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Residents urge Palatka commission to keep City Attorney Jane West
Summary
Multiple residents addressed the commission during public comment asking officials to retain Jane West, praising her institutional knowledge and municipal work; speakers said Wests departure appeared abrupt and questioned whether she was treated fairly.
At the start of the Aug. 5 special meeting residents used the public comment period to urge the commission to keep City Attorney Jane West. Lynn Robertson, who gave her address as 410 South 9th Street, Palatka, said West had worked with multiple city managers over three years and had contributed to municipal ordinances, title work and other tasks. "She was fired," Robertson said, adding that the city was being "cheated of a professional person" and calling the separation "reprehensible."
Other residents echoed the concern. Allegory Kitchens said she had no evidence West was fired or forced to resign but described West as a "darn good attorney" who had represented the city well and urged the commission to try to keep her. Alan Sheffield said frequent turnover was "crippling" the city's ability to operate and urged leaders to retain talent and solidify the team. The public comments set a critical tone that commissioners and the manager addressed during later agenda items.
