Letter to Commission on Law Accreditation re: SJCSO's lack of transparency threatens integrity of accreditation evaluation of SJCSO--

DAVID SHOAR (right) and political operative MICHAEL GOLD (left)

Letter to Commission on Law Accreditation re: SJCSO's lack of transparency threatens integrity of accreditation evaluation of SJCSO-- will you please reschedule public meeting after CALEA's standards and self-study are disclosed?

Dear Commanding Officer Baker, Dr. Bowman, Professor Cordner, Mayor DeBenedittis, Chief Dekmar, Commissioner Farrow, Director Greenlaw, City Manager Holt, Sheriff Hunter, Chief Johnson, Chief Margolis, Director Moore, Chief Myers, Chief Parkinson, Chief Polisar, Senator Robley, Sheriff Robinson, Justice Voigt, Mr. Warren, Sheriff Weber and Chief Womack:

1. Controversial St. Johns County Sheriff DAVID SHOAR's refusal to provide any documents in response to my Open Records requests (below) leaves the CALA evaluation process deeply flawed.
2. There is no transparency. There is no respect for our Right to Know.

3. In fact, Sheriff DAVID SHOAR refuses to share CALEA's standards, the file on SJCSO's self-evaluation, or any other documents.

4. There is no "fluid" and "dynamic" exception to Article I, Section 24 of our Florida Constitution. (See below).

5. Efforts to chill, restrain and coerce First Amendment rights are not a proper response. They are contrary to the genius of a free people.

6. Under the circumstances, CALEA's visit to SJCSO tomorrow -- and the public hearing on April 11, 2011 -- must be rescheduled due to Sheriff SHOAR's willful refusal to provide documents to the public.

7. The rescheduled CALEA accreditation evaluation meeting should be held in an accessible government auditorium, where it can be broadcast on our local Government TV channel. Possible locations are the St. Johns County Auditorium, SJC Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View, or the St. Augustine City Hall, 75 King Street; or St. Augustine Beach City Hall, AIA Blvd. As Justice Brandeis said, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-829-3877