It was interesting to see two candidates for St Johns County Commissioner publish their three-point platform on their own. They indicate that they, “with the support of Commissioner Krista Joseph, propose a three-point initiative called Save and Protect St. Johns County.” It was refreshing to see this come from the candidates, and not their “campaign manager.”
That is a platform that will resonate with a segment of residents in the County who are frustrated with the growth that has occurred in the past 10-15 years. How can you argue with a platform of conservation like that. Their three points include:
- Slow the growth,
- Protect more trees, less clearcutting, and
- Preserve more land.
As I read this new platform, I have important questions for the candidates that the proposal doesn’t touch. These are important because running the County is more than just voting no on development.
Here is what I would like to see answered:
- In their first “point” – Slow the growth – they promise to listen to their constituents. Who do these two candidates (along with their mentor, Commissioner Joseph) believe are their constituents? Only those who agree with their platform? Everyone in the County including businesses that create jobs and homes? Will these two candidates create a constituency that only include those who believe in their cause or will they reach out to everyone in the County, including businesses and developers?
- Do the candidates realize that St Johns County is, simply put, an economic engine? While residents live, work and play here, it is the economic engine that ultimately provides quality of life. Ignoring the economics of the County could lead to a disastrous decay of the infrastructure over time.
- What have the candidates done to learn about the County, the laws, the regulations and the processes beyond the conservation platform? Do they know how things get done? Do they understand that much of the activity in St Johns County is funded by the state, and perhaps the federal government? Do they realize the importance of building strong relationships with state and federal officials? How will they build those relationships?
- How will they treat developers and other businesspeople? Will they recognize that the County and the residents need them and try to work with them?
- Will they take it upon themselves to learn about the intricacies of county government, or will they lean on others for interpretation? If they lean on others, who will that be?
- St Johns County has been allocated $53 million for FY2024. This County is one of 67 competing for funding allocations from the State of Florida. If these two candidates have allowed their campaign to be one of blatant and nasty negativity, how will they make amends with decisions makers who hold the purse strings throughout the state and county in future years?
- If they allow content on their campaign Facebook page to be blocked except to those who support their platform, will they really have all of the County’s best interests at heart?
- Can these candidates stand on their own? If one gets elected and not the other, or if, two years from now, Commissioner Joseph is not reelected, how does that impact their ability to govern?
These are important questions. The new 3-point platform is very singularly focused, but St Johns County is a very large, very diverse and very important County in the state of Florida. The County is so much more than conservation, although conservation is critically important. All of the expertise in economics, engineering, law and regulation, human services, public relations, land use and building codes, attainable housing, public utilities, transportation, emergency management, safety, technology, environmental management, along with some things that probably aren’t typically considered as part of County management like Animal Control, Medical Examiner, and agriculture…oh, and politics… have to be carefully balanced with every decision made at the County level.
Do these candidates understand that and how would they govern this County besides saying “no” to development?
about my county st johns county florida 