CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Cape Coral city leaders are taking action over a viral video showing what appears to be Councilman Rick Williams sleeping during an important debate over a possible mask mandate.
“Step up or step down, that’s the way I see it at this point, ” said Mayor Joe Coviello.
Many are now calling for his resignation.
“I’m not going to resign. I got more I want to do, I want to continue on, ” said Councilman Rick Williams.
Constituents say he is generally unresponsive to emails and calls and is unfit to represent District 6.
“He is incredibly inappropriate, a man that is arrogant doesn’t really care about anyone but himself, ” said James Leatherman.
Councilmembers say they can not actually remove Williams but suggested establishing a level of expectations for all members to follow.
“When you embarrass the eight of us and all the residents of Cape Coral, then I have a problem with it, ” said Councilman John Gunter.
Councilman Williams has left several council meetings unexpectedly and even sent a threatening message to a local realtor, Jay LaGace of LaGace Partners.
“It is getting tiring and its getting really frustrating, the only thing I did wrong was Mr. LaGace, ” said Williams.
An online petition now has over 1,200 signatures pleading for Councilman Williams to step down.
“We have two more years of this and we can’t take it, ” said John Karcher.
Several city leaders voiced concerns about Williams’ health and well being.
“It seems like your heart isn’t in it anymore and I think you really need to consider resigning, ” said Jessica Cosden.
