What to Know
- The issue stemmed from a 1992 out-of-state drug conviction.
- Commissioners have asked qualified residents to apply to serve until November.
- Douglas Hornsby has re-registered with the Elections Department and can serve if elected or appointed.
North Bay Village Commissioner Dr. Douglas Hornsby was removed from his seat Monday night after months of controversy.
This vote comes months after NBC 6 Investigators discovered that he marked on voter registration forms that he had never been convicted of a felony despite having a 1992 conviction in Tennessee.
In May, Hornsby admitted his conviction for cocaine to the commission. He alleged he was the victim of blackmail and extortion attempts and that’s why he was coming forward with the information. The North Bay Village Police Chief announced an investigation. The Miami Dade State Attorney and FDLE also confirmed investigations into what happened.
In July, Hornsby received a letter from Supervisor of Elections in Miami-Dade County that because he had signed that he wasn’t a convicted felon on two prior voter registration applications, that he was an ineligible voter. The North Bay Village charter requires a commissioner to be a registered voter.
“Instead of appealing that determination, he simply re-registered,” said Norman Powell, the North Bay Village attorney recently appointed to the position. Hornsby is now an eligible voter.
Hornsby’s attorney John Sutton tried to prevent the removal. He told the commission they should postpone a vote until a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge could issue a ruling on a case filed by residents of the village. The residents were asking a judge to determine Hornsby’s future on the commission.
“Let it be known that if you proceed at this time you will be instructing the circuit court judge circuit that he has no right to hear what he has taken jurisdiction of,” Sutton said. “This is an end run around Circuit Judge David Miller.”
Hornsby’s supporters also let the commission know their opinion about the vote. “Douglas Hornsby’s intelligence and integrity is so far about the rest of you that he should be happy to get away from you,” Brian Alpenheim said. “That would be the finest thing that could happen to him.”
Hornsby was removed by a 3 to 1 vote. Attorney Sutton says he will keep all his legal options open.
Powell is going over all the votes the commission made in the last year to see if any business has to be redone.
North Bay Village announced it is looking for applicants for the Commission seat and they are emphasizing they are looking for a resident who is a legally registered voter in Miami-Dade County.
