Government & Education news

Final segment of Wekiva Parkway improves Mount Dora's connectivity

1/30/2024

ABOVE: Completed Central Florida Beltway including last leg that opened January 27, 2024

Central Florida now has a full beltway after the opening of the final segment of the Wekiva Parkway on January 27. The long-awaited connection between State Road (S.R.) 429, S.R. 417, and Interstate 4 (I-4) is now a convenient reality.

The new S.R. 429 northbound/eastbound lanes connect with S.R. 417 southbound, and motorists also can take S.R. 429 northbound/eastbound to I-4 in either direction. This will reduce the time to drive from Mount Dora to Sanford, Lake Mary, Oviedo, the University of Central Florida and other destinations.

Motorists can travel new S.R. 417 northbound lanes under I-4 to connect with S.R. 429. I-4 eastbound motorists can travel to S.R. 429 southbound. Those on International Parkway also can get onto S.R. 429 southbound (see route map)

Some work on the project will continue in the coming months that may require lane or ramp closures.

The 25-mile Wekiva Parkway completed Central Florida’s beltway, while helping to protect wildlife and other natural resources in the Wekiva River Basin. The Wekiva River
is a National Wild and Scenic River and Florida Outstanding Waterway.

Wekiva Parkway was the first expressway in Central Florida to feature all electronic tolling. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) encourages motorists to use a SunPass to take advantage of the greatest travel savings. Those without a SunPass or Florida-accepted transponder may pay their toll via Toll-by-Plate. The toll for this section for two-axle vehicles will be $0.54 for SunPass/transponder customers. The toll for those using Toll-by-Plate will be $0.81, plus a $2.50 administrative charge. Learn more about parkway travel costs on the Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Toll Rates website.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the Mount Dora Buzz website and download the free mobile app. Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz monthly updates are available here.

ABOVE: Diagram of 429 and 417 connection in Sanford.

Mount Dora City Manager is suspended

1/22/2024

Embattled Mount Dora City Manager Patrick Comiskey was suspended tonight by the City Council after an independent investigation recommended his termination and that of his assistant, Merry Lovern. The council vote was 5-2 in favor of his suspension and eventual removal. The city’s charter requires that Comiskey be given a due process hearing which is scheduled for February 12. Then the vote to terminate him could follow at a separate meeting.

Vince Sandersfeld, the city’s Planning Director and a long-time employee, was named Acting City Manager.

Last summer, the City Council hired Lindsay Greene of DSK Law to conduct an internal investigation into allegations against City Manager Patrick Comiskey included in a whistleblower complaint filed in July, as well as any other violations uncovered as a result of that investigation. The complaint was filed by the city’s former Interim Human Resources Director, Kim Helfant.

Greene’s 60-page report summary ultimately recommended the firing of Comiskey without severance pay for multiple alleged instances of malfeasance and/or nonfeasance; neglect of duty; and other policy infractions. Greene recommended terminating Comiskey without severance pay asserting that his alleged offenses met the criteria whereby such compensation was not required.

The investigator’s conclusions, concerns and recommendations pertaining to the city manager can be found on pages 49-59 of the report’s summary available at the link below. The complete report, including all supporting documents and interview transcripts, is over 1,800 pages.

Arguably one of the most serious allegations is that Comiskey knowingly withheld public safety information from Interim Mount Dora Police Chief Michael Gibson, a respected 30-year law enforcement professional. It happened last year while Gibson and the police department were gathering intel on an upcoming abortion rights protest in Mount Dora. The Chief was trying to determine public safety measures needed for the event and communicating those efforts and sensitive intel to the City Manager. Comiskey allegedly failed to inform the Chief that his wife was an organizer of the event even though Gibson advised Comiskey that law enforcement was trying to ascertain the organizers to help plan the allocation of public safety resources. The interim chief's and Comiskey's full interviews are available in the link provided.

As a result of that alleged undisclosed conflict of interest, Gibson stated he is now unable to trust the City Manager with important public safety intel. He also advised Greene that speaking to her wouldn't end well for him and other employees that cooperated with the investigation.

In a separate whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2022, Mount Dora’s former Police Chief, Brett Meade, sued the city alleging Comiskey repeatedly asked him to violate Florida law. Rather than violate a state statute, Meade resigned and filed suit.

The investigator's report also recommended the termination of Merry Lovern, Comiskey’s executive assistant. The report alleged Lovern physically threatened another employee and admitted to recording residents without their consent, thereby violating Florida's two-party consent wiretapping law, which is a third-degree felony and leaves the city vulnerable to civil lawsuits. In addition, Greene found that Lovern displayed wanton or willful neglect in performing her assigned duties and made false claims or false statements during the investigation. Greene also concluded that Lovern displayed incompetence or inefficiency in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the duties outlined by the city's charter, the city council does not have the authority to fire Lovern. That responsibility falls on the city manager or acting city manager.

The investigator did not find that the original whistleblower complaint against Comiskey (also attached below) filed by Helfant met the criteria of Florida’s Whistleblower Act because Helfant’s duties were not protected under the statute (see page 49 of the report). However, Greene concluded there is sufficient evidence that Comiskey took adverse actions against Helfant as a result of specific duties the City Council assigned her that required Helfant to facilitate a survey about Comiskey’s job performance.

The report also cleared Comiskey of complaints of harassment alleged by Mount Dora Parks and Recreation Director Troy Shonk. The investigator stated Comiskey was acting within his authority as the City Manager.

The investigators’ entire report summary, findings and recommendations are included below.

Investigator's full report, all interviews & documents

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram

Investigator recommends firing Mount Dora City Manager

1/15/2024

1/16/2024 UPDATE: Jan. 17 meeting was rescheduled to Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

It’s been five months since the Mount Dora City Council retained an experienced independent investigator to look into a whistleblower complaint against Mount Dora CIty Manager Patrick Comiskey. The much-anticipated report became public last week and included several workplace allegations against Comiskey and his executive assistant, Merry Lovern.

Mount Dora City Council will hold a special public meeting on Monday, January 17, to discuss the report and the fate of the City’s top administrator who was hired at an annual salary of $170,000 plus benefits.

Last summer, the City Council hired Lindsay Greene of DSK Law to conduct an internal investigation into allegations against City Manager Patrick Comiskey included in a whistleblower complaint filed in July, as well as any other violations uncovered as a result of that investigation. The complaint was filed by the city’s former Interim Human Resources Director, Kim Helfant.

Greene’s 60-page report summary ultimately recommended the firing of Comiskey without severance pay for multiple alleged instances of malfeasance and/or nonfeasance; neglect of duty; and other policy infractions. Greene recommended terminating Comiskey without severance pay asserting that his alleged offenses met the criteria whereby such compensation was not required.

The investigator’s conclusions, concerns and recommendations pertaining to the city manager can be found on pages 49-59 of the report’s summary (attached below).

Arguably one of the most serious allegations is that Comiskey knowingly withheld public safety information from Interim Mount Dora Police Chief Michael Gibson, a respected 20-year law enforcement professional. It happened last year while Gibson and the police department were gathering intel on an upcoming abortion rights protest in Mount Dora. The Chief was trying to determine public safety measures needed for the event and communicating those efforts and intel to the City Manager. Comiskey allegedly failed to inform the Chief that his wife was an organizer of the event even though Gibson advised Comiskey that law enforcement was trying to ascertain the organizers to help plan the allocation of public safety resources.

As a result of that alleged undisclosed conflict of interest, Gibson stated he is now unable to trust the City Manager with important public safety intel. He also advised Greene that speaking to her wouldn't end well for him.  (see pages 31-33 and 56 of the report summary).

In a separate whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2022, Mount Dora’s former Police Chief, Brett Meade, sued the city alleging Comiskey repeatedly asked him to violate Florida law. Rather than violate a state statute, Meade resigned and filed suit.

The new report also recommended the termination of Merry Lovern, Comiskey’s executive assistant. The investigator's report alleged Lovern admitted to recording residents without their consent, thereby violating Florida's two-party consent wiretapping law, which is a third-degree felony and leaves the city vulnerable to civil lawsuits. In addition, Greene found that Lovern displayed wanton or willful neglect in performing her assigned duties and made false claims or false statements during the investigation. Greene also concluded that Lovern displayed incompetence or inefficiency in the performance of assigned duties. (The allegations, conclusions and recommendations pertaining to Lovern can be found on pages 59-60 of the report summary).

The investigator did not find that the original whistleblower complaint against Comiskey (also attached below) filed by Helfant met the criteria of Florida’s Whistleblower Act because Helfant’s duties were not protected under the statute (see page 49 of the report). However, Greene alleged there is sufficient evidence that Comiskey took adverse actions against Helfant as a result of specific duties the City Council assigned her that required Helfant to facilitate a survey about Comiskey’s job performance.

The report also cleared Comiskey of complaints of harassment alleged by Mount Dora Parks and Recreation Director Troy Shonk. The investigator stated Comiskey was acting within his authority as the City Manager (see page 57 of report summary).

The investigators’ entire report summary is included below so readers can read them first-hand and draw their own conclusions.

final_report__on_comiskey_1-11-2024.pdf
File Size:	65661 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Additional documents related to the investigation, including Helfant's whistleblower complaint, the City Manager Comiskey's contract, city employee policies, as well as the investigator's retainer agreement are included below.

Full report's interviews & documents

whistleblower_complaint_helfant.pdf
File Size:	2838 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

comiskey_employment_agreement.pdf
File Size:	503 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

city_of_mount_dora_employee_policies.pdf
File Size:	2337 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram

Scholarships available for Lake County 2024 high school seniors

1/1/2024

Now is the time for Lake County's high school seniors to continue planning for their educational future. Due to the generous donations of community partners, more than 20 scholarships are available to those getting ready to graduate with the class of 2024.

Last year, a total of $509,004 in scholarships was awarded to the class of 2023 graduates towards enrollment in college, as well as vocational and other career training programs.  This year there is once again a wide range of scholarships that can be used at universities, vocational and technical schools and state colleges. Scholarship awards range up to $5,000. Many require minimum GPAs, essays, recommendation letters or proof of financial need.

Currently enrolled seniors can apply for these scholarships beginning January 1, 2024. More information and applications are available on the foundation’s online scholarship platform which students can access until the March 1, 2024 deadline.

Established in 1987, EFLC is a nonprofit organization that operates for the benefit of students and teachers in Lake County Public Schools. Its mission is to serve as the connection between the community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education.

For more information about the scholarships visit https://edfoundationlake.com/scholarships. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship to support Lake County public school students email [email protected].

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram and Facebook page for more local info.