Sanford releases text messages from a controversial discussion

Note: This article contains graphic material.

Sanford City Council Member Linda Rhodes sent the first two text messages during the June 23 workshop discussion on eliminating the “extra” downtown police on foot patrol to Downtown Sanford Incorporated Executive Director Kelli Laudate.

Rhodes used the egregious “F” word in reference to her fellow city council members when arguing about the downtown police. The word rhymes with truckers.

The behavior warrants investigation for violating integrity standards and undermining public confidence, according to Sanford’s ethics standards.

The bottom section reads, “They are going to move the money to street resurfacing.”

“Maybe I should have said dumb bunnies. I said it out of frustration. I didn’t try to hide it or anything,” Rhodes said during a break at the July 7, 2026 regular council meeting.

Rhodes has been the only member to be censored by the board for a previous indiscretion.

Board members are required to attend two hours of ethics training.

Read the rest of the story on the public information requests and their many implications in Sanford City Council text messages raise questions about transparency, public record and budget process.

July 7, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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