Lazy louche lackeys in local governments in St. Johns County, Florida refuse to inquire about the owners of properties and projects demanding zoning favors.
These gullible unjust stewards simply refuse to conduct background investigations.
Until recently, all officials always believed untrue assertions from developers and did not question their financial strength or their ability to do what they say they will do.
A prime example is the Sebastian Inland Harbor Project, still flat after 15 years, a former Superfund site off King Street in downtown St. Augustine. Its mendacious mouthpiece, the late lawyer GEORGE MORRIS MCCLURE, falsely claimed there would be a Westin Hotel there. McCLURE defiantly refused to provide any paperwork when I asked. Running interference was the tatterdemalion tawdry then-Mayor JOSEPH LESTER BOLES, JR., who actually said he trusted McCLURE because he was a lawyer.
Here's my e-mail to St. Johns County Commissioners September 20, 2016 about the WATERMARKE:
From: Ed Slavin
To: bcc1jjohns
Cc: dlehmann
Sent: Tue, Sep 20, 2016 2:54 pm
Subject: PLEASE DENY OR TABLE "THE WATERMARKE" FOR LACK OF DATA ON ACTUAL LLC OR TRUST INVESTORS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS IN THE PROJECT
Dear Chairman Smith, Vice Chairman Johns and Commissioners Bennett, Morris and McClure:
1. St. Johns County performed no background investigation on the owners of THE WATERMARKE development proposed for Vilano Beach.
2. St. Johns County does not have any information on the actual beneficial owners -- the investors -- in the project. See below.
3. St. Johns County performs less due diligence for developers than it does for hiring new employees. Why?
4. While Nevada, New Jersey and other states perform extensive background investigations on investors in gambling casinos and related businesses, St. Johns County, Florida does not do so for developers.
5. Why not?
6. For all we know, THE WATERMARKE owners-investors are U.S. or foreign government officials, or organized crime figures, or both.
7. Please require disclosure of all investors in all development projects, from this day forward.
8. Justice Louis Brandeis said, "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
9. How do we know if there are any conflicts of interest -- or worse -- if all investors are not disclosed?
10. Please deny or table THE WATERMARKE proposal today for lack of need or sufficient data, and the other many good reasons provided by the excellent editorial and three (3) guest columns published in the Sunday, September 18, 2016 St. Augustine Record.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
 | ||||
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin
To: bdixon
Cc: dlehmann
Sent: Tue, Sep 20, 2016 10:59 am
Subject: Re: Response Re Request No. 2016-278 & 2016-388: Background investigation and list of all beneficial owners of WATERMARKE and The 3455 Coastal Highway Land Trust
Dear Ms. Dixon:
1. This is neither a background investigation nor a list of the actual "beneficial owners," which remains secret.
2. For all we know, some of the undisclosed investors could be American or foreign government officials or organized crime figures.
Thank you.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
| ||||
-----Original Message-----
From: Betty Dixon <bdixon@sjcfl.us>
To: easlavin <easlavin@aol.com>
Cc: Diane Lehmann <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>; Regina Ross <rross@sjcfl.us>
Sent: Tue, Sep 20, 2016 8:43 am
Subject: Response Re Request No. 2016-388: Background investigation and list of all beneficial owners of WATERMARKE and The 3455 Coastal Highway Land Trust
![0[1]](https://mail.aol.com/webmail/getPart?uid=29961716&partId=1.2.2&scope=STANDARD&saveAs=image001.jpg)
From: Betty Dixon <bdixon@sjcfl.us>
To: easlavin <easlavin@aol.com>
Cc: Diane Lehmann <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>; Regina Ross <rross@sjcfl.us>
Sent: Tue, Sep 20, 2016 8:43 am
Subject: Response Re Request No. 2016-388: Background investigation and list of all beneficial owners of WATERMARKE and The 3455 Coastal Highway Land Trust
Dear Mr. Slavin,
A response to your public records request referenced above was provided to you on July 25, 2016 under Request No. 2016-278: Watermarke Development LLC beneficial owners.
If you have any further requests, please let me know.
Thank you,
Betty
Betty A. Dixon
Records Management
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
Email: bdixon@sjcfl.us
From: Betty Dixon
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 4:44 PM
To: easlavin@aol.com
Cc: Diane Lehmann (dlehmann@sjcfl.us); Regina Ross (rross@sjcfl.us)
Subject: Acknowledge Re Request No. 2016-388: Background investigation and list of all beneficial owners of WATERMARKE and The 3455 Coastal Highway Land Trust
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 4:44 PM
To: easlavin@aol.com
Cc: Diane Lehmann (dlehmann@sjcfl.us); Regina Ross (rross@sjcfl.us)
Subject: Acknowledge Re Request No. 2016-388: Background investigation and list of all beneficial owners of WATERMARKE and The 3455 Coastal Highway Land Trust
Dear Mr. Slavin,
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your public records request. St. Johns County will determine if it has any records that are responsive to your request. If any such records are located, we will compile them and redact any exempt material prior to providing them to you. Should it be determined that the nature or volume of the public records requested requires the extensive use of information technology resources, or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, or both, then we will first respond with an estimate of the additional charges for the actual costs incurred, and whether a deposit will be required. In such instance, the records will be compiled only after you approve the charges and the County receives any required deposit. Payment for the total or remaining costs can be made when the records are available. If the actual cost is less than your deposit, you will be refunded the balance.
Thank you,
Betty
Betty A. Dixon
Records Management
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
Email: bdixon@sjcfl.us
From: Patrick McCormack
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 3:15 PM
To: Betty Dixon
Cc: Diane Lehmann; Regina Ross
Subject: PRRs
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 3:15 PM
To: Betty Dixon
Cc: Diane Lehmann; Regina Ross
Subject: PRRs
Patrick F. McCormack
County Attorney
St. Johns County
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
(904)209-0805 office
(904)209-0806 fax
Practicing Law with Civility is the Rule!
PLEASE NOTE: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and employees regarding public business are public records available to the public and media through a request. Your e-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure.
This communication may contain privileged and confidential information intended only for the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
Tax Advice Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS under Circular 230, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments), unless otherwise specifically stated, was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any matters addressed herein.
Attached Message
| From | Betty Dixon <bdixon@sjcfl.us> |
| To | easlavin@aol.com <easlavin@aol.com> |
| Cc | Diane Lehmann <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>; Regina Ross <rross@sjcfl.us> |
| Subject | Response for Request No. 2016-278: Watermarke Development LLC beneficial owners |
| Date | Mon, 25 Jul 2016 15:05:43 +0000 |
This message has been archived. View the original item
Dear Mr. Slavin,
Attached are responsive records to your public records request. If any other responsive documents are identified, they will be provided to you under separate cover. If you have any further requests, please let me know.
Thank you,
Betty
Betty A. Dixon
Records Management
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
Email: bdixon@sjcfl.us<mailto:bdixon@sjcfl.us>;
From: Betty Dixon
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 1:28 PM
To: easlavin@aol.com
Cc: Diane Lehmann; Regina Ross (rross@sjcfl.us)
Subject: Acknowledgement for Request No. 2016-278: Watermarke Development LLC beneficial owners
Dear Mr. Slavin,
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your public records request. St. Johns County will determine if it has any records that are responsive to your request. If any such records are located, we will compile them and redact any exempt material prior to providing them to you. Should it be determined t
Attached are responsive records to your public records request. If any other responsive documents are identified, they will be provided to you under separate cover. If you have any further requests, please let me know.
Thank you,
Betty
Betty A. Dixon
Records Management
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
Email: bdixon@sjcfl.us<mailto:bdixon@sjcfl.us>;
From: Betty Dixon
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 1:28 PM
To: easlavin@aol.com
Cc: Diane Lehmann; Regina Ross (rross@sjcfl.us)
Subject: Acknowledgement for Request No. 2016-278: Watermarke Development LLC beneficial owners
Dear Mr. Slavin,
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your public records request. St. Johns County will determine if it has any records that are responsive to your request. If any such records are located, we will compile them and redact any exempt material prior to providing them to you. Should it be determined t
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