In the sun-soaked coastal haven of Treasure Island, Florida—home to pristine beaches, resilient families, and a tight-knit community still piecing itself back together after the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton—the political waters have turned stormy.

Nearly a year after the storms battered the barrier island, residents are grappling not just with delayed rebuilds and FEMA red tape, but with a deepening crisis at City Hall. Two city commissioners are at the center of escalating controversies, sparking widespread calls for their resignations and amplifying divisions that threaten the very fabric of local governance.

As recovery efforts falter, a growing chorus of voices—including newly formed advocacy groups like Women of Treasure Island—is demanding accountability and a return to collaborative leadership.

A Year of Upheaval: From Storms to Scandals

Treasure Island's woes trace back to the fall of 2024, when back-to-back hurricanes left the city reeling. Homes were flooded, businesses shuttered, and infrastructure crippled, forcing a frantic scramble for federal aid and local resources. But the storms exposed deeper fault lines in city leadership. In the immediate aftermath, Mayor Tyler Payne resigned in late October 2024, citing personal relocation needs amid the chaos.

Commissioner John Doctor stepped up as interim mayor, but the instability didn't end there. By early 2025, the commission had cycled through city managers, including the abrupt firing of Chuck Anderson in May over perceived mishandling of recovery efforts. At least 38 city staffers—nearly a third of the workforce—resigned in the ensuing months, citing burnout and a toxic work environment.

The city attorney, former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, was ousted in September for absenteeism and questionable legal advice that "eroded confidence" among residents and partners.

These shakeups have left essential services strained: permitting delays have stalled home repairs, grant applications for storm recovery funds are piling up, and public safety initiatives—like curbing ordinance violations at the popular Sunday Drum Circle—have been mired in controversy. One resident, speaking anonymously to local media, summed it up: "We're still boarding up windows in our minds while they fight over who gets the last lifeboat."

The human toll is palpable in neighboring communities like Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport, where similar post-storm frustrations have fueled broader discussions on coastal resilience and transparent governance.

The Flashpoints: Texts, Memes, and Anonymous Firestorms

The current firestorm ignited in September 2025, when District 3 Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon—a local hotelier sworn in earlier this year—sent a barrage of late-night text messages to constituents Rick and Kim Matthews. Described by recipients as "inappropriate" and "suggestive," the messages veered from policy debates into personal territory and alleged sexual harassment, prompting an immediate backlash. Czyszczon later apologized, blaming "insomnia" and vowing to "move forward in the best interests of the city," but the damage was done. Residents decried the breach of professionalism, with one calling it "a betrayal of trust when we're already vulnerable."

Adding fuel to the flames, Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez (District 1) admitted in June to posting anonymous Facebook comments criticizing outspoken residents, labeling them as "bullies" amid debates over staff treatment and recovery policies. Vasquez hosted a town hall to defend her actions, insisting they protected overworked employees, but the admissions only deepened the rift. Tensions boiled over at a fiery June commission meeting, where Mayor Doctor confessed, "I am embarrassed to say that I’m part of this commission."

Public accusations flew, leading to a palpable divide between elected officials and the majority of residents in this once sleepy little town.

Local news outlets have chronicled the saga relentlessly. FOX 13 Tampa Bay aired "Treasure Island Turmoil: Commissioner’s Texts Spark Resident Backlash" on September 19, interviewing affected residents and highlighting the leadership carousel. WFLA followed with a September 20 segment on Czyszczon's apology, tying it to broader staffing woes. ABC Action News captured the June meeting's chaos in "Divide Deepens Between Treasure Island Commissioners and Public," featuring raw footage of shouting matches and tearful exits. Most recently, a YouTube video from 10 Tampa Bay (WTSP) on October 8 detailed "New Developments in the Treasure Island Commissioner's Turmoil," urging a focus on hurricane recovery over interpersonal drama. These segments, viewed thousands of times, have amplified resident frustration, with comments sections overflowing with pleas for special elections.

Development Dollars Fueling the Controversy

The scars of Hurricanes Helene and Milton linger in Treasure Island, where damaged commercial properties face a crossroads: redevelop, demolish, or sell. For developers, realtors, and some property owners—including a few on the City Commission—this presents a golden opportunity. Rising property values and the promise of new construction have sparked a contentious debate over the island’s future, with dollar signs clashing against the desire to preserve its small-town charm.

Residents, galvanized by groups like the Citizens’ Voice of Treasure Island (on Facebook | on the Web | subscribe to their mailing list), are pushing back against what they see as political posturing that prioritizes profit over community identity. They argue that the current height limit—five stories above a ground-level garage—strikes the right balance for sustainable, community-scaled development. Yet, some commissioners and developers advocate for taller buildings and greater density, claiming that "more is better" for economic growth. The question dividing neighbors is clear: Does more density mean more prosperity, or the loss of the coastal soul that defines Treasure Island? As similar debates simmer in Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport, residents across the region are watching closely, determined to shape a future that honors their home’s unique character.

Resident Backlash and Emerging Voices

The scandals have galvanized the community, giving rise to advocacy groups that channel collective outrage and anger. Foremost among them is Women of Treasure Island, a grassroots network of local women formed in early 2025, which advocates for ethical governance and equitable recovery. Although not formally incorporated, the group has mobilized through emails, social media, and public testimony—most notably by sending a widely circulated letter in September, which demanded Czyszczon's resignation and a commission-wide code of ethics. (One email, sent from an address mimicking the group, urged neighbors to "stand up for our island's dignity.") The Women of TI gathered over 100 signatures and sent a letter to Gov. DeSantis requesting the governor’s assistance in the scandal.

Other coalitions have echoed these calls, organizing petitions with over 500 signatures for the ousters of Vasquez and Czyszczon. At packed commission meetings, speakers from Gulfport and St. Pete Beach have joined in, drawing parallels to their own post-storm governance struggles. "This isn't just Treasure Island's mess—it's a warning for all of us on the coast," one Gulfport advocate told WTSP reporters.

In response, the commission voted in late September to draft a formal ethics code, aiming to curb anonymous attacks and restore decorum. Commissioner Chris Clark, caught in the meme crossfire, issued a statement calling the infighting "sad and disturbing," while urging unity.

Yet, with municipal elections looming in March 2026 for Districts 2 and 4, pressure mounts for immediate action—potentially including special elections for the embattled seats.

A Path Forward? Calls for Healing in a Divided Paradise

As sand dunes are rebuilt and boardwalks repaved, Treasure Island's true recovery hinges on mending its leadership rifts. Residents like Kim Matthews, a target of the controversial texts, emphasize empathy: "We've survived the storms; now let's weather this together without the drama." Groups like Women of Treasure Island are pivoting to positive action, hosting town halls on grant funding and density planning to refocus on shared priorities.

For the coastal neighbors reading Citizen Beach in Madeira Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport, this saga is a stark reminder: vulnerability breeds division, but community fortifies it. As Mayor Doctor noted in a recent interview, "We need positive energy... step-in-step."

Will the commissioners heed the call? Or will resignations force a reset before the next high tide? Stay tuned—Treasure Island's story is far from over, but with voices like yours, it can end on a note of hope.

Have thoughts on Treasure Island's leadership woes? Please email us at the [email protected] or join the conversation at our next community forum. Sources for this article include local news archives and public records.

Share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. Sign up for the Citizen Beach group on Facebook, where we’ll be holding Facebook Live events, email me (Carlos Miro at [email protected] with your thoughts). We are creating an initial group to begin the process of ensuring we maintain our small-town environment.

Share your thoughts, or volunteer for local efforts to keep our height limit in place. Together, we can protect the small-town soul of Treasure Island, ensuring it remains a beacon of togetherness for generations to come.

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