Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 07-14-1981 Regular — reading text

all actions taken by this Council must always be complete and thoroughly public on all discussed in issues. presumeI from the petition and phone calls I have received, that there are citizens, though we thought they had a chance to express their opinions last week, do not do so, so in order to assure a full and complete discussion of every alternative I tender this motion. Mr. Grant seconded the motion. Mayor said the motion has been made and seconded that we reconsider the termination of Mr. Winston Walker. Is there any diccussion? Would you please stand and give your name? Would you come forward to the mike please, so we can hear you, the acoustics are very bad. May name is Mark Vaughn and I' m here as an observer, my question is this, " how can you relieve Mr. Walker of his duties, was it not the question considered I, at this time?" And what was the vote of the Council? Mr. Franklin asked if he could answer that question. Since it is my motion, may I answer that, please? Mayor agreed. There have been accusations thrown at us from all angles that we had secret meetings, a predetermined talk for this action, I plan tonight to give every- one an opportunity to address the termination of Mr. Walker, they seem to think last week that they 238 7/ 14/ 81 did not have an opportunity to speak, however no one came forward. I am against giving them that opportunity, and if Mr. Walker is in the audience I am going to ask him to come forward and re- do it. Mr. Vaughn said thank you very much. 1" Madame Council, L Mayor, I am Don Dewrell, Attorney, Fort Walton Beach, FL. As you know, I am involved in several of the matters presently concerning you over this last week. I wish to advise you, at this point, that I had a conversation with Mr. Walker concerning the actions of the City Council. The law suit that is presently pending, addresses the action of the Council of last week, law suits filed by Dr. Wilson and Smith, law suits which your attorney received depositions Monday morning. The issue in that law suit is ( inaudible), opened by Mr. Franklin, I think ( inaudible). I would hate to point out that if this is a mere exercise to attempt to close the legal Sunshine, quote, unquote, the actions that the Council reached out of the Sunshine ( inaudible). If, however, your desire is to, in fact, debate this issue openly, and to restore Mr. Walker to his position, I think you have ( inaudible) the word of the citizens of the City of Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Franklin said, may I ask you a question before you go on, Mr. Dewrell? Dewrell said certainly. Mr. Franklin said, are you a registered voter in Fort Walton Beach? Dewrell said, I am not a registered voter. Franklin asked, who are you representing at this time, sir? Dewrell said, I am representing at this time two parties, one party I represent at this meeting tonight, Mr. Winston Walker, another party I represent here tonight is of Mr. the Committee Franklin said, of the O. K., the Recall O. K., Committee petition. I just wanted Chairman, to l J 1 get that straight. Mr. said, and, Dewrell as you might, or might not know, do own property in the City of Fort Walton I and do have an interest in the functions of this particular body, for years. Now, my point is simply this, I note from the petition signed by the Fire  Q L,-,',-, 7/ 14/ 81 Department, that, that petition constituted some 27 signatures, I note from the petition signed by the police Department a copy of which I read, contains some 26 signatures. Let me advise you of the petition for recall, accomplished in shortly over 72 hours, petition of recall of our Mayor, the and I don' t blame you for having the position on 1651, have checked into your mind, Mayor Bagley, 1 office and signed this petition. And there are my others still field, that we have not had in the time to to add to these figures. receive and There is in excess of right on 15% of the total registered voters in the city of Fort Walton at the time we received the recall. Franklin, you were the least such recalls, there Mr. was only 1613 people who signed your recall. Mr. Franklin $'aid, ~, Dewrell ;[ received oyer 240.. 0.. votes during the last election, Mr. Dew:rell sa;ld, this petition took no more than 72 hour$ to get them.. Mayor said, I think that it is unwise and unjust for you take to this position with us tonight, and I would be very happy to entertain a motion at this time, to table any further discussion on this matter, to allow the new attorney the opportunity to research the issues and to advise the Council on the best course of action. I think it is very unfair to have an attorney stand and admonish us without the benefit of an attorney for our side. Mr. Dewrell said, Mayor, may I be heard on that. Mayor said, I move to accept a motion to table this. May I call for a vote? Mr. Baughman said, Madame Chairman, I so move. I ask for democratic system. I don' t think we should be tried without benefit of an attorney. Mayor said, I have a motion to table this pertinent discussion. Mayor said, I had a motion to table any further dis- cussion. I Mr. Mr. Miller Mayor said, Miller said, I' m said, point