As a third party observing the situation at the Town of Orange Park, it’s clear that the significant decline in employee satisfaction cannot be overlooked. Employees are the backbone of any organization, and it’s concerning to see such low morale across various departments, especially at Town Hall. The results of the recent survey speak volumes about the lack of adequate leadership, insufficient compensation, and the absence of a supportive work culture.
When employees are feeling unheard and undervalued, as reflected in the survey’s findings, it’s essential for leadership to take immediate and effective action. The issues with micromanagement, stagnant wages, unsafe working conditions, and leadership disconnect must be addressed for the sake of not only the employees but also the community they serve.
Supporting the employees is not just about improving job satisfaction; it’s about recognizing the crucial role they play in ensuring the well-being of the town. A healthy, engaged, and motivated workforce is necessary for the town’s success and growth. Now is the time for the Town of Orange Park’s leadership to listen, acknowledge the concerns raised, and take concrete steps to rebuild trust, improve compensation, and create a work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and supported. This is not just an investment in the workforce—it’s an investment in the future of the entire town
If Sarah Campbell really cared about this town and the employees she loved and left why did she put Mr Whitsons name on the table? She knew who he was. She deals with town managers throughout this state. She offered his name to council and told us what about what SHE HAD TO HAVE KNOWN! What does that tell you? She wanted us to fail? What a covert nasty thing to do to all of us. After all our town has done for her. She did this. She showed us what she thinks of her old employees and the town she haha served.
The town of orange park has been in disarray for years. Drive around.
If I was an employee of this town I would be disappointed and disgusted too. People need a pay check though.
The old town manager was not any better. She was just a better fraud. Word on the street is she asked the mayor for a raise and he said no.
Thank you Mr Mayor!
If it’s true.
We have less than 10,000 people in this town and she believed she deserved more.
She left our town a mess! Laughed at her last meeting about how we won’t be able to stay in black ink. Claimed she was a CEO. A CEO??? Yep that is how these managers think. Public servant?
Keep telling yourself that.
Our public works workers have been guided to not respond or talk with residents.
Multiple people have told me things and then say please don’t say anything I don’t want to lose my job. Sad.
The sense of power is criminal.
The last forever years we have had a few big fish in our tiny pond pretending to give, yet all along taking and using our town as a stepping stone. Left and never looked back, unless laughing. “Just a bunch of squirrels distracted by shiny things”.
I am the former Human Resources Manager of the Town of Orange Park, terminated on February 21, 2025.
When Sarah said the Town would have a hard time staying in black ink, she was correct. I advised no less than three people in leadership, including a Counsel member and the Interim Town Manager, that my forecasting models indicate the Town will be financially insolvent within 10 years, but most likely in less than 5, absent of significant changes.
I have a lot more to say, which will likely be public sometime next week.
You have taken my observation and used it in a manner that is wrong. When Sarah Campbell laughed it had nothing to do with your forecast. It had to do with her arrogance. The town people started to wake up and call our tax paid employees out. And then they began to scurry away. She was the last to go. They left her and her façade began to quickly crack. She had to go. We are a tiny town on the edge of the military base and we welcome our warriors to nothing. OPAA should be state of the art. It has been part of our town forever. It is a massive black mark on our town. Children are our future and our military children deserve better. All children deserve better. Much better… and that’s just the beginning of my thoughts on this town and how it has been mismanaged for far too long.
We need to start on our schools and OPAA. We need to clean up our streets. We need to freshen up our buildings. We need to make people feel welcome when driving into our town…. We need help. And not from politicians or data gathering…. How much did we spend on the bike, sidewalk traffic study that told us what? Nothing we didn’t already know…
I agree there is a lot of inefficiency and waste within the Town, all of which begins at the very top.
The circumstances around, what I believe to be, my wrongful termination will be released later next week unfortunately. I requested the Town engage in good faith discussions for possible institution of systemic changes, most of which would improve the overall operations, decision making, and fiscal efficacy for the benefit of residents and employees.
If the Town doesn't want to entertain these improvements, I have no choice but to go public and bring the issues to the attention of residents.
Simply put, I do not believe the Town is being governed according to the core values as established based on resident input: Accountability, Integrity, Ethics, Transparency, and Economic Stewardship.
Darn! If I knew how lax the background checks were to be a Town Manager, I would have applied!!!!
As a third party observing the situation at the Town of Orange Park, it’s clear that the significant decline in employee satisfaction cannot be overlooked. Employees are the backbone of any organization, and it’s concerning to see such low morale across various departments, especially at Town Hall. The results of the recent survey speak volumes about the lack of adequate leadership, insufficient compensation, and the absence of a supportive work culture.
When employees are feeling unheard and undervalued, as reflected in the survey’s findings, it’s essential for leadership to take immediate and effective action. The issues with micromanagement, stagnant wages, unsafe working conditions, and leadership disconnect must be addressed for the sake of not only the employees but also the community they serve.
Supporting the employees is not just about improving job satisfaction; it’s about recognizing the crucial role they play in ensuring the well-being of the town. A healthy, engaged, and motivated workforce is necessary for the town’s success and growth. Now is the time for the Town of Orange Park’s leadership to listen, acknowledge the concerns raised, and take concrete steps to rebuild trust, improve compensation, and create a work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and supported. This is not just an investment in the workforce—it’s an investment in the future of the entire town
If Sarah Campbell really cared about this town and the employees she loved and left why did she put Mr Whitsons name on the table? She knew who he was. She deals with town managers throughout this state. She offered his name to council and told us what about what SHE HAD TO HAVE KNOWN! What does that tell you? She wanted us to fail? What a covert nasty thing to do to all of us. After all our town has done for her. She did this. She showed us what she thinks of her old employees and the town she haha served.
Wake up people!
The town of orange park has been in disarray for years. Drive around.
If I was an employee of this town I would be disappointed and disgusted too. People need a pay check though.
The old town manager was not any better. She was just a better fraud. Word on the street is she asked the mayor for a raise and he said no.
Thank you Mr Mayor!
If it’s true.
We have less than 10,000 people in this town and she believed she deserved more.
She left our town a mess! Laughed at her last meeting about how we won’t be able to stay in black ink. Claimed she was a CEO. A CEO??? Yep that is how these managers think. Public servant?
Keep telling yourself that.
Our public works workers have been guided to not respond or talk with residents.
Multiple people have told me things and then say please don’t say anything I don’t want to lose my job. Sad.
The sense of power is criminal.
The last forever years we have had a few big fish in our tiny pond pretending to give, yet all along taking and using our town as a stepping stone. Left and never looked back, unless laughing. “Just a bunch of squirrels distracted by shiny things”.
What will we do?
How about real research on who we hire.
No one read the fine print on this fella?
Our council voted him in.
Hi Tara,
I am the former Human Resources Manager of the Town of Orange Park, terminated on February 21, 2025.
When Sarah said the Town would have a hard time staying in black ink, she was correct. I advised no less than three people in leadership, including a Counsel member and the Interim Town Manager, that my forecasting models indicate the Town will be financially insolvent within 10 years, but most likely in less than 5, absent of significant changes.
I have a lot more to say, which will likely be public sometime next week.
Mr Merryman,
You have taken my observation and used it in a manner that is wrong. When Sarah Campbell laughed it had nothing to do with your forecast. It had to do with her arrogance. The town people started to wake up and call our tax paid employees out. And then they began to scurry away. She was the last to go. They left her and her façade began to quickly crack. She had to go. We are a tiny town on the edge of the military base and we welcome our warriors to nothing. OPAA should be state of the art. It has been part of our town forever. It is a massive black mark on our town. Children are our future and our military children deserve better. All children deserve better. Much better… and that’s just the beginning of my thoughts on this town and how it has been mismanaged for far too long.
We need to start on our schools and OPAA. We need to clean up our streets. We need to freshen up our buildings. We need to make people feel welcome when driving into our town…. We need help. And not from politicians or data gathering…. How much did we spend on the bike, sidewalk traffic study that told us what? Nothing we didn’t already know…
Anyway, why did you get fired?
I agree there is a lot of inefficiency and waste within the Town, all of which begins at the very top.
The circumstances around, what I believe to be, my wrongful termination will be released later next week unfortunately. I requested the Town engage in good faith discussions for possible institution of systemic changes, most of which would improve the overall operations, decision making, and fiscal efficacy for the benefit of residents and employees.
If the Town doesn't want to entertain these improvements, I have no choice but to go public and bring the issues to the attention of residents.
Simply put, I do not believe the Town is being governed according to the core values as established based on resident input: Accountability, Integrity, Ethics, Transparency, and Economic Stewardship.
I don’t do facebook, would you send me what you posted? Thanks