about my county st johns county florida

I have been following the St Augustine Record reporter’s recent candidate profiles and appreciate her hard-hitting questions.  She doesn’t pull punches and, in a few paragraphs, manages to get to the gist of the campaign claims, promises and conflicts.  She tackles big questions like bribery, transparency, laws, etc. in a fair and balanced way.

I read through Ms. Evans interview the first time, thinking, “okay, not too bad.”    Certainly nothing new.  Her answers are etched into her rhetoric and come out the same way all the time, with no substance but many claims. 

The reporter asked her about “speaking in generalities that may affect voters who don’t understand the process of the law the way you do.”  Besides the fact that Ms. Evans apparently doesn’t actually understand the process of law based on what she claims, she gave an empty response that had no substance.

She said, “I’ve reviewed the laws often cited by the incumbents.  I will follow the law and work to change what’s not beneficial to the community,” she said.   Hopefully, she realizes that the laws she wants to work to change are often state laws. 

In fairness, that is admirable. Change can be good. And sometimes what can be changed can be surprising.  Anything is possible, but a change that significant requires having trusted relationships even with those with whom you disagree. It also requires putting aside your personal interests for the greater good.  So far, Ms. Evans’ behavior doesn’t give me faith that she can or would do that.  So, change…?  Doubtful.

And she repeats the tired line “I don’t want to see St. Johns County paved over.”  Really?  Take a drive around this county and appreciate the natural beauty in the parcels of land that have not been touched.  Fast growth?  Absolutely.  But paved over? 

Not in any way.  Close to one third of our land is designated “conservation, preservation and park.”  Look at the history of conservation in the County.  We have 40 miles of beaches, new parks built and more on the way.  We have excellent schools that attract people to the County, and I’m just not convinced that a child in a portable can’t learn.  Kids have been overcoming that “hardship” for decades.  

Then comes the lame, “If your readers are happy with what they’ve got, then by all means vote that way.”  Really?  Gaslighting?  But that has been the modus operandi from all the challenging candidates in this race.

Social media

I can’t stand to look at social media now.  It is depressing to see the number of people who believe “the Anns” can do what they promise. 

It is depressing to see the number of people who consider Commissioner Joseph as the only commissioner who listens to residents.

The “Anns,” along with Commissioner Joseph and their mentor Nicole Crosby have maximized the use of social media, making routinely false claims to build an audience.  They use highly charged words (lie, corrupt, bribe) to ignite anger in their audience at a time in history when anger is ripe.  The anger comes out everywhere these days and the battle cry “Vote them out,” rings out even in dinner parties.

Our collective choice

That brings home the pickle that we are in.  People want things to be different.  Someone steps in to claim they can make things different.  People want so badly to believe it and so they cast their vote for a promise.

St Johns County is still trying to get out from under the problem created in 2008 by the financial crisis when so much development was encouraged and approved so that the county could simply survive economically.  

The choice that voters make in this August 20 primary is critical. 

Do we want a thriving community where we can live, work and play (even as we learn to navigate the crowds and visitors), or do we want our tax dollars to go to unending litigation because the commissioners are voting “en bloc” (which, by the way, is illegal) to slow development?