Unfit for Duty, Absent from Work — Records Detail City's Firing of Commissioners Recall Organizer

Mark Swope being interviewed on Nov. 7

The leader of the political effort to recall Fernandina Beach City Commissioners Tim Poynter and Genece Minshew is a former city employe who was fired earlier this year after two serious workplace incidents in which he failed to show up for duty and later when he arrived unfit to perform his job, according to city documents reviewed by the Fernandina Observer.

Despite that dismissal — and the city’s determination that he is not eligible for rehire — former Municipal Golf Course Superintendent Mark Swope has positioned himself as the public face of a movement to unseat the two commissioners over their support for implementing paid parking in the historic downtown district.

Swope also does not live in Fernandina Beach and questions are being raised regarding his motives for sparking the recall effort in late October.

Swope was hired by the city in April 2023 and two years later was terminated.

A City Personnel/Payroll Action Request Form dated May 8, 2025, shows Swope was discharged for violating Section 701 – Employee Conduct and Work Rules, one of the city’s most serious categories of employee misconduct.

"This intent to terminate is based on your observed behavior on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. You were previously counseled in July 2024 for similar actions," City Human Resources Denise Matson wrote in a termination notice to Swope.

City records also classified Swope as ineligible for rehire.

City records reviewed by the Observer outline two specific events:

• Failure to report for duty on July 12, 2024. Swope did not show up for work after sending what supervisors described as a disjointed and confusing text message. Staff attempted to reach him, but he failed to report, leaving golf course operations without its superintendent.

Parks and Recreation Director Scott Mikelson wrote a memo documenting verbatim a Swope cellphone text to supervisors.

"On the morning of Friday, July 12,2024, I received a text message at 4:39 a.m .from Mark Swope, Golf Course Superintendent.

The text message read, 'The city has got to find anew superintendent.and anew assistant..i'm not going to trash my repreatre0.i'm not diubg this shir' (That is how the text read verbatim.) That same morning Mark Swope did not show up for work,"

"The text message is concerning based on the time and the fact that Mark did not show up for work that morning. In addition to this memo, myself or Jeffery Biggers will meet with Mark to discuss his concerns. This Memo will serve as documentation of this incident and go in Mark Swope's employee file." the document states.

• Ten months later on May 6, 2025, Swope arrived at work in a condition that left him unable to perform his duties, according to internal documents. Supervisors determined he could not safely manage staff, equipment, course operations or even safely drive himself home.

Golf Course General Manager Jeffrey Biggers issued the following memo that day:

"At approximately 5:55 AM, I received a call from the Assistant Superintendent regarding Mr. Swope's behavior after arriving at work at 5:30 AM. He was reportedly acting erratically, raising his voice toward staff, and potentially unfit for duty. I arrived on-site at 6:15 AM and requested to meet with Mr. Swope at the Maintenance Shop. He was initially reluctant but eventually complied. Based on my personal observations and staff input I determined that Mr. Swope was not in a condition to continue working. I instructed him not to leave the premises on his own and arranged to transport him home. I informed him that I would contact him later in the day to coordinate retrieval of his personal vehicle.

"Following further consultation with the Human Resources Director, a decision was made to place Mr. Swope on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the week. I communicated this decision to him when we returned to the golf course for his vehicle."

The two incidents formed the basis for the city’s determination that he had violated Section 701, which governs workplace behavior, fitness for duty, professionalism, safety, conduct toward coworkers and the public, and the responsible operation of city facilities.

The Observer was awaiting Swope's response to questions regarding the recall effort and his involvement.

Since his discharge, Swope initiated the “Fernandina Beach Commissioner Recall Petition Group” just three weeks ago, which is seeking to recall Commissioners Poynter and Minshew. The effort centers on opposition to the commission’s move toward implementing paid parking downtown — a revenue strategy intended to support riverfront flood protection, the Brett’s Waterway Café demolition, and long-deferred downtown improvements.

The recall group has ballooned to 900 members, making it one of the most aggressive political campaigns the city has seen in years.

"I don't know the individual other than knowing he is a former city employee who has positioned himself as a leader in an effort to recall city commissioners - despite not residing in the city himself. That context matters," said local activist Sheila Cocchi, a staunch supporter of implementing paid parking in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.

Thus far, Swope has been the public face of the recall effort appearing a week ago on Fox 30 TV news Jacksonville.

“The community was screaming for a recall,” Swope said in the news report. “They (residents) have screamed loud and clear about not wanting no paid parking, they’ve done a petition, they keep pulling through with it. Now they (residents) are doing an injunction, and they’re still going forward with it."

The recall push follows months of escalating tension. Although 1,700 residents signed a petition placing an anti-paid-parking ordinance on the August 2026 ballot, the commission has continued advancing implementation steps, arguing that revenue is needed to address millions in infrastructure needs.

Opponents — including Swope — say the commission is ignoring the will of the people.

Under Florida law, a recall requires two petition phases and must state one of six narrowly defined statutory grounds. No city commissioner has ever been successfully recalled in Fernandina Beach.

Swope’s leadership has also drawn scrutiny for personal attacks he leveled Friday at Cocchi, who has questioned the recall effort.

In a post last Friday on the recall group’s Facebook page, Swope lashed out at a Cocchi, calling her “shallow and hollow as a person,” a “leach,” and “blind and ignorant,” adding she was “a waste of time.”

He later edited that comment.

Swope's revised Facebook post which later was taken down

Other members in the thread pushed back, urging Swope to stop the personal attacks. One commenter responded, “personal mean-spirited attacks on neighbors doesn’t advance anything constructive… she’s a private citizen who is advocating for her position.”

Social Media influencer Mac Morriss, a key member of the anti-paid parking petition drive who is now advising the recall members with procedural recommendations, told Swope "I know you want to be part of it (the recall), yet step back more."

Swope's post was taken down on Saturday.

Cocchi said she was unfazed by Swope's personal attacks.

"I'm willing to take criticism if that's what it takes to make sure accurate information is part of the public conversation," she said. "My priority remains constructive dialogue and what's best for the city."

City officials declined to comment on Swope’s employment history, residency, or his leadership role in the recall movement.

The recall group held a kickoff meeting on Nov. 8 to organize its efforts.

If recall petition signature thresholds are reached in both phases, Fernandina Beach voters could be asked in 2026 whether the two commissioners should be removed from office — a political showdown running parallel to the 2026 referendum that will determine the fate of paid parking citywide.