Civility and decorum returned to the Islamorada council chambers following a display of division and dysfunction by the dais over the past few meetings. A calm, cool and collected council wasted little time on an interim manager plan, unanimously agreeing at a July 27 meeting to proceed with Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi’s proposal offering the services of Bryan Cook, county employment services director.
On July 17, the dais voted 3-2 to not renew the contract of current Village Manager Ted Yates. The decision came following a fiery, passionate discussion among the public, the council and Yates. The former Twinsburg, Ohio mayor was selected in May 2022 by a previous village council. Aug. 1, 2022 marked his first day on the job.
July 31 marks Yates last day as manager, leaving the council little time to decide on a replacement for the interim. During the early stages of the July 27 meeting, Councilman Henry Rosenthal brought Gastesi to the podium to unveil his manager proposal. Gastesi, an Islamorada resident, said the move to loan Cook to the village had the county commission’s full backing, as well as county senior management. Gastesi said Cook will be the “quarterback” for the village. Gastesi and Cook met with four council members a day before.
Gastesi described Cook as a “level-headed, calm guy.”
“This is just basically the county family coming in trying to help out the Islamorada family,” Gastesi said, adding that the concept of one municipality helping another isn’t new. “Let’s take advantage of it. I think this will work.”
A Sugarloaf resident, Cook told the dais that he hopes to bring the “county’s formula” to the village. Cook spent the last 27 years in human resources.
“Everything in a business or an organization gets accomplished through people. I’m obviously a people-first manager. I’m not the boss-type, I’m more collaborative in style,” Cook said.
Rosenthal and Mayor Buddy Pinder expressed their gratitude for Gastesi’s willingness to assist the village through a transition. Councilman Mark Gregg said it’s an incredible opportunity for the dais.
“I didn’t see it coming and I’d like to take advantage of it,” Gregg said.
Yates told the council he’s willing to answer any questions as the transition begins with Cook at the helm.
“I never wanted anything but the best for Islamorada,” Yates said.
Attorney John Quick said an agreement between the village and county will come before the dais for final approval. Details are expected to come back at an Aug. 3 budget hearing at 3 p.m. at Founders Park Community Center.
Per a county press release, Cook envisions he will be fully committed to Islamorada while staying in touch as needed with his county employee services team for any issues that arise. The day-to-day employee services routine will not be affected, but a few high-level projects may be put on hold until his return.
