The mayor of Wheeler announced at a special meeting that they are resigning as mayor effective immediately, accusing Councilor Karen Matthews of “persistent, toxic, and destructive” behavior that the mayor said has undermined city operations. The mayor also set a 24-hour moratorium offering Matthews the chance to step down before the resignation is finalized.

The statement, delivered in the meeting’s public record, lays out detailed accusations against Matthews, saying the conduct has prompted staff departures and damaged the city’s ability to function. “Councilor Matthews' behavior has been documented repeatedly as the reason staff and constituents have walked away from this city,” the mayor said. The mayor said the city planner, T.J. Ferrelli, cited Matthews’ interference when he resigned and that multiple city managers had warned about “continual meddling with staff disrupting day to day operations of Wheeler.”

Why it matters: The mayor’s resignation and the allegations name a sitting councilor and describe workplace dysfunction that the mayor says led to several staff resignations, a withdrawn interim manager candidate and broader instability at City Hall. The allegations, if accurate, have immediate implications for governance and personnel in a city where turnover has already been cited in public discussion.

The mayor accused Matthews of personal attacks and described several specific incidents, including shouting profanities at another councilor, Lisa Levitt, during an executive session and verbally abusing an official from Rockaway Beach. “She has mocked me in front of fellow counselors, belittled me in public meetings by claiming I was not competent to handle land use issues, and repeatedly hung up on me mid conversation,” the mayor said. The mayor also alleged Matthews asked a female council applicant whether she should prioritize her child over public service; the mayor called that question “not only sexist. It was legal liability for the city.”

The mayor said they were the fifth person to resign or walk away after directly citing Matthews’ behavior. “I am the fifth person to resign or walk away after directly citing her behavior. 5 people,” the mayor said.

Shortly after the mayor’s statement, Pax Broder, who identified himself as Wheeler’s city manager for fiscal years 2023–24 and who had been under consideration to return as interim city manager, told the council he had withdrawn his name from consideration. “It has come to my attention that there is clearly a significant amount of turbulence in the city's leadership team at this point in time,” Broder said, adding he did not want to be “caught in the crossfire” and withdrew his candidacy the previous night.

Discussion versus formal action: The mayor’s remarks as captured in the meeting transcript constitute a resignation announcement and a public call for action (the 24-hour moratorium) but the transcript does not include a recorded council vote accepting the resignation or any formal council motion. The mayor said they were resigning effective immediately but also offered that if Matthews stepped down within 24 hours they would not submit the resignation; the council’s response or any formal acceptance of the resignation is not recorded in the provided transcript.

What officials and others said: Pax Broder said he would not return as pro tem city manager given current turmoil. The mayor cited the departures and a refusal by a prospective interim manager to work under Matthews as evidence of the city’s instability. The transcript does not record any public response from Councilor Matthews or a formal council discussion that accepted or rejected the resignation during the special meeting.

Context and next steps: The special meeting was convened to swear in a newly appointed councilor (see separate item on that oath). The mayor’s statement and Broder’s withdrawal leave the city with both a leadership vacancy and an unresolved personnel dispute. The transcript does not record any immediate follow-up actions, such as an investigation, mediation, or a formal council vote to accept the resignation. The mayor asked the public and council to recognize the need for leadership “without constant dysfunction.”

Ending: The transcript captures the mayor’s resignation announcement and the withdrawal of a prospective interim manager; the council did not record a formal acceptance of the resignation during the excerpt provided. The mayor’s 24-hour moratorium on finalizing the resignation establishes a short deadline for any change in status; the transcript does not record whether Matthews or other councilors responded within that window.