about my county st johns county florida

That is a question hanging around St Johns County like a black cloud.  The latest issue is the release of an employee letter sent to the Commissioners claiming sexual harassment and read publicly on February 4, 2025. 

I was puzzled by that when it happened and concerned that a serious and private employment issue was becoming a weapon used against the County Administrator.

I wrote about that when it happened, calling on my professional experience with employees who were not satisfied with the results of an investigation that did not go their way, and I mentioned that occasionally those employees act out in anger. That necessitates careful handling of the situation for everyone concerned.

Back on January 21, 2025 when the Chair surprised everyone by calling a vote of “no confidence” in the County Administrator, everyone was stunned. Ms. Andrews had to endure that surprise accusation in a public forum.  She not only endured it, she demonstrated how a public official should behave – with dignity and integrity.

For months, County Administrator Joy Andrews had no choice but to watch the Chair accuse her, in public, of shirking her job during the trash debacle, sabotaging the proposed tree ordinance, and now permitting sexual harassment to go unchecked within the County staff.

On February 18, 2025 Ms. Andrews made the following statement at the end of the meeting:

On the 4^th of February, I think Commissioner Taylor and Commissioner Joseph brought to public a letter related to a personnel issue that was inappropriate to be discussed in public. I understand that the County Attorney is conducting independent review of this process and we are looking forward to the result.  Subsequently I believe the letter was revealed in a news station on some sort of news.  I truly believe that is a violation of the protective rights of our employees and as a result, we have employees in distress.  So, I think it is my responsibility to ensure this type of breach will not happen again.  So, I have sought Sheriff Hardwick’s assistance in conducting an investigation to identify the place of breach. (Transcribed from GovTV)

Think about that for a minute.  She has been publicly accused and embarrassed for months.  Her response was not to accuse, not to deflect and not to mislead. 

Her response was to be professional and do her job – protect the County and the County staff.

Commissioner Joseph looked a wee bit rattled as Ms. Andrews read her prepared statement.  Perhaps Commissioner Joseph recognized that “freedom of speech” doesn’t mean “I deserve access to private information.”  But probably not.

St Johns County is fortunate to have Ms. Andrews as County Administrator.  The St Johns County Board of Commissioners Chair would be well served to work on what is good for the County, not what is good for her.  While she claims to be “the people’s person,” she might want to revisit who the people really are.  I’m guessing it doesn’t include those who disagree with her.