By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
It's going to be a busy afternoon/evening at Wednesday's Apopka City Council meeting. At 5 p.m., there is a CRA workshop. At 6 p.m., the vote to approve the millage rate and budget takes place. Then, at 7 p.m., the City Council meeting begins.
But not just any meeting.
Because the July 3rd meeting was canceled, the agenda is packed. Oh, and if you missed the July 4th fireworks, there are a couple of unresolved matters from the June 19th meeting that may make up for it in comparable explosiveness.
Smith sends Nesta a poison-pen email
The day after a tension-filled discussion about rescinding Mayor Bryan Nelson's 2023 censure, Commissioner Alexander Smith sent a scathing email to Commissioner Nick Nesta, describing Nesta's remarks to Smith as "degrading, offensive, insulting, rude and disrespectful."
During the presentation, Nesta called on each commissioner (Nadia Anderson, Smith, and Diane Velazquez) to vote against rescinding the censure.
Although Smith recused himself from this vote because he did not vote in the censure or attend the meeting in 2023, Nesta still gave his reasons why Smith should vote against the recision.
"Commissioner Smith, I'm surprised that you showed up to this meeting, to be honest," Nesta said. "And I'm surprised you recused yourself as well. I feel this vote would have been important for you to do, not only for yourself but also as an educator and as a clergy member. It's important to show you stand with those who are honest, have integrity, and are ethical. It's unfortunate that you recused yourself from this."
The next day, Smith sent his response to Nesta's city commissioner email account. Here is that email unedited and in its entirety:
"From: Alexander Smith on behalf of Alexander Smith <ASmith@apopka.net>
To: Nicholas Nesta
Subject: Comments at City Council Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 20, 2024 12:57:05 PM
Good afternoon Commissioner Nesta,
I wanted to make you aware that as a Black Male your remarks last night at City Commission meeting were degrading, offensive, insulting, rude and disrespectful. I find it difficult to understand how in 2024 a white male feels that it is ok to talk to a Black male as if we are still in slavery.
Because I’m an educator, Pastor and most importantly a human being I know how to conduct myself in public settings. To make a mockery of my chosen profession and the spiritual calling of my life I don’t take kindly. When we are in the chambers I would appreciate it if you would address me in my position and office as Commissioner.
Slavery is over. Black men are no longer controlled by their white counterparts and told what to say, where to go and where they can not go. I’m not sure when you were appointed as the Council disciplinarian and given the authority to reprimand. I would appreciate it if you would give me the same respect as a man and fellow Commissioner that I give you. I don’t reprimand nor make smart remarks about decisions you make or the way you chose to vote on a business of the council. I would appreciate the same respect. Because our viewpoints are different does not give you the right to reprimand. It is my understanding that all four Commissioners have the same equal rights. Not that I’m controlled by and dictated to by you: master how shall I vote, or can I vote!
Believe it or not I to represent the residents of Apopka.
It’s what’s inside of me that matters; not who is in front of me!
Best regards,
Alexander H. Smith
Apopka City Commissioner, Seat 1
Sent from my iPad"
Nesta also called on Velazquez to vote against rescinding the censure.
"I know as a mother, as a detective, and as a civic leader, you'll make the right decision not to rescind the censure," he said to Velazquez. " All these facts show exactly what happened... that we were lied to and tried to deceive the voters, the public, as well as yourself."
He used similar language in asking for Anderson's vote, who had earlier asked that the item be tabled until she could do more research.
"The Mayor was properly censured for lying," Nesta said. "You don't need any more context than what was just provided. The minutes were approved by the mayor for lying. He approved that he lied.
Then he addressed Anderson directly.
"I don't know what else you can look into. This is exactly what you'll be looking into tomorrow, the next day, and the next day. If we table this, no other information is needed. No other information is required. This is exactly what the censure discusses and exactly what it's about. You're a mother, you're a business owner, and you're a civic leader. Are you okay with lying?"
"Well, I determine how much research I need to do to feel confident to vote," Anderson said. "Me being a mother and a business owner all have absolutely nothing to do with me. I have never written a resolution, so I don't feel comfortable voting."
"So you came to this meeting unprepared," Nesta said. "That's very unfortunate."
Nelson accuses Becker of quid-pro-quo
Also during the discussion, Nelson, while reading his prepared statement, made this shocking claim:
"The censorship vote was brought forward by a former City Commissioner for political reasons and had nothing to do with public policy," Nelson said while reading from the statement. "Prior to the Censorship vote, the prior City Commissioner asked a city employee to meet him at a restaurant near his place of business. During the meeting, the City Employee was told that if I would not run for another term as Mayor, the Commissioner would drop the censorship vote. The City Employee has agreed to swear under oath and/or take a lie detector test to prove that this meeting actually happened."
Although not named, the former commissioner in question is Kyle Becker, who gave the censure presentation in 2023 and wrote the language in the resolution.
The Apopka Voice contacted Becker, who categorically denied Nelson's claim.
"It is really disturbing the Mayor can’t get over an election that occurred more than two years ago, nor over an opponent he will never run against again," Becker said. "Instead, he chose to openly defame me by telling the public something I have never said, or simply put, he has told yet another lie. When one looks at the timeline of events he laid out, the notion I would not seek a censure vote if the Mayor committed to not seek re-election is both comical and nonsensical as I had already officially announced into the record I was not seeking re-election. To further suggest I used a City employee as a conduit to that offer is counter to how I conducted myself over my eight years of service."
Although Nelson does not name the City employee from whom he alleges he received the offer, Becker confirmed he did have lunch with one City employee inside the censure's timeline.
"Over the course of my service, I’ve had interactions with a number of City employees, contractors, applicants, and the like, as it was part of the job," Becker said. "However, I have only had lunch with three City employees at locations near my office in Maitland. The first was in March of 2023, with an employee well before the censure vote, another with an employee in February of 2024, well after the censure vote, and the third employee was on July 19, 2023, in the middle of the censure timeline. I’m not sure if this is the employee the Mayor was referring to, but the employee I had lunch with on July 19, 2023, was Mr. Glen Brooks, and while conversations regarding the censure may have naturally come up during the conversation, it was certainly not the basis. There was never any suggestion on my part of a “quid pro quo” deal that the Mayor suggested during the Council meeting. In fact, the lunch was at the request of Mr. Brooks, to which I have text confirmation. The nature of the conversation was Mr. Brooks advocating for budget considerations for operational and capital improvements to the wastewater program during budget workshops that were to take place the following week."
Becker concludes his statement to The Apopka Voice by referring to a possible defamation lawsuit against Nelson for what he contends is a false statement.
"I was appreciative of Commissioner (Nick) Nesta and Vice Mayor (Diane) Velazquez for holding the line on a censure that was based on fact, proving this Mayor is untruthful to his Council and constituents. He has lied once, and now, with this charade, he has proven he will do it again and again for his own political or personal benefit. I look forward to exploring my legal options related to his attempt to defame my reputation in a public forum."
Although neither of these issues is on the agenda, it would be hard to imagine that they will not be part of the discussion. Nesta has not publicly responded to Smith, and the Becker accusation requires either a city employee to confirm what Nelson alleges or for Nelson to prove his remarks with a sworn statement from a city employee.
Along with the fireworks, there are 10 consent agenda items, four business items, and six ordinances for the Council to deal with.
