Last Friday, Madeira Beach Mayor Jim Rostek shocked residents by resigning and exposing what he described as a pattern of corruptive behavior within the town's government. In a letter addressed to all residents, Rostek cited concerns about the city manager, Robin Ignacio Gomez, and his alleged discretionary and discriminatory code enforcement practices.
Rostek's letter detailed instances where Gomez reportedly ignored safety policies, such as implementing a life jacket policy and prohibiting smoking and cell phone usage for city employees operating boats and vehicles. The former mayor also raised concerns about financial practices, accusing colleagues of bypassing commission approval on projects over $30,000 by splitting contracts into smaller amounts.
Attached to the letter was a separation agreement between Gomez and a previous city, Clarkston, Georgia, raising further questions about Gomez's past. Rostek emphasized his commitment to ethics, safety, and the city's liability, expressing frustration over what he perceived as a lack of accountability and transparency.
In response, Gomez denied Rostek's claims, stating that the city operates ethically and in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Despite the controversy, Anne-Marie Brooks, a former city commissioner, has assumed the role of mayor in Rostek's absence.
The city administrators plan to hold a special meeting to fill the vacant commission seat left by Brooks, while commissioners recently extended Gomez's contract until 2028. Rostek, on the other hand, hopes that state authorities will investigate the alleged corruption in Madeira Beach.
The sudden resignation of Mayor Rostek has sparked concerns among residents and raised questions about the governance and integrity of the small town's leadership.
