Last month, RVtravel.com’s Gail Marsh wrote about a plan to bring golf courses and pickleball courts to Florida’s pristine state parks.
Reader reaction was swift. One commented, “As a Florida resident and user of Florida state parks for camping, I was taken aback by the plans to put golf courses, resorts and pickleball courts, etc., in the state parks. What they need to do to attract more people to the parks is put in more campsites.” But the state employee, the Florida state parks whistleblower who brought attention to the plan, got sacked. Now citizens are applauding him, and financially supporting him.
Florida state parks whistleblower leaked the plans—got canned
James Gaddis, the former Florida Department of Environmental Protection employee, had been making $49,000 working for the state.
But when he saw the plans, and how managers and politicians were sneakily promoting the project, he got upset. Gaddis found the project atrocious and unethical, and he told the public.
James Gaddis leaked the plans. The reaction was swift. Gaddis says he lost his job.
It’s tough enough to get sacked, but Gaddis, at 41 years old, is a single dad. To keep things going, when he was working for the state, he did Saturday side jobs to make ends meet. What would he do without his full-time job?
Public responds to whistleblower’s plight
Gaddis took his plight to the public and set up a GoFundMe page, explaining his difficulty. He’d hoped that the goodwill of readers would land him $10,000 to help until he could find a new job. He got his $10,000 and a little bit more. As of yesterday, donations tallied up to more than $207,000.
“I have never loved the people of the State of Florida more than I do right now,” Gaddis told the Palm Beach Post. He continued, “I feel an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for the mind-boggling generosity of everyday folks of this state, and I will not let them down with the next steps I take. I will also ensure that I am transparent and accountable to the thousands of people that have helped me.”
Gaddis’ sacking came after he revealed that the agency he worked for had tasked him with planning golf courses, hotels, and pickleball courts in nine of Florida’s state parks. As our Gail Marsh updated, the state—in the face of bipartisan backlash—has quietly dropped the plans.
##RVT1173b
Does Florida not have a whistle-blowers protection law?
Shouldn’t he be able to use this law to take legal action for wrongful termination?
I certainly hope Florida has whistle blowers protections.
However, did he lose his job for not doing what he was tasked with or for voicing an opinion? I’m guessing he disagreed with what his superiors tasked him with and in turn did not do the job he was tasked with.
If he did his assigned job task without fail and also voiced his opinion, protected he should be. He cannot just say “No, I disagree with the requested task so I’m not going to do it”. He was still required to perform his job as instructed whether he agreed with it or not. He is an employee. His bosses decide what his job is.
Where does it say he did NOT do his task assigned to him???? It simply states when disclosed the task assigned to him, not he refused, or did not do it. And yes, he should not have been fired for disclosing, what appears to be a bad room deal being hatched, illegal or not.
Tell me how to prove a negative and I’ll get you that info. Nice try.
How about the simple fact that his job assignment BY HIS BOSSES was to plan “Golf Courses”, and instead he put up road blocks to block his own assigned job.
The premise that this guy is a whistle blowers seems false. Was a crime covered up? Was a Gov’t kickback uncovered? What exactly did he blow the whistle on?
Seems to me he disagreed with what the publicly elected officials wanted to do on behalf of the voting public, for the benefit of the state. Just because an emplotee disagrees with the legislative plan and says so outloud does not make them a whiskeblower. What was the uncovered corruption or did this EMPLOYEE just disagree with his EMPLOYER and created a mess for his boss? If so, I’m glad he got fired. He should run for office if he wants to drive policy, otherwise DO YOUR JOB or get fired James….. oh you already did.
Being a Floridian, I’m glad that he voiced his feelings out loud. He was tasked as a State employee, in the Environmental Department, to look out for Florida’s environment and he found out that our Governor and others were hatching a secret plan. He looked out for the environment as he was hired to do. Besides we have many golf courses and hotels in Florida already. As a former employee, I can tell you there are a lot of dumb bosses.
Because I respect you so much Kelly, I went back and reread the last bit of the article…. looks to me like he was tasked with “planning golf courses, hotels and pickle ball courts”. That is the task his bosses gave him. I have no problem that he has an opinion but he was tasked as an employee to “plan golf courses, hotels and pickle ball courts”. He did the opposite of what he was tasked with.
I agree, dumb bosses exist but they are the bosses. He should leave the agency, or a govt job completely if he cannot fulfill the tasks he has been given.
James has no authority to direct policy or planning He got NO votes. He has one vote however, just like you and me.
Cont.
I may in fact agree with him and you that this is bad policy. I’m just saying that he does not have a say in policy. He has a say in what MAY or MAY NOT be the best way to have the least impact to the environment when building a golf course, but whether it gets built or not, no say about that. Not elected.
The Chevron Def decision recently from SCOTUS makes that pretty clear. Elected officials make law and policy. The people get the say in a democracy only thru elected officials representing the general good, not unelected staff.
Well, Cancelproof, it looks like one of the times as friends we will just simply have to agree to disagree. I see that since we first discussed this issue, there has been much discourse on the subject. My bottom line is that Fla does not need more hotels and golf courses, when built within State Parks as our Parks are for the preservation of nature. The “whistleblower” just may have saved the Govs bacon as the Gov has now been able to back out more gracefully, than after the bulldozers may have started, without the knowledge of the residents of Florida.
I’m not sure we disagree tho, I’m not a Florida resident so I am not as well read on the subject matter regarding the proposed development. Most of my assertion was regarding the actual whistle blower status and whether James was truly a whistle blower or was he simply a dissatisfied ex-state employee, victimized by policy he cant control and that his GoFundMe was fraudulently advertised to the public. Plus, Chevron via SCOTUS limiting the managerial class powers.
Peace and love my friend.
Now understood. Thanks.
Says who? Why should one person’s opinion out weigh another?
There were two different subjects within the issue. Cancelproof was discussing the one subject and I the other. Once understood, there was no reason to continue discussing.
The R party in Florida has been itching to hand their campaign donors millions in awards to develop state park land since 1999, and kept being thwarted in the Legislator by those who want to keep State parks in a natural setting. This time the Legislator was blindsided as it came from the Governor on down. Before we pat our selves on the back for our work in trying to keep our natural areas green, DuhSantis already gifted 350 acres of State forest to one of his golf course developor buddies. Golf course developers have given millions to his campaign funding both state and federal and are looking for payback
Interesting to see a recurrent, thinly veiled, political commentary taken even on this topic, barely germane to the conversation. Paradoxically, the “R” party cited has been the majority in the LEGISLATURE since 1997. The same “R” LEGISLATURE cited as “thwarting” to “keep State parks in a natural setting.” To set the record straight, the “gifting” of land didn’t occur as insinuated. It was proposed to do a 325 State-owned acre “land swap” for a 861 acre non-State owned parcel resulting in a 72% increase in State-owned land, but that has not passed the State’s Acquisition and Restoration Council within Florida’s environmental agency.
Notice the “D” are simply trying to overturn the mandate of the elected representatives using the well placed “managerial class” AKA “Deep State”, which they also say does not exist. Almosts like elections only matter when they win.
Thank God for the newest Chevron Def. Ruling by SCOTUS this summer. GO FREEDOM GO.
SCOTUS on CHEVRON, Giles. At least one of you are an attorney, read it sometime.
Unless you are saying SCOTUS rulings are not legitimate…. or is it just when you disagree.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 I agree with Cancelproof, “whistleblower” seems a mischaracterization of the guy’s action. If there was graft, or some type of criminal activity, then it would be a more appropriate application of the term. “Sneaky” doesn’t seem to quite rise to the level of “criminal.” Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
We are all entitled to our opinions, but I think “whistleblower” is apt. From Wikipedia, “Whistleblowing is the activity of a person, often an employee, revealing information about activity within a private or public organization that is deemed illegal, immoral, illicit, unsafe or fraudulent.” Huge government projects were being snuck through with an effort to NOT inform the public first. If this was to “benefit” the public, what was the problem with telling the public how it was being benefitted?
Shine a light on roaches and they scatter. I applaud this man’s courage.
If Wikipedia says it is so, I guess it is so. Case closed……almost.
Perhaps you and your fancy “Wikipedia” can explain why FBI emoyees are exempt from whistle blower protections.
They are not exempt from what I read, but when they win their case. The crocked management pulls their security clearance till they beg to get it back.
I believe they are exempt from receiving an ‘official’ WB classification and thus, the protections afforded others that come with WB classifications. That way, when they do blow the whistle ie: govt driven censorship, the MSM gets to dispute that they are in fact WB’s and discount the testimony as partisan.
FBI needs a top down overhaul. Corruption at the highest level.
Thanks for attributing Wikipedia to me and designating it as fancy! Would it help if I used the Oxford definition? If so, “a person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity.” And, no, there are many things I cannot explain, including the FBI’s reasoning, restrictions, and legal limitations. I think this is the difference between what is legally allowed versus morally appropriate.
It was likely legal for the state of Florida to terminate this man, but definitely morally bankrupt (IMO) to do so. Just as it is legal to finance an entry-level RV for 15 years, knowing full well that it will be lucky to last 8. But that is a whole ‘nother discussion.
Immoral may have been the Wiki term that throws it off for me. Subjective term which for my taste, when legalities may be a part of the future process, objective facts need that foothold.
Regardless Bryan, my questions have been about what constitutes Whistle Blower status and subsequent protections.
Did the ex-employee claim to be a Whistle Blower before he lost his job? Did he file paperwork to that effect with any agency?
Or,
did he lose his job for not performing his job and then claim he was a Whistle Blower that lost his job for being a Whislte Blower and then sign up for GoFundMe? Real important. He may believe he is an actual WB but if not, he defrauded the public.
There’s more to this story … Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus were involved, with plans to build two golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, just north of Palm Beach. There are already 20 gold courses within 14 miles of the Park. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/ron-desantis-hot-water-plan-involving-tiger-woods-jack-nicklaus-put-go-rcna168991
To shed some light on this man’s character… “ A whistleblower who leaked documents that forced Gov. Ron DeSantis to pull the plug on controversial state park plans resigned from a previous state job in lieu of dismissal after a co-worker relationship soured, according to personnel documents given to a Gainesville TV station.
According to the ABC affiliate WCJB, a source in the Florida Agency for Health Care and Administration (AHCA) gave it paperwork that shows James Gaddis quit his job in January 2022 after another employee accused him of sending persistent harassing text message and emails.
Now we are getting somewhere. Thanks for the additional information.
FL Dept of Envir Protection has many internal issues including attempt to scam a senior out of a refund … took 2 mons to get $ & had to file a complaint with DeSantas’ office. There needs to be an investigation into the mismanagement!
Sounds like they are working on it and have already fired at least one of the internal problems.
Good to know! I encouraged a few to either correct the problems or get out…sounds like they are stepping up. At Grayton Beach St Pk where I had the issue, new staff is in place on a recent visit. So calling out the SCAM seemed to work!
Exactly. If they don’t like the job, quit. If they refuse to do the tasks assigned, get fired. It’s easy. No free granola lunch in Florida anymore. The job is not to protest. Protest on your own time on a picket line. Protest while on the clock, get fired.
We elect people to legislate. Want to legislate, run for office. Disagree with a policy, run for office and change the direction. Don’t like Florida policy, move to California or get yourself elected and change the states direction. A low level employee does not have veto power. Got fired due to a bad decision. Over flexed, he did.
In classic fashion, once word of the plan was publicized, DeSantis went into full weasel mode to act like he wasn’t onboard in the first place.
So…how would you know that? Do you have some inside information you’d like to share or is this assumption on your part?
Haters gonna hate.
This is so funny reading all these comments and seeing all the thumbs downs. OMG this is funny. When an executive of a state makes decisions, a lot more than the environment and a hikers wishes are taken into account. You know, things like job creation, housing needs, property tax increase potential, plus plus plus.
Just because some granola eater on the government payroll disagrees with the proposed development, he is not privy to all of the things that go into the decisions FOR THE COMMON BENEFIT. Disagreeing outloud does not constitute “WHISTLE BLOWER STATUS”. LOL 🤣😅🤣😂 hahaha
I want to meet you and buy you a beer. You make WAY too much sense…as usual!
🍻 cheers GrumpyVet.
I forgot to mention that there are over 140 RV sites at the two campgrounds within Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Hobe Sound, FL. All have water and electric hookups and there’s a dump station. We’ve camped there and it’s lovely. Hiking, biking and kayaking … on the chopping block if Desantis and his cronies get their way. But the bipartisan outcry from concerned Floridians is huge.
😅🤣🤣😅😂
Final comment (maybe not my final reply) on this article.
Did James assert Whistle Blower status before or after he lost his job? If after, he is simply an ex-employee, feeling vilified and victimized. If claimed before he lost his job, he has a valid claim.
My guess is that he lost his job first, then yelled “whiskeblower” into the air, and also set up a GoFundMe. If that is the case, he has defrauded the public under a false Whistleblower assertion and he should be prosecuted, forced to return the money and face fines. Loosing your job and feeling victimized does not constitute “whistleblower”. Paperwork must be filed in advance to be an official whistleblower.
Nope clearly said in the article he lost it after making the problem public!
Yes, but was he actually a whistle blower before he lost his job or just a leaker? Leaking something doesn’t make you a whistle blower. One must assert Whistle Blower status for protections before making the assertion. If you lose your job for leaking sensitive documents, yiu cannit after losing your job claim you were a whistle blower. Just because you somehow cost yourself a job, is he now playing victim looking for recourse? It is an important detail. On what day, in an email to the media, his employer, his mother, or a friend did he say “I am a whistle blower”.
I contend he screwed up, lost his job and then claimed to be a mistreated whistle blower. IMHO.
I also contend that if being a formal whistle blower can be claimed after the fact then the Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange could have claimed that status immediately upon being discovered.
Example: As an employer, OSHA governs whistle blower protections. I cannot fire someone for blowing the whistle on a safety concern. If I fire them before they file an OSHA complaint however, all good. Do it after they file, I’m in jail or heavily fined. JUST AN EXAMPLE. The timing really does matter.
Taking a non-political approach and one that has standing as a real FL resident, I proffer the following: 1. So is it wrong to try explore different to try to raise revenue by thinking outside the status quo? 2. Camp hosted (outside of FL) this summer at a SP where disc golf course that was HUGELY popular that did not affect the campground. Should RVrs/campers have veto authority over that amenity that allowed non-RVrs/campers to enjoy the park? Are we so selfish to think WE have the exclusive right to dictate how the park should be used? If so, please explain. FL already has State parks with swimming pools, BB courts, and other amenities, should they remove those?
If James Gaddis did his job that was assigned to him and was fired for going public with their plan. Then that is wrong. They violate his constitutional right freedom of speech. Politicians and government management cannot be trusted. Government management will do what is in their best interest to get ahead and look good. Unless you worked for the government you don’t understand how things are. My perception of things is that state down to the local government is worse.
Cross DeSantis and you will be punished. A dictator!
Not politically biased, are we?
Nothing to do with this but whatever!