Lake Park council meeting spotlights mayoral apology and resignation demand amid citation controversy

At a Nov. 5 meeting of the Lake Park City Council, Mayor Jena Sandlin read a written apology to the community and faced public criticism over her handling of a citation, culminating in a citizen demand for her resignation.

Council Member Oscar Lee Griffith Jr., speaking as a resident rather than in his council role, told the council that "she, Mayor Jena Sandlin, has committed an act of malfeasance in office, has violated her oath of office and has committed an act of misconduct in her office" and asked the mayor to resign. The mayor said her apology explained her intent and told the council she would not resign, saying she believed the circumstances "warranted mercy and togetherness."

The dispute began during the public-comment portion, when several residents raised related concerns about citations issued after recent storms and whether the mayor had intervened on behalf of an individual. Susan Keckley thanked the mayor for the apology but emphasized that a citation she referenced predated the hurricane. Council Member Griffith said he disagreed with the council's handling of the matter and that he did not agree with the decision to present the apology letter on behalf of the council.

City Attorney Rob Plumb advised on complaint processes during public comment, noting that residents could file an ethics complaint and that a filing deadline likely applies from the time the resident learned of an alleged violation.

The council took no formal disciplinary action at the meeting; it moved on to routine agenda items including equipment purchases and a contract award. The exchange closed without a vote on any removal or formal censure of the mayor.