'A lot of controversy': Motion to fire Mexico Beach city administrator fails
MEXICO BEACH − Despite two local officials advocating fire Chris Hubbard, for now he remains city administrator.
In a special meeting Thursday, Mexico Beach City Council members took a vote to fire Hubbard, who was selected for the position less than six months ago. The motion failed 2-3, with Mayor Michele Miller and Councilwoman Linda Hamilton voting in favor of his termination, and Councilmen Jerry Smith, Adrian Welle and Richard Wolff voting to keep him.
Lasting about 40 minutes, the meeting was fraught with confrontational conversations between council members. Hubbard, however, did not say anything.
"There's been a lot of controversy regarding some posting online (by) Hubbard, as well as some inappropriate behaviors at the City Council table during City Council meetings," Miller said to open the meeting.
Hamilton then said that she thought Hubbard's attitude is that "he answers to no one but himself."
"When he recently used the Mexico Beach Facebook page as an avenue to express his personal rants of emotions, referring to people as clowns, he greatly abused his power," Hamilton said. "Many citizens were concerned about this explosive personality and stated in such emails to the City Council."
Though Welle did not agree that Hubbard should be fired, he did think Hubbard should get a written warning for his Facebook comments, which were not explicitly outlined during the meeting. Wolff, who agreed, added that he thought Miller also is guilty of posting inappropriate comments.
"I think it is appropriate that we do a written warning, (and) if this happens again, we need to be done with it," Welle said.
"I've been personally attacked on social media, along with you," Wolff said to Miller. "All four of us (referring to Welle, Smith, Hamilton and himself) have been attacked. ... Have we replied? No. All four of us have not replied. Has our mayor replied? Absolutely. The stuff that she has posted is just as bad as Mr. Hubbard has done."
During the meeting, Miller said she has already given Hubbard at least two verbal warnings and one written warning. This was the first time any other members of the council, along with City Attorney Clint McCahill, heard about the written warning.
"When Mr. Hubbard came here, even in his interview, he was very arrogant," Miller said. "He's looked at me and told me, 'Yes, I'm arrogant.' He's looked at me and said, 'You know why I'm here − cause I can stand up to you.' ... I think Mr. Hubbard is not good for our city."
The special meeting is only the latest incident in a string of recent controversy in Mexico Beach. Miller is in the midst of a lawsuit against the City Council, accusing them of withholding from her financial information about the city that she believes is necessary for her position.
Some residents have begun the process of seeking a recall for Miller, filing a petition against her in December with more than 200 signatures.
Related meeting: Mexico Beach mayor calls special meeting about city administrator. Only 2 officials attend
Twice during the meeting, McCahill urged the council to take public comments before taking a vote on the termination.
The motion to fire Hubbard was made by Hamilton before the council could consider a motion to take public comments. After her motion failed, Miller immediately hit her gavel to close the meeting, leaving no time to hear from residents.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 2 Mexico Beach officials attempt to fire city administrator, but fail
