The mayor of Madeira Beach, Florida, shocked residents by resigning on Friday after writing a letter to neighbors expressing concern about the “corrupt practices” of local leaders.
Former Mayor Jim Rostek said he had to step down because “everything that’s going on in this little town is wrong,” Fox 13 reported. report on wednesday.
Rostec said he regretted his decision to step down, saying his health had forced him to do so, but in his letter he assured residents he would always support them and urged them to do the right thing.
The former mayor Concerned Fox said the city has complained about city employees smoking and texting in official vehicles and not wearing life jackets while on city-owned boats.
The media article quoted Rostec as saying:
“The mayor has refused to implement any policy. He said he would talk to them, but I told him, ‘You’re just giving lip service.’ I said, ‘The mayor needs to have a policy to back up what he’s told them, because when it comes to litigation, we won’t have anything to prove,'” he said. “If we can’t get the little things right, how will the big things work?”
Rostec also cited wasteful spending, concerns about the city’s procurement process and what he called selective or discriminatory enforcement. He said he believes there are other problems as well.
Rostek won the 2023 mayoral election with 52% of the vote, according to the Tampa Bay Newspapers. report Tuesday.
“He campaigned as a change agent concerned about ‘waste of taxpayer money’ and communication and transparency between the city government and residents. He also wanted to streamline the building permit process,” the outlet reported.
During the election, Rostek, along with his opponent, former City Councilman Doug Andrews, filed a formal complaint against Mayor Robin Gomez.
“Complaints filed with the state Attorney General and the Florida Ethics Commission concerned videos filmed by the city at City Hall and distributed online. No action was taken against the complaints,” the newspaper article said.
According to Fox, Gomes said Rostek has the right to his opinion and that the city has responded to his comments, further arguing that the corruption allegations are unfounded and false.
Rostec said he expects state officials to contact him about the matter later.
City, Are known As a “corner of paradise” Announced The mayor announced Rostek’s resignation on Friday and said Deputy Mayor Ann-Marie Brooks will carry out the mayor’s duties in the interim.
