Orange Park Vice Mayor Alleges Harassment, Resigns

Susana Thompson Offers No Details; Council Colleagues Surprised

Vice Mayor Susana Thompson and the rest of the Orange Park Town Council at their December 5, 2023 meeting.

If the town of Orange Park has a chief export, it’s political drama. On Tuesday, Vice Mayor Susana Thompson announced her immediate resignation from the town council. The reasons for her departure were, per the letter, “intimidation, harassment, and false and defamatory misrepresentation.”

Thompson claims the alleged mistreatment has “damaged her good name and been detrimental to her health and the safety of her family.” She also claims the harassment was “advocated, promoted, and supported” by council members, committee members, and board members.

No specifics of the harassment or perpetrators were provided in the letter. Other people close to the situation expressed confusion and shock over the claims made in the letter. No one was able to provide any specific incidences of harassment, intimidation, or defamation.

Thompson has been a member of the Orange Park Town Council since 2021. At the time of her election, she was seen as a sensible representative of the town’s residents. Her initial opponent, Virgina Hall, is a wealthy descendant of one of Clay’s ruling political families. Her opponent for re-election was Winnette ‘Susan’ Sandlin, who was later elected to a different seat on the council.

Residents and town council members expressed surprise regarding Thompson’s resignation, with one person saying the news saddened them. The lack of details provided makes the resignation a bit mysterious.

Around Florida, local politicians have been resigning in droves due to new financial disclosure requirements enacted as of January 1. According to the new law, local politicians must disclose the same information as county and state-level officials. Some have decried these requirements as too invasive and possibly overreaching. But as far as Thompson is concerned, there is no indication she is leaving her position due to the newly required paperwork.

The only known conflict surrounding Thompson stems from a neighborhood dispute which has escalated into litigation. Thompson and her husband are among the defendants in a lawsuit surrounding access to a public easement on a private road between the Thompson residence and a neighbor’s. The plaintiff in the lawsuit, Debra Waters, was recently appointed to two Orange Park committees.

The Orange Park Town Council’s next meeting is slated for January 9th, 2023.