MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Madeira Beach residents got an unexpected email in their inboxes last week detailing Mayor Jim Rostek's reasons for abruptly resigning.
In the letter sent on Friday, June 14, Rostek praises the support of the residents while making sharp criticisms toward the city's other officials — namely, City Manager Robin Gomez.
Rostek claims that as the only official "actually elected by the people," he has fought day and night to serve the community as opposed to others who "just walked in the door" and "represent themselves and their special interests."
The former mayor lists several concerns he claims were "disregarded" or blown off by Gomez, including employee smoking, cell phone and life jacket policies.
Rostek also accused Gomez and his staff of "selective/discriminatory enforcement practices" of city policies.
"I am sorry to leave. But with a City Manager as such. I cannot be or have any part of Gomez’s corrupt behavior, talking in circles, lies, preferential treatment of “some” or discriminatory enforcement practices. As well as the everyday wasting of the tax-payers money and trying to justify it," Rostek's resignation letter reads, in part.
"In the end, some will go up to the pearly gates and some won’t. I will always do what is ethical and correct, others not so much…" the letter continues.
The city of Madeira Beach confirmed that Vice Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks will step in as mayor.
10 Tampa Bay reached out to City Manager Robin Gomez for comment and is waiting to hear back.
