Summerfield’s former parks and recreation director and finance officer respond to allegations presented in a recent outside review of Town Hall operations in the final months of the previous staff
January 27, 2025
SUMMERFIELD – Former state auditor Beth Wood’s one-day review of alleged improper behavior and financial irregularities that occurred prior to the departure of Town Manager Scott Whitaker on June 10 has drawn responses from Whitaker, some former town employees who served under Whitaker, and Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms.
An assertion of “tampering with” the field irrigation equipment at Summerfield Athletic Park dates back to the fall of 2023. If he had been asked, former parks and recreation director Jeff Goard said he’d have explained the situation to Whitaker’s replacement, Charles “Twig’’ Rollins, before the airing of the allegations at the Town Council’s meeting Jan. 14.
In the almost two weeks since then, Goard is speaking publicly for the first time, adding to a brief statement released by Whitaker, Facebook posts by his wife, Emily, and responses from former finance officer Dee Hall decrying what they say are false assertions and reputation smears.
“We have explanations and answers for every single one of those,’’ Hall said in an interview earlier this week. “They all could have been explained or laid to rest with one phone call.’’
Hall said she’s filed numerous public records requests to Town Hall seeking the basis for the allegations. So far, she said,...
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