On my third post on December 19, I told a commenter that I would approve the comment about corruption but invited her to provide more than just a hypothesis of corruption. That was met with a list of campaign contributions from another commenter, offered as proof.
I responded, “I can see where you might draw a conclusion here, but this is not proof that any decisions were bought. It is proof that Commissioner Arnold grew up here and knows a lot of people who could contribute to her campaign. It is not proof that she made decisions because of that contribution. That is an inference and it is unfair.”
Below is the response back to me. These words trouble me a great deal (scroll down in the post to read the comment thread).
“Perhaps not iron clad proof, but most people would call my post (above) overwhelming circumstantial evidence of dollars influencing behavior of a politician. Just as the large number of business relationships that Arnold’s father-in-law had with David Hutson (her FIL was a principal in many companies with him since the 80’s and was/is his attorney) is also overwhelming evidence that she was selected not based on her credentials, but based on her family connections. Some people would call that nepotism, but I realize you would not. Just coincidence.”
Wow. Overwhelming circumstantial evidence…in who’s eyes? We don’t condemn people just because someone infers corruption without proof, nor are business relationships of family members proof of anything. I’m not sure what credentials the Governor would deem necessary for selection, but Commissioner Arnold has a pretty impressive history of working in the public sector both as an employee and as a volunteer.
Here’s what her webpage on the County’s website says, “Arnold was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021 to serve on the BOCC. She is invested in the St. Johns County community, its schools, its development, and its future.
A 2019 St. Augustine Record “40 Under 40” honoree, she serves on the board of the Tristyn Bailey Foundation (Inaugural Board). She is also a member of the Rotary Club of St. Johns and volunteers with United Way of St. Johns County, Habitat for Humanity, and the Dream Big! Foundation. She previously served as the director of resource development for the United Way of St. Johns County.
A lifelong Floridian, Arnold and her husband, Casey, raise their four children in District 2.”
So, because of family business relationships, growing up in the same community, and accepting campaign contributions from folks she has known all her life, she deserves to be called out in public as being corrupt?
Not in my book.
about my county st johns county florida 