Click here to watch We The People, a video addressing the city attorney situation.
On July 30, the DeFuniak Springs City Council held a Special Meeting to determine the next steps in the process to hire a city manager.
These are a few of the questions that occurred to us:
1. Why is Clayton Adkinson, city attorney, sitting in the front row of the audience answering questions about the process?
This question is packed with possibilities.
If you watch the video, you’ll notice Clay Adkinson, city attorney, is already running the show from seated at the dais. You can’t miss him, because he’s attempting to fill the role of the Human Resources Director, the city attorney, a city council member, and advisor to the council.
Who decided we needed two city attorneys at this particular meeting?
Our bold prediction is that no one asked them both to attend. They decided on their own, just as they often do.
Like the time Clayton initiated a background investigation related to Danny Lucas without anyone’s direction. Or the time Clayton initiated a Separation Agreement for Sara Bowers without anyone’s direction. Or most recently, the time Clayton presented a document related to conduct during city council meetings that no one seemed to request.
We don’t have a problem with them both attending; we have a problem with them billing us for two attorneys without direction from an elected official. Rest assured that we will request the billing from the Adkinson Law Firm for this particular event.
2. If our city attorneys believe so strongly in the need for decorum that they drew up a document to govern it, why do they feel so empowered to disregard it?
In the video, you’ll hear Clayton speak at the 15-second mark. You won’t initially see him, because he’s speaking from a front-row chair.
The first words you’ll hear him say are “Gimmee that…”
When citizens prompt him to follow the rules he introduced at the July 23 City Council meeting, he turns and speaks directly to the audience saying he doesn’t mind going to the mic.
When audience members prompt him to follow his document’s stated decorum by giving his name, Clay can be heard jumping to his defense in the background.
“Clayton Adkinson, City Attorney. I believe the public knows his name.”
Let us remind you, Adkinson Law Firm, you introduced these rules at the last council meeting because you wanted them to be enforceable.
Your document suggested that people should speak only from the podium after providing a name. Your document suggested that speakers shouldn’t speak to others in the audience.
As we move forward, we will continue to demand that the council members report which of them asked you to pursue this document, because we haven’t yet been able to find a record of it in a public meeting.
If no one asked you to explore it, but you pursued it on your own, we’ll file that under “The Adkinsons continue to operate according to their own set of rules.”
Again.
3. If our city attorneys understand that a written document makes a rule more enforceable, why are they so afraid of operating under a document that outlines their own service to the council?
Oh, right. Silly question.
The Adkinson Law Firm has no contract with the city.
The City of DeFuniak Springs has no ordinance outlining the Adkinsons’ relationship with the city, and no outline of a job description.
To date, no city council member has even acknowledged the public’s call for a contract or a city ordinance to regulate the city attorney’s office. As a result, we’re left to assume this relationship developed the way things frequently do with the city attorneys: the Adkinsons decided it should be this way, and so it was.
4. How long will the city council take a hands-off approach to the issue of the city manager?
Recognizing that a problem exists but refusing to address it suggests a few possibilities. It means the council is either ok with the city attorneys and their conduct, or it is unsure how to proceed.
We’re simply asking you, city council members, to place the issue of the city attorney on the agenda prior to the next meeting. Begin the discussion of the city attorney’s role in this city.
Here’s what we’ll be looking for:
If the Adkinsons truly care about the welfare of the city government as they would have you believe, they will absolutely understand the need for a governing document.
They will welcome an ordinance that outlines the city attorney’s role and responsibilities.
They will understand why requiring them to compete for the job against other interested firms is in the city’s best interest.
They will welcome a document that holds them accountable for their behavior (especially since they are so quick to require accountability for the public they serve).
If you’re nervous about initiating such a move, we understand, but we would remind you that you were elected by the people of this city to do the business that is best for it.
Ask yourself this simple question: who benefits from a contract with the city attorney’s office? Then ask yourself the obvious follow-on question: Who benefits from the lack of a contract?
We elected you, city council members; not the Adkinsons.
Which side will you champion?
defuniakfreepress 
HYPERBOLE; exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Has it not already been said to you that the document related to public meeting procedures was initiated by Janie Griffith during Danny Lucas’ tenure because for months there had been individuals who thought it was perfectly acceptable or proper to brow beat, disrespect and interrupt public meetings which Mayor Bob Campbell allowed?
Do you think that if you tell the lie often enough that “the City Attorney dreamed parliamentary procedures up on his own” that it will somehow become the truth? What part of “it was discussed at City Council meetings or that Council instructed legal to create these procedures” don’t you understand?
You seem to think that legal should not be present during all meetings that effect City business but that’s exactly what they are paid to do. They are the Cities legal council contracted or not!
Insanity is repeating the same lies over and over expecting different results. You lied then, you lie now and every telling of your lies in the future won’t make them any less lies.
Your comment is very confusing. Where have you been? It is blatent with distortions.Do you truly undweratand
It wasn’t completed. “understand and grasp the reality of behaviors and patterns of behaviors exhibited? Or do you simply blindly form an opinion based on personal advantage? or politics?
Been watching and listening from Massachusetts. Right from the police to the highest officials, would all be in jail here. What a rotten good ol boy network. Horrific. You should all write your atty general and file class action suit against county/ state. Start with United civil liberties union. GOOD LUCK!!!
I guess the Good Ole Boys benefit from the city attorney rolling roughshod over private citizens . It’s some kind of private club with their own hidden agenda with their objectives privately based. This “best little town in Florida” is not going to thrive until there is a city attorney WITH A CONTRACT.