By Kat Leslie

Florida, NY – The annual Florida Family Fun Fest, which took place last Sunday, August 11th, was a picture-perfect day filled with laughter, music, and the irresistible smell of popcorn. Normally a time for the community to come together in celebration, this year’s festival carried an uneasy undertone. For many, the event wasn’t just about family fun—it was a reminder of the ongoing drama surrounding Mayor Daniel Harter Jr. and the village board.

This year’s festival marked exactly one year since the corruption allegations first hit the news, leading to a lawsuit accusing Mayor Harter of abusing his power and engaging in misconduct.

The initial controversy was over  Mayor Harter, accused of acting without any lawful procedure and misconduct, followed by resolution to use public funds to defend the Mayor against legal challenges  ( Leslie, K.(2023, August 30, p.5). Accumulating Wrongs: Mayor and Board Band Together Against Resident’s Lawsuit. Warwick Valley Dispatch, https://wvdispatch.com).

 Last August, during what was supposed to be a routine Village Board work session, the atmosphere quickly turned heated as the meeting morphed into a Special Meeting where the Board, in a move that still raises eyebrows, unanimously voted to defend Mayor Harter against the growing accusations.

This decision, which many saw as an outrageous misuse of taxpayer money, left residents feeling disillusioned and betrayed. Trustee Melissa Werner, who spearheaded the motion to support Harter, has faced significant criticism—not least because she and the Mayor live together, adding another layer of intrigue to the village’s ongoing saga.

As the months wore on, the allegations against Mayor Harter only grew more serious, with accusations ranging from abuse of power to unlawful conduct. Florida resident Aaron Ubides, leading a group of concerned citizens, presented strong evidence suggesting the mayor’s involvement in unethical practices. The continued lawsuit gained substantial support from residents, who had long harbored doubts about Harter’s leadership.

The court finally heard the case, and on July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court for the County of Orange delivered a damning verdict. The court ruled that Mayor Harter’s actions—specifically, the removal of an emergency access chain—were “arbitrary, capricious, and without any basis in law.” The ruling was a clear rebuke to the mayor, and the court ordered the immediate restoration of the emergency-access restrictions.

To those following the case, the court’s decision was hardly a surprise. What did surprise, and anger, many was the amount of taxpayer money that had been wasted defending the Mayor’s illegal actions. Dennis Lynch, the attorney representing the Ubides family, put it bluntly: “This Mayor’s abuse of power was wrong, and this Court so determined it was unlawful. Being elected a Village Mayor does not mean being selected as the Village Dictator. This Court has now made that clear to Mayor Harter. Sadly, it was a lesson this Mayor learned at the expense of all Village taxpayers.”

As the village of Florida grapples with these revelations, the Florida Family Fun Fest—once a joyous celebration of community spirit—now serves as a reminder of the town’s leadership challenges. For many, the festival has become a gauge of the community’s trust—or rather, its dwindling trust—in local government.

As the sun set on the festivities, casting a golden glow over the village, the tension was still palpable. The event meant to unite the community instead highlighted the political storm brewing in the background. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone: here were village leaders celebrating alongside the community, while the shadow of corruption hung over the event like a storm cloud.

One could almost imagine a new set of carnival attractions for next year: “Pin the Responsibility on the Mayor” or a “Dunk the Trustee” tank. After all, why not inject a little humor into a situation that’s been anything but amusing? The village has endured enough stress, and a bit of levity might be just what the doctor ordered.

All joking aside, the hope is that future Florida Family Fun Fests will return to being simple, joyous celebrations of community, free from the weight of political scandal. The residents of Florida, NY, deserve leadership that is accountable, transparent, and genuinely representative of their interests.

As for Mayor Harter, perhaps he’ll find it within himself to finally address the concerns of his constituents. The village deserves answers, and a touch of humility from its leader wouldn’t go amiss. Until then, the people of Florida will keep their eyes wide open, their voices loud, and their sense of humor intact—because sometimes, that’s the best way to deal with the circus that local politics can become.