City of Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss is sending a message. He said, “I wasn’t deliberately lying. I’m man enough to admit I was wrong.” During Meiss’ first council meeting he said he sent a letter to the Florida Department of Transportation Project Manager Peggy Kelley supporting inclusion of a southern route in the current study to alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 90 before the city passed its resolution supporting widening Highway 90 through downtown. Dates on the email to Kelley show Meiss sent the letter after the resolution. Councilwoman Ashley Lay had backed a motion to move Meiss from the Transportation Planning Organization, a spot traditionally held by the mayor. She said Meiss had worked against the council in the past citing his letter to Kelley. Meiss said, “I apologize to Lay and the council. I got the dates mixed up.”
The city council passed the resolution on Tuesday, September 9, while the email Meiss sent to Kelley shows he sent it on Wednesday, September 10. The actual letter Meiss sent shows a September 9 date. Whether Meiss wrote the letter before Thompson brought the resolution before the council, or in response to the resolution’s passage is unclear.
Meiss said he was the only “no” vote on the resolution to support widening Highway 90. He reiterated both options should be studied by FDOT. Meiss said he did want to be on the TPO, an honored spot held by Thompson for 20 years. He said Messick has the position now and may prove to be the better choice. Meiss said he respects the council’s decision and will encourage working together to build synergy.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: New mayor apologizes to Milton council