In early September 2025, Treasure Island made headlines for all the wrong reasons when District 3 Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon sent a series of bizarre, late-night text messages to a constituent using his city-issued phone.
The messages, which infamously included questions like:
“What is Kim wearing?”
“When can I clean your feet? Kisses to Kim 1st, then you 2nd!”
His apology did little to soothe residents who demanded he resign immediately. Fellow Commissioner Chris Clark even wrote to the Governor’s Office, urging removal.
What began as a strange local scandal became a symbol of how surreal small-town politics can get when accountability takes a backseat to ego.
Months later, the story refuses to fade.
From Foot Fetishes to Full-Blown Fallout
After the texts became public, residents flooded city meetings demanding Czyszczon’s resignation. Fellow Commissioner Chris Clark even appealed directly to the Governor’s Office to have him removed.
Czyszczon apologized, claiming that insomnia clouded his judgment, but the mea culpa did little to calm the backlash.
The city, already reeling from storm recovery and political infighting, suddenly found itself the butt of late-night jokes and a cautionary tale about small-town politics gone off the rails.
October 2025: Ethics on the Agenda
By early October, the Treasure Island City Commission found itself in a new kind of storm: a credibility crisis. Local coverage showed tense meetings and residents openly questioning whether anyone at City Hall was capable of behaving professionally.
In response, the commission pushed to adopt a formal Code of Ethics, a move directly tied to Czyszczon’s scandal and a string of unrelated public squabbles that had already tarnished the city’s reputation.
The new measure aims to outline clearer behavioral standards for elected officials and create a process for handling misconduct, something that, until now, Treasure Island never had in writing.
Quick Timeline: The Treasure Island Texting Scandal
- Early September 2025: News breaks that Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon sent sexually suggestive text messages from his city-issued phone to a constituent and his wife.
- Mid-September 2025: Czyszczon issues a public apology, claiming insomnia and poor judgment. Residents demand his resignation.
- Late September 2025: Fellow Commissioner Chris Clark writes to the Florida Governor requesting Czyszczon’s removal. Public meetings turn tense.
- October 2025: The city commission drafts a Code of Ethics, directly spurred by the controversy. News outlets cover widening dysfunction among commissioners.
- Late October 2025: Czyszczon remains in office and participates in meetings, voting on budget items and ordinances.
- November 2025: Still no resignation or disciplinary action. Local activists begin discussing a citizen recall effort as the scandal drags on.
November 2025: Still Seated, Still Voting
Despite the uproar, Arthur Czyszczon remains in office.
Records from late October and early November show him attending meetings, voting on budget ordinances, and even sponsoring an item on “Dynamic Parking Pricing.” His name still appears on the city’s official “Meet Your Commissioners” page, with no sign of resignation or removal.
That silence has only fueled local frustration. Residents continue to call for accountability, while city business carries on as if the controversy never happened.
What It Says About Treasure Island’s Political Climate
Treasure Island’s government has faced turnover, tension, and ethics complaints for years, but this latest scandal crystallized just how fragile local trust has become. For many residents, the issue isn’t just one man’s late-night texts; it’s a system that lets elected officials shrug off public embarrassment without consequence.
Here’s where it gets spicy.
At least two community groups are discussing a citizen recall effort, but one that shows how far public patience has eroded. Meanwhile, insiders say other commissioners have privately expressed frustration that Czyszczon’s scandal is overshadowing city business, yet few are willing to go on record.
For now, the commissioner continues to cast votes, introduce policy, and draw a city paycheck. But in a town known for its sunsets and scandal fatigue, some wonder if the real storm is just starting to roll in.
Where It Goes from Here
There’s no indication yet of disciplinary action from the state or city, and the Governor’s office has not announced any decision on Commissioner Czyszczon’s removal request. For now, he continues to serve, vote, and shape city policy.
Meanwhile, the commission’s proposed Code of Ethics remains the one tangible sign that Treasure Island is at least trying to clean up its act, even if its most infamous commissioner hasn’t stepped aside.
The Bottom Line
Arthur Czyszczon is still a commissioner. The texts are still real. The apology still exists. The consequences still do not.
Whether this ends with a recall, a quiet resignation months down the line, or simply fades into local political folklore will determine how Treasure Island residents remember this moment. As a turning point toward higher standards, or as proof that embarrassment alone isn’t enough to move the needle.
For now, the scandal lingers in an uncomfortable limbo. Not resolved. Not forgotten. Just awkwardly present, like a message you wish you’d never opened but can’t delete from your phone.