Lynn Haven mayor floats racism from council members: ‘Don’t want to think it’s because I’m Black’

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. – Lynn Haven Mayor Jesse Nelson suggested during a Tuesday meeting that members of the city commission and public may be racist towards him because he’s an African American.

He also created a muddy situation with Commissioner Jamie Warrick, pointing to a seven-year-old social media post where Warrick reportedly used negative words towards former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who chose to kneel during the national anthem in 2017.

The comments came after a disagreement amongst the board about the city’s controversial police chief, Ricky Ramie.

“It’s interesting that everyone can use their freedom of speech, but me,” Nelson claimed during the commission meeting. “That’s very interesting that I’m called ‘retaliating’ whenever I decide to exercise my rights.”

“I don’t know why that’s the case,” he continued. “I don’t want to think it’s because I’m Black.”

Nelson went on to emphasize the demographics of the city and how he was proud to be a Black mayor in one of the most “diverse and racially advanced cities in Bay County.”

“So for us to have a Black mayor is a huge thing in northwest Florida,” he said, adding that the “community” does in fact think people are racist towards him.

The controversy between Nelson and Warrick largely grew from the commissioner’s efforts to terminate Ramie’s employment following an investigation into a hit-and-run incident involving the police chief in December 2023. It resulted in a traffic citation issued to Ramie for fleeing the scene of an accident and an investigation by the state.

Warrick introduced a censure of City Manager Vickie Gainer on Friday’s pre-commission workshop, following her decision to place Ramie on administrative leave rather than terminate his employment. He argued that the police chief should have been removed from the position not just for the incident, but for previous issues as well.

Nelson, who supported Gainer’s decision, responded by introducing a censure of Warrick. Both members of the commission ultimately removed their censures towards the end of the workshop.

Warrick argued on Tuesday that it would’ve been easier to just stay silent on the police chief issue, but felt motivated to practice “good ethical and moral values” as a commissioner.

“I have nothing against Chief Ramie. In fact, I think he’s a good guy. I think there’s a lot of things being said about him that are absolutely false,” Warrick said. “But he does have a history and that’s why I’m making a big deal about this because I feel that position deserves to have someone with high ethical and moral values.”

He mentioned how there wasn’t a whole lot he could do since the only way to get things done on the commission is to have the votes of at least three out of the five members. That’s why he argued the public will have the final say.

He also thanked the public for the “outpouring” of supportive messages he received after making an effort to hold the chief accountable.

Nelson questioned Warrick’s emphasis on ethics and values by reading the 2017 Facebook post from the commissioner where he spoke unfavorably towards Kaepernick. The mayor said it “offended him as an African American.”

Warrick responded, questioning why Nelson would “go there” with his attacks.

The mayor also made claims that Warrick had been planning efforts with other people since 2021 to come into office, “dismantle the police department” and fire Ramie and Gainer.

The commissioner strongly denied the claims, to which Nelson simply argued he was lying, implying that Warrick somehow had “personal” issues with the chief.

“This is the truth coming out. We didn’t want the truth to come out,” Nelson said, while Warrick showed visible signs of frustration.

Members of the public at the meeting heckled the mayor’s comments, to which he claimed was a double standard because many residents in the city expressed strong support for Warrick’s position and actions.

Nelson originally won his seat in a 2021 special election with less than a 30 vote difference. He later secured a full term after winning reelection in 2023.

The Bay County GOP informed Florida’s Voice that they have publicly voiced support for Warrick and passed a resolution calling for action to be taken on Ramie in order to hold him accountable.