At the end of an eight-hour Apopka City Council meeting, two non-binding votes with huge implications sent shockwaves through Apopka.
The Council voted 3-2 that they have no confidence in Fire Chief Sean Wylam and recommended Mayor Bryan Nelson make a change in leadership at the Apopka Fire Department. In a second motion, Council voted 3-2 to remove City Attorney Michael Rodriguez from his position.
Both motions would still require Nelson to make the decision as mayor to remove Wylam or Rodriguez.
"I hope you take that to heart, the will of this Council," Commissioner Kyle Becker said to Nelson.
Commissioners Becker (who made the motions), Nick Nesta (who seconded both motions), and Diane Velazquez voted no-confidence on Wylam, and to remove Rodriguez, while Nelson and Commissioner Alexander Smith voted against both motions.
Wylam was named Fire Chief in August 2019, while Rodriguez started as City Attorney in May 2020.
"We have to start somewhere," said Velazquez. "And the public comments the last eight months have really given us all cause to say that changes need to be made."
This is a breaking news story and will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
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Richard
Thank goodness three of the Commissioners had the courage to know it’s time to move forward with a new Fire Chief and Attorney. So disappointed in Alexander Smith. That will haunt you in the next election.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
I listened to the city council meeting. I heard the votes to ouste the fire chief, and the city attorney. I am not clear if they have been ousted, or not. I did not hear the words, "motion carries", even though it was a 3-2 vote. It appears there are people celebrating on different social media websites, that they were fired, but I don't think they were, because both were city employees, and both department heads, which would require the mayor to go along with the three city council members who voted in order to fire them. I did not hear the mayor go along with their votes. If they are not fired, I hope the mayor stays the course, because those city council members sitting up there are acting holier-than-thou, and you all are not so perfect yourselves, you are acting just like your past behavior, when you were the A team, and what is it now, the B team ?...or whatever, just being ridiculous trying to flex your power, trying to be like your mentor, Donald Trump.....you're fired! I think Reggie is right on this issue, that the mayor has the say so on whether these two department heads are to be fired or not. I don't know why any citizen that keeps up with city happenings at city council meetings would be shocked about their votes, as all of those three have been gunning for the fire chief since Wylam was made fire chief, when the mayor replaced Carnesale. That is the start of their mistrust, lack of confidence, with the current fire chief. They were Carnesale big buddies. With the city attorney, they just don't like the message from the messenger. You really shouldn't hold that Miami vs Apopka football game against him either because Miami won, his old school he used to attend and for the championship I think too. Y'all are rotten to the core for wanting to fire these employees IMO. Rotten I say, stinky as a smelly ol' fish kill.
Thursday, April 6, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
The "one and only" website is reporting that Wesh TV, channel 2 is reporting the fire chief has been removed. I will not believe it until I hear it from a more trusted source, because Wesh, channel 2 news, reported that same misinformation weeks ago, from the city council live, just because they expected the fire chief would be removed that night, so they reported him ousted, or fired, and it was not true then at all! It made me angry, for them to be so irresponsible in their reporting. It is not over until the fat lady sings!
Thursday, April 6, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Count me out! I am not signing a recall petition against Mayor Bryan Nelson. No way
Thursday, April 6, 2023 Report this
MelissaW
Fingers crossed this is a farewell to Wylam and Rodriguez VERY soon.
Thursday, April 6, 2023 Report this