’m done. I just want you to know that you did not make a lot of friends over the way you acted, especially on Thursday. And I can’t, I won’t put up with it. No one in my life has ever spoken to me that way in my life.”
The Flagler Beach City Commission is made up of six strong-willed members, all of them–commissioner for commissioner–more engaged with each meeting’s voluminous agendas than on any other local government board. The five commissioners and mayor generally get along, though if there is a fault line on the panel, it’s usually between Mealy and Cooley. The fault line is exacerbated by the fact that most of the commissioners hold demanding jobs in addition to their job as commissioners, while Mealy is retired, and Belhumeur, a landlord, has more freedom with the clock. Thursday’s meeting followed on the heels of a nearly 10-hour workshop the day before. By then, Cooley’s patience had threaded.
Cooley conceded that on Thursday, “I was in rare form. I was spitting fire,” a phrase he repeated twice more. “But, however, Number one, I don’t respond to your threats, I’m not going to hear it or entertain it. I think it’s completely unprofessional, out of line for you to even do that.” He went on, addressing mealy: “I am thoroughly and completely uninterested in your armchair quarterbacking of the job I’m doing, so much so that you’re timing how much I talk. If there was an issue on Wednesday, I would expect you to behave like a normal adult and say hey, I feel like I’m not getting my fair shake, and I would like to be able to talk more. It didn’t get addressed. You’re complaining about it after the fact. That’s not how adults behave. So I’m not even interested in it.”
Cooley said what set him off most at the special meeting was what he saw as a tangential budget discussion that was not on the special meeting’s agenda, and that he thought Mealy was mischaracterizing by claiming that a certain budget plan–to hire some additional staff–had the commission’s consensus. Cooley said no such consensus existed.
He said his “business texting” during the meeting was “frankly none of your business,” but again agreed that he was “spitting fire,” and said that was “not the usual Eric. That was a rough day.” But again he doubled down on the time issue: “I also feel that you have zero, absolute zero respect for anybody’s time except your own. And it shows in meetings time and time again. These are business meetings. We’re supposed to be all making a group effort to get through the material as quick as possible. And that played into that. But I was in rare form anyways. So that part I want to 100 percent own. However your threads and your critiques about the job I do and all the armchair quarterbacking that you are notorious for, you’ve tried this with Rick in years past, you tried this with the mayor in years past to tell us what to do and how you think we should do it. And frankly, I’m just not concerned about that. If there’s a procedural thing that is getting missed, or you’re not being heard in a correct way, then I absolutely want to make sure that you do get heard because I have a lot of respect for you and I believe you do a really good job as a commissioner.”
“If we had policy issues, I have no problem with that,” Mealy said.
“A lot of the things we’re disagreeing on are subjective and I think it’s the stuff that that’ll just solve itself moving forward,” he said. (It is notable that three years after her clashes with Settle, Mealy voted in favor of electing him chair, just as she voted in favor of Cooley’s chairmanship last month.)
Mayor Suzie Johnston cautioned that prospective city managers were watching. “We have hired a company at an exorbitant amount of money of $30,000,” Johnston said. “They are the experts in the field. I have been an executive recruiter. That’s what I was in my previous job. Let’s also remember we have some potential city managers that are watching, that when we’re micromanaging–I’m going to use that word–an executive search firm on what they are the subject matter of, it’s going to reflect on our city and how we act as a commission, and we need to keep that in mind. We need to let the subject matter [experts] do what they are best at.”
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
I agree that no person should be spoken down to and respect Mealy’s feelings on that, but I find it unusual that Mealy had taken this up during a council meeting, she should had kept the dirty laundry so to speak in her backyard and had a more private conversation with Cooley, why take up even more time to air her dirty laundry in a council meeting, besides being on this commission for 17 years one would think that the public does not want to hear this kind of bickering between 2 seated officials, I feel she acted in poor judgement in taking up everyones time in doing this, her goal was to embarass Cooley publicly and this is also not professional. She also from what I remember did not want the previous city manager to be fired and maybe is somehow holding ill feelings about that. Anyway I think it’s time for Mealy to retire, 17 years is a long time, sounds like a career politician, give some new young blood a chance with fresh ideas and a strong gut. I commend Mealy for her stamina and for her accomplishments.
JOE D says
Having watched (in entirety) both the budget workshop AND the Special COMMISSION meeting…Ms Mealy’s comments about OVER EXTENDING salary offers due to the Commission considering ADDING additional staffing positions was ENTIRELY appropriate to be mentioned in the City Manager’s special meeting
Keeping mind of the tax dollars is EXACTLY why MS MEALY keeps getting elected——see my later comments on BOTH meetings below.
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
JOE D: I understand entirely where you are coming from, yes all those factors you have mentioned are of absolute importance to a city manager position and should be discussed but at this meeting things could have been handled a little differently had Mealy left her ego aside and met with Cooley privately and expressed her feelings of his inappropriate behavior towards her behind closed doors then express to him the importance of the things you had mentioned. I am not saying that Cooley was right in what he did but I believe that the public is tired of seeing drama at these meetings, we saw enough with the previous FCBOCC unelected commissioner and still there is one commissioner who lingers who is extremely rude to our newly elected one in public view ,I believe due to the landslide loss of his unelected buddy and our new commissioner takes it all in with a smile and carries on. Some of these older officials who have been seated for years hold alot of animosity towards the newer ones thinking that they are self entitled because they have been there so long. Do commissioners have time limits? This I do not know, if not they should and allow like I mentioned some fresh new blood to come in with fresh views and ideas. However Mealy should be commended on all her years of service, some like her, some do not but maybe it’s time is all I’m saying.
Duncan says
It’s disappointing that Eric Cooley, can not just simply apologize. He was obviously in the wrong, we all have bad days, it does not give you license to take it out on others. When we do, do the right thing and apologize.
Eric certainly does display himself as the most important member of the commissioner, and I think he just might be, he certainly is the Alpha on the group. However, the dispute certainly is not a good look, and his ‘adult’ comment is contrary to his own actions.
I think he owes Jane Mealy a public apology and needs to try harder to check his bad day at the door.
Sherry says
@Duncan. . . I couldn’t agree more! Yes, Ms. Mealy needed to discuss this situation in “open forum” because those represented by these “equally elected” officials need to understand how the “team” is getting along and cooperating.
I suspect that Ms Mealy/other commission members have already asked/suggested to Mr. Cooley to address the other members in a more respectful/congenial manner. . . but, apparently to no avail.
Below the surface, there are likely other motivational factors creating friction here. . . differences in political parties, gender and age. As an older woman, I personally detect some underlying chauvinism and ageism at play.
Although Mr. Cooley admitted to “spitting fire”. . . he made a huge mistake for not taking that opportunity to publicly apologize to Ms. Mealy, and to his constituents who count on him to be completely focused and professional when he is attending to Flagler Beach business.
Texting during meetings is very disrespectful and unacceptable! If Mr. Cooley does not have the professional “team” demeanor and focused time to devote to being an accomplished Flager Beach commissioner, perhaps it is time for him to resign.
James Alboe says
Cooley apologized to her after he public comment. Actually twice.
Sherry says
@JA Can you please post a link that documents that apology? Thanks!
JOE D says
I too would like to know where those two “apologies “ were ( unless they were done OFF CAMERA)!
I rewatched the Special meeting, and there was no OBVIOUS apology from Mr. Cooley to Ms. Mealy….unless you call his admission he was:“breathing fire that day” and his additional comment:“That was not the USUAL Eric,” you consider as APOLOGIZING …which I would consider rather WEAK justifications for the way he treated Ms Mealy in the meeting.
I REALLY do love the Florida SUNSHINE laws…that is until our current Governor extends his current shield from Sunshine laws….to OTHER areas of government….give him time, he has at least 1 more year to have those laws repealed.
Celia Pugliese says
Law Abiding is correct. There you are Sherr, your link with the Palm Coast Beach resort and location map on the ocean front, pictures and all a historic editorial from then Orlando Sentinel!
Scroll down to see it: https://palmcoastcorehomes.tripod.com/id39.html
Whether you were not here in 1991 and are newcomer that doesn’t know what you are talking about!. I enjoyed that Palm Coast Ocean front Sunsports resort built by ITT to attract and for Palmcoasters . Pool and cabanas were we used to have our raising funds parties for our non profit community organizations on it! What happened is that was very super classy and affordable membership as well.
Joe D says
I Watched the entire meeting minute by minute. Bravo Ms Mealy!!!! Eric Cooley’s disrespectful, dismissive treatment of Ms Mealy in the meeting was both unprofessional AND surprising!
It was clear within the first few minutes of the meeting, that by his comments, he expected the meeting to be a short “edit approval” and then DONE. From the number of times he kept checking his watch during the meeting, it was clear he needed to be somewhere else.
I’m GLAD Ms Mealy suggested the edits to the City Manager outreach “brochure!”
She wanted to clarify to prospective City Manager applicants, that many of the AMENITIES listed in the draft recruiting document, while certainly NEARBY Flagler Beach, were OFFICIALLY outside Flagler Beach city limits (Marineland, Camping, etc)….but only minutes away, to a potential manager looking to relocate (possibly with family). She also suggested updating some of the outdated facts about Flagler Beach, in the original copy. All of those suggestions, were accurate and appropriate.
The “Small Talk” insult from Mr Cooley surrounded the suggestion ( by the executive search consultant) that the City Manager salary range be increased from $125k -$155k to an upper limit of $175k. Ms Mealy commented that they SERIOUSLY needed to consider what the City could reasonably afford.
She referred to the discussion of the prior day’s budget workshop ( which was absolutely WONDERFUL in giving City taxpayers a detailed summary of EXACTLY where their money goes…although EXCRUCIATINGLY Long….might want to divide future such workshops to 2 sections on 2 days). In that meeting there was a strong suggestion ( not a definite agreement, as Ms Mealy remembered) to potentially higher 4 new staff (?Internal City Engineer/HR assistant?/ 1 new police officer?/and I can’t remember the potential 4th position…potential formal GRANTS coordinator?). Commissioner Rick Belhumore (?sp) corrected her that those new positions were only HIGLY SUGGESTED, not a done deal ( which is what actually was said…..I watched THAT workshop too)
Ms Mealy was TRYING to suggest that such an increase in City Manager salary offer might REALLY need to be considered in light of the additional positions being considered.
Mr. Cooley ( who up to that day’s meeting had my full respect) interrupted the SHORT clarification discussion between them, saying it was a SIDE issue, that this was not “SOCIAL HOUR,” and not appropriate for that day’s discussion. Ms Mealy, (essentially being shut down) said there was no point in her saying anything more.
A consideration of TOTAL budget expenditures was VERY APPROPRIATE in a discussion of potential salary offers. As a Flagler Beach taxpayer ($6500/ year), I’m VERY grateful that Ms Mealy brought up the issue of budget constraints to be considered
MAYBE, Flagler Beach has OUTGROWN the ability to be managed by a PART TIME Commission, and Mayor? Seems that outside PERSONAL BUSINESS time demands of Elected City Administration Staff, may be interfering with full attention to City day to day issues. I of course ( in reality), have no idea what that idea would do to Salary levels, or even interest in serving the City at all, at a full time basis
To restore my respect for Eric Cooley, I would expect a PERSONAL PUBLIC apology to Ms Mealy….which given his later comments to her when they met again, don’t appear to be coming any time soon unfortunately…
Motherworry says
You have the gall to expect Cooley to apologize?? It takes a man to admit he screwed up and apologize. That isn’t Cooley. Further remember Cooley’s past history with women, he is who he is.
Cooley is punching waaay above his weight. Remember, Jane at one time was a union official in NY. A tough learning environment to succeed in and she did. I must give Cooley credit, he managed to finally piss Jane off to the point that she finally spoke up. Something that rarely happens.
Kudos’s to Jane for speaking up, she remembers that a bully will only do to you what you allow him too. Keep up the good work Jane a whole bunch of us really appreciate you being there for us.
Kim says
Flagler Beach pays $7,000 for Part-Time Elected Officials.
Palm Coast pays $44,670 for Part time elected officials.
At this rate its a volunteer job. Yes I agree it should be full time but actually pay a full time salary or a decent wage like Palm Coast.
Like everything, you get what you pay for.
JOE D says
Well for $7000, that IS almost VOLUNTEER pay. However Palm Coast has approximately 30k residents and Flagler Beach has 5k full time residents ( 1/6 the population of Palm Coast), so if you divide Palm Coast’s Salary by 6 you get $7445 (which isn’t too far off the current salary).
Given the challenges /demands of Flagler Beach now, and in the future, we really need to look at what we are asking, in terms of time.
Of course NO ONE (including me) wants to to hear about tax increases….. BUT, it was Clear from the City budget workshop, that we are paying for County Police Services in our taxes ( as brought up by Commissioner Cooley) but are not getting much if ANY tax paid County Police services. In fact we have to
Pay the County OVERTIME pay when we use County Police to cover our expanded Summer Beach population, which benefits the taxpayers of all Flagler County, but at Flagler Beach’s taxpayer expense. It also looks like on multiple occasions, Flagler Beach Police initially respond to calls in Palm Coast, with no staff hourly cost reimbursement to Flagler Police’s budget afterward.
Also discussed, was we are essentially the ONLY beach area for Palm Coast residents, but (unlike Flagler Beach residents, and fee paying Flagler Beach tourists) day tripping Palm Coast residents use Flagler Beach services FREE of charge? We MIGHT want to look at that in the future. SOME jurisdictions CHARGE for beach access, with a permit which is free for local residents, but at a cost for out of state and out of town residents ( think some Delaware and Cape May, NJ beach areas).
Flagler Beach produces MASSIVE income to the County and State through property taxes, extra sales taxes and rental bed taxes, and restaurant taxes….would like to see some of these costs generated by outside jurisdictions be evenly paid for. I just think it’s been going on for so long, that no one was questioning it until now….
Sherry says
Excellent points Joe D! I agree that for many years there has been a huge financial burden on the tiny town of Flagler Beach and it’s residents to provide services for the influx of local and even out of state tourists that pour into town at essentially Zero costs to them. Tourists do provide revenue/taxes for restaurants and accommodation providers. . . but, at what cost? I’m not sure any kind of study has been completed to analyze the “entire” scope of this situation. Certainly other small tourist destinations have had to grapple with this same “out of balance” scenario, so there would be no need to reinvent the wheel.
Saying that, I remember “attempts” at considering a simple parking fee. Even the suggestion of such a possibility caused a huge “brouhaha” from the citizens of Palm Coast. . . and, that idea went by the wayside.
But, the financial problem remains. Certainly the burden should not continue to rest “entirely” on those living in Flagler Beach. . . the “day trippers” need to begin paying their fair share for Flagler Beach services.
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
Remember that these daytrippers also bring money into Flagler, gift shops, dining, also someone once mentioned that ITT had set aside beach access with a pool and cabanas as part of the Palm Coast amenities attraction to get people to move into this now overtaxed, over developed poor infrastructured city with all its overcrowded roads but that was sold out to developers of course. People no longer have what they came here for, if Mayor Alfin lives up to his plan of a Y this may help but we don’t even have enough community pools for people to cool off in these hot months coming, not everyone can afford to build one on their backyard and many don’t live in these rich gated communities. I feel by charging people access to the beach who are taxpayers in the county is a wrong move and will create ill feelings, charge the tourist that don’t live in the county a day pass. Maybe when the new hotel comes it will bring in money for the town. Flagler Beach can also use some new upscale restaurents , a little more diversity can breed more business. I understand that its residents want to maintain it as a sleepy little town and there is a price to pay for that.
Sherry says
@LAC. . . can you please provide a link to the documentation that says that ITT legally provided free beach access to Palm Coast residents. I would sincerely like to know precisely where that is.
I personally lived in the town of Flagler Beach for 17 years and attended many city commission meetings and stayed current on local politics. I have never read any official documentation that says that the residents of the city of Palm Coast are “entitled” to freely use the town of Flagler Beach as their beach access and play ground, with zero responsibilities for the cost of maintaining the public services provided by the town of Flagler Beach. Is there some kind of provision between the two towns where there is revenue sharing or something?
If there is no legal provision that the town of Flagler Beach is required to provide such “free” access to the residents of Palm Coast. . . then I do not understand why the residents of Palm Coast should continue to use the facilities of Flager Beach for free.
There is a toll on the Hammock bridge. Perhaps a “reasonable” toll on the Flagler Beach bridge. . . using Electronic toll collection/high tech scanners which would exempt Flagler Beach residents. . . would be the most simple and equitable solution. There could even be a discount negotiated for Palm Coast residents.
There has to be a way of making this situation more equitable.
JOE D says
Now That’s an idea! I also think the Hammock toll should be DROPPED!
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
Sherry: I will check and get back to you.
palmcoaster says
Sherry you are laughable expecting Palm Coasters to be charged a fee to go you FB beach….hahaha. We still have our own beach after the county gave 5 miles of it to Bobby Ginn including our 8 acres of the Sunsport resort with tennis courts ocean front!
Levitt-ITT and Palm Coast is what put Flagler Beach and this swampy county on the map!. Just in case forgotten! Are not all Palmcoasters using FB ocean front…but outside the area tourist…and wait till that hotel in the middle of the square opens kinda like the WaWa station on the middle of the parkway in PC and within half a block from the one Shell and in front of the Race Track…these Floriduhs running our local government not the residents you need to punish Sherry!
Concerned Citizen says
I work in the area. And my in-laws live in Flagler Beach. They are elderly and I am a primary care taker. So you are suggesting that I be charged more to access family and lively hood?
I throw that out there to you. Because your assumption that we just all go play at the beach with no responsibility is laughable.
logical says
Re Palm Coast residents using Flagler Beach access – Palm Coast pays Flagler County taxes on sales and property taxes. Nuff said. Also, the salaries for Palm Coast’s p/t city council members needs to be slashed – $25,000 for the Mayor and $18,000 for the council. Palm Coast is complaining of running out of money already, and annexing a LOT of Flagler County, which means they are streched to provide services and maintenance.
Joe D says
For logical:
You might have missed the prior comment, that Flagler Beach gets little to NO County police services in our County taxes, and when Flagler beach DOES use County
Police services for Summer and Special events, the County charges Flagler Beach time and 1/2 overtime, for the County police services (essentially we are paying DOBLE for police services)…you Palm Coast County taxes are NOT paying for Flagler Beach services. In addition, per the recent budget meetings, Flagler Beach Police often respond to eastern Palm Coast emergency calls, but those man hours are never reimbursed to Flagler Beach (I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong).
Sherry says
Joe D. . . thanks so much for taking the time to document this “play by play” of the meetings. I’m happy to have my assessment of the situation confirmed. Agree with you and Duncan that Ms Mealy is . . . at a minimum. . . owed a public apology by Mr. Cooley. Beyond that, the citizens of Flagler Beach should expect Mr. Cooley to either take the time to become a focused, respectful, professional “team player” on the city commission or resign. . . to allow someone who is more appropriate to take his place.
Tim says
Agreed! Eric has a temper and his history reflects his behavior. He owes Jane a public apology.
Trotter’s Truth says
Cooley can’t keep his cool. He’s not supposed to be texting as it subject to public records and could be in violation. Run mayor run, he’s only in it for the land and he’s not a safe person.
Concerned Citizen says
I hope all involved are reading this.
Grow up and do your jobs. We are tired of continuous bickering at our expense. How much time is being wasted on this? I hope Ms. mealy will exercise caution around Cooley. He doesn’t have the best track record with women. And he has friends in high places to see he doesn’t get held accountable for his actions.
Gone Gone and GONE says
Oh how the little town by the sea just exposes itself of all its shortcomings and pettiness. This is a prime example of how and why small towns will never get it it right and place the burden of their inadequacies back on the the tax payer who voted them in. Do not miss that ill function town one bit.
Just saying. says
Abusers have specific personality traits that they are unable to hide when placed under pressure.
If you add exhaustion to that you get to see their true colors.
Tim says
Ditto!
Grimes says
Commissioner Cooley is a bully and doesn’t respect women. His past has shown that. Commissioner Mealy hold your head high. Losing sleep over this type of individual (being nice) isn’t worth it. He will never change.
Sherry says
For those who may think Ms Mealy should step down and let a younger person take her seat on the city commission. . . I would like to point out that it is likely that the majority of Ms Mealy’s constituents are retired themselves. Therefore, Ms Mealy shares their values, perspective and priorities. . . who better to be a Flagler Beach City Commissioner?
Disgusted says
Cooley’s attitude towards women is a big problem. Wonder why Belhuemuer, Spradley or Sherman didn’t have the balls to speak up and say something when he was verbally berating Ms. Mealy. Shame on them.
Cooley needs to step down as it is so obvious being a commissioner is too distracting for him. The Mayor also needs to let her boyfriend fight his own battles without constantly chiming in to try and help him. The commission acts like a bunch of elementary school children. Good luck trying to find a city manager that will put up with all this crap.
JOE D says
Commissioner Spradley was not PHYSICALLY present at that meeting ( was mentioned as watching remotely). I think Commissioner Rick was so SHOCKED by Commissioner Cooley’s remarks, that he UNFORTUNATELY didn’t know WHAT to say in the moment.
Handlebar says
Spradley was at the commission meeting when Mealy spoke to Cooley. No one defended her.
FlaglerLive says
Spradley was not at the special meeting where the issue arose.
ChaseE says
I was thinking the same thing. All the other Commissioners remained radio silent on Cooley’s inexcusable behavior. Shame shame on them! They are no better!!
Wow says
Thus as ever.
A woman losing her cool is “a bitch”, a “Karen”, “unprofessional”.
A man losing his cool “having a bad day”.
palmcoaster says
The Hammock Dunes toll Bridge over the ICU was built and paid with ITT bonds that ultimately is paid back by the users in majority Palmcoasters. The Rte 100 bridge over the Intracoastal was built with state and federal monies an as such is no toll. We all paid already for the FB Rte 100 bridge funded by our taxes so is laughable Sherry’s suggestion of a toll now…and maybe only for Palmcoasters..? Sorry had to stray from the main subject here but the nonsense suggestions aimed at Palmcoasters are overbearing.
Concerned Citizen says
To date I have seen no commissioners speak up against Eric Cooley’s behavior. I have also not seen the Mayor speak up. Which is to be expected since they are in a relationship.
Scott Spradley was still in attendance. Even if viewing remotely.
Shame on you if you stay quite. Staying quiet enables this type of behavior. Don’t fall into the good ol boys circling the wagons routine.
CinCin says
Geez, why didn’t someone just suggest everyone submitting their re-writes and compile something from that?