COUNTY COMMISSION VICE CHAIR KEN BRYAN’S LETTER TO
THE VOTERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY
These are very difficult financial times with tough decisions to be made. However, unlike many other counties, as a result of two years of belt tightening and responsible planning, we are financially stronger than most.
In 2002, the Commission’s spending was pure political pork; mandates, safety issues, and critical infrastructure were not addressed or planned for. Projects built or improved were financed through the borrowing frenzy we are now repaying for the next 10 to 20 years.
Poor leadership and irresponsibility maxed out our credit card for additional borrowing to near financial disaster.
In order to continue to move forward, we need a Board of County Commissioners who are fiscally responsible, honest, and who are really committed to represent the people of St. Johns County. The current board has demonstrated this commitment over the last eighteen months. To maintain the integrity of the Board of County Commissioners and to continue to move forward, we must have honest and responsible members.
Please consider the following information before you vote:
James (Jim) Bryant (County Commissioner from 1994-2006)
Experienced leadership is his platform. Known by some as the architect of the overgrowth, waste, fraud and abuse during his reign, Jim had a 98 percent voting record for residential development to include Nocatee, River Town, and Durbin Creek developments just to mention a few of the 60 thousand inventory of un-built homes on the books. As Chair, with former Commissioners Karen Stern, Bruce Maguire and former Administrator Ben Adams at his side, Bryant and his board approved and purchased the Equestrian Center (which has sat essentially unused since it was built), the Usina Boat Ramp, Fiddler’s Green Restaurant, and other projects with borrowed bonds. He also instituted and voted yes on the high impact fees that crippled commercial expansion and discouraged firms locating their businesses here with jobs. His questionable personal relationships with developers, land/home purchases and other issues are at the very least questionable and have yet to be investigated. Bryant is responsible for the purchase of the Ponte Vedra Utility Department at a vastly inflated price. Mr. Bryant’s legacy of fiscal irresponsibility and self serving behavior highlights his lack of fitness for public office, and we should be very concerned by his current effort to regain control of the public’s purse.
Karen Stern (County Commissioner from 2002-2006)
Advocating restoring leadership, finishing highway projects, preparing us for economic recovery, and caring deeply about the natural environment, as well as bringing jobs to the county for her children when they return from college is Ms. Stern’s platform. As a commissioner, she ignored every one of these principles. Ms. Stern’s voting record almost parallels Bryant’s. She used over a quarter million dollars (which came primarily from developers outside of the county) to fund her campaigns, and did little to promote commercial business and job creation in the county. Her leadership style has exemplified and mirrored the same waste, abuse and mismanagement of her counterparts.
Ben Adams (County Administrator for nine years)
Mr. Adams was hand-picked by Jim Bryant, even though he never made the list of qualified applicants. In fact, he was listed as one of the least qualified candidates by the search committee. Adams’ administration was characterized by huge increases in unnecessary staff (1,275--2000 to 2,067 –2007) with a corresponding reduction in work load and performance. An astounding 40 departments were developed under his direction which had to be restructured and reduced by our current Administrator to 14. Accountability under Mr. Adams was non-existent, and was marked with lack of controls and end of the year spending sprees. Using county equipment he solicited developers and others to join an exclusive South Carolina Hunt Club for $10,000.00 each. This fee also granted members access to the “movers and shakers” of St. Johns County whom he had contact and access to as the County Administrator. Here again, is the pattern of fiscal irresponsibility and self serving behavior.
These three are counting on you overlooking their records, and allowing them to return to power. Voting them back in would be stepping back into a financial disaster with severe consequences.
PLEASE VOTE for JAY MORRIS and RON SANCHEZ
I am asking the citizens of St. Johns County to vote for JAY MORRIS (Commission Candidate for District 4). Jay is a decorated Viet Nam Veteran, and former CEO who knows the value of fiscal responsibility, how to grow jobs and get the job done with no hidden agenda.
I also encourage you to re-elect RON SANCHEZ (District 2 Commissioner and Chair). Ron will continue to work with the administrator, other members and staff to move forward by continuing to work in the spirit of cooperation and fiscal responsibility that he has demonstrated over the past four years.
Paid Political Advertisement, Ken Bryan, 126 Oyster Catcher Circle, St. Augustine, FL. 32080.
No candidate approved or paid for this advertisement
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