Palm Coast Mayor Faces Backlash Over Disputed Council Appointment

Palm Coast Mayor Faces Backlash Over Disputed Council Appointment

Palm Coast, FL – Mayor Mike Norris continues to insist that the appointment of Councilman Charles A. Gambaro Jr. violated the City Charter, despite mounting opposition—even from his own political allies. Critics argue that Norris’ claims are a strategic effort to deflect attention from his own ethical and legal troubles.

Gambaro was appointed to the District 4 seat on October 1, 2024, following the resignation of Cathy Heighter. His selection was made through a majority vote of the City Council, and no credible legal challenges have emerged regarding the process. However, Norris has aggressively pushed for an investigation, alleging a charter violation—a claim that has been repeatedly debunked.

City Attorney Marcus Duffy dismissed Norris’ concerns outright, stating, “It does not change anything. Only one person could change something, and that’s a judge.” Despite this, Norris has continued seeking additional legal opinions, only to face resistance from council members.

Even Councilman Ray Stevens, one of Norris’ closest political allies, has sided with Gambaro, Duffy, and the rest of the council, warning against unnecessary legal battles. “Seeking a legal opinion without cause might imply guilt,” Stevens cautioned, suggesting the council should wait for a legitimate legal challenge before taking action.

Mayor Under Scrutiny for Own Charter Violations

Meanwhile, attention has shifted to Norris’ own actions, with reports surfacing that he unilaterally attempted to remove Interim City Manager Lauren Johnston and Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo—moves that Councilman Ty Miller has called “blatant violations of the City Charter.” In response, the council has initiated an independent investigation into the mayor’s conduct.

Gambaro has expressed concern that Norris’ continued attacks are fostering a “toxic work environment” within city government. Rather than addressing his own potential ethical breaches, Norris appears intent on manufacturing controversy around Gambaro’s appointment in an effort to distract from his own misconduct.

As investigations into Norris progress, his political isolation has become more evident. Even his closest allies are distancing themselves from his claims, leaving the mayor increasingly embattled as scrutiny intensifies over his own alleged violations.

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