State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson owes St. Johns County residents an apology for the haughty way she conducted our December 18, 2020 St. Johns County Legislative Delegation meeting.
I've been attending St. Johns County Legislative Delegation meetings for sixteen (16) years, speaking in support of the proposed St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore.
In prior years, the late Senator Jim King and former Senator John Thrasher were open-minded, asking questions, making the delegation meeting a meaningful exercise in hometown democracy.
This one was rushed. I've asked Delegation Chair Cyndi Stevenson to "please be so kind as to reschedule another meeting of our St. Johns County Legislative Delegation" because Our December 18, 2020 Delegation meeting fell far short of the reasonable expectations of probity, and violated our Florida Constitution, Sunshine and Open Records laws:
1. No proper notice in agenda of Local Bill hearing on renaming our St. Augustine Airport as the "Northeast Florida Regional Airport,: and, for the first time, paying Airport Authority members. The agenda merely said airport lawyer Douglas Nelson Burnett had a "time certain" at 11:15 but did not say why. When I wrote and asked, Rep. Stevenson never explained why, missing the last clear chance for transparency on the Local Bill. I've asked her to review with House counsel her duties under F.S. 286.0114(2); F.S. 11.02, 11.021, 11.03; and House procedures for Local bills.
2. I called in to speak on the Airport Local Bill item, but it had already passed the Legislative Delegation, unanimously, without any public comment, violating Sunshine laws.
3. Poor planning on Rep. Stevenson's part led to premature adjournment at Noon, based on poor scheduling by Rep. Renner and Sen. Hutson, in having Flagler County Legislative Delegation Meeting at 2 PM in Bunnell.
4. Caller(s) on hold never called on.
5. Rep. Stevenson's office never provide call-in number as promised. How rude. Why not?
6. Time wasted by late 9:30 AM start.
7. Time wasted with unprecedented and undeserved recognition for St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar, (as well as recognitions for retiring Flagler College President Dr. Joseph Joyner, Ed.D. and Judge John Alexander, three white males), while not recognizing any minorities or women, including retiring Florida School for Deaf and Blind President Jeanne Prickett, Ph.D.
8. No public comment was allowed before conferring undeserved honors on Sheriff Shoar, despite my request for it, in writing, with diffident response.
9. An agenda hostile to public comment, initially limiting scheduled speakers to two (2) minutes and thirty (30) seconds (later amended), while stating public comment would be allowed "if time allows."
Are you kidding me?
Tell Rep. Stevenson, time does "allow." The legislative session begins March 1, 2021.
Thus, I've asked our legislators to schedule another St. Johns County Legislative Delegation Meeting before then, with their minds and hearts open to public comment, instead of disdaining it through schedule manipulation.
This Delegation meeting was rushed, with few questions, I've attended St. Johns County Legislative Delegation Meetings for sixteen (16) years. This was the worst-run meeting during those years.
Runaway Republican legislators lacked a welcoming spirit, Rep. Stevenson, playing "Scrooge" with our Florida Constitutional Right to Know. Our late Florida Senator Jim King, former Senator John Thrasher, and other past members of our Delegation were engaged and helpful. Rep. Stevenson was neither. I was ashamed of our Delegation. I wrote and told them, "Don't do it again."
In the future, I expect legislators to show kindness, dignity, and respect to constituents.
Please write our state legislators and ask them to schedule another meeting.
St. Johns County Legislative Delegation Senator Travis Hutson, District 6
District Address:
Legislative Address:
Email Address: Webpage:
Representative Cyndi Stevenson, District 17
District Address:
Legislative Address:
Email Address: Webpage:
Representative Paul Renner, District 24
District Address:
Legislative Address:
Email Address: Webpage:
Suite 5
4875 Palm Coast Parkway NW Palm Coast, FL 32137
Phone: (386) 446-7610
314 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 Phone: (850) 487-5007
Hutson.Travis@flsenate.gov click here
Suite 902
309 Kingsley Lake Drive
Saint Augustine, FL 32092-3048 Phone: (904) 823-2300
209 House Office Building 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5017
Cyndi.Stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov click here
Suite 1
4877 Palm Coast Parkway NW Palm Coast, FL 32137-3671 Phone: (386) 446-7644
418 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5024
Paul.Renner@myfloridahouse.gov click here
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