Editorial: Crist shouldn't leave Miner's seat vacant

St. Augustine
Publication Date: 08/07/09

St. Johns County Commissioner Mark Miner's call to active duty in January with the Florida National Guard in Operation Iraqi Freedom gives Gov. Charlie Crist another opportunity to shape the St. Johns County Commission, at least temporarily. It will be his second appointment in less than a year.

Crist needs to fill the position as soon as he is legally able to keep Miner's home District 3 represented and the commission at full strength while Miner is gone. Crist's first appointment was Phil Mays for District 4 last December who replaced suspended Commissioner Tom Manuel.

Miner notified Crist Monday of his one-year leave of absence. Although Crist isn't bound to replace a sitting commissioner on a leave of absence even for military duty, we encourage him to do so.

In his letter to Crist, Minor also recommends a temporary replacement, Ray Quinn, a retired Florida Guard sergeant major. "I feel he embodies every aspect of an outstanding public servant who is fully capable of occupying the office I hold for the short duration of my deployment," Miner said.

Miner said he offered his own recommendation in the same vein as Maj. Charles Van Zant Jr., a Clay County School Board member, did when he went on active duty to the desert. He recommended his dad hold his seat. Crist appointed Van Zant Sr. until the soldier's return.

Miner has given the governor enough advance notice of his leave to appoint a replacement. We appreciate Miner's planning ahead.

St. Johns County has too many issues for a four-member commission to operate effectively for 12 months. The potential for 2-2 votes is great and could render the commission ineffective. Ties spell automatic defeat.

Whether Crist follows Miner's recommendation or not we urge the governor to exercise his appointment option again.

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