The newest iteration of the Holmes Beach City Commission began with some verbal sparring.
City clerk Stacey Johnston started a Nov. 15 organizational meeting by swearing in Pat Morton, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek — winners on Election Day Nov. 2— to two-year terms.
Commissioners then discussed appointments, beginning with three nominations for a chairperson to succeed Jim Kihm, who did not run for reelection.
Commissioner Jayne Christenson nominated Pat Morton. Schaefer nominated Soustek. Commissioner Kim Rash nominated Christenson.
Christenson’s nomination of Morton failed on a 2-3 vote, with only she and Rash voting in support.
Commissioners then voted 3-2 to approve Soustek’s appointment as chairperson, with Christenson and Rash voting “no.”
Since the vote to appoint Soustek passed, they did not hold a third vote on Rash’s nomination of Christenson.
Morton then nominated Schaefer to serve as vice chair and, without other nominations, his appointment was approved without a vote.
Then the squabble began.
Morton commented that he wanted to return to the dais because he had taken issue with the way some commissioners — without naming names — spoke about city staff and police Chief Bill Tokajer during past meetings.
“Our goal is not to be putting these people down publicly,” he said. “If you have something to say to some of them, go to them personally and bring it up. You gain nothing but ugliness when we bring these things up at a meeting here in public.”
Morton added that they are elected to represent all residents, not to represent “a certain group.”
“I’m asking of my fellow commissioners: let’s work together to do the betterment of the city, not tear it down,” he said.
His comments may be in reference to Christenson’s and Rash’s efforts to reduce the police department’s spending plan during the 2021-22 budget process.
Christenson, who looked across the dais to Rash during Morton’s comments, responded by questioning Morton’s involvement in the city since he lost his reelection bid in 2020.
“I’m not sure how involved you were in the last year in our city and, to make accusations like that … I think we’ve worked very well up here and we had very fruitful discussions,” she said.
Christenson took responsibility for “trying to rein in the police budget” but said her efforts were not attacking the police or Tokajer.
Rash, wearing an “I REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS” graphic T-shirt, thanked the city’s electorate for giving him the most votes in 2018 and 2020 and said he would continue working for them.
Mayor Judy Titsworth stepped in to support Morton’s comments.
“The lack of camaraderie, the lack of team, the lack of respect for staff and chief has been disheartening,” she said. “We’ve never had a board like that. I’m looking forward to this board being more positive and more cohesive.”
Titsworth added that Rash was “politicizing” his support for residents with his shirt.
“I hope that we can understand that every single person up here represents the residents,” she said. “I think if one person comes front and center with a T-shirt that says, ‘I REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS,’ it’s almost trying to say, ‘I’m the only one up here who does.’”
Titsworth suggested commissioners adopt rule changes to prohibit members from wearing graphic T-shirts, adding that it “distracts from what we’re trying to accomplish as a board.”
Nevertheless, Titsworth said Rash had been a “strong advocate” for residents and, for that, she admired him.
“Wow, that surprises me,” Rash interjected.
“Let’s try to be nice,” Titsworth responded, reminding commissioners of a bylaw that requires they maintain a respectful dialogue at their meetings.
Rash questioned Titsworth’s calls for camaraderie, adding that he hadn’t received correspondence about city matters from her since April.
“Wow, you’re a good team player and you lead by example,” he said.
Soustek, as chair, said she would propose new rules of decorum at the commission’s next meeting and reminded the board that they all serve the residents.
“Let’s say we aired out some things right here,” she said. “Let’s keep it as nice and polite as possible.”
The commission will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting is open to the public, with masks recommended. Instructions to attend via teleconference are available at holmesbeachfl.org.