GROVELAND, Fla. – The city of Groveland is considering a plan that would expand the city council’s ability to remove an elected official from office.
At a meeting on Monday, council members will discuss a proposal to amend the city charter to allow the council to submit a complaint and hold a hearing process for a forfeiture of office.
The measure is being considered after Councilwoman Judith Fike was suspended in early July amid a social media controversy.
[VIDEO: Groveland city council suspends councilwoman after ‘racism’ allegations]
The incident kicked off during a city council meeting after Vice Mayor Barbara Gaines brought a batch of what appeared to be “hateful” and “racist” social media posts written by Fike.
For example, one of the posts revealed by Gaines apparently displayed an image of former President Ronald Reagan “babysitting” former President Barack Obama.
“Except that it is an ape, a baboon, a monkey, or whatever you want to call it,” she said.
Fike was returned to her position after her attorney filed a legal challenge to her removal.
[VIDEO: Lawsuit filed after suspension of Groveland councilwoman over alleged social media posts]
A court order demanded that the councilwoman be given her seat back, as neither the city charter nor its ethics policy allowed for the suspension.
In addition to the charter amendment, the city council will also consider expanding the term for council members from two years to four years while also imposing term limits.
Both ordinances would have to be approved by Groveland voters.
The city council is seeking to have both charter amendments appear on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot.