A shakeup continues in Islamorada government as councilman Joseph “Buddy” Pinder III tendered his resignation on Jan. 10.
Pinder, who was first elected in 2020, submitted a letter addressed to fellow council members and staff during the late morning.
“It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of my resignation from the Islamorada, Village of Islands Village Council. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on Council and the years I spent in service as Mayor. I have been a life-long resident of the Village of Islamorada and will continue to call Islamorada my home.”
Pinder, in a conversation with the Keys Weekly, said he’s ready for the next chapter as he moves on from serving the village. He said he’s looking forward to enjoying life while doing some traveling.
Born and raised in Islamorada, Pinder secured a seat on the village council for the first time following a November 2020 election win over Jenny Bell-Thomson. He secured subsequent two-year terms, having beaten Sue Miller in the 2022 election and Van Cadenhead during the 2024 election.
He was picked to be mayor by his fellow council members in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He’s currently a board member for the Florida League of Mayors.
“Over the past years, I have had the honor to work with our residents, fellow council members and staff to enhance the quality of life for everyone in the village,” he wrote. “I have proudly represented the village when working with other communities through organizations such as the Florida League of Mayors and Florida League of Cities. I intend to continue to do so, only from the perspective as a non-Council member.”
Pinder thanked the village residents for the privilege to serve as elected official in the village. He also acknowledged fellow council members he served with over the years.
“I wish my current Council members the best of luck in guiding our village forward,” he wrote.
Pinder’s resignation comes following a pair of village council meetings on Jan. 7, which saw then Village Manager Rob Cole announcing his resignation, and Jan. 9, which saw the council choosing Sheila Denoncourt as acting manager. The council, which voted 4-1 on a separation agreement with Cole, will begin a search to find a permanent manager.
With Pinder no longer serving in the seat, the council will need to pick his replacement. The seat could have gone to a special election if council members serve four-year terms. Questions of four-year term limits in the past have been turned down by voters. With the seats being two years, it’s now up to the four council members to decide.
Residents seeking to fill Pinder’s seat can visit the village website this afternoon to submit a letter of interest with their credentials. The portal for interested members will be open for a period of two-and-a-half to three weeks. A list of names will be sent to each council member in private; each will pick their top candidates. The top vote getters will come before council at a future meeting where the decision on Pinder’s replacement will be made.
“It’s fair, it’s transparent and it’s a good thing,” Mahoney told the Keys Weekly regarding the process to fill the vacant seat.