EATONVILLE, Fla. — Local governments are supposed to hold open meetings so you know what's going on with the people who represent you, but 9 Investigates discovered some of Eatonville's Town Council members met outside Town Hall, without the mayor's knowledge, to replace a member who is resigning.
Outgoing councilman Alvin Moore voted for his own replacement, which the Mayor Bruce Mount said he believes the town charter does not allow.
Mount said the special meeting was announced Friday -- without including the purpose, which he said is required.
He said that was corrected Tuesday morning when the purpose stated was to choose Moore's successor. Mount said the correction did not meet the 72-hour advance notice, which the town also requires.
Mount said he canceled the special meeting and said he closed Town Hall early because of yesterday's bad weather.
According to Mount, the clerk notified all council members and the town attorney, but three council members showed up anyway and voted for former vice-mayor Eddie Cole to replace Moore.
"Mr. Cole, who he's suggesting to fill that seat, just came off the March election where the citizens overwhelmingly just voted him out of office. So to come in and vote him back in I think is not right," said Mount.
Eatonville's city attorney told Channel 9's Kathi Belich that he was at the outdoor meeting Tuesday. He said he initially agreed with the mayor that Moore could not be replaced until he's left office on Dec. 1.
Late Wednesday the three council members asked for an emergency meeting Friday, which is a holiday, to retake the vote.
Mount said he won't approve the emergency meeting on a holiday and said he's considering asking law enforcement to events surrounding the vote.