Letters to the Editor at Sebastian Daily for Monday, May 11, 2020.
People in Sebastian need to be ready for a hostile take over of the city at the next City Council meeting. Three council members (Charles Mauti, Pamela Parris, Damien Gilliams) have a plan at the next meeting to overthrow the mayor, nominate Damien Gilliams as the new mayor, and fire the City Manager and City Attorney.
They tried to do this during their private meeting, one that was called an illegal coup, one that was recorded on video after they locked the city chambers. You can see Damien Gilliams disrespecting our flag by leaving his hat on during the pledge of allegiance!
Gilliams and his son are using a fake social media account called “Vinnie Sarducci” to lie and trick voters. They used the fake account to attack a Political Action Committee by calling it a hate group since they want Gilliams recalled later this month.
I am embarrassed to live in Sebastian. I left the Sebastian Property Owners Association after watching Damien Gilliams take over as president. He turned the group into a political forum.
I’ve had enough of watching this circus. This city does not belong to King Gilliams or his close friends who he promised government jobs!
It’s clear that most voters in the city are tired of this constant dark cloud that’s hovering over Sebastian. We like Mayor Ed Dodd and our city staff.
Connie Davis
Sebastian
I am supporting our local restaurants. But when I go in to pick up orders, I see that no one there inside is wearing a mask. Not the cook, nor the cashier, whom I am right next to, nor any employees.
I’m religiously wearing mine everywhere I go. I thought the concept was: if you wear a mask you are protecting those around you!?!
Where’s our protection???
Deb Johnson
Sebastian
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To the voting residents of Sebastian, I do not have a bullhorn or a loud voice full of animosity. I do have one vote as a registered voter in the city as of 2019. I have been an informed homeowner in Sebastian since July 2007 (13 Years).
I am fully aware of all the issues with Sebastian City Council since last August because I have watched every single streaming video and read every news story for the last 3 years. I understand the complexity of the decision to annex the Graves property, the process and the divisiveness it caused at election time.
About this current Palace Revolt …
The two (plus one) councilpersons each have different agendas (IMHO).
Councilman Charles Mauti is upset about annexation I think that is his primary angst. He should take the high road and now make sure we create positive planning for exactly what he wants. Work with the City Management not destroy it. I disagree with the premise that because we have 2000 empty lots that we should fill them all with housing. I like my empty lot.
Councilwoman Pamela Parris wants to belong and be liked and be noticed. The council seat is not for everyone and she can achieve those goals in other ways besides becoming Damien Gilliams’ groupie. It doesn’t wear well on her.
Councilman Damien Gilliams … there is no hope or no way to fix him. He is incorrigible. Just look at the last 15 years. Issues, troubles, anger, bankruptcies, rule breaking, lies, manipulation. Can you read or Google? It’s all out there. After 10 years he got lucky because of many reasons (to many to list) and with apathy and annexation anger finally got elected.
Instead of showing that the city was all wrong and that he could be constructive, Gilliams’ desire to be King created a palace overthrow attempt that might succeed, unless Mauti and Parris really see the looming disasters for Sebastian with him on the Council and worse as Mayor.
If you care about Sebastian and you are not totally apathetic then please go to this survey website and express your opinions as a voter in Sebastian. No contact information will be released to anyone!
The results of this poll will be made public and the content will be true and factual because it is compiled but not edited.
Terry McGinn
Sebastian