UPDATED WITH COMPLAINTS: City of Alachua employees file complaints against Mayor

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

ALACHUA, Fla. – Five employees of the City of Alachua have submitted written statements alleging that Mayor Walter Welch walked up to them at a park and “aggressively” asked them “what the f***” they were doing before asking the name of their supervisor, telling them he was their new Mayor, and walking away.

The complaints all refer to a June 3 incident at about 1:30 p.m. at Criswell Park (15490 NW 133rd Terrace). The first statement said an older black man walked up “aggressively” and asked, “what the f*** we were doing.” He said one of the men tried to answer, but the man cut him off and said, “Why you standing around?” followed immediately by “Who is your manager?” One of the workers gave him the name of their supervisor, and the man reportedly turned to walk away and said, “I am your new Mayor!”

A second statement says that the men were at the park, talking about “what we do with the two new guys,” when a man drove up in a pickup truck, walked into the park, came back out of the park, and “ask[ed] us what the f*** we were doing.” The employee said he tried to explain that they mowed in that area, but “he did not want to listen.” He wrote that the man asked who their supervisor was, and when he gave the man the supervisor’s name, the man said, “I am the new Mayor” and walked away.

A third statement said the employees were about to mow when a dark-colored Dodge pulled up and the driver walked to the park, then walked over to the employees and asked, “What the f*** are y’all doing?” The employee wrote that he started to explain that they were mowing the area, but the man cut him off; after another employee provided the supervisor’s name, the man said he was the Mayor and then turned around and walked away.

A fourth statement said one of the employees was explaining where to mow when the Mayor pulled up, walked into the park, came back out of the park, and asked “what the f*** was we doing.” He said two employees tried to explain, but the Mayor “shut them down,” asked for the supervisor’s name, and said, “I’m the new Mayor” and walked away.

A fifth statement was similar, saying the man arrived in a black Dodge and asked, “What the f*** are y’all doing?” before asking for the supervisor’s name and leaving. This employee stated that one of them immediately called their supervisor.

A sixth signed statement from the supervisor summarized the workers’ stories.

We did not receive a response to requests for comment sent to the City of Alachua and Mayor Welch before publication; comments will be added if we receive them later.

Images of the six complaints are shown below, with names redacted. Offensive words are not redacted.

Mayor has no power to supervise City employees

Under the City’s Charter, the Mayor has no power to supervise City employees: “The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the City Commission, shall be recognized as head of city government for all ceremonial purposes; by the governor for purposes of military law; for service of process; execution of contracts; deeds and other documents; and, as the official designated to represent the city in all agreements with other governmental entities or certifications to other governmental entities, but shall have no
administrative duties except as required to carry out the responsibilities herein” (emphasis added).

The Mayor and City Commissioners are also prohibited from directing employees, except through the City Manager: “Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations, the City Commission or its members shall deal with city officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the City Manager solely through the City Manager, and neither the City Commission nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately” (emphasis added).

Under Florida statutes, a petition to recall a Mayor can be filed after he has served one-fourth of his term (nine months for the Alachua Mayor; Welch’s term began in April 2025 and ends in April 2028); the grounds for removal are limited to the following:

• Malfeasance;
• Misfeasance;
• Neglect of duty;
• Drunkenness;
• Incompetence;
• Permanent inability to perform official duties; and
• Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude