Heated debate, repeated votes leave Pembroke Park’s post‑referendum mayoral rotation unresolved

A contentious discussion over a charter amendment adopting a two‑year rotation of commission officers left Pembroke Park without a clear change of leadership after the commission’s May 14 meeting.

The town’s attorney advised a two-step procedure: first a motion to reconsider the April appointments, then consideration of new officer selections. The commission approved the motion to reconsider, 3–2, returning the matter for further action that evening.

The charter amendment voters approved in November asked: “Shall the charter be amended to provide for the appointment by the town commission and rotation of the mayor commissioner, vice mayor commissioner, clerk commissioner and acting clerk commissioner every 2 years?” Town Attorney Michael Horwitz said the amendment requires the commission to interpret how rotation will be carried out and that, in practice, the commission must vote to set officers in a manner consistent with the charter.

After reconsideration, the commission attempted multiple nominations to satisfy the charter intent but failed to reach the needed votes on successive motions. A motion to appoint Commissioner Jeffrey Jacobs as mayor was taken to roll call and failed; the roll call recorded Yes votes from Commissioner Jeffrey Jacobs and Mayor Shera Mohammed and No votes from Vice Mayor Eric Morissette, Clerk Commissioner William Hodgkins and Acting Clerk Commissioner Mosfika Kashem. Later motions, including a nomination for Vice Mayor Morissette, also failed on roll-call votes.

Town Attorney Horwitz urged commissioners that any long‑term solution could be codified by ordinance to set a clear rotation cycle and avoid repeated procedural disputes. He noted as an example that other municipalities use ordinance language to create a predictable cycle of officer rotation.

Several commissioners said they supported the broad intent of the voters but differed on implementation details, including whether rotation must remove an incumbent immediately and how to distribute opportunities among commissioners given that Pembroke Park does not have staggered terms.

The commission did not adopt officer appointments at the May 14 meeting. Town staff said they would check commissioners’ availability and schedule a special meeting during the summer recess to continue the selection process and to consider drafting an ordinance or policy that codifies the rotation method recommended by the charter amendment and by the commission.

The meeting record shows sustained public comment and internal disagreement; commissioners repeatedly stressed that any action should respect the charter text and applicable state law. No fines or legal enforcement actions were reported at the meeting; the town attorney said the commission itself is charged with interpreting and implementing the charter amendment and urged a clear, codified path forward.