Palm Coast City Council member Charles Gambaro submitted the following letter to residents Sunday evening.
Dear Palm Coast Community,
As your City Councilman, I feel compelled to address the deeply concerning situation currently unfolding in our city government. Recent events have created significant disruption to our city’s operations, damaged public trust, and diverted valuable attention and resources away from the important work of serving our residents. It is with a heavy heart but a firm commitment to transparency that I share these thoughts with you today.
I joined the Palm Coast City Council in full accordance with all established city and state procedures through a process that was carefully designed and unanimously approved by the previous Council. My appointment followed all legal requirements and proper protocols as outlined in our City Charter and Florida state law. Despite this lawful and transparent appointment, Mayor Norris has chosen to file a frivolous lawsuit against the city he was elected to serve, the Supervisor of Elections who upholds our democratic processes, and myself personally. This unprecedented legal action appears to be nothing more than a calculated attempt to deflect attention from the serious and well-documented concerns about his own troubling conduct in office since taking the oath in November of 2024.
The facts in this matter speak clearly for themselves and have been documented through proper channels. An independent and thorough investigation confirmed that Mayor Norris attempted to force the resignation of senior city staff without Council approval or knowledge–a clear and direct violation of our City Charter, which explicitly outlines the separation of powers within our government. This comprehensive investigation, conducted with the utmost professionalism and impartiality, led to a formal ethics complaint signed by four Council members and culminated in an official vote of no confidence and censure in April 2025. These were not actions taken lightly, but were necessary responses to protect the integrity of our city government.
Rather than addressing these substantiated findings in a constructive and reflective manner, Mayor Norris has responded by systematically abandoning key mayoral responsibilities that our citizens expect and deserve. He has publicly refused to fulfill Council liaison appointments–duties that are essential for coordination between the Council and various city departments and community organizations. Even more troubling, he has physically removed his belongings from the shared Council office, symbolically and literally withdrawing from collaborative governance. These actions represent a troubling and unprecedented abdication of the fundamental duties he swore to uphold when taking office and deprive our citizens of full representation in their government.
Perhaps most concerning to many residents and officials alike is the consistent pattern of behavior that has emerged throughout Mayor Norris’s brief tenure. The Mayor has repeatedly made unsubstantiated and serious accusations against respected local business leaders without providing evidence when requested. He has promoted unfounded conspiracy theories involving federal agencies supposedly targeting him personally, creating unnecessary alarm and division within our community.
Furthermore, he has engaged in inappropriate personal attacks against fellow Council members on social media platforms, referring to duly appointed officials as “illegal and illegitimate.” These attacks undermine the very foundation of civil discourse that effective governance requires. It’s worth noting that even Sheriff Staly has publicly cautioned the Mayor about the seriousness of making criminal accusations without supporting evidence–a warning that speaks volumes about the gravity of this situation.
Palm Coast deserves and should demand leadership that unites our diverse community rather than divides it, that builds productive relationships rather than tears them down, and that focuses on solutions rather than creating new problems. Our growing city faces real and complex challenges that require thoughtful collaboration among elected officials, professional city staff, community organizations, and engaged citizens. The current atmosphere of hostility and distrust created by the Mayor’s actions makes addressing these challenges unnecessarily difficult and threatens the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve together over many years of community building.
I want to assure all residents that I remain steadfastly committed to working constructively with all stakeholders to address the important issues facing our community. This includes improving infrastructure, ensuring public safety, promoting economic development, protecting our natural environment, and maintaining the quality of life that has attracted so many to Palm Coast and call it home. My commitment to these priorities remains unwavering despite the distractions created by the current situation.
I believe deeply in Palm Coast’s tremendous potential and will continue to serve with the same dedication, integrity, and collaborative spirit that I have brought to my previous roles in public service both in our community and in service to our nation.
With sincere respect and commitment to our shared future,
Charles A. Gambaro, Jr.
City Council member Charles Gambaro, a former member of the Flagler County School Board and a Brigadier General in the Army Reserve, represents District 4.
DP says
You’re a illegitimate council member. You’re in the pocket of the developers, and the 3 stooges who voted you in. The citizens should have been allowed to vote. Stop your grandstanding, and quietly leave. You won’t win an election.
James says
Gambaro is honest and correct in his assessment of the condition of Palm Coast. The Mayor is a complete embarrassment. Mayor Norris said he didn’t want to have the city face a lawsuit, after literally filing suit against the city. Thank you Gen. Gambaro! Keep fighting to return normalcy back to city hall.
Critical Eye says
Mike Norris has a Criminal Mind.
Palm Coast is in Deep Shit !!!
Mike Norris has made sure of that!!!
Period!
Tired of Gambaros Lies says
Resign now Chucky, before you embarrass us even more. You are NOT elected by the citizens. Norris is. Leave before you are tossed out!
John R says
Well stated. Thank you.
Ann Williams says
Councilman Gambaro, very well stated. Mayor Norris is doing incredible harm to the City of Palm Coast with his unprofessional and unethical behavior. I think Mayor Norris’ vengeful and retaliatory actions against you, the Supervisor of Elections, and the city will do grave harm to everyone involved; and including all the citizens of the City of Palm Coast. He is hoping to deflect attention from his very unprofessional behavior since he took office as Mayor of Palm Coast.
Scott says
It’s oddly telling that Councilman Gambaro suddenly feels the need to mount a full-scale public defense—because he knows the heat is on.
The mayor’s lawsuit is far from frivolous. In fact, the court refused the city’s request to delay it, ordered a swift response, and fast-tracked the hearing. That doesn’t happen for meritless cases.
Let’s be clear:
Gambaro was never elected by the people of Palm Coast. He was appointed in a rushed process by the previous council, and now a judge will determine whether that violated the City Charter.
If the lawsuit succeeds, as it very well could, Gambaro could be forced out and a special election held—which is exactly what the residents deserve: the right to choose their representation.
And as for the accusation that Mayor Norris “abdicated” his duties: that’s political spin.
The mayor has refused to play along with a council majority that an independent investigation found needed training on the very Charter they’re supposed to uphold.
That same report showed confusion and misapplication of ethics, Sunshine Law, and council conduct—across the entire council and senior staff. That’s not leadership—it’s dysfunction.
The irony?
Gambaro is accusing the mayor of causing division, while he and his allies filed a censure, tried to smear Norris with ethics charges, and publicly undermined the office of the mayor. Now that the legal system is getting involved, they’re scrambling.
The people of Palm Coast are watching—and the truth is catching up.
I'm smart too ya know, I can so things too....... says
Norris is too nutty to be Mayor. Out of control, paranoid and just plain weird.
D says says
Whilst you state a fact how you were elected correctly, how you remain is eliminated. The charter is clear that your term was up at the next election date which was November of 2024. Your post then shifts to immediately deflecting on the Mayors actions rather than the position of why or how the charter supports you remaining in office.
All this leads to the fact, you bringing this heat and anxiety to the dais and not letting the entire council weigh in on actions right or wrong from the Mayors handling of his business since taking office. Remain in your lane of how you can justify your own position against the charters position and the law.
Let the Mayor concern himself with his decisions he has made with his own conscious.
D W Ferguson says
From an old Sonny and Cher tune— ” THE BEAT GOES ON ” —The timing of the case hearing (July 3rd @ 3:15 ) may indicate a likely outcome …
Greg says
I don’t think anyone disputes the way you were appointed. It’s just that there should had been an election back in November for the job to be legal? It just sounds like a politician telling only part of the story? We will find out the truth soon enough when the judge sees the case.
Dennis C Rathsam says
IT SHOULD HAVE COME TO A VOTE!!!!! AND YES THE 3 STOOGES GOTTA GO!
celia pugliese says
Mr. Gambaro, for worst you do not hear the residents clamors and bring in frivolous and selective way “to sell” our amenity PHGC over a budget shortfall when the Southern Recreation center in its first year costing us all $600,000 in the red and over 17 millions to build versus 168 acres PHGC that we, the thousands of surrounding homeowners fought so hard in 2003 to have it “donated” to our city by Centex and then our taxes, 5 millions to repair and reopen (not 17 millions plus to build South Rec, or 7 millions Holland Park Splash Pad plus 3 millions lately to repair and reopen and no fee users income on them. Our PHGC generates over 1.6 millions in players fees https://docs.palmcoastgov.com/downloads/fileshare/a96b6c2a-8d1f-4251-9d43-f66d42737551/Golf%20for%20FY%202024.pdf and you proposing to sell it making a great deal for developers drolling to profit from 168 acres with condos on it!….Sale Sure NO, we the the thousands in our golfer community want you out! Our city parks and sports amenities, all of them, are what enhances our city higher quality of life and are here to stay and anyone with the same undermining selective ideas like yours need to be out and never elected to office in Palm Coast! https://flaglerlive.com/palm-coasts-palm-harbor-golf-club/ Other than looking at the sale of our beloved PHGC I would inquire maybe with an audit at the outreageous charges shown against its revenue in 2022, 23 and 24!
marisa lauman says
Mike Norris has been saying this before he was even Mayor. Gambaro was put in there with Aflins council We the people never got to vote and everyone should be asking why is Gambaro calling Aflin before meetings ??? Just look how Gambaro votes he always has to say something after Mike talks . Gambaro is a snake !
PeachesMcGee says
STOP BUFFOONERY!
Hookah Smoking Caterpillar says
I didn’t vote for you. No one voted for you. Time to resign.
Neighborhood Observer says
He’s a bully . . . and I don’t mean Norris, I mean Gambaro. Major character defects evident.
Justbob says
Our mayor is sadly a paranoid, delusional petulant manchild who actually believes he is being wiretapped by the CIA…enough said!
Buds says
Just Nazis doing Nazi stuff . When accused of anything they sabatoge the accuser. For an example see when anyone has said anything negative about the terrorist leader.
Randy says
An unfortunate real question is? Will he be sent to the concentration camps?
The dude says
Wiretapped… by the FBI and CIA…
I’m more of an Occam’s razor type guy.
The most plausible solution is also the most likely.
Here, the most likely solution is that the MAGA mayor is lying through his teeth, as is the MAGA way. He gave that recording to his little band of MAGA malcontents, and it found it’s way into a slick video production and onto the social media where his shrill supporters glommed onto it.
If he has to compulsively lie about the little things, how can he be trusted with the big things?
Oh… and major props to Dennis for finally making a post without absolutely slaughtering the English language… it was only a sentence, yes, but it’s a start.
JimboXYZ says
Hard to say whether Norris would be better or worse, we’re still fighting Holland & Alfin Mayoral eras for at least Government waste. Norris may have thrown out the concept of resignations to Gambaro & other employees, and not surprisingly, none of them liked hearing that option ? The Moratorium needed to be supported, Alfin approved unfunded growth, sold it as the Vision/Imagine of 2050. It would pay for itself ? Reality is that it ended up hurting the citizens of Palm Coast, continues to this very day. Why would Gambaro respond to this ? In that regard, at least Alfin didn’t whine when he was ever investigated & cleared somehow. And I don’t think Norris has whined about it. He’s just standing up & fighting back in the only way that he can. When the coup of the mayor is what the rest bring, lawsuit is that recourse. We see it in DC every passing day. The one’s that don’t like Trump-Vance, they sue, then Trump-Vance counter sue. If the DOGE findings at the Federal level aren’t alarming enough, politics & Government is the same animal regardless of Federal, State, County & City/Township. Anyone still happy about the STF’s and now the news that paying your bill, that cost will be passed on to the the rest of us. The whole concept of being charged to pay a bill is insanity at it’s finest. Would’ve preferred that they just roll that into the increased Utility fees & rates in terms of percentage increases. They waited 2 monthly billing cycles to add that increase. The model was broken for increases,that’s why it didn’t take them long to add the processing fees to the mix of the Vision/Imagine 2050.
Just me, but there should’ve been an election in 2024 for that seat. Anyone that ever ran before & lost for it is the short list for the seat Gambaro holds. There was plenty of time to field enough candidates & add it to the ballot. Instead the same mayor & council that approved unfunded growth, opted to appoint, & that naturally, was all in, questionably, our best interests ?
MM says
Thank you sir. It’s so good to hear a sane and respectful voice coming from our Council, and not the rantings of our Mayor Norris.
This is a terrible situation Norris has created, he’s fighting dirty, but it seems that’s his way. We hopefully will not have to put up with his antics much longer, and we really hope he resigns or is removed from his position as our Mayor. Once again Thank You.
The dude says
“If the DOGE findings at the Federal level”
What “DOGE findings” exactly?
What is a DOGE finding? Do you even know what a DOGE is?
Jeani Duarte says
Mr. Gambaro, 05/19/2025
First, you are NOT our “CITY COUNCILMAN” do you even know which district you were appointed to represent?
Our Mayor is on vacation, your attack on him at this time and with an open court case, shows more about your character.
The “recent events” that created disruptions to our city was directly started by You!
As far as public trust, well that damage started with the previous councils, the residue that spilled over and Your/The appointment(s).
The Lawson investigation caused by You and others was a one sided pony show. Wasteful spending Paid for by the Citizens of Palm Coast. As with the botched Manager Search firm, etc, etc,, etc,,,,
The “process designed and approved” by the previous council to appoint you is the problem. It is NOT according to our City Charter and violates Florida State Laws.
Your letter here is misdirecting the citizens of Palm Coast. You are personally causing interference with our Elected Mayor to do his job.
For our Mayor to tell someone he thinks they should resign is his right to free speech. He has no power to fire them, but he does have every right to tell them what he thinks and how he feels. He did not interfere in anyone’s ability to do their job.
The frivolous complaint concerning the Mayor’s comment about toenail polish is representative of your wasteful and costly investigation. That is why it keeps being brought up.
Even our Sheriff and Fire Departments have standards for appearances and voice those expectations openly. It’s juvenile to take offense.
You are diverting attention and resources from our city and its needs. Your appointment is outdated and no longer falls in the guidelines of the Charter. You Are illegal and illegitimate. The CHARTER is the SUPPORTING EVIDENCE!
As I understand, the Mayor has used his own funds to file this case against you and has Not requested monetary relief.
Your So Called “independent and thorough investigation” was clearly a setup at the cost to the Citizens of Palm Coast. You should be ashamed of yourself !!!
And honestly, it appears as if you are aiding an attempt to steal the Mayor’s seat.
I attend meetings and watch reruns on Youtube. I have yet to see Mayor Norris get out of line, but I have personally witnessed your outbursts on the dias.
Palm Coast does deserve and is demanding a unity in leadership. But not the panel that is currently seated and appointed who are the cause of this division.
Without Mayor Norris, you and the council will never create a productive relationship with the citizens of Palm Coast. You have all lost that trust. You are the ones who created this “new problem”…..
The solutions Palm Coast residents have witness are half hazard approvals of budgets, spendings, raises, promises, etc without accountability.
Mayor Norris is doing exactly what we elected him to do. Drain the swamp and reveal the gators..
You admit your interests sits with the stakeholders.
That is not the people of Palm Coast that pay for it.
We demand more! We demand accountability.
You have lost site of integrity, your dedication and collaborative spirit is Not with the People who Are the City of Palm Coast.
Richard says
Isn’t Democracy wonderful. We can all say what we want, and no one will come visit us in the middle of the night. It looks like the fight is the Mayor Norris against the other members of city council. As we all know, 3 were elected and 2 were appointed. I understand that a very small group of people made up the committee to choose the replacements. To many people after the first appointment was made, it began to smell a little fishy having that many people on council not elected by a vote.
Using the cost of an election as a reason not to elect council members is on thin ice, considering the millions and millions of dollars of future projects at our front doorstep. The hot issue of westward expansion, thousands of new homes, congestion on the roads, a needed new high school, a needed Wastewater Sewer Plant, addition water wells, hiring a City Manager. Oh, and why is the city against a financial audit by an outside firm. That also smells. Anyone agree?
Callmeishmael says
Is this what they mean by military intelligence?
Oye.
Really Annoyed says
Gambaro should be let go of his position. He wasn’t put there by legal procedure. He’s a puppet for the developers!
Fernando Melendez says
Norris is an embarrassment to Palm Coast and should resign immediately. Ever since taking office it has been nothing but a circus act and Norris being the clown. Mr. Gambaro has my vote and will be vindicated when the judge makes the right decision. Norris should be kicked out of the REC as well as he doesn’t represent the organization in a professional manner. In fact he doesn’t represent Palm Coast in any way except for being a complete incompetent mayor.