MILTON — Jack Sanborn, Adventure's Unlimited owner has resigned from his position as Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council representative effective immediately.
Sanborn was not at the meeting, but Santa Rosa County Commissioner Bob Cole read a letter Sanborn wrote at the June 14 commission meeting. Sanborn wrote that he felt that he needed to focus his attentions on the city of Milton that he loves and supports.
"I have been a constant agent for progress in downtown Milton," Sanborn wrote. "Milton has so much unrealized potential and I deeply believe this historical city deserves a beautiful, thriving downtown."
Sanborn wrote he feels that the latest attacks against him are "false, frivolous, and ludicrous" and are a distraction to his advocacy work for the city of Milton.
"It has been my pleasure and honor to serve the business and citizens of Santa Rosa County," Sanborn wrote. "I leave with a smile and warm memories."
Sanborn had several complaints brought against him previously at the June 11 commission meeting for making comments on social media that, as Milton resident Pam Mitchell called them, were attacks against them.
"I have been attacked by Mr. Sanborn and his family on Facebook," Mitchell said at the meeting.
Cole also read a letter reporter Jamie Gentry sent to the Commission. Sanborn received criticism for making a remark towards Gentry at a May 17 TDC budget meeting.
Gentry spoke during discussion about funding a Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce event, "Small Bites Under the Moonlight."
Before discussing the event, she said she has "zero opinion."
Commissioner Sam Parker, the current BOCC representative on the TDC said, "Not all reporters believe that."
Laughter followed. Shortly thereafter, Sanborn said, "And you’re a female and no opinion."
"Jack. Uh uh," TDC Chairman Kyle Holley said.
"I really appreciate that sexism. It's great," Gentry said.
“The comment that Mr. Sanborn made to me was in humor and I took it in humor,” Gentry wrote in her letter.
Gentry added in her letter that she thought it was sad to see that the matter had escalated into more than it should have.
The county investigated the incident. According to county administrator Dan Schebler at the June 11 meeting, the investigation concluded that there was no action needed against Sanborn.
At the same meeting Mitchell said that she agreed that Sanborn's comments to Gentry probably were made in humor and were not enough to have him removed from his post. Mitchell provided the commission with documents supporting her request for Sanborn's resignation.
Following the announcement of Sanborn's resignation, June 14, several local citizens spoke gave their thoughts during the public hearing.
George Jordan said that Sanborn and his wife have attacked he and his wife as well as others through social media.
"We feel damaged from this," Jordan said. "It is not correct for this man to walk away and not own this situation that he has done wrong."
The commissioners voted unanimously to accept Sanborn’s resignation.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Sanborn resigns