As the old expression goes “those that don’t learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them.”

Such is the case regarding the requested Appointment of Kendall Harden as Interim City Attorney on May 6, 2025. The circumstances surrounding this appointment raise serious questions about the integrity of the Commission’s actions at a time when public trust is rightfully shaken to its core.

Ms. Harden was appointed by former City Attorney Ron Ramsingh, who is now under an indictment for multiple felonies related to official misconduct.

The appointment of an inexperienced attorney closely associated with Ramsingh suggests an attempt to protect personal interests rather than the best interests of the city.

Ms. Harden, while licensed, lacks the municipal law experience necessary to guide Key West through existing complex legal challenges. Installing an inexperienced attorney at a critical moment exposes the City to even more legal and financial jeopardy.

The City Commission’s duty is to act in the public’s best interest, not to shield its own members from accountability. Proceeding with Ms. Harden’s appointment under these circumstances will only deepen public cynicism and invite further legal and ethical scrutiny.

The citizens of Key West demand:

  1. An open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting interim and permanent legal counsel.
  2. Appointment of an experienced municipal attorney with no ties to ongoing investigations.
  3. Full recusal of any Commissioners implicated in ongoing investigations from participating in the hiring process.

Key West deserves strong, independent legal leadership — not political appointees whose first loyalty is to individuals rather than to the City Charter, the laws of Florida, and the residents of this community.

Sincerely,
Gregory Lloyd
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