Time for a truly independent St. Johns County Inspector General and Ombuds

I've called for a truly independent Inspector General and Ombuds for St. Johns County since 2007-2008.  I just wrote our St. Johns County Commissioners, County Administrator and County Attorney to state the obvious, in light of the arrest of Sheriff DAVID SHOAR's Finance Director, for embezzling nearly $700,000.  It's our money.  What do y'all reckon?

As John Adams said in 1770 in jury summation in the case of the Boston Massacre:
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence....

Here's my e-mail:
Sent: Wed, Nov 21, 2018 11:08 am
Subject: St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar's Finance Director Embezzlement Establishes Need for Independent County Inspector General and Ombuds.

Dear St. Johns County Commission Chairman Waldron, Vice Chair Smith, Commissioners Dean, Johns and Blocker, Messrs. Wanchick and McCormack:
1. Enclosed are the arrest warrant affidavit and Governor Rick Scott's EO 18-322 re: nearly $700,000 in admitted embezzlement by St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar's Finance Director, RAYE ANNETTE BRUTNELL.  Special Prosecutor Brian Haas and the Polk County Sheriff have requested a forensic audit of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

2. Will you please consider directing our St. Johns County legal staff to research/prepare an ordinance for a County Charter and for a truly independent Inspector General and Ombuds, with jurisdiction over our constitutional officers and all of our local government entities?  

3. I have advocated for these two basic structural-functional reforms since circa 2007-2008, when a "starter" County Charter was first proposed by County Administrator Michael David Wanchick and the then-Chair of the SJC BoCC, Thomas G. Manuel.  The people of St. Johns County defeated the proposed "starter" Charter twice in 2008 elections because of its glaring deficiencies. 

4. The need for a truly independent Inspector General and Ombuds, and for other checks and balances, is now well-nigh irrefragable.  Please see two (2) enclosed documents on the criminal case of State of Florida v. RAYE ANNETTE BRUTNELL.

Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com