Responding to withering calls for his resignation, new Fernandina Beach City Manager Ty Ross gave an emotional explanation of what led to his Oct. 29 bicycle accident after having too much to drink downtown.
Following Ross' statements, the city commission agreed to hold a special meeting once the Fernandina Police body camera footage of the accident is released to the public later this week.
Ross began talking about a city commission visioning session Tuesday night when he abruptly stopped to address citizens 'demands for his resignation.
"What I want to talk about is what's happened over the past five weeks. I've sought professional help for myself. I learned through talking to professionals that I was using maladaptive coping strategies. Social lubrications in settings where I was tryng to make friends and be funny. And I overdid it and I goofed," Ross said. "I thought I was being responsible by not driving a motorized vehicle and by riding my bicycle. That didn't work out for me and I apologize. I never intended for this to come to your attention and again it happened on the weekend. We can talk about on the job, off the job."
Ross crashed his bicycle near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 14th Street and a passerby called police for help. Police later gave Ross a ride home. He was not given a breathalyzer test by police.
"I immediately called my wife the next morning because I was angry and embarrassed. She got pretty angry and embarrassed too," Ross said. "I want you to know for the past five weeks and forever more I've doubled down and rededicated myself to my mental health, as well as, my physical health. I think I'm doing better than I've ever done before. I want to continue to do that with Jennifer's support and hopefully your support. I can promise you today just to reiterate my public apology and just to say I'll never let you down again."
Commisisoner Chip Ross said none of the city commissioners were made aware of the accident until the Observer filed a public records request on Nov. 28, almost a month after the incident.
Commissioner Ross said when he asked the city manager about the accident, he was told it happened on his own time and didn't seem important.
"What you said failure to communicate, a failure of timing. I can't disagree," City Manager Ross said.
Commissioner Ross requested a special meeting be held next week following the release of the police body camera footage.
Commissioner James Antun supported Ross' call for the special meeting.
"We owe our citizens an answer. We owe it to them to be as complete and transparent as possible. And whatever disciplinary action be discussed whatever that action might be," Antun said.
During the public comment segment of the city commission meeting, four people spoke and demanded that the city manager resign.
They cited his lack of sound judgement by becoming drunk in public and his actions in not reporting the accident immediately to commissioners. They also cited a conflict of interest with Fernandina Police Jeff Tambasco and City Manager Ross. Just three days into becoming city manager, Ross appointed Tambasco as police chief.
Sheliia Cocchi said the night of the accident, responding officers called Tambasco.
Richard Deem said an outside law enforcement should be called in to conduct an independent investigation of the accident.
"The City Manager should have addressed this situation immediately with you (commissioners), his bosses and gotten ahead of this instead of leaving the question in citizens' minds of how well can the city manager lead the city and its employees," said Victoria Robas.
In starting his comments, City Manager Ross said "life is tough. I encountered stress I've never encountered in my life. I moved to a new state, a new job without my support system, my wife Jennifer Ross. I miss her and my family dearly. And life is hard sometimes. But it's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it. It's not about falling down, it's about getting up."