MARATHON CITY COUNCILMAN TREVOR WOFSEY RESIGNS

Resignation letter cites need to prioritize family

Citing a need to prioritize his family and health, Marathon City Councilman Trevor Wofsey tendered his resignation to Marathon City Manager George Garrett, according to a statement obtained by Keys Weekly on Friday, Jan. 7.

“The last few days have been some of the most difficult of my life. And while I have let many of my friends and constituents down, right now my initial priorities will be focused on my family and my health for the foreseeable future,” said Wofsey. “With this in mind, and in the best interest of the community I love and serve, I will be stepping down from the Marathon City Council effective immediately. 

“I will seek out the help that I need while facing my mistakes and learning from them as I move forward. I am embarrassed that my actions have resulted in unwanted attention brought to my family. Because of this, please know that I am not looking for sympathy or understanding for my inexcusable actions, but I do ask the public to respect my family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

The resignation comes on the heels of Wofsey’s arrest on Monday, Jan. 3 for domestic battery. At about 10 p.m., a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to Wofsey’s residence, where his wife Paige told the deputy she and her husband had been involved in an altercation.

“I’m sending out positive thoughts to Trevor, Paige and their children,” said Marathon Mayor John Bartus. “I hope they get the help and intervention that they need.”

“I hope that Trevor gets what he needs, and that his family is able to heal,” said city councilman Steve Cook.

Wofsey served on the Marathon City Council since November of 2021, when he won one of two open seats along with Luis Gonzalez. 

The council will now be tasked with appointing a new member to serve in Wofsey’s place. In accordance with the city’s charter, since the remainder of Wofsey’s term is more than 81 days, the appointed council member will serve until the city’s next election in November 2022, when he or she will be required to seek re-election by popular vote. The remaining council members will nominate and approve a replacement with a majority vote within 30 days of Wofsey’s resignation. The appointed individual must be a registered voter in the State of Florida and a resident of the City of Marathon. 

At the regularly scheduled city council meeting on Jan. 11, the council voted to address the vacancy in a special call meeting set for Monday, Jan. 24 at noon at the Marathon City Hall.

Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.