Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris has found himself increasingly isolated and under intense scrutiny following a damning independent investigation, unanimous censure by the city council, and concerns raised by city staff about his suitability for office.
The recent investigative report, led by attorney Adam Brandon from Lawson Huck Gonzalez law firm, substantiated serious allegations against Norris, concluding he repeatedly violated the city charter by attempting to unilaterally demand resignations from senior city staff members behind closed doors. The investigation also highlighted a troubling pattern of inappropriate and unprofessional behavior, creating a hostile work environment within city hall.
“Mayor Norris took repeated actions that are in blatant contradiction to what our charter allows,” Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri said, emphasizing that such behavior undermines the city’s council-manager form of government and destabilizes staff morale. Her concerns echoed across the council, culminating in a unanimous censure and a formal vote of no-confidence against Norris.
Council member Ty Miller was particularly critical, labeling Norris’s actions as “willful and purposeful” misconduct, noting, “Respect isn’t demanded in leadership—it’s earned through integrity, accountability, and how you treat others. Mayor Norris’s actions fail that standard.”
In an extraordinary council meeting, members openly questioned Norris’s leadership capabilities, with councilman Charles Gambaro describing the mayor’s behavior as “truly disappointing,” while Council member Dave Sullivan bluntly characterized Norris as a “coarse bully,” driven by ego and an inferiority complex.
Further embarrassment ensued less than 24 hours after Norris defiantly posted a sepia-colored “WANTED” poster of himself on social media. Norris shocked city staff and candidates by conducting city manager interviews in the city hall parking lot, a move described by Sullivan as showing “a total lack of understanding of the position he’s in and what his responsibilities are.”
Amidst these controversies, a senior city staff member requesting privacy shared their frustration, stating, “I don’t know why the council let this man speak on the city council’s behalf because it’s not their stated opinions or what we hear from the community.”
As tensions continue to escalate, the city council has forwarded a formal complaint to the Florida Commission on Ethics, potentially laying the groundwork for requesting Norris’s removal by Governor Ron DeSantis. The report’s recommendations are clear: Palm Coast needs decisive action to restore integrity, morale, and effective governance—qualities increasingly questioned under Norris’s leadership.
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