ORANGE PARK – The new year has brought new problems for Orange Park Town Hall. Two town council members will not continue their terms into 2024. Vice Mayor Susana Thompson and Councilman Daniel Cobreiro tendered their resignations for personal and financial reasons, respectively.

Cobreiro resigned specifically in response to Form 6, a new law that went into effect on Jan. 1. “This level of personal financial information required to be publicly disclosed under this law poses significant concerns for me, particularly regarding privacy and personal security,” he wrote in his letter, signed Dec. 27.

Form 6 requires local elected councils and mayors to detail net worth, assets such as bank balances and vehicles, liabilities like loans and credit card balances, and any income sources exceeding $1,000. As a result, dozens of council members have resigned throughout Florida.

Cobreiro was appointed to Seat 3 in May. In his resignation letter, he said it was difficult to leave the council, and he called his short time on the board an “immense honor.”

“Making this decision has been incredibly difficult. During my short tenure, I have been deeply honored to serve our community, striving to make positive contributions and decisions for the betterment of our town and all its residents,” he wrote.

Cobreiro told Clay Today he’s concerned about balancing dedication to public service and protecting his family’s financial privacy.

The former councilman was aware the law was about to be enacted, but he was often busy dealing with town business and unaware of the full implications.

“I was somewhat aware of (Form 6), but I was (blindsided) (by the law) a little bit. I didn’t know the details or how it worked. I’m not a politician,” he said. Cobreiro said town attorney Jody Lane Brooks gave him more clarity in mid-December.

“That’s when she told me exactly what the requirements are and how the law works,” he said.

“To be honest, I (originally) hadn’t engaged with what was fully required. I was busy trying to do town work to the best of my ability, and I wasn’t focused on what the form required. I was thankful that the town attorney brought it to my attention,” he said.

Cobreiro said Form 6 legislation was approved by the Florida legislation and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis days after his appointment. He called the law a “bit of an overreach.”

“Town council members earn $500 a month. (Serving on council) is almost voluntary. It’s (a labor of love). But I respect the law and the reasons it was enacted,” Cobreiro said.

He’s concerned the new legislation could affect the pool of candidates in Orange Park, especially since many council members run unopposed.

“My worry is that a lack of people could be interested in running to begin with because of the rule. My only hope is this requirement doesn’t exacerbate the issue in the town. It has caused a lot of resignations across the state,” he said.

“(The seat) was almost taken out of my hands by a law I didn’t agree with, and respectfully, I resigned from the position.”

However, Thompson cited a wide list of personal grievances such as “continued intimidation, harassment, and false and defamatory misrepresentation intended to damage (her name and her family’s quality of life” in her letter of resignation, signed on Dec. 26.

She did not mention the new law in her letter.

“I want to express my (utmost) gratitude to the Constituents who voted me in and I sincerely apologize for my departure. It was not an easy decision to make, but I am confident that it is the right one for me and my family.” Thompson wrote in her letter.

She sent a single, large text message elaborating on her decision and conveying her sense of isolation serving the town council. The text message mentioned “eye rolling” and a dismissive attitude that Thompson felt was directed toward her personally.

“They are all involved in a cocktail party and are attempting to hide the things that have occurred since 2012,” Thompson wrote in her text message.

“In April 2021 I was approached by a previous councilmembers who told me to watch my back… that there were staff, councilmembers, a past senator, community and members in the county working against me,” the text message continued.

She was not available for follow-up questions.