Job openings 😠
None of us voted for the chaos, drama and pettiness that has led to the resignations of our village manager and a council member.
We ran on a promise to guard against overdevelopment, but minutes after I took the oath of office we had to fight an effort to overturn a previous council’s decision and ultimately double the building permits in our village. At the very next meeting, I opposed the massive expansion of the Islander Resort. [1] [2]
Our campaign also vowed to be transparent, but we were immediately tested over the holidays with the backroom “resignation-for-severance-pay" agreement leading to the ouster of our village manager. [3] [4] [5]
And now, a council member has resigned a mere two months after he was re-elected. [6] [7]
Despite this chaos we will continue our fight against overdevelopment. Safeguarding our water will remain the priority. And continued transparency is the only path forward.
But we cannot do it alone. Our village — despite the incredible, unwarranted turnover — needs a competent, capable manager, especially when we are finally updating our comprehensive plan. We’d like to encourage you to apply if you think you have what it takes!
And we need to fill a vacant council seat. If you are interested in being considered for this appointment please contact us or apply directly with the village here.
It is our sincere hope we find a longterm village manager capable of running our extraordinary Village of Islands and we appoint a council member who can help us restore responsible governance.
Sincerely,
Councilman Steve Friedman
[1] Islamorada council majority approves ask for more building permits, Upper Keys Weekly, December 12, 2024.
… Citing potential additional harm to the environment and nearshore waters, Friedman said he stands against overdevelopment and opposed a move to ask for more residential building permits. Friedman backed the previous council’s decision…
[2] Islamorada approves request for transfer of Creekside Inn units to Islander Resort as part of expansion, Upper Keys Weekly, December 18, 2024.
[3] VIDEO (1:47:30 mark): Councilman Steve Friedman’s statement regarding the resignation-for-severance-pay agreement, Islamorada Regular Village Council Meeting, January 7, 2025.
[4] Islamorada cuts ties with manager Rob Cole through a resignation-for-severance-pay agreement, Upper Keys Weekly, January 9, 2025.
… Before the separation agreement was approved via a 4-1 vote, the lone “no” vote, Friedman, attempted to provide the public with some transparency by speaking for roughly 17 minutes as to how Cole’s resignation and the separation all transpired…
… Friedman said he was trying to figure out who came up with the idea for severance “out of the blue.”
“Mr. Quick very clearly said that he didn’t come up with it. So one of the council members must have suggested that to the attorney,” Friedman said.
Mahoney said she didn’t know, while Gillis, Pinder and Vice Mayor Don Horton said that they didn’t come up with it…
[5] Islamorada appoints chief building official as acting manager, Upper Keys Weekly, January 10, 2025.
[6] Islamorada Councilman Buddy Pinder resigns, Upper Keys Weekly, January 13, 2025.
… Residents seeking to fill Pinder’s seat can visit the village website this afternoon to submit a letter of interest with their credentials. The portal for interested members will be open for a period of two-and-a-half to three weeks. A list of names will be sent to each council member in private; each will pick their top candidates. The top vote getters will come before council at a future meeting where the decision on Pinder’s replacement will be made…
[7] Islamorada councilman resigns from office, Keys Citizen, January 14, 2025.
… The resignation came just days after a contentious meeting where the council voted 4-1 to approve a separation agreement with Village Manager Rob Cole. Pinder voted with the majority.
Councilman Steve Friedman, who dissented, questioned the separation agreement and how it unfolded during the Tuesday, Jan. 7, meeting, saying that Cole didn’t want to resign.
Pinder’s frustration was evident during the meeting as he described serving on the council as a “thankless position” and was critical of those in the community who regularly find fault with council actions. “I can’t believe the people of Islamorada,” he said at one point. “We can’t do anything right”...