Holly Hill commissioner calls detractors 'nut jobs'

Published: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 9:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 10:16 p.m.

HOLLY HILL ? City Commissioner Donnie Moore said Tuesday night he will not step down from office, despite calls from citizens for his resignation after revelations he moved away from the city in May.

The way he said it, however, drew the ire of residents and the county's top elected official in attendance at the City Commission meeting.

"I'm sure not going to resign and walk out on the large number of people that have supported me and put me where I am for a handful of nut jobs," Moore said, which elicited gasps from people in attendance.

"That is extremely insulting," one woman yelled.

County Chair Jason Davis, after leaving the meeting, called Moore's comments "inappropriate."

Moore later apologized during closing comments and after the meeting, saying he feels he has been at the center of a "witch hunt."

"I haven't done anything wrong," he said. "You can't take words back."

Moore, who represents the city's third district, has been under fire after an affidavit obtained by The News-Journal showed Moore started living in Ormond Beach in May. He also filed for a homestead exemption on a home he shares with his wife in Lake County starting in 2012.

Last week, Volusia County Elections Supervisor Ann McFall said her office had opened an inquiry into whether Moore and his wife voted illegally in 2012.

Citing the investigation, Moore spoke briefly Tuesday night, thanking his supporters and saying he had found residency in his district, though he did not give out his address. He added he would fight the accusations made against him.

"I'm not running from this," said Moore, a Daytona Beach firefighter.

While Moore's status was not on the meeting's agenda, several residents called on Moore to resign from his seat.

Resident Mike Chuven said Moore was thumbing his nose at citizens despite saying he was elected by them.

"That's because they thought he was one of them," Chuven said.

Former City Commissioner Arthur Byrnes commended Moore for his service as a firefighter but said Moore's status on the commission could jeopardize the city.

"Please take action before Holly Hill once again becomes a joke," he urged the commission.

But City Attorney Scott Simpson advised the commission that nothing could be done at Tuesday's meeting and the investigation may settle the issue. According to the City Charter, a city commissioner must be a resident of the city and be a "qualified elector" or else forfeit office.

Simpson said the commission could wait for McFall's ruling or discuss the issue at a future meeting. He also cited a ruling from the Supreme Court regarding a similar case in which the court ruled that acts as well as intent have to be a factor in determining if a violation was made.

"It's a much harder determination than one might think," he said.

Commissioner Penny Currie asked for a meeting to be held July 16 but could not gain a consensus from her colleagues.

Source: http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130709/news/307099950

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