2020-21 Council Elect R. Cale ResignationRESOLUTION NO.2020-21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; ACCEPTING THE
UNCONDITIONAL RESIGNATION OF RUSS CALE FROM THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on July 7, 2020, by virtue of the provisions of the Charter of the City of Okeechobee and Florida State
Law, Mayor Watford proclaimed and declared that a General City Election will be held on November 3,
2020, by the qualified voters for two City Council Members; and
WHEREAS, as provided in Section 26-4 of the Code of Ordinances, the City's qualifying period was held from
Noon, August 17 through Noon, August 21, 2020, in the Office of the City Clerk for all persons who
desired to become a qualified City Candidate; and
WHEREAS, Russ Cale qualified as a candidate for of the Office of City Council; and
WHEREAS, Russ Cale submitted his resignation from office on November 30, 2020,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved before the City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida; presented at a
duly advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote of the City Council; and properly executed by
the Mayor or designee, as Chief Presiding Officer for the City:
Section 1, That, Russ Cale was elected by default as unopposed, and scheduled to hold office for four (4)
years beginning the first Monday in January following the November 3, 2020, General Election and until his
successor is elected and qualified as provided in Section 26-5, Code of Ordinances. Term being January 4, 2021,
through January 6, 2025.
Section 2. Notwithstanding the above, on November 30, 2020, Russ Cale submitted, and the City Clerk
accepted, his unconditional resignation from office prior to investiture and assumption of office. Attached and
incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
Section 3. All Resolution or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 4. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Resolution, or application
hereof, is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion or
provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications here.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in Regular Session this 1st day of December 2020.
ATT ST:
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Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFJLIENC�Y:
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John J. F.urrrero, City Attorney
Dowling R. atf6rd, Sr., Mayor
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-21 PAGE 1 OF 2
EXHIBITA�,��r��
Mayor Dowling Watford���r'
City Administrator Marcos Montes De Oca
City Clerk Lane Gamiotea
55 SE 3rd Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974
Hand Delivered
Dear City of Okeechobee,
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I would like to first express my continued love and support of the City of Okeechobee and say how much
it truly means to me, to be thought of as a Council Member Elect. I had looked forward to being part of
the City Family in another way and help plan for the future of the City.
Although I was able to obtain my seat in the past election, I have other items in my heart which are
more important to me than being a Councilman. I want to give a family the peace of mind they deserve
and not have the City bear the burden of my personal life, which has no impact on the decisions I would
have made as a councilman.
I wanted to state for the record, the inappropriateness and outright disgust of some of the sitting
council to discuss my personal mistakes, knowing some have committed the same, maybe worse. He
that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone ... (John 8:7), seems this is exactly what some of
the councilman did knowing they had committed the same act I did. These councilman know who they
are and what they have done. The public bullying of me by the council, as well as other city
departments and employees is yet another reason, I felt I would have been able to change things. This
sitting council has lost the true sight of what it means to be a council member. To stand upright and
endeavor to make the City, its citizens and its employees a better place to live, conduct business and
work.
I have served this City and will continue to do so as much as I am able. Okeechobee means the world to
me and for that reason and allowing a family to grieve is why I have chosen to resign from my Council
Member Elect position. I look forward to potentially running again and will keep the City and the real
City Family in my heart.
Respectfully,
4"o
Russel Cale
(Council Member Elect)
Resolution No. 2020-4 Page 2 of 2