Editorial: Chairman's attacks often upstage good work of commission

Editorial: Chairman's attacks often upstage good work of commission



From Staff
Publication Date: 10/14/07


The St. Johns County Commission is riding on the top of a wave.

The commission in recent months:


Proactively cut spending before the property tax reform mandate from the state was imposed.


Retained nearly all financial support for social services this year in spite of tax reform.


Hired a top-notch county administrator, Michael Wanchick, through a fair and open process.


Slowed growth by rejecting future large-scale development plans especially for the Elkton/State Road 207 corridor.

That's great, but the commission's accomplishments are often overshadowed by erratic and irresponsible comments by Commission Chairman Ben Rich.

The latest victim of Rich's caustic comments is Carl "Bud" Markel, who served as Clerk of Court, 1981-1996. Markel, who was on a previous county charter committee, criticized the commission on Oct. 2 for a charter proposal that he says gives too much power to the commission. He struck Rich's nerve when he said that people against the charter seemed to be prevented from speaking against it at recent district meetings.

Rich took exception to Markel's criticism and an ugly verbal exchange ensued. Rich said no one had been prevented from speaking at any of the meetings. He could have stopped there. He didn't. He continued on. "This is a patent lie and Mr. Markel, you should be ashamed of yourself. You're a liar, sir."

When he saw Markel returning to the podium, Rich said, "I'm glad you are up out of your seat because we can meet behind closed doors; just bring your own soap bar."

Markel retorted, obviously flustered, "In all the years I've served this county, I've never been called a liar."

Rich responded, telling Markel to listen to what he said on the tape of the meeting. Rich later told Markel, "I'm not going to argue with you, I have no respect for you."

A debate continued with Markel calling Rich a "low life" and later saying, "Your day is coming, Mr. Chairman. Your day is coming."

Both Rich and Markel lost their cool unfortunately.

This is not the first time Rich has provoked people unnecessarily. He recently called the commission-appointed Tourist Development Council, a "rogue" organization. An organization is hardly "rogue" if the commission appoints the members.

We cannot continue to overlook the chairman's outbursts. The public shouldn't either.

We are concerned, too, about Rich's lack of respect for Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, the hallmark of open government. It is the public's ticket inside government; the reason the public can speak at meetings or just watch the decision-making.

In August, he aired his disdain for the Sunshine Law in a letter to the Ponte Vedra Recorder blaming the law for creating distrust between people. In his letter, Rich said, "So what is the real issue here? The issue is commissioner's [sic] inability to talk to one another without eavesdroppers listening to our every word."

Rich said he will not violate the law but he would like to see it repealed. He cannot change the law. We doubt the Florida Legislature ever will.

Elected officials should not create a hostile or intimidating environment for the people they serve. Our commission chairman should not behave like a schoolyard bully.


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