Mayor Kelly Marks rejects calls to resign, calls criticism a 22witch hunt22

Mayor Kelly Marks opened the Dec. 9 City of Orange City Council meeting with a forceful defense of her conduct and a denial of recent public allegations, saying she would not resign amid what she described as a coordinated campaign of harassment. "In conclusion, I will not be resigning, and I stand firm against the campaign of harassment and intimidation," Mayor Marks said.

Why it matters: The mayor's remarks came at the start of a meeting that drew an unusually large public turnout. Speakers from across the community used the public-comment period to press elected officials for accountability, citing social-media posts, staff turnover and allegations of racially charged language on municipal platforms. The controversy has interrupted regular city business and raised questions about relations between elected officials and city staff.

At the meeting the clerk read a written public comment from Sherry Thompson, who wrote that she had "witnessed troubling behavior by our new mayor, Kelly Marks," and that the mayor used what Thompson called "racially charged" language toward councilwoman Lisa Stafford. "Referring to an African American councilwoman as ghetto is not just ignorant. It is coded, racially charged insult that perpetuatesharmful stereotypes," Thompson's letter said.

Several other residents urged the mayor to resign or to be held accountable. Leah Brooks, a longtime resident who spoke during public comment, characterized recent council actions as evidence of a "sunshine law violation" and accused some council members of collusion in personnel decisions; she directly called for the mayor's resignation. Another resident, Ryan Thompson, described the mayor's online posts as "very disturbing and unconscionable" and urged her to "do the only honorable thing you have left to do and resign."

Mayor Marks framed the public pressure as an intimidation campaign and denied that staffing losses resulted from her actions. She said a Department of Children and Families inquiry was underway into allegations about the safety of her home and said the claims were untrue; she disputed the assertion that 70% of city employees had left because of her and said many departures were retirements or personnel matters outside her authority.

What happened next: Despite the intensity of public comment, the council did not take formal action against the mayor at the meeting. The mayor and several council members repeatedly asked for decorum and insisted on proceeding to the evening's business. No formal ethics or criminal investigation was initiated during the meeting; one councilmember later requested guidance from the city attorney on how to pursue Sunshine Law or other formal complaints, and the attorney advised that criminal referrals require an outside complaint to law enforcement or the state attorney.

What to watch: Residents who testified asked the council to consider recalls or formal complaints; council members indicated they would consider next steps and legal options outside the meeting. The controversy is likely to continue to shape public attendance and future council agendas in coming weeks.