To my regular readers:
I’m posting something here outside the norm, primarily for those Cape Canaveral residents affected by my allegations that Florida’s Sunshine Law appears to have been violated. A post I wrote on our local NextDoor.com garnered quite a few comments before it was removed by ND moderators who are sticklers about political postings.
So here it is in its entirety, along with the accompanying comment thread written by Cape Canaveral residents and other readers. Fortunately I was able to copy and save it before it was removed.
As you know, I occupy a seat on the Cape Canaveral City Council – at least for now. Our Mayor is Wes Morrison, who is in his final year as mayor. The vice mayor (Mayor Pro Tem) is Kay Jackson, a 3-year incumbent currently up for re-election with an eye toward replacing Mayor Morrison when his term expires in November 2027.
Don Willis, another council member is also up for re-election as are Jackson and me. Tom Shoriak retains his seat for another year.
At issue is a potential violation of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law (S286.011, Florida Statutes), which states that if a member of a board or commission KNOWINGLY violates the Sunshine Law by participating in a private meeting together with another member to discuss city matters coming up for a vote, that issue must be discussed publicly (“in the Sunshine”) during regularly scheduled public council meetings. To do otherwise can cause the city council member operating outside of the sunshine to potentially face fines and criminal liability.
So with that, here’s my post which was removed from local social media platform NextDoor.com for “violating” its guidelines.
Dear Neighbors and Fellow Voting Citizens,
In the most recent (past) election cycle (2024), only one candidate qualified for two vacant seats. That candidate, Tom Shoriak, has had a longstanding political relationship with the Mayor, Wes Morrison. I believe Shoriak was encouraged to qualify as a candidate to fill one of the two seats — just as I was later also approached by the Mayor who offered me an appointment to fill the second vacancy. I agreed to serve, based on a longtime personal friendship with the Mayor and his family.
It soon became apparent, however, that the Mayor’s intention was for both Mr. Shoriak and me to join the Council in order to strengthen the Mayor’s voting majority and, in effect, isolate Don Willis, the 5th seated Council member.
Shortly after my appointment to the council, Mayor Pro Tem (Vice Mayor) Jackson privately cautioned me to “stay with Mayor Wes” on votes, noting that others were describing me as a “wild card” when I did not consistently align with the Mayor and her.
I had assumed I was asked to serve the city so that I could exercise independent judgment and conduct my own due diligence on every matter before the Council. That expectation proved incorrect. Once I stopped automatically supporting the prevailing votes—particularly in opposing the (Ad Valorum tax) millage “rollback” during a time of financial distress for our city — I was effectively excluded from the group’s deliberations. (A “rollback” means the property tax rate remains the same with no increase.)
The Mayor and vice mayor’s refusal to raise the city’s property tax, even by a decimal point, and subsequent vote joined by Jackson and Shoriak, led to the layoff of 37 employees and the probability of closing several amenities our citizens enjoyed and paid for with their property taxes.
While others may dispute this out-of-the Sunshine characterization, it reflects my direct experience. The consistent pre-meetings with vice mayor Jackson alignment on nearly every issue raises legitimate questions about whether discussions are occurring outside of public meetings, in potential conflict with Florida’s Sunshine Law requirements.
I know this because the Mayor Pro Tem engaged in such conversations with me on multiple occasions, and I retain documentation of those interactions.
I share these observations so that voters may have a clearer understanding of the dynamics influencing decisions that affect our entire community.
If disclosing these facts costs me the election, I accept that outcome. I know the truth—as do others in positions of authority—and I will respect the judgment of the electorate.
Before that decision is made, however, I believe the public deserves to know what has been occurring behind the scenes. (Those familiar with secure messaging applications such as Signal will understand the reference.)
Relevant Ensuing Comments:
“Let all of Florida know about the corrupt officials who left 37 families without work.” – Nilsa M.
“Very brave and commendable Andrea! Some of what you say has been evident since Don Willis didn’t follow the Mayor regarding the building purchase!” – Jay P.
“Andrea, this is a direct violation of the Sunshine law, this should be investigated immediately by the State. Please text or email the form that’s on the State website to Tallahassee as soon as possible! You can get a response file # automatically by text or email. Please forward me the #, I’d like to be able to track it. This is unbelievable that they would do this and is a serious violation. Thanks, Buzz” – Buzz P.
“There is a video of Wes, Kay, and Tommy meeting together after the September 4th Friday Fest. They met behind the CAPE Center for approximately 30 minutes. When the city manager was informed of this he told the Mayor of its existence. Wes’ response? Per the CM, “it’s not what it looks like”. It is exactly what it looks like. The three of them met in an unnoticed meeting which excluded the public from hearing their discussion. I believe it is a clear violation of the Sunshine Law but I’m not an attorney.” – John M.
“John do you have a copy of the video and audio? Thanks” – Buzz P.
“I do. There is no audio. The video was captured on the cameras located on the CAPE Center. That does not negate the fact that they held an unnoticed meeting. That is the very heart of the Sunshine Law. A willful violation of the Sunshine Law constitutes a first degree misdemeanor and can be dealt with utilizing numerous methods including filing a police report at the local Sheriff’s office.” – John M.
“Something similar happened in Sebastian, Fl. All 3 council members were recalled.” – Eric H.
“Dig deeper and request to expose the council phone records. I remember a concerned citizen who brought up this when Morrison was grilling (former fired) City Manager Morley about his cell phone records. It just went silent. Nothing was done.” – Jack H.
“These are serious allegations, and if true they involve everyone who took part in those conversations. Communications between council members about city business are public records. I will request them, and anyone with evidence of a Sunshine violation should give it to the State Attorney. Voters deserve documents, not characterizations or strategically time admissions.” – Patrick C.
“Andrea – thank you for coming forward with this information. We all suspected it was going on but this post solidifies the actions.” – Lisa D.
“Lisa explain to the citizens how Mayor Morrison interacted with the City Employees. What was his demeanor.” – Jack H.
“Jack, now that this is out in the public and the probability of this becoming an investigation and under legal scrutiny, I would rather hold any specific comments in this matter to myself so anything said does not taint the issue at hand.” – Lisa D.
“No doubt the Mayor encouraged Shoriak to file. Notice how Shoriak made the motion to adopt the rollback rate way too early in the budget process? He got ahead of the plan. Years ago when it looked like there wouldn’t be enough candidates to fill the openings he asked me to file and I flat out refused. The Mayor only contacts you when he wants something that benefits himself and enhances his political career.” – Eric H.
“Those who served with you appear to only want more money for their pet and sometimes useless projects…Most politicians are exactly like that. I follow the US House of representatives and it is certainly like that. Thank you for disclosing the truth and facts. The Mayor needs to go Along with the Mayor pro tem.” – Bill P.
“That corrupt mafia caused the city to be in economic trouble, and because of that mismanagement, 37 families lost their jobs.” – Nilsa M.
“Some have called Andrea’s post brave and transparent. I see it differently. By her own account, she took part in conversations “on multiple occasions” that she now says may violate the Sunshine Law, and she kept documentation of them. Disclosing your own repeated participation in possible violations, weeks before an election, is not bravery. It is a calculated, opportunistic move. The right thing to do was to end the first conversation and report it to the City Attorney or the State Attorney then. Instead, it was held until it could be used as an election tactic. I have sent her public statement to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. They will decide whether there is evidence and probable cause to refer the matter to the State Attorney’s Office. Until then, be skeptical. These are allegations, not findings, and they involve everyone who took part. Consider what is being claimed, who was in those conversations, and why it is coming out now.” – Patrick C.
“Patrick there’s always two sides of every story. Either she’s complicit or she was building a solid case. TBT. Phone records would surely show.” – Jack H.
“Andrea You may still want to follow through on your own accord!” – Jay P.
“Andrea, You should follow your post , if you already haven’t, with action such as suggested by Buzz P. and John M. and include all proof. Mr. M’s video would help, I’m sure. It appears that Patrick C. has begun “circling the wagons” in defense of his favorites. Good luck with it all as it would only benefit the residents of Cape Canaveral! Thank you!” – Jay P.
“Jay I don’t see how you consider my actions as circling the wagons. I have just put the whole matter where it belongs, with the Sheriff’s Department. I am not defending anyone. I am willing to support cleaning out the whole bunch if this kind of backroom politics is going on. Don’t confuse my desire for metric/data driven decisions, effective and open management and compliance with statutes and ordinances with support to anyone. In addition to sending the potential of sunshine law to the Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, I requested, via Public Records Request to the City Clerk, all records associated with the claim. These actions preserve the record. I will be the first signature on any recall petition for any council member that violates the public trust.” – Patrick C.
