For decades, Milton operated out of the spotlight with minimal controversy. City and county governments were stable and worked under the radar, but not anymore.
Both the Milton city manager and Santa Rosa County administrator have submitted resignation letters, and the Northwest Florida Daily newspaper Tom McLaughlin has reported the “breaking news.”
Last Wednesday, City Manager Scott Collins submitted his resignation, effective Feb. 23. McLaughlin learned of the letter from Milton Concerned Citizens founder Pam Mitchell, who has protested a new wastewater plant being built. Read more.
Yesterday afternoon, McLaughlin reported the resignation of Santa Rosa County Administrator DeVann Cook. His last day will be May 21. Read more.
Collins gave McLaughlin no reason for his resignation after only five months on the job. Cook told the reporter that no specific reason for his letter, but he had been thinking about for some time.
I would say that both of these administrators are stellar employees. Asking why they are leaving, should come from them. I will say that BOCC chair Sam Parker has been overheard on multiple occasions yelling at county employees, in person/ phone calls, demanding projects get done, in his district, asap priority as he, Sam Parker is running for reelection.
County staff are not obligated to prioritize county work orders, for any member of the commission, because they are running for office.
From the conversations overheard, Sam Parker should be removed from office, for unethical demands to benefit his election platform.
No county employee should have to put up with this behavior from anyone, Sam has used racial slurs, called female employee “eye Candy” all while preaching from the pulpit and advertising the church he attends.
This raises the question, would Sam recommend firing an employee, as he has done in the past?
Sometimes good people retire because they do not have to be treated with disrespect.
No need for a stupid flag, all because Calkins wants it. He will bankrupt the city if you let he and his Russian wife continue to rule the roost. Milton needs to clean house before the crooks on there get rich changing zoning on property and are over saturating all of Santa Rosa County by padding their pockets.
First Collins. Now Cook. A conspiracy theorist might wonder if Collins is moving to Santa Rosa County to take the #2 slot with Baker moving up to be #1.
There are two very obvious political structure problems in Milton. First, its council has no leader. Second, its mayor has no useful municipal role other than as a ceremonial figurehead overseeing meetings.
Solution? Amend Milton’s constitution or “Charter” to provide for what public administrators call a “Leadership Mayor.” They have them in Gulf Breeze and Jay where it works very well. Neither place is known for its municipal soap opera drama.
The charter amendment can be done ASAP with the referendum conducted using the vote-by-mail method to maximize voter participation or the question can be put on the November ballot. The change can be made immediate upon the effective date of voter approval or delayed until the next mayor takes office in 2026. Sooner is better.
Add a Deputy Mayor position to be rotated among councilmembers.
Under the political system above, the mayor would supervise the city manager and city attorney on behalf of the council, prepare the agendas and run the council meetings. Its a bad idea for presiding officers to vote. The mayor could be given the power to break tie votes. Putting the mayor in charge of the CRA as that board’s chairperson would better ensure consistent leadership.
Any citizen can propose a charter amendment as per Section 166.031 Charter Amendments, Florida Statutes, so Milton voters can take the initiative if councilmembers will not do so. In fact, any citizen able to get a petition signed by 10% of the number of active voters as of the last general election can even propose a wholly new charter.
Century Town Manager Robert Brown is so underused his name is not even listed on the town’s Staff Directory. Milton should invite Mr. Brown over for a visit. Take him to the Milton Quality Bakery. Its closeness alone would make anyone want to work in Milton.
A better location for the new Santa Rosa County flag might be right next to the bakery.