PALM BAY, Fla.,None — The city of Palm Bay has had the same mayor since 2003. But now, some residents are suing to stop Mayor John Mazziotti from going after a fourth term.
The suit claims the mayor is violating the city charter by seeking a fourth consecutive term, and that the city charter limits the mayor's office to three terms.
But the mayor says he's not backing down because this suit has been filed, and he's determined to keep his position at city hall.
Sue Ladow is one of nearly two dozen people listed in a lawsuit to stop Mazziotti from running for re-election.
"This is a total violation of the charter," Ladow said. "He has continually on various things just snubbed his nose at the city charter like it doesn't belong there. The charter is the Bible of the city of Palm Bay. It is to be looked at and followed."
But Mazziotti sees it differently. He said that while he was in office, the term limits were changed from three consecutive terms of three years to three consecutive terms of four years. And Mazziotti is serving only his first four-year term.
"Term limits are term limits, but the way I read the charter, I can do what I'm doing. I can run," Mazziotti said.
Mazziotti ran unopposed in the last two elections. He said the suit is clearly politically motivated.
Mazziotti voted to cut firefighter pensions after learning many will get pensions larger than their base salaries, and a few of the plaintiffs have ties to the fire department.
"Sue Ladow, she doesn't like me -- it's as simple as that -- and the firefighters evidently are trying to protect their pensions," Mazziotti said.
The mayor has 20 days to file his response to the suit, and then it's likely to go before a judge.
Both sides said it's possible the legal battle could stretch into next year.
WFTV
