Politics get ugly after mayor’s death in tiny Marineland

An emergency public meeting to discuss who would lead the town of Marineland — the smallest town in Florida with a population of 9 — turned ugly Wednesday with multiple attorneys, members of the public and the new mayor attacking one another.

It all started when Gary Inks, the mayor of the town of Marineland, died over the weekend at age 79.

His death was mourned by those who knew him, but it also sparked controversy about what comes next in the tiny coastal town that spans both St. Johns and Flagler counties.

Inks’ death left just one person on the town commission, Vice Mayor Douglas “Dewey” Dew. According to Flagler Live, the three-member commission already had a vacancy because of the forced resignation of Angela TenBroeck in February.

The meeting was called on Wednesday to talk about Mayor Inks’ death and for Dew to swear himself in as the next mayor, as the town law calls for.

But the meeting got tense when Dew moved to appoint Jessica Finch to replace him as vice mayor on the commission, against the advice of the town’s attorney, Dennis Bayer.

Finch, the former mayor of Welaka, said she just wants to help the town function. But Bayer questioned the legality of the move and objected when Dew attempted to swear Finch in without addressing him first.

“I have a question: As town attorney, are you gonna allow me to render my opinion? Or are you just gonna listen to your private attorney?” Bayer asked.

Bayer was referring to Dew’s personal attorney, Rick Rumrell, who was in attendance.

“I don’t think you have the legal authority, and as I’ve requested several times this week, we need to get the opinion of the attorney general or some outside legal authority to render a decision on this matter. I don’t see the need to rush the decision,” Bayer said.

Flagler Live obtained a memo Bayer sent outlining his position.

“There is nothing in the charter that allows the mayor, acting without a quorum, to appoint a new commissioner,” he said.

Rumrell spoke in defense of the move, and Dew shot back, criticizing Bayer.

“I believe you’re acting in ill intentions, and you’re not acting in the best interest of the town. So we are here to enforce the charter, to be able to do what’s right in the town,” Dew said.

Dew later accused Bayer of wanting to “get rid of the town charter,” which would dissolve the town, an accusation that Bayer denied.

“If you think I’m not acting in the best interest of the town, I’ll certainly resign, or you can fire me, whatever the case may be. But I think you both are entirely incorrect, and you’re just not being truthful or factual on what’s happened,” Bayer said.

“If you decide to resign, that will be your choice,” Dew responded.

At one point during the meeting, Matanzas Riverkeeper Jen Lomberk, who was attending the meeting via Zoom, spoke up following an exchange.

“Just to be clear for the constituents listening in, so we’re taking the advice of your personal attorney, rather than the attorney for the town?” Lomberk asked.

“This isn’t the time for public comment,” Dew said.

“So y’all are allowed to swear in whoever you want without any public comment or comment from the city attorney?” community member Jordan Adams said over Zoom. “I mean, you guys need to answer this. It’s ridiculous, Dewey. Answer the questions.”

Dew continued despite the objections, and Finch was sworn in.

Both Lomberk and Adams spoke later during public comment and objected to the swearing in of Finch, backing the advice of Bayer.

“Y’all don’t make me feel the least bit welcome, but I’m not here for that. I am here because this town has to have someone else to operate, and that’s the only reason I’m here. It’s not because I want to take power,” Finch said, adding that she is a legal resident.

Flagler Live attended the meeting and got to the heart of the issue in its reporting: “The disagreement hinges on the meaning of one paragraph, and particularly one word: “officer,” which is not defined in the charter. Nor does the charter address the situation the town faced after the death of Inks — how to convene a commission meeting without a quorum, and how to appoint a new commissioner without a majority.”

A special election is expected to elect a mayor in the future.

News4Jax sent an email to Dew to ask for a comment on the meeting, but he did not immediately reply.

This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner.