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Unfit for duty, absent from work — records detail city's firing of commissioners recall organizer
The leader of the political effort to recall Fernandina Beach City Commissioners Tim Poynter and Genece Minshew is a former city employe who was fired earlier this year after two serious workplace incidents in which he failed to show up for duty and later when he arrived unfit to perform his job, according to city documents reviewed by the Fernandina Observer.
Despite that dismissal — and the city’s determination that he is not eligible for rehire — former Municipal Golf Course Superintendent Mark Swope has positioned himself as the public face of a movement to unseat the two commissioners over their support for implementing paid parking in the historic downtown district.
Swope also does not live in Fernandina Beach and questions are being raised regarding his motives for sparking the recall effort in late October.
Swope was hired by the city in April 2023 and two years later was terminated.
A City Personnel/Payroll Action Request Form dated May 8, 2025, shows Swope was discharged for violating Section 701 – Employee Conduct and Work Rules, one of the city’s most serious categories of employee misconduct.
"This intent to terminate is based on your observed behavior on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. You were previously counseled in July 2024 for similar actions," City Human Resources Denise Matson wrote in a termination notice to Swope.
City records also classified Swope as ineligible for rehire.
City records reviewed by the Observer outline two specific events:
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Failure to report for duty on July 12, 2024. Swope did not show up for work after sending what supervisors described as a disjointed and confusing text message. Staff attempted to reach him, but he failed to report, leaving golf course operations without its superintendent.
Parks and Recreation Director Scott Mikelson wrote a memo documenting verbatim a Swope cellphone text to supervisors.
"On the morning of Friday, July 12,2024, I received a text message at 4:39 a.m .from Mark Swope, Golf Course Superintendent.
The text message read, 'The city has got to find anew superintendent.and anew assistant..i'm not going to trash my repreatre0.i'm not diubg this shir' (That is how the text read verbatim.) That same morning Mark Swope did not show up for work,"
"The text message is concerning based on the time and the fact that Mark did not show up for work that morning. In addition to this memo, myself or Jeffery Biggers will meet with Mark to discuss his concerns. This Memo will serve as documentation of this incident and go in Mark Swope's employee file." the document states.
- Ten months later on May 6, 2025, Swope arrived at work in a condition that left him unable to perform his duties, according to internal documents. Supervisors determined he could not safely manage staff, equipment, course operations or even safely drive himself home.
Golf Course General Manager Jeffrey Biggers issued the following memo that day:
"At approximately 5:55 AM, I received a call from the Assistant Superintendent regarding Mr. Swope's behavior after arriving at work at 5:30 AM. He was reportedly acting erratically, raising his voice toward staff, and potentially unfit for duty. I arrived on-site at 6:15 AM and requested to meet with Mr. Swope at the Maintenance Shop. He was initially reluctant but eventually complied. Based on my personal observations and staff input I determined that Mr. Swope was not in a condition to continue working. I instructed him not to leave the premises on his own and arranged to transport him home. I informed him that I would contact him later in the day to coordinate retrieval of his personal vehicle.
"Following further consultation with the Human Resources Director, a decision was made to place Mr. Swope on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the week. I communicated this decision to him when we returned to the golf course for his vehicle."
The two incidents formed the basis for the city’s determination that he had violated Section 701, which governs workplace behavior, fitness for duty, professionalism, safety, conduct toward coworkers and the public, and the responsible operation of city facilities.
Swope declined comment to questions regarding his employment with the city and the recall effort and his involvement.
Since his discharge, Swope initiated the “Fernandina Beach Commissioner Recall Petition Group" just three weeks ago, which is seeking to recall Commissioners Poynter and Minshew. The effort centers on opposition to the commission’s move toward implementing paid parking downtown — a revenue strategy intended to support riverfront flood protection, the Brett’s Waterway Cafe demolition, and long-deferred downtown improvements.
The recall group has ballooned to 900 members, making it one of the most aggressive political campaigns the city has seen in years.
"I don't know the individual other than knowing he is a former city employee who has positioned himself as a leader in an effort to recall city commissioners — despite not residing in the city himself. That context matters," said local activist Sheila Cocchi, a staunch supporter of implementing paid parking in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.
Thus far, Swope has been the public face of the recall effort, appearing a week ago on FOX 30 TV News Jacksonville.
“The community was screaming for a recall,” Swope said in the news report. “They (residents) have screamed loud and clear about not wanting no paid parking, they’ve done a petition, they keep pulling through with it. Now they (residents) are doing an injunction, and they’re still going forward with it."
The recall push follows months of escalating tension. Although 1,700 residents signed a petition placing an anti-paid-parking ordinance on the August 2026 ballot, the commission has continued advancing implementation steps, arguing that revenue is needed to address millions in infrastructure needs.
Opponents — including Swope — say the commission is ignoring the will of the people.
Under Florida law, a recall requires two petition phases and must state one of six narrowly defined statutory grounds. No city commissioner has ever been successfully recalled in Fernandina Beach.
Swope’s leadership has also drawn scrutiny for personal attacks he leveled Friday at Cocchi, who has questioned the recall effort.
In a post last Friday on the recall group’s Facebook page, Swope lashed out at a Cocchi, calling her “shallow and hollow as a person,” a “leach,” and “blind and ignorant,” adding she was “a waste of time.”
He later edited that comment.
Other members in the thread pushed back, urging Swope to stop the personal attacks. One commenter responded, “personal mean-spirited attacks on neighbors doesn’t advance anything constructive … she’s a private citizen who is advocating for her position.”
Social Media influencer Mac Morriss, a key member of the anti-paid parking petition drive who is now advising the recall members with procedural recommendations, told Swope, "I know you want to be part of it (the recall), yet step back more."
Swope's post was taken down on Saturday.
Cocchi said she was unfazed by Swope's personal attacks.
"I'm willing to take criticism if that's what it takes to make sure accurate information is part of the public conversation," she said. "My priority remains constructive dialogue and what's best for the city."
City officials declined to comment on Swope’s employment history, residency, or his leadership role in the recall movement.
The recall group held a kickoff meeting on Nov. 8 to organize its efforts.
If recall petition signature thresholds are reached in both phases, Fernandina Beach voters could be asked in 2026 whether the two commissioners should be removed from office — a political showdown running parallel to the 2026 referendum that will determine the fate of paid parking citywide.
Comments
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BBillings
Holy moly!
Are there no laws around here regarding safeguarding of personnel records?
I'm new around here, but where i come from the HR related transcripts that are part of this article - for all the world to see - would never be published - for legal reasons.
And what of the observer?
Has it become a mouthpiece of the local administration, spewing personnel records of former employees that the city is at odds with?
Seems like i got down here just in time for the sh*t show.
And i dont appreciate it at all.
Sunday, November 16, 2025 Report this
rswarner
So Swope was fired by Fernandina Bech for just cause, and is not a city resident. What's his motive? His crude personal attacks on a credible, civic minded local resident - active in improving our local community, (now withdrawn apparently) are neither appreciated nor helpful.
Monday, November 17, 2025 Report this
PaulaM
What a tangled web ….
Monday, November 17, 2025 Report this
DanGroth
Sounds like non-resident Swope is playing the Retribution Game. All of us should question his motives.
I don't get this opposition to paid parking. Seems like the opponents are worried that tourists won't pay 50 cents or a buck to shop in our town (but would prefer to drive block after block to find a space). Meanwhile I've read that the local and federal taxpayers may ultimately pay upwards of $25MM for improvements (and lawsuits). Where are they gonna go? Target in Yulee? the Plantation? I don't think so.
I've never lived in a place that doesn't have paid parking (except here) and I expect it. Everyone does. This issue is a red herring from folks with too much time on their hands.
Monday, November 17, 2025 Report this
cptoms
What I have wondered is why only two of the four who voted yes are subject to recall.
Monday, November 17, 2025 Report this
Editor
The author of this comment above, BBillings, has every right to his or her opinion, and we are publishing it with this note.
We differ with the author for two reasons. One is that when any citizen steps out into the public square, that citizen is giving up some privacy. The other is that the subject matter is public record.
In this case, the citizen is promoting an effort to push two elected officials out of office: very serious business. It is related to the paid parking dispute but a complication is that the citizen was fired by the city for coming to work in an unfit condition and for being absent from work.
We reported all that without comment. The readers will have to decide what they make of it. And if readers want to comment, we'll publish that, too.
Monday, November 17, 2025 Report this
PaulaM
I agree and align 100% with the Editor’s reply to the comment by BBillings…the Observer broke no laws ..it is not acting as a “mouthpiece “ of the local administration..it is reporting on a very serious action occurring in the community…an attempt to push two people out of the office to which they were duly elected by a non-resident who has some dirty laundry in his past that IS a matter of public record and has all the earmarks of an axe to grind. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but..when accusations are made.. ..especially those that would remove elected officials…the WHOLE story needs to be brought to light for the public to see. ..it has nothing to do with appreciation..it’s called transparency and we need MORE of it.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Report this
Mingnmilo
For some, the truth hurts. If it's public record, and it is true, it is subject to disclosure in the Sunshine State of FL. Those laws don't apply in other states.
If you aren't guilty of any wrongdoing or prevailed in the face of false accusations or unlawful conduct on the part of your employer that is also subject to disclosure. I kind of like the truth and transparency in government we are supposed to be afforded as residents of FL.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 Report this