- December 4, 2025
After the flooding last week, President Donald Trump arrived in Texas. There, despite being perhaps the most controversial figure on the planet, he did something that was decidedly uncontroversial. Following tradition of past presidents, he ceremonially visited the destruction, spoke with families and expressed empathy, saying:
“As a nation, we mourn for every single life that was swept away in the flood, and we pray for the families that are left behind. It's amazing, the incredible spirit from those families. I don't know — I don't even know how they do it.”
By doing so, Trump gave voice to a grieving nation. That’s the cathartic power of the ceremonial role of an elected official.
In little old Palm Coast, we have a mayor who has been at the center of controversy since the day he took office. But, being censured and criticized by his own colleagues on the City Council, Mayor Mike Norris has chosen to withdraw from his ceremonial roles, declining to visit Tallahassee, declining to participate on most community boards, declining to host a town hall meeting, skipping the city’s July 4 celebration.
On one hand, I don’t blame him; it’s an awkward situation. And I know he feels that City Councilman Charles Gambaro shouldn’t still be in office, despite the judge’s ruling.
But, with Norris withdrawing, the city is left without a leader who can give voice to a local moment. If there is a hurricane, who will be pictured with grieving families, praising them for their “incredible spirit”? In good times, who is there to help a local organization feel special by simply showing up to honor their accomplishment?
The mayor has a unique ability to build community spirit. We need a mayor.
So, I invite Mayor Norris to return to his post and lead us, especially in the ceremonial roles, as the City Charter directs (Article IV 4(b) says the mayor shall "be recognized as the head of City government for all ceremonial occasions.").
Norris has a unique position to help the community move past political feuds and focus on governance.
We now know that the rest of the City Council doesn’t support Norris’ moratorium, and they don’t feel comfortable labeling developers as “swamp peddlers,” as Norris has. I invite Norris to write an editorial explaining his vision — a compromise, if he feels that’s called for. How can his campaign principles be applied today in a way that could help unify the council and the community?
Yes, as was offered on WNZF’s “Free For All Friday,” residents can call Norris on his city-issued cell phone and share their opinion to him directly: 386-276-4016. After that show, I called that number myself and left a message, offering space for an editorial, just as I'm doing now.
We need a mayor.
Perhaps he can help us to mend the political division and unite the city to solve problems, to build bridges, to build community spirit.
Email [email protected].
