Here are my updated responses to the WJCT (NPR affiliate) and Jacksonville Today questions on my candidacy to be a Commissioner of the Anastasia Mosquito Control Commission of St. Johns County (AMCD), Seat 1:
Age
67
67
Background
A summary of the candidate's background
I've lived in St. Johns County since November 5, 1999 -- 25 years ago. First visited in 1992. Fell in love with St. Augustine, its history and nature. "We, the People" love this magical place and I have worked to preserve, protect and defend our democracy, our precious historic and environmental heritage. Let me use my problem-solving abilities to protect the people of St. Johns County. In 2006-2007, I helped persuade the five person board of our independent mosquito district to cancel an unwise, illegal, no-bid, supposedly "sole source" luxury $1.8 million helicopter contract with Bell Helicopter. It took nine months of effort. Finally, after replacing several attorneys, our mosquito control district commissioners listened. We, the People in St. Johns County were finally heard and heeded. AMCD won a full refund of our 10% deposit to the helicopter manufacturer. My dad told me, as JFK's dad told him, that you have to stand up to people with power, or else they walk all over you. At age 26, as Appalachian Observer Editor, I won Department of Energy declassification of our frail planet's largest-ever mercury pollution event (Oak Ridge, Tenn. Y-12 Nuclear Weapons Plant), a national scandal, triggering nationwide cleanups; our Appalachian Observer newspaper was recommended for a Pulitzer Prize by Anderson County DA. Clerked for USDOL Chief Administrative Law Judge Nahum Litt and Judge Charles Rippey. Intern and junior staffer for Senators Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart & Jim Sasser. B.S.F.S., Georgetown University.; J.D., Memphis State U. (now University of Memphis). Advocate for worker rights. Your watchdog, termed an "environmental hero" by FOLIO WEEKLY (after reporting City of St. Augustine's illegal dumping of 40,000 cubic yards of contaminated material from a landfill in a lake). Helped encourage state and federal governments to remedy the City's illegal dumping and illegal sewage effluent pollution in our saltwater marsh). Shall we ask questions, demand answers & expect democracy? It is up to us.
A summary of the candidate's background
I've lived in St. Johns County since November 5, 1999 -- 25 years ago. First visited in 1992. Fell in love with St. Augustine, its history and nature. "We, the People" love this magical place and I have worked to preserve, protect and defend our democracy, our precious historic and environmental heritage. Let me use my problem-solving abilities to protect the people of St. Johns County. In 2006-2007, I helped persuade the five person board of our independent mosquito district to cancel an unwise, illegal, no-bid, supposedly "sole source" luxury $1.8 million helicopter contract with Bell Helicopter. It took nine months of effort. Finally, after replacing several attorneys, our mosquito control district commissioners listened. We, the People in St. Johns County were finally heard and heeded. AMCD won a full refund of our 10% deposit to the helicopter manufacturer. My dad told me, as JFK's dad told him, that you have to stand up to people with power, or else they walk all over you. At age 26, as Appalachian Observer Editor, I won Department of Energy declassification of our frail planet's largest-ever mercury pollution event (Oak Ridge, Tenn. Y-12 Nuclear Weapons Plant), a national scandal, triggering nationwide cleanups; our Appalachian Observer newspaper was recommended for a Pulitzer Prize by Anderson County DA. Clerked for USDOL Chief Administrative Law Judge Nahum Litt and Judge Charles Rippey. Intern and junior staffer for Senators Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart & Jim Sasser. B.S.F.S., Georgetown University.; J.D., Memphis State U. (now University of Memphis). Advocate for worker rights. Your watchdog, termed an "environmental hero" by FOLIO WEEKLY (after reporting City of St. Augustine's illegal dumping of 40,000 cubic yards of contaminated material from a landfill in a lake). Helped encourage state and federal governments to remedy the City's illegal dumping and illegal sewage effluent pollution in our saltwater marsh). Shall we ask questions, demand answers & expect democracy? It is up to us.
Campaign website
Your plans
How do you believe the role on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District can best be used to benefit the residents of St. Johns County?
In 1943, my dad was infected with malaria when he was bitten by a mosquito in Sicily, as an 82nd ABN DIVN paratrooper: he recovered in Army hospitals, but suffered lifetime effects. The mosquito is the most dangerous animal on Earth, killing some 600,000 people annually. Controlling fatal disease-spreading mosquitoes requires both good government and good science -- asking questions, getting answers and expecting democracy. Let's help make our Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County work wisely and safely. To protect our way of life, we must assure that AMCD will practice good science and safeguard our tax dollars, protecting public health, the environment and public funds, advancing research and education while protecting scientific integrity and employee whistleblower rights; We must safeguard the independence of AMCD, an independent scientific and technical organization. We must assure that "whistleblower" ethical employees are heard and heeded whenever they raise concerns. Let's resist any further effort by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to take over independent AMCD, as was attempted by misguided leaders, misled by a longtime former SJC County Administrator, fired in 2019. I opposed hiring of any more AMCD lawyers without Florida Bar Journal ads and thorough statewide searches and vetting. I oppose evergreen audit contracts. I oppose arbitration clauses in AMCD contracts: the late Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist said that the Seventh Amendment right to civil jury trial ia "bulwark against oppression." Yes, I've been a watchdog of mosquito control environmental protection and spending since December 2006.
How do you believe the role on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District can best be used to benefit the residents of St. Johns County?
In 1943, my dad was infected with malaria when he was bitten by a mosquito in Sicily, as an 82nd ABN DIVN paratrooper: he recovered in Army hospitals, but suffered lifetime effects. The mosquito is the most dangerous animal on Earth, killing some 600,000 people annually. Controlling fatal disease-spreading mosquitoes requires both good government and good science -- asking questions, getting answers and expecting democracy. Let's help make our Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County work wisely and safely. To protect our way of life, we must assure that AMCD will practice good science and safeguard our tax dollars, protecting public health, the environment and public funds, advancing research and education while protecting scientific integrity and employee whistleblower rights; We must safeguard the independence of AMCD, an independent scientific and technical organization. We must assure that "whistleblower" ethical employees are heard and heeded whenever they raise concerns. Let's resist any further effort by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to take over independent AMCD, as was attempted by misguided leaders, misled by a longtime former SJC County Administrator, fired in 2019. I opposed hiring of any more AMCD lawyers without Florida Bar Journal ads and thorough statewide searches and vetting. I oppose evergreen audit contracts. I oppose arbitration clauses in AMCD contracts: the late Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist said that the Seventh Amendment right to civil jury trial ia "bulwark against oppression." Yes, I've been a watchdog of mosquito control environmental protection and spending since December 2006.
Why?
Why should voters choose you?
I am the only child of well-read working class parents. My dad was an 82nd ABN DIVN paratrooper who helped liberate the first French town from Nazi oppression, taking it back before the sun rose on June 6, 1944. I am blessed that my parents, my teachers and my mentors taught me to ask questions, demand answers and expect democracy. I support strong effective mosquito control measures, advancing research and education while protecting scientific integrity and employee whistleblower rights; safeguarding the independence of AMCD. AMCD must remain an independent scientific and technical organization; protecting public health, the environment and public funds. Let's assure that "whistleblower" ethical employees are heard and heeded whenever they raise concerns. Let's resist any further effort by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to take over independent AMCD, as attempted by a misguided former SJC County Administrator. I oppose allowing arbitration clauses in AMCD and other government contracts, Yes, I've been a watchdog of mosquito control environmental protection and spending since December 2006. Yes, it is up to us to do this right.
Why should voters choose you?
I am the only child of well-read working class parents. My dad was an 82nd ABN DIVN paratrooper who helped liberate the first French town from Nazi oppression, taking it back before the sun rose on June 6, 1944. I am blessed that my parents, my teachers and my mentors taught me to ask questions, demand answers and expect democracy. I support strong effective mosquito control measures, advancing research and education while protecting scientific integrity and employee whistleblower rights; safeguarding the independence of AMCD. AMCD must remain an independent scientific and technical organization; protecting public health, the environment and public funds. Let's assure that "whistleblower" ethical employees are heard and heeded whenever they raise concerns. Let's resist any further effort by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to take over independent AMCD, as attempted by a misguided former SJC County Administrator. I oppose allowing arbitration clauses in AMCD and other government contracts, Yes, I've been a watchdog of mosquito control environmental protection and spending since December 2006. Yes, it is up to us to do this right.
Biggest issue
What is the biggest issue the Mosquito Control District faces? How do you propose the district combat it?
Overdevelopment, flooding and climate change. The University of Florida's Institute on Emerging Pathogens identifies "development" as one of three (3) co-factors to the growth of mosquito-borne diseases in Florida. Mosquito control issues must be considered in St. Johns County's comprehensive plan and development application approvals. Is our St. Johns County government rubber-stamping overdevelopment? You tell me. Some 33 neighborhoods suffer from excessive flooding, much of it due to poor planning, with some approved by a titled County Engineer, who was not a licensed engineer. Mosquito control scientists must be heard and heeded on the effects on public health of sticking large subdivisions adjoining swamps. Too often, governments chill and retaliate against free speech. Too often, people in government are discouraged from speaking out and doing their jobs "too well." Let's base public policy on good science and protect our free speech rights as Americans. As the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy said, "If our Constitution had followed the style of Saint Paul, the First Amendment might have concluded--"But the greatest of these is speech." In the darkness of tyranny, this is the key to the sunlight. If it is granted, all doors open. If it is withheld, none." Mosquito control employee free speech rights must be protected and not neglected: no illegal gag orders. We're protecting public health and combatting deadly mosquito-borne diseases, using natural and chemical pesticides and three helicopters. Let's do it right, with good science and sound management. I would be honored to have your vote.
Thank you.With kindest regards, I am,Sincerely yours,Ed SlavinBox 3084St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084(904) 377-4998
What is the biggest issue the Mosquito Control District faces? How do you propose the district combat it?
Overdevelopment, flooding and climate change. The University of Florida's Institute on Emerging Pathogens identifies "development" as one of three (3) co-factors to the growth of mosquito-borne diseases in Florida. Mosquito control issues must be considered in St. Johns County's comprehensive plan and development application approvals. Is our St. Johns County government rubber-stamping overdevelopment? You tell me. Some 33 neighborhoods suffer from excessive flooding, much of it due to poor planning, with some approved by a titled County Engineer, who was not a licensed engineer. Mosquito control scientists must be heard and heeded on the effects on public health of sticking large subdivisions adjoining swamps. Too often, governments chill and retaliate against free speech. Too often, people in government are discouraged from speaking out and doing their jobs "too well." Let's base public policy on good science and protect our free speech rights as Americans. As the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy said, "If our Constitution had followed the style of Saint Paul, the First Amendment might have concluded--"But the greatest of these is speech." In the darkness of tyranny, this is the key to the sunlight. If it is granted, all doors open. If it is withheld, none." Mosquito control employee free speech rights must be protected and not neglected: no illegal gag orders. We're protecting public health and combatting deadly mosquito-borne diseases, using natural and chemical pesticides and three helicopters. Let's do it right, with good science and sound management. I would be honored to have your vote.
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