Fired State Employee Claims Termination was Due to Sharing Plans for Florida State Park Development

September 6, 2024 TruthUSA

James Gaddis, 41, leaked what he called ‘atrocious proposals,’ which included new cabins, ‘glamping’ sites, and pickleball courts.

One week after leaked plans for development projects in nine state parks sparked backlash from Floridians, the individual responsible for sharing the plans has come forward.

James Gaddis, 41, had been employed by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as a park planner and cartographer for over two years. He revealed that he lost his job on Aug. 30 for leaking the development plans before their intended release date.

“These horrendous proposals, originally set to be unveiled just a day before the public meetings, have now been halted, a decision that has left us all relieved,” Gaddis wrote on a GoFundMe page he created to support himself and his 11-year-old daughter during his job search.

“Despite the risks involved as a state employee and single parent with a weekend job, I felt obliged to raise awareness. I prioritized my role as a public servant and believed it was the only ethical action to take. This matter transcended individual employment situations with the DEP,” he stated.

Gaddis alleged that he was instructed to create nine maps outlining “shocking and damaging infrastructure proposals” while being required to maintain secrecy as the projects were fast-tracked through an expedited and discreet public engagement procedure.

DEP disclosed a redacted copy of Gaddis’s termination letter, signed by deputy secretary of land and recreation Mara Gambineri, to The Epoch Times. The letter confirmed Gaddis’s dismissal on Aug. 30 for reasons including “conduct unbecoming of a public employee, violation of law or department rules, negligence, and misconduct.”

“The department recently learned that you intentionally released unauthorized and inaccurate information to the public,” the letter detailed. “At least one document was created, authored, and disseminated by you without discretion or permission.”

The letter also revealed that Gaddis verbally confessed to creating the document during working hours.

DEP’s communications director, Alexandra Kuchta, declined to comment on personnel matters when contacted by The Epoch Times via email.

Gaddis did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Epoch Times.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated at a press briefing on Aug. 28 that DEP would be “revisiting” the plans, noting that they had been leaked prematurely and were “not yet ready for public scrutiny.” However, he did not disclose the identity of the person who leaked the plans.

“I never approved it. I didn’t see it,” DeSantis emphasized.

Pickleball and Disc Golf

A copy of Gaddis’s unauthorized document was attached to his dismissal letter. Within the document, he wrote, “The Office of Park Planning was instructed by the Executive Office of the Governor to develop nine amendments to current management plans for nine state parks,” with instructions to expedite the process.

Gaddis indicated that customary management plan alterations typically involved meetings with advisory groups and public sessions.

To meet these requirements, he explained, “eight public meetings across eight counties were scheduled for August 27, with an advisory group session planned for Thursday, August 29. The advisory group session was slated to be held via Teams, where all nine amendments were set to be discussed.”

The Park Planning office intended to “broadcast pre-recorded presentations, gather and document feedback at these meetings without entertaining questions,” and later submit the plans to the DEP’s Acquisition and Restoration Council for approval, according to Gaddis.

DEP shared a news release confirming the ongoing development plans on Aug. 19.

On Aug. 20, details from the leaked plans by Gaddis were covered in an article by The Tampa Bay Times, and official concept maps were subsequently published by DEP.

The proposed plans included constructing a 350-room park lodge at Anastasia State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, as well as establishing 10 new cabins or “glamping” sites at Camp Helen State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, and Oleta River State Park.

Efforts at Jonathan Dickinson State Park involved the development of golf courses and the removal of the already-closed Hobe Mountain boardwalk, an observation tower, and a non-operational radar station.

Seven of the nine state parks were slated to receive pickleball courts and disc golf courses.

Several elements from DEP’s official statement were echoed in Gaddis’s document, such as the plans for golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and the 350-room park lodges at Anastasia and Topsail Hill Preserve.

“The initiative aims to expand public access, enhance outdoor recreational activities, and offer new accommodation options within Florida’s state parks—underlining the state’s commitment to conservation, the outdoor recreation industry, and enhancing the quality of life for Floridians,” DEP emphasized in its release.

However, the proposed plans encountered substantial opposition, with protests being organized at the park entrances.

This opposition caught the attention of Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, who criticized DEP for rushing through the approval process.

“Each community has the freedom to plan the timing and location of the meeting, but we believe that this public meeting scheduled for August lacks credibility as many members of our community are absent,” the lawmakers expressed in a letter signed by 13 other officials.

By Aug. 26, DEP announced that the public meetings would be postponed until after Labor Day weekend, with the organization linked to the proposed golf courses withdrawing.

Approximately 150 protestors congregated on Honeymoon Island on Aug. 27, representing various conservation groups including Suncoast Sierra Club and the Clearwater Audubon Society.

Plans on Hold

DeSantis urged individuals to engage with their community leaders regarding the plans.

“Here’s the deal: I don’t want to spend any money on this if people don’t want these improvements, right? If they don’t want it, then don’t do it. Citizens should have the ability to voice their opinions. Nothing will proceed this year,” he stated.

DEP announced on Aug. 29 that the development plans had been placed on hold.

“In response to the governor’s directive and in consideration of public feedback, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has withdrawn all remaining proposed amendments to state parks,” a spokesperson for the agency informed The Epoch Times via email. “We will engage in discussions with our local park managers and may revisit any park improvements, if necessary, in the following year.”

Opponents celebrated the decision.

“Thank you for your part in making this victory possible. Our battle is far from over, but we stand prepared for whatever comes next,” posted the Florida Sierra Club on Facebook.

The governor also remarked that the information “was intentionally leaked to a left-wing organization to shape a particular narrative,” highlighting the conservation efforts his administration had undertaken, including the preservation of over 250,000 acres of land.

DeSantis asserted that the state park plans were initiated in response to requests from Florida residents.

Some Floridians viewed the opposition to the park developments as a non-partisan matter. Both Scott and Rubio, who are Republicans, criticized the meeting schedule and the brief public comment period.

“I’ve received feedback from friends across the political spectrum, and every single person strongly opposed it,” commented Lucas Meers, coordinator for the Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol, to The Epoch Times. “Floridians, in particular, were very protective of our state parks.”

The final decision regarding whether or not any changes will be made to state parks lies with the members of the DEP’s Acquisition and Restoration Council. Their next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 12, and none of the previously mentioned proposals are on the meeting agenda.

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