Where Thrasher lives questioned
It's clear that state Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, meets the legal residency requirements for living in his district.
But there's ample evidence that Thrasher's primary residence is his 5,701-square-foot Fleming Island home with a private dock and pool. Fleming Island is in Clay County, across the St. Johns River from Fruit Cove and miles from his district.
State law is vague on what constitutes residency for state legislators, with the principal requirement being the legislator's intent to make an address his home. Thrasher's 1,527-square-foot St. Augustine Beach condo has a homestead exemption. He has stated that it is his primary residence and most of his legal documents list the condo as his residence.
Yet the signs are that Thrasher's main home is in Clay County.
A newspaper is delivered there daily. The residence rings up water bills ranging from a low of $86 in March to a high of $450 in September. Thrasher gets the water bill at his Clay County home as well as the property tax bill for another house he owns in Clay County, even though his legal residence is in St. Johns County.
Thrasher has deep roots in Clay County. He started his political career on the School Board there and was a state representative for that district for many years, rising to be speaker of the House.
Thrasher acknowledged last week that he doesn't spend most of his time in his St. Augustine condo.
"I have five homes," Thrasher said. "St. Augustine is our primary residence. When we can spend time there, we're there."
He said he "doesn't keep track" of how much time he sleeps in the district, but "I spend as much as I can spend there, when I'm not in Tallahassee."
"I was in Tallahassee for 4 1¿/2 months," Thrasher said. "I have two daughters that live in Orlando with my two grandchildren, and we spend a fair amount of time there. I go to (all five) houses a lot."
These five homes are in Sky Valley, Ga., where Thrasher was when interviewed last week, a home in Orlando, one in Tallahassee, the St. Augustine condo and the Fleming Island home. He also has a second property in Clay County.
Do voters mind?
A local political expert said the question of residency doesn't seem to matter much to voters.
Matthew Corrigan, University of North Florida chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, said the residents of Thrasher's district who elected him twice -- once during a special election after state Sen. Jim King's death and again in the 2010 general election -- may not care whether he actually lives in the district. His district, the Eighth Senatorial District, runs along the coast from Nassau County, through Duval, St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia counties. It does not include Clay County.
"I believe he did live in Clay County before and it didn't seem to bother the voters," Corrigan said. "The voters have elected him twice, so it doesn't seem to be a huge issue there."
That raises the question: How should you define residency when the law is so vague about what constitutes it?
Penny Halyburton, St. Johns County supervisor of elections, said that the definition of residency "is something that we struggle with all the time.
"It's a very hard thing to find," Halyburton said. "It's basically just intent, where a person says they're living."
She said that some criteria include where a person has his homestead exemption and what address is listed on his driver's license and his income tax returns.
Residency not defined
Chris Cate, spokesman for the state supervisor of elections office, said residency isn't defined in state statute.
Drawing from a Florida Supreme Court decision, the state office opined that, "Legal residence is ... determined by looking to where a person intends to make a home permanent and to whether factual evidence exists to corroborate that intent."
Cate said the office issued an opinion on the matter, stating, "This office and Florida courts have consistently construed legal residence to mean a permanent residence, domicile, or permanent abode, rather than a residence that is temporary."
Again, "temporary" and "permanent" aren't defined.
Does the fact that Thrasher still owns a home in Clay County and seems to spend a lot of time there mean that the St. Augustine residence is temporary?
No, Thrasher said.
"I'm not going to abandon a house worth well over $1 million and just not go there," Thrasher said. "Like our good friend (late state Sen.) Jim King. He had a house in Welaka and spent almost the whole summer there. A lot of (state senate) members have multiple homes. I'm glad that I can do that."
Thrasher said the Fleming Island home is not currently on the market, but that's because he said his Realtor advised him to take it off the market after it spent two-and-a-half years for sale.
"We're getting ready to" put it back on, he said.
Permanent vs. temporary
Thrasher said his St. Augustine condo is his permanent residence rather than temporary.
"That's where my homestead is. That's where I vote. It's my primary residence," he said. "I lost a lot of money (in property tax bills) when I transferred my homestead."
The Clay County Property Appraiser's Office calculator shows he would save about $600 there this year with a homestead exemption, about the same amount he will save with the St. Johns County homestead exemption, according to St. Johns County Property Appraiser estimates.
"In fact, after I was elected, we sold the condo we had in Ocean Gallery and bought a bigger condo (in Ocean Gallery) last year, so we could be more comfortable and have our kids come and spend time with us, which they'll be doing in July," Thrasher said.
Ocean Gallery is a condo complex on Anastasia Island.
Corrigan, the political science chair, said the legal intent is that "to be a representative from a geographic area, you should live in the geographic area.
"Obviously, to be a representative, you want to know your area," Corrigan said. "If you live there more on a full-time basis you will know it better, and you will be a better representative."
Comments (55)
?
This forum's members complained Loudly over the residence issue.
Guess it didn't matter Enough.
DON'T GIVE A RATS BASS WHERE HE LIVES FT/PT
just so long as he continues to represent us ,, and this district in the manner the majority of us desire....and on the tough issues when we may be occasionally wrong,,, the minority,,, then that makes him a true representative of the people...personally his office and staff ,, have been of assistance getting through to some thick headed folks in certain un named agencies... some of these folks can and are deliberately obtuse,,, and it is not until their boss calls them to inquire why he/she has a state senators office,, busting his/her shoes,, over constituent xyz,, and their little issue,,, do they get moving !!! that is why they are there,, to assist us with bureaucrats,, and deliberate dumb fuggs....and with the exception of some in this forum,, it seems neither does anyone else ....>>>>>>>> we'll take the HAPPY DAD'S DAY AND PASS IT ALONG,, THANKS>>>>>>>yathink
All in the Bag...........
"I lost a lot of money (in property tax bills) when I transferred my homestead."<\em>
My, oh my carpet baggin' just ain't as cheap as it used to be. You would a career lobbyist and serial ethics violater could have worked out a better deal, then again, those pesky sunshine laws and all.
we sold the condo we had in Ocean Gallery and bought a bigger condo (in Ocean Gallery)
Forty years on Anastasia island, I have seen lobbyist Thrasher maybe a dozen times, but interestingly, it was always just his mugshot in the Wreckord. Ah...the ole homestead....
Elected twice........ sadly we get the government we deserve........
I hear he won big support with the golfing and lobbyist communities......The big government lobbyist who bagged the tea partiers. (Pun intended)
I do mind
"just so long as he continues to represent us ,, and this district in the manner the majority of us desire...."
Here's the problem: Just because Thrasher was elected does not mean all voted for him. (aside -- never have, never will) Yet his election means he is supposed to represent ALL of us. I do mind that he was elected for our district, yet the majority of his time is not here. How is he supposed to be aware of his constitents when he doesn't reside there? I guess it's more important to build golf courses in state parks than actually "dance with those who brought him."
Thrasher is just another typical politician -- liar.
Might as well say he is a
Might as well say he is a resident of Tallahassee since he lives there just less than half the year.
Of course it doesn't matter John
Why else would anyone think character counts any more? Thrasher is so smug to say "yeah I have 5 houses" so I suppose our thoughts should be; oh that poor guy! How EVER does he manage to pay all those property taxes and for heavens sake, how on EARTH does he keep up with the maintenance, utilities, mortgages etc. on so much land and assets? On the backs of the taxpayers that's how. He's just as guilty as the hundred other representatives and senators across this country who continue to surpass all expectations for income and capital gains while the majority of the constituency is struggling to put food on their table. He's a man who's genuinely IN TOUCH. Of course the muckity mucks and well-to-do who keep "appointing" these people to their lofty positions are in the same boat on the economic scale. Doctors, lawyers, fellow politicians etc.. who line the pockets of their pet politicians so they can continue to take advantage of preferential "attention" to issues which affect them directly. "WE the people" don't count and the readers here should be painfully aware of this fact by now. So why then, do we care where our politicians lay their weary heads at night? Gee I don't know, maybe because it's the LAW?!? How stupid do these clowns think we are? And shame on the supervisor of elections to say it's a "hard thing to find" BS! All you have to do is ask the right questions Penny. Intent? Really? Ok so we're back to (it depends on what your definition of IS is) perversion of the language and semantics. BUSINESS AS USUAL what a surprise. Aptly stated, "State law is vague on what constitutes residency". *AHEM* Dare I say it sounds a lot like Corrine Brown's not the only one to pry open loopholes with a stick of dynamite and stick it to us. You will find that the law is merely a "guide" like our "living, breathing" constitution that has been perverted, pillaged and cast aside to suit the whims of the ones wielding power. Lies lies and more lies. It's all smoke and mirrors in the fun house and we are the ones standing in line in the rain holding our tickets.
Now here's the good news...
He doesn't live in our neighborhood!
Actually, he lives in the deep pockets of corporate America anyway. And he represents them well.
As our constitution states;
We the corporations of the United States...
Living somewhere else might
Living somewhere else might indicate that he doesn't understand what is going on in his district. Owning five homes means he DEFINITELY doesn't understand what is important to me and my struggling little family.
Residence
The negative posters here could care less where "our" representatives lived if they had a (D) after their names!
And what golf courses? A proposal, an idea, or a bill presented by a senator is a long way from from putting the ball into a hole.
As for the government "we get", well sometimes at least 50% of the people are happy. What is BO's approval rate now? And ME, put the H between the b and the o.
From the looks of things, ole BO may like to see more golf courses in Florida. He may consider retiring here in '12, where he could play golf everyday. Did you see where his golf handicap is 18, and Biden's is 6, now talk about politicians being untruthful.
We know everything about Weiner, do you think we will see the golf scores from the Golf Summit? I will bet than BO did not break a 100, if he played by the rules of golf (and I don't mean your dog ME).
patek
"The negative posters here could care less where "our" representatives lived if they had a (D) after their names!"
I believe that the 'D' candidate opposing Thrasher had been a resident of the district for 20 years or more, so that argument sails off into the sunset, along with the rest of your unrelated rant.
Thrasher was suspected of not living in his 'primary residence' in his district during the campaign, yet it made no difference.
More Media Bias
The way the print and other left leaning media uses its power to destroy republicans is disgusting. Thasher is a legal resident of SA, so where is the story.
bblanche
Ironic that a legislator who
Ironic that a legislator who successfully pushed through voter suppression laws this session has his residency questioned. Maybe additional requirements for registering to vote should include utility bills, video surveillance tapes of ones comings and goings from his gated community, and affidavits from neighbors who have observed the alleged resident on more than a few occasions monthly.
He ran. He got elected. The
He ran. He got elected. The paper writes an inflammatory story that admits that someone they don't like has not broken any law, yet they want readers to speculate that he has. What a non-story. Yellow journalism at it's finest.
media bias, some messenger, some message
Wonder how this writer voted.....duhhhhh? Is this really news? A vague description of residency makes the front page. Or is it just an opportunity to hammer a republican, now that Weiner has been roasted. Some how I think he will be back once he has been "rehabilitated". I don't know how forgiving those NY dems are, but they are quite liberal.
And ME, maybe the dems should find some stronger candidates...it takes more than just living in the district for 20 years.
I just keep wondering why so many of these disgruntled libs don't move into a dem controlled district, there are many in Florida. I do not believe it is for employment reasons, as bright as these libs seem to be, they could get a job anywhere, if they are still working.
poor Patek
Changing premises once you got called out...as usual.
The media bias is in Thrasher's favor, that this article was not printed last September, before the election. The questions were certainly asked!
bblanche "Left leaning
bblanche
"Left leaning liberal media" and the St Augustine Record in the breath! That's absurd! You're overdosed on Kool Aid .
"Every One Is Entitled To Their Own Opinion But Not Their Own Facts. Facts Withstand Scrutiny, Opinions Often Do Not"
Patek, How a reporter votes
Patek,
How a reporter votes does not change the accuracy of the facts a reporter reports. Thrasher is just one of many politicians that have a phony residence set up in an attempt SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW. His actual residence was well known during the election, but republicans didn't care because Thrasher had an (R) after his name on the ballot.. What does a former NY Congressman have to do with Thrasher's actual residence? Answer -- NOTHING.
"Every One Is Entitled To Their Own Opinion But Not Their Own Facts. Facts Withstand Scrutiny, Opinions Often Do Not"
Break out the crosses & holy water! Quickly, before it spreads!
Did the spirit of investigative journalism somehow possess The Record's newsroom, and has the ownership contacted a priest to exorcise that foul demon? Or will that spirit's next act be to influence reporters and editors to write an article showing Career Lobbyist Thrasher has written and voted for bills that benefit companies he worked for in the past?
And patek, your passive/aggressive defense of this criminal is as pathetic as it is desperate. Even you know it.
I Wonder?
How many elected officials, D and R, live outside their districts? Miami-Dade, Tampa, Jax have such high murder and armed robbery rates... that any elected official must have to think about where they live?
I'm not saying that's the case for Thrasher, but lets be fair?
called out?
What difference does it make how many houses or how much property someone owns. It is all public record, available to anyone, particularly a special investigative reporter. Now if we could review all of Thrasher's tweets!
Is Thrasher a legal (district) resident or not? That is the question.
According to the information in the two articles, he is a legal resident. So what is the point of the story, and that is exactly what it is, a story. No news there! And someone called it investigative reporting, what a stretch. How difficult was it to discover the property records of Thrasher?
How 'bout is he legal or not citizen, Nigel?
There is a dem congressman in south Florida, who used his in-laws home as his legal residence, so he could own a more expensive home in the DC area? Heck, I think he got re-elected, so it must not bother the dems in south Florida, like it bothers the dems here in NE Florida.
Didn't someone say "elections have consequences", and people have opinions. 2012 will be here before you know it, providing the libs more reason to be disgruntled....can't wait.
@bblanche
I voted for Thrasher. I am ashamed to admit it but I did. I have been a republican voter since I was 18 and while I do cross party lines, it is rare. Until Bush's second term I was dyed in the wool and fervently behind the (R). Thrasher however is another story. He and his (R) ilk in Tallahassee are screwing-over public safety in this state. They have done a fantastic job of allowing the citizens of this state to believe the hype of the pathetic economy in Florida and DEMONIZE firefighters, teachers and cops. So why shouldn't he squirm a little? Of course I suppose you would have to possess a conscience for any of this to bother you.. BUT the people on the lowest end of the pay scale now suffer a pay cut effective July 1 due to no fault of their own because lawmakers like Thrasher can't stop pandering. He like many other local (R)'s are a cadre of "good ole boy, slicked up, feel-good, I'm your man, lyin' sack of monkey squeeze politicians" and he has sold the three most crucial working-class components of our society down the river. From the looks of things he's done more for his friends in corporate America than he's done for "we the people". Oh woops, wait...yeah if you count teachers, cops and ems as we the people then yeah he's done PLENTY TO them...he has indeed done quite enough thank you, now you can stop. If this were survivor, the only vote Thrasher would get is; voted off the island! Oh wait...he doesn't live on the island...ok I guess that joke won't work! (and for the record, Fleming Island isn't really an island but a peninsula so he can't be voted off there either..lol) I'd sooner vote for an anole next time around...at least THEY actually provide a service by eating insects like mosquitos (which thanks to budget cuts hitting the mosquito control districts around the state) we are now over-run with... Really? do I need to go on?
