SATELLITE BEACH, FL — In a disturbing pattern of misconduct, public records and sworn documentation reveal that officials from the City of Satellite Beach engaged in a coordinated effort to harass and discredit a private resident and environmental advocate in what appears to be an abuse of power intended to suppress scrutiny over potential toxic contamination linked to Patrick Air Force Base.
This outlines a troubling relationship between city officials and a private citizen-turned-surrogate, allegedly used to intimidate and target Jeff Dubitsky, a local advocate with the nonprofit Fight for Zero, which has worked with national experts to investigate possible environmental factors behind reported cancer clusters in the area.
A Call for Leadership Met with Silence
On July 3, 2018, Dubitsky publicly addressed the City Council, urging them to demonstrate leadership amid growing concerns about water safety and a rising number of local cancer diagnoses. The council acknowledged its limited expertise and resources, indicating they would welcome outside support should evidence of contamination emerge.
Fight for Zero responded by contacting environmental experts, including Bob Bowcock and Erin Brockovich, who agreed to assist at no cost. Bowcock attempted to coordinate with the city for a September 2018 meeting. However, upon arrival, Dubitsky and his representatives were denied entry, while a local news broadcast aired a letter from City Manager Courtney Barker, labeling them “combative and nonproductive.”
Coordinated Efforts to Discredit and Harass
Following this exclusion, public records obtained under Florida's Sunshine Law document a sustained campaign by city officials to suppress and discredit the nonprofit's activities. At the center of the controversy is Kathy Marler, a resident closely linked to the City Manager and council officials.
Despite being described publicly as “just a resident,” records show that Marler:
- Was invited to city meetings as a "cancer advocate"
- Communicated hundreds of times with City Manager Courtney Barker and Councilwoman Mindy Gibson
- Was described internally as the city’s "water guru"
- Sought assistance from city employees to print, edit, and distribute documents targeting Dubitsky
Pattern of Intimidation and Misinformation
Records indicate that Marler sent a disturbing 11-page harassment packet to Bailey’s home after it was printed at City Hall—a facility supported by public funds. The packet contained graphic threats, including:- Comparing Dubitsky's worth to “butt-wipes”
- Stating she would “never leave [Dubitsky] alone” unless she handed over private data
- Declaring “off with their heads” regarding Dubitsky and her colleagues
- Admitting to stalking and blocking Dubitsky in a parking lot
- Including a photo of bloody hands with the message “HELP ME”
- City Hall printed and facilitated the mailing of the packet
- Emails from Julie Finch, the administrative assistant to the City Manager, were used for Marler’s communications
- The City used its public resources to influence the judge overseeing the injunction by writing letters on Marler’s behalf
Manipulation of Public Discourse
City officials also sought to manipulate public sentiment and minimize scrutiny. Internal emails show:
- A campaign to recruit “friends” of the city to speak at council meetings against Dubitsky
- City leaders stating the investigation was “silly” and only provided “FaceTime”
- Statements dismissing contamination concerns as “election-time misinformation”
Perhaps most concerning is a September 2018 email in which the City Manager justified barring Fight for Zero from a public meeting by accusing the group of manipulating video and causing “a scene.” This preemptive exclusion raises serious questions about violations of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, which guarantees open access to public meetings and prohibits arbitrary exclusion of citizens.
Weaponizing Government Against the Public
This series of events represents more than administrative dysfunction—it reveals a deliberate misuse of public office to target a private citizen engaged in lawful environmental advocacy. Key legal concerns include:
- Violations of the First Amendment: Citizens have a constitutional right to petition their government and speak publicly on matters of public concern.
- Breach of Sunshine Law: Meetings excluding individuals based on viewpoint, especially when involving public interest issues, are constitutionally and statutorily questionable.
- Misuse of Public Resources: Utilizing city facilities and staff time to produce and distribute harassment materials likely constitutes a misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
- Tortious Harassment: City facilitation of conduct resulting in a court injunction may expose municipal actors to civil liability.
A Chilling Message to Advocates
The actions taken by the City of Satellite Beach officials send a chilling message to community advocates: if you raise difficult questions, especially about possible government or military-linked contamination, you may face retaliation. When local governments weaponize public office to silence dissent, it undermines democratic principles and erodes public trust.
As questions about PFAS contamination from Patrick Air Force Base continue to mount, so too does the urgency for independent investigations, accountability, and protection for those demanding answers. What happened in Satellite Beach must serve as a warning: power unchecked becomes a threat to public health and civil liberty.
Editor’s Note: Supported by public records, sworn documents, court orders, and official correspondence. The City of Satellite Beach, as a public entity, has a legal and ethical obligation to uphold transparency, citizen engagement, and constitutional rights.
For access to supporting documentation: Documents