Mayor's budget amendment veto stands

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - As evident by a 6-3 vote in favor of upholding Mayor Ashton Hayward’s budget amendment veto, the Pensacola city council was certainly split on how to handle the funds.

“It’s highly premature to disallow the mayor to promote and sell Pensacola in the manner that he deems most effective," said Councilman Brian Spencer.

But Councilwoman Sherri Myers has opposed the mayor since the beginning.

“We left approximately 80 percent of the funds he wanted for marketing," Myers said.

The public had its chance to speak Thursday night.  Those for the veto support the mayor’s decision and think the money should be used for advertising. 

Others wanted to see the tax dollars provide a staff to help the city council, or even beef up the police force.

But one thing has been consistent throughout the debate, Myers and Hayward aren’t seeing eye-to-eye.

“My office has been attacked," Hayward said in his press conference Wednesday.  "I have remained silent and focused on the important business of our great city.”

At the podium, Hayward emphasized a unified Pensacola as we dig out of a recession.  But only three council members were there, not Myers or any of the women on the council. 

Myers said she wasn’t invited.

“I think we need united. We need to be united together to move our city forward," Hayward said.

But when pressed on having a unifying meeting and not inviting everyone, he supported his decision.

"I invited the people that have consistently supported me, and I knew I’d be in tonight’s meeting to ask for everyone’s support and that’s why we did it that way," Hayward said.

But Myers said this isn’t a matter of hurt feelings, she thinks her council members broke the rules.

“That meeting had not been noticed as a public meeting, no minutes I assume had been taken," Myers said.  "I believe that it was a violation of Florida’s sunshine laws.  At the very least, it gives the appearance of impropriety, which is a violation of our code of ethics.”

Myers said she plans to get a legal opinion, and if necessary, take action against her fellow council members.

This isn’t the first time councilwoman Myers and Mayor Hayward have been involved in a dispute.  Myers previously sued the mayor over a letter he wrote to the city council stating it was not to communicate with city employees. 

Myers expects a ruling on that case at the end of this week.