Democracy is not a "spectator sport. " Become involved, come speak out on May 11th at St. Augustine City Hall at 5 PM about our fundamental rights to free speech, which are endangered and trivialized.
City Commissioners cabin public comment into three-minute segments at the beginning of meetings, except for second readings of ordinances and public hearings. But St. Johns County, St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County and other governments allow public comment on every agenda item. City procedural rules must be amended, as then-candidate Nancy Shaver supported in 2014.
Too often, groups of concerned residents must wait for several hours for agenda items of concern to be heard. Rather than rearranging the agenda out of courtesy, Commissioners March 23, 2015 refused Mayor Shaver's request, making citizens concerned about 450th contracting wait for several hours. This was rude.
On March 9th, Commissioner Leanna Freeman said, "are we adjourned? Are we adjourned?" and asked "Do I have three votes to move forward?" attempting to end Mayor Shaver's request for 450th contract review and audit. No-bid, sole-source, "emergency" 450th contracts require investigation.
Our City and County need Ombuds and Inspectors General and Public Liaisons.
Too many government officials are unfriendly, unapproachable, uncouth and unkind (unless you're rich). For example, Pennsylvania developer David Barton Corneal bought the Dow Museum of Historic Homes from the Daytona Museum, and on November 17, 2014, City Manager John Patrick Regan actually told First Coast News that he was "delighted."
The wealthy, developers , and government contractors /franchisees have dominated discussion and debate for too long. "We, the People" will no longer be bossed and bullied by threats, coercion, retaliation and intimidation -- a/k/a "Business As Usual." It's our government. Don't be misled by shallow, vapid, uninformed, conflicted half-truths from Record editorials and city commissioners.
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