Letters to the editor from The St. Augustine Record (includes two on Sheriff SHOAR's $700,000 embezzlement)
:How do you lose $700,000?
EDITOR: How is it possible that $700,000 could be stolen from the SJSO agency over a five-year period? Perhaps the agency did not really need the money, so never missed it? Where was the financial oversight?
Hopefully all the recipients will be found and prosecuted.
Margaret Spoonhour, St. Augustine
An IRS agent opens up...
EDITOR: We moved to St. Johns from Clay County in 1989. Around that time we had a series of “One-term Sheriffs” until the late Neil Perry did a wonderful job getting the department in order. The baton was handed off to Sheriff David Shoar who has continued doing a great job. I am still his admirer, despite the scandalous treachery by a trusted officer embezzling $700,000.
This fraud is not uncommon in government agencies, despite their often bleating for more funding for this and that. You wonder what kind of auditing is carried on in government here and there that miss the elephant in the room — $700,000 is not chump change even in government coffers.
I’m retired IRS and, upon taking the job in 1959, I was told not to take the position of agent if I wanted to be popular. Within our huddled mass of IRS agents we always heard the rallying cry of “Abolish the IRS.”
Actually, if society ever gets around to this, we thought we could be assigned to look into Medicare Fraud. If so, we could pay off the National Debt in two years and maybe even get popular. Don’t forget we took on Al Capone and an assortment of similar organized crime figures like senators, governors and even kept Spiro Agnew from becoming president — so, there.
Jack Knee, Nocatee
Your count was off on protesters
EDITOR: Yes, I am a cheerleader for our City. I’m also a cheerleader for accurate information, and for the Fourth Estate.
I did call out the inaccurate reporting by The Record of 150 protesters at Light-Up Night; the actual easily verifiable count was about 50.
From the Flagler Gargoyle, reporter Katie Garwood:
“Nearly 50 protesters followed .., walking around the Plaza and chanting.”
Our City staff count was 58.
The actions of 50 or so people at a community celebration that drew thousands of people doesn’t seem front page news to me. And I think we all know that social media chatter isn’t always what actually happens. The City did pass an ordinance aimed at keeping everyone safe — and the news to me (maybe not front page) is, it worked as intended.
And yes, I was disappointed that The Record didn’t think the 25th year of Light-Up Night and the honorees deserved front page coverage.
But all that’s your choice as a newspaper.
What I don’t believe is the choice of responsible journalism is reporting to the public that there were 150 protestors when there were 50 (and two Christian demonstrators and eight Hare Krishna — hat’s from my count)
Everyone makes mistakes — it’s acknowledging them that matters.
As the headline on your editorial stated, “Fake News Has Come Home to Roost.” I trust it’s not here to stay.
Mayor Nancy Shaver, St. Augustine
Hang the stoplight at Red Cox Drive
EDITOR: As a St. Augustine resident who has made left turns from Red Cox Drive onto A1A, I know how dangerous this intersection is. It makes a lot of sense to place a stoplight at A1A and Red Cox, for these reasons:
The problem:
1.) The curve south of the Alligator farm makes it difficult to see traffic heading north when one wants to make a left turn onto A1A from Red Cox.
2.) Cars speed on A1A as they round the turn, making it difficult for drivers on Red Cox to enter A1A.
The Solution: Install a stoplight at Red Cox:
1. Traffic will be stopped for Red Cox vehicles making turns, which will make this intersection safer.
2. Tourists looking for the Lighthouse or Yacht Club will have time to see signs directing them onto Red Cox Drive, and won’t end up wandering through the neighborhood looking for these attractions.
3. Children and adults biking along A1A will be able to cross Red Cox Drive safely when their light is green.
Thirty such casualties in a neighborhood with an elementary school, Skate Park, boat ramp, yacht club and tourists attractions such as the Lighthouse, are far too many. Surely these tragedies should convince FDOT that a Red Cox stoplight is necessary. The light can be set with sensors and only change when cars are waiting to turn onto A1A. That way the lights would not impede A1A traffic.
Too many people have been killed and hurt at this intersection. There have been enough studies of the problem. Please, FDOT, install a stoplight at Red Cox Drive as soon as possible and save lives.
Diana Milesko, St. Augustine
Rick Scott a record-setter
EDITOR: Rick Scott has been given the record for most people put to death in Florida — more about that later. But there is one record that has eluded him. That is his execution record.
Scott was the founder and head guy at CHA Columbia Hospital Corporation that defrauded the government Medicare and Medicaid out of millions of dollars. Scott managed to wiggle out of that, while three of his compatriots went to prison. Later he migrated down to South Florida and started another corporation, Novoson, claiming its product could cure numerous illnesses, which the government said was illegal.
He left that company while amassing a fortune, allowing him to throw $70 million dollars into his campaign for governor of Florida — bought lock stock and barrel. Poor Mr. Crist didn’t know what hit him.
Now his death penalty record: He has put to death 28 people while, ironically, 28 inmates on death row have been exonerated. Since 1970, 96 people have been put to death. It’s very possible that almost a third of those could have been innocent. Think about that.
I’m not against punishing people who have done wrong, but there means other than putting them to death when later evidence appears that may prove them innocent. Sorry about that — oops.
When you kill a person who does not have the ability to do you harm, you have committed premeditated murder. And that’s what Mr. Scott has done — another crime and a record he has avoided.
Palmer Short, St. Augustine
Let’s talk about good charter schools
EDITOR: I appreciate that The Record editorial board values its role as a protective voice for taxpayers. But in midst of repeated attacks on charter schools we keep forgetting the most important part of the story — thousands of families and students who had the opportunity to choose a charter school that changed the trajectory of their lives.
It is sad to forget that students in other parts of Florida don’t get to live in St. Johns County where the district offers many wonderful choices; options that are made easier by being the most affluent district in the state.
And it is not fair when you get to pick and choose your facts. You are correct that a man associated with charter schools is now in prison due to racketeering and fraud. It’s terrible. But it’s also proof that there is no room for bad actors in charter schools.
What about the thousands of families who choose these schools because it provides them with more hope and opportunity for a bright future?
What about the impressive academic results charter schools produce for students and their families?
Why is paying for a student going to an assigned public school different from paying for a student to attend another school that fits their needs?
I appreciate your work to shine a light on malfeasance. But, I see a disservice toward the readers with selective outrage and disregard for students who don’t have the same opportunities that we do.
If you want to see what charter schools can offer families, you’re welcome to visit my school — a high-performing public charter school serving 100 percent economically disadvantaged students. I am proud to be the principal of Wayman Academy of the Arts — a public charter school in Jacksonville.
Nearly all of our students are zoned for struggling D and F schools that unfortunately can’t meet their needs. That’s why their parents chose Wayman — which has earned an A or B the last three years.
I am confident that after your visit, you’ll see our school for what it is — a beacon of hope.
Simaran Bakshi, Jacksonville
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