Disgruntled zoning applicant, JAMES F. BUCKLEY, calls me "an idiot" and "a little Socialist" for expressing an opinion

At an October 3, 2017 St. Augustine city Planning and Zoning Board meeting, I was just publicly attacked and harassed by a businessman, who at the podium -- and in the audience -- bared his soul and angrily and threateningly called me "an idiot" and a "little Socialist." The disgruntled zoning applicant's family waterfront property on the San Sebastian River is for sale for just under $5 million. It is represented by Realtor® ROBERT MILLION.

BUCKLEY's Hidden Harbor Inc. application for 10 Prawn Street -- a woefully incomplete application -- was continued to November 7. When fully vetted, it is likely to be denied.

Angry hothead JAMES B. BUCKLEY, 2891 John Anderson Drive, ORMOND BEACH, FL 32176 had a chip on his shoulder, damning Ms. B.J. Kalaidi and me as "idiots" and "little Socialists." Bumptious BUCKLEY said, "I don't know what's going on here…. telling everybody what to do with their own property…. I find this disgusting that you are this nice and you don't shut these people down. I don't like it. I resent it…. These two people I cannot fathom them at all…. I'm disgusted that they have an opinion on it." He proceeded to threaten to object if we sold our properties, saying "I like the vista."

Absentee landlord JAMES F. BUCKLEY predicted "a gorgeous development" with his property. 

"We're not rich people," said the tiresome termagant tieless leader of BUCKLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, a Daytona Beach, Florida financial planner, conveniently located at 444 Seabreeze Blvd, Suite 660, Daytona Beach, in the same office building where FBI Special Agent David Brown and the FBI Corruption Task Force are located. BUCKLEY FINANCIAL GROUP is not registered with the State of Florida or the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.



The St. Augustine Record's developer fanboy, STUART KORFHAGE was absent. Perhaps Steven Carter and Carter environmental will whisper sweet nothings in his ear for him to write a "story" justifying this sorry developer's unrequited bout of anger at activists and journalism.

So no decision on the Hidden Harbor, Inc/James Buckley application to the Planning and Zoning Board to construct a retaining wall and approve the relocation of a building within Conservation Overlay Zones 1 & 2.

What seemed to set off Mr. Buckley was two citizens having opinions about coastal development in Our Town, and articulating it about local zoning matters. He was permitted to denounce an activist (B.J. Kalaidi) and an activist-journalist (me).

Perhaps the radical ranter "resented" the fact that I suggested that PZB members make fuller disclosure of ex parte contacts and video their meetings with developers and their representatives.

Developers and property owners meetings with Commissioners, PZB members and City staff should be videotaped.  Developer relations with politicians are too susceptible of corruption, as the Tom Manuel case proves.

In the words of the late conservative editor William F. Buckley, Jr. "Why does baloney reject the grinder?" Some dull Republicans can't stand public participation and "resent" it.

Ask questions. Demand answers. Make disclosures. Expect democracy.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, Mr. BUCKLEY.   This is Our Town, and we don't cotton to pushy developers demanding government favors to which they're not legally entitled, or insulting our activists (like Ms. Kalaidi) or journalists (like me).

Since 2005, we've won more than 65 public interest victories here.  Your tactics make us wonder what you've got to hide.

I wear your silly scorn as a badge of honor. We, the People are watching you.

Now stay in Volusia County and pray for some humility, you snooty spoiled rich Republican brat.