Residents defend long‑running seniors meal program as commissioners debate staff campaign rules

Several residents and program organizers used the March 17 meeting to respond to a county inquiry about whether a regular "Lunch with Doctor V" event for seniors improperly involved county staff or photos that could be used for political campaigning.

Anthony VABCA, who identified himself and the longtime community lunch program, said the event has been non‑political "mainly to bring Gadsden County seniors across the county together for food, fun, and fellowship" and rejected allegations the program violated state campaigning rules. "Absolutely nothing done at these events has ever remotely come close to violating any of [the statute]'s key provisions," he told the commissioners.

Members of the board, including the county attorney, said they were reviewing the legal limits on employee conduct and the differences between county staff activity on county time and citizens attending public events. One commissioner asked staff to be cautious about implying wrongdoing without full investigation; another urged the board not to make public statements that could be construed as binding or prejudicial in future litigation.

The exchange prompted commissioners to ask staff for clearer guidance on employee conduct at community events and for the clerk's office to supply the statutory references that govern campaign activity by county employees. No formal enforcement action was taken at the meeting; commissioners said the county administrator had already met with the staff member in question and taken administrative steps.

What happened next: Commissioners agreed to defer a public discussion of personnel matters and follow the county attorney's advice about which statements were appropriate in open session. Several speakers told the board they want to continue providing services to seniors without political interference.