MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Madeira Beach city commissioners spent some time discussing key topics Wednesday night including a beachfront dispute and the future of the city under new leadership.
A workshop was held in which Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks conducted her first meeting after the former mayor Jim Rostek resigned. Commissioners spent some time addressing Rostek's resignation letter which had several claims of "corruption" and "lies" aimed at the city manager Robin Gomez.
"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," Rostek's resignation letter wrote in part.
Commissioners Ray Kerr and Eddie McGeehen denounced the allegations and voiced support for Gomez.
Kerr said the accusations are unfounded and would request that Rostek retract his statements.
"When I read the resignation letter, to be totally transparent, I was very disappointed," McGeehen said.
Brooks, who stepped in from her previous role as vice mayor per the city charter, said it's important to move forward and gave recognition to the hard work city staff put in.
"It's time for Madeira Beach to be united and heal, and to quit looking for ways to tear each other down," she said.
With Rostek's resignation, people are able to apply for the now vacant District 4 commissioner seat.
Another hot topic revisited once more was Caddy's waterfront restaurant's ability to put furniture like umbrellas and chairs on the beach. A meeting earlier this month drew a packed crowd of residents opposing the move.
The city attorney reiterated what its owner is doing is legal.
In emails obtained by 10 Tampa Bay earlier this month, the city attorney told the city commission that Caddy's owns the sand in front of its restaurant.
Caddy's owns a private portion of the beach up to the mean high water line, meaning chairs and umbrellas can be placed there. However, service for food and liquor in that area is not allowed.
Some neighbors continued to voice concerns during public comments.
Caddy's owner Marcus Winters was not present at the meeting but previously spoke with 10 Tampa Bay and stated staff would take care of the beach.
"My staff will be very, very attentive to the beach, we will clean everything up, we will put more receptacles on the beach," Winters said.