TITUSVILLE, FL - A decision by the Titusville City Council to delay Planning and Zoning (P&Z) board appointments is drawing increased scrutiny from residents and observers who say the move raises questions about transparency, consistency, and potential conflicts of interest in the selection process.
On January 29, 2026, the Titusville City Council voted 4–1 to delay appointments and reappointments to the Planning & Zoning Board, despite the positions having been publicly advertised for six months. The delay was supported by Mayor Andrew Connors, Vice Mayor Herman Cole, Councilwoman Jo Lynn Nelson, and Councilwoman Sarah Stoeckel. Councilwoman Megan Moscoso cast the lone vote against the delay, questioning the need to postpone the decision after such a lengthy application period.
During the meeting, Stoeckel stated that she knew of a “citizen” who wanted to apply for the board. Nelson then proposed tabling the appointments for an additional month to allow more applicants to come forward.
The decision contrasted with statements made weeks earlier at the December 9, 2025 City Council meeting, when council members addressed appointments to the Parrish Medical Center Board. At that meeting, Nelson defended reappointing long-serving members despite some having served more than two decades, stating that “people complain all they want, but if they’re not willing to step up, it’s a problem,” before making a motion to reappoint them.
The differing approaches between the two boards have prompted some residents to question why additional applicants were suddenly needed for Planning & Zoning after the application period had already been open for months.
Current Planning & Zoning Board Members
According to the February 18, 2026 Planning & Zoning Board meeting minutes, the board currently consists of:
Board Members
- Dan Aton (Chairman)
- Erron Fayson (Secretary)
- John Scully
- Janay Gelin
- Christopher Childs (Vice Chairman)
- Theodore Garrod
Alternate Members
- AnnMarie Seidler
- James Troutman
Debate Surrounding Current Board Members
One of the members receiving particular attention is Christopher Childs, who has publicly discussed city government decisions and policies as a contributor to Brevard News. In those discussions, Childs has raised concerns about transparency and decision-making within city government. Supporters say his commentary has focused on policy and public information rather than personal attacks, while critics argue that advisory board members should avoid publicly criticizing the city.
Some residents have questioned whether the delay in appointments could lead to replacing current members who have been outspoken about city governance, though no council member has publicly stated that as the reason for the delay.
Another member, Janay Gelin, has also been discussed during the appointment debate. Gelin works with CareerSource Brevard and has served on the Planning & Zoning board following her appointment by the council. Some observers note that compared to other applicants and members who have backgrounds in engineering, construction, or development, Gelin has less direct professional experience in planning and zoning matters.
Her appointment has also drawn attention due to personal relationships within the community. Publicly known details indicate that Mayor Andrew Connors attended Gelin’s wedding, and former City of Titusville Public Information Officer Amy Werring was part of the wedding party. While personal relationships are not uncommon in smaller communities, critics say such connections can contribute to public perception concerns when appointments are made to advisory boards.
New Applicants Enter the Process
Following the council’s decision to delay the appointments, several additional applicants entered the process.
Linwood “Woody” Rice
One applicant drawing significant attention is Linwood “Woody” Rice, a civil engineer associated with Rice Engineering and EPIC Consultants of Florida LLC.
Rice’s application states that his work involves designing and permitting development projects through local, county, and state agencies. His professional experience includes work with:
- NASA
- Lockheed Martin
- Valero Energy
- The City of Titusville, where he served as a city engineer overseeing development services.
Rice also previously served on the Planning & Zoning Board from 2021 to 2022.
In his application, Rice disclosed that his engineering work could create a “continuing or frequently recurring conflict” between his private business interests and his public duties if appointed to the board.
Campaign finance records show Rice also made donations during the 2024 municipal election cycle, including:
- $200 to Sarah Stoeckel (June 20, 2024)
- $200 to Billy Specht (June 18, 2024)
- $500 to Robert Jordan (June 19, 2024)
Rice also listed Robin Fisher, a Brevard County lobbyist involved in several major development projects, as a professional reference on his application.
Some residents say Rice’s background in development consulting raises questions about whether professionals directly involved in development projects should serve on boards that review development proposals.
Roger Molitor
Applicant Roger Molitor lists himself as the former owner of Romar Homes, a construction company that built numerous homes across Brevard County before closing.
Molitor’s application cites more than 50 years of experience in construction, development, and real estate, and he is both a licensed Florida real estate broker and certified general contractor. He has also served on the Space Coast Regional Airport (TICO) advisory board.
Molitor listed Albert Voss and Kevin Daugherty as professional references.
Lawrence Graham
Applicant Lawrence Graham, owner of Orange Plumbing Inc., also lists more than 40 years of experience in construction and development-related work.
Graham listed Don Mount and William Chivers, CEO of RUSH Construction, as professional references. RUSH Construction has worked on numerous major projects in Brevard County and is listed in Brevard County records as a client of lobbyist Robin Fisher. Fisher is also listed as a professional reference by another applicant, Linwood “Woody” Rice.
Graham is also active in the North Brevard Rotary Evening Club, a civic organization composed of local business and community leaders.
Additional Applicants
Other applicants include:
- AnnMarie Seidler, who currently serves as an alternate member of the board.
- Stan Johnston, a professional engineer and active participant in local civic discussions.
- James Troutman, an alternate member on the board, is asking to be a regular member.
Why the Planning & Zoning Board Matters
The Planning & Zoning Board plays a significant role in shaping the future development of Titusville. The board reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on:
- Land-use changes
- Zoning decisions
- Development proposals
- Amendments to the city’s Comprehensive Plan
These recommendations can influence housing density, commercial development, traffic patterns, environmental considerations, and infrastructure planning throughout the city.
Because of the technical nature of these issues, planning boards often include individuals with experience in engineering, development, construction, architecture, or land-use planning. However, critics sometimes raise concerns when members of industries that directly benefit from development approvals participate in those decisions.
Transparency and Process Questions
For many residents following the issue, the central debate is not simply about who serves on the board but about whether the appointment process is being conducted fairly and transparently.
Supporters of the delay argue that reopening the process allows more residents to participate and ensures the council has a broader pool of candidates.
Critics counter that reopening applications after six months, especially after council members indicated knowledge of additional applicants, creates the appearance that the process may have been adjusted to accommodate preferred candidates.
With the appointments expected to return to the council agenda in the coming weeks, the outcome may determine not only the composition of the Planning & Zoning Board but also how the public views the city’s commitment to transparency in advisory board appointments.