28-05-2025
Departing Panama City Commission officials reflect on their time in office
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – As new elected officials prepare to be sworn in on Wednesday, two officials said farewell Tuesday evening.
Panama City Mayor Michael Rohan and Commissioner Ward 1 Jenna Haligas gave their final remarks. Rohan will be replaced by Allan Branch after losing his bid for re-election.
And Haligas did not seek reelection. Robbie Hughes will fill her seat.
The departing officials shared different outlooks about their time on the city commission.
Rohan is leaving office with unfulfilled goals and an ambiguous legacy, but also a clear conscious.
During his final commission meeting Tuesday evening, Rohan addressed what he called a baseless ethics complaint and false accusations.
The claims refer to a sexual harassment allegation from a female employee and a complaint alleging he attempted to move $8 million in state money from the Beach Drive Pathway to the MLK Rec Center.
He also referred to his disapproval of one colleague when taking office in 2023.
'I believed that with hard work, honesty, and cooperation, we could move Panama City forward. But I quickly learned that integrity is not a shared value among everyone in leadership. From the start, one commissioner made it clear that despite my being elected mayor by the people, there are other commissioners who would oppose anything that was not to their liking. That should have been my first red flag,' Rohan said.
Despite his disappointment at not achieving all of his goals as mayor, Rohan thinks highly of his efforts for his community.
'I gave everything I had to this role. My time, energy and efforts were a sacrifice made not for glory, but out of love for this community. And while I regret the obstacles I could not overcome, I remain proud of the fight I took for transparency, accountability and a better future,' Rohan added.
Haligas reflected on her time on the city commission with a sentimental view.
Haligas led the community through Hurricane Michael and the city's ongoing recovery and revitalization.
'It's just been a long eight years, but so beautiful. Like, with all the pain and the hardships and the growth, it's just turned out to be just something so beautiful. And I just feel so grateful that I was able to be a part of the process,' Haligas said.
Although she's leaving the commission, she said she'll remain involved in her community.
'I'm very excited about the future of Panama City. I'm excited about where it's going to go from here. I mean, it's just going to get even better and even more beautiful than it already is. And that is something that I'm going to sit back and definitely relish in,' Hailgas said.
Haligas said she'll remain involved in projects like the MLK Rec Center to see them reach completion. Haligas will be spending some of her time focusing on her non-profit as well.
Rohan declined an interview, allowing his farewell remarks during the meeting to be his only comment.
Branch and Hughes take the oath of office on Wednesday at noon in City Hall.
Ward 4 Commissioner Josh Street will also be sworn in after he was re-elected in April. Branch will serve a two-year term. Street and Hughes get four-year terms.
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