Wednesday, November 03, 2021

Why is St. Johns County Hiding List of Our County's Investments?





Why does St. Johns County invest our tax money in corporate bonds? In what corporate bonds has the Clerk of Courts and Comptroller invested our funds? 

No records received in response to my October 20, 2021 request, filed after Clerk of Courts Brandon Patty, former Republican Executive Committee Chair, spoke to Board of County Commissioners, asking for a county policy on "woke" investments, seeking to stigmatize Unilever, which owns Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. 

Brandon Patty has not returned my telephone messages. An office employee said he referred my request to the St. Johns County Attorney. 

But the Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer, an independent elected official, who should not be hiding our documents or passing the buck.  





-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: nmay@stjohnsclerk.com <nmay@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com <pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com>; bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>; mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>; bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; pcmcormack@sjcfl.us <pcmcormack@sjcfl.us>; davidmigut@gmail.com <davidmigut@gmail.com>; hconrad@sjcfl.us <hconrad@sjcfl.us>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 6:37 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Ms. May:
1. We don't need paper copies -- PDFs will suffice. 
2. Hence, no charge.
3. That is the precedent the Clerk's office is bound by, on the documents on David Hoar's 1994 name change to "Shoar" litigation records, which then-Clerk Conrad at first wanted to charge me $8 for during his first days in office.  
4. We, the People have already paid for the County's "corporate bonds" and other investments, and we should not be charged again to know the facts.
5. It's our money.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,



-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: nmay@stjohnsclerk.com <nmay@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com <pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com>; bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>; mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>; bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; pcmcormack@sjcfl.us <pcmcormack@sjcfl.us>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 5:05 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Ms. May:
1. Due to the still-unexplained fortnight of delay, I request that the Clerk kindly waive any fee, or ask Mr. Patty to pay for it.  Please send documents by PDF today.
2. I needed this information for the November 2, 2021 BoCC meeting and I requested it with plenty of lead time. 
3. Clerk of Courts Patty delayed response, keeping us uninformed about our investments. 
4. Please post the information on the Clerk's and County;s website. without charge, as part of "transparency."
5. Please update the investment information on a monthly (or more regular) basis to keep the citizens informed.
6. It's our money. 
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,



-----Original Message-----
From: Nikki May <nmay@stjohnsclerk.com>
To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 4:34 pm
Subject: RE: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Good afternoon Mr. Slavin, 
 
Pursuant to F.S. 119, the charge to fulfill your October 20, 2021 request will be $8.43. This payment can be made in the form of cash, check or credit card. A credit card authorization form is attached. Please fill out and return by email. We will not take a credit card number over the phone. Once payment has been made, the requested documents will be sent to you as soon as possible.
 
Thank you, 
 
Nikki May
Records Management Supervisor
Records Management Liaison Officer
St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-819-3638
 



-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>; pmccormack@sjcfl.us <pmccormack@sjcfl.us>; bdixon@sjcfl.us <bdixon@sjcfl.us>; dlehmann@sjcfl.us <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>; ltaylor@stjohnsclerk.com <ltaylor@stjohnsclerk.com>; mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com <pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com>; bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us <bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us>; bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us <bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us>; bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us <bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us>; bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; ralfbrookes@gmail.com <ralfbrookes@gmail.com>; sunshine@floridafaf.org <sunshine@floridafaf.org>; hutson.travis.web@flsenate.gov <hutson.travis.web@flsenate.gov>; cyndi.stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov <cyndi.stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov>; paul.renner@myfloridahouse.gov <paul.renner@myfloridahouse.gov>; krys.fluker@news-jrnl.com <krys.fluker@news-jrnl.com>; pat.rice@news-jrnl.com <pat.rice@news-jrnl.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; mross@wjct.org <mross@wjct.org>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; larizzar@sao7.org <larizzar@sao7.org>; sheriff@sjso.org <sheriff@sjso.org>; corruption@usdoj.gov <corruption@usdoj.gov>; mills@law.ufl.edu <mills@law.ufl.edu>; little@law.ufl.edu <little@law.ufl.edu>; rosenbury@law.ufl.edu <rosenbury@law.ufl.edu>; ankersen@law.ufl.edu <ankersen@law.ufl.edu>; hamann@law.ufl.edu <hamann@law.ufl.edu>; angelo@law.ufl.edu <angelo@law.ufl.edu>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 3:44 pm
Subject: Re: Follow up re Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. I have asked Florida AAG Ms. Pat Gleason about her availability for a conference call.
2. How are your schedules this week? 
3. Why don't y'all just post the list of all of our St. Johns County investments on our BoCC and Clerk of Courts websites, or both, and make it part of your "transparency?"
4. Then we'll be done.
5. Who approves the list of "corporate bonds" that SJC owns?
6. Why are you being so difficult and unhelpful?
7. What are you hiding and why?
8. God forgive your sloth and torpor.
9. It has been a fortnight since my simple request.
10. "Nothing great was ever accomplished by being small," as Bill Clinton said it best. 
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,



-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>; pmccormack@sjcfl.us <pmccormack@sjcfl.us>; bdixon@sjcfl.us <bdixon@sjcfl.us>; dlehmann@sjcfl.us <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>; ltaylor@stjohnsclerk.com <ltaylor@stjohnsclerk.com>; mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us <bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us>; bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us <bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us>; bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us <bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us>; bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; ralfbrookes@gmail.com <ralfbrookes@gmail.com>; sunshine@floridafaf.org <sunshine@floridafaf.org>; hutson.travis.web@flsenate.gov <hutson.travis.web@flsenate.gov>; cyndi.stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov <cyndi.stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov>; paul.renner@myfloridahouse.gov <paul.renner@myfloridahouse.gov>; krys.fluker@news-jrnl.com <krys.fluker@news-jrnl.com>; pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com <pat.gleason@myfloridalegal.com>; pat.rice@news-jrnl.com <pat.rice@news-jrnl.com>; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com <sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com>; sheltonhull@gmail.com <sheltonhull@gmail.com>; mross@wjct.org <mross@wjct.org>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.com <aschindler@firstcoastnews.com>; larizzar@sao7.org <larizzar@sao7.org>; sheriff@sjso.org <sheriff@sjso.org>; corruption@usdoj.gov <corruption@usdoj.gov>; nicholas.weilhammer@myfloridalegal.com <nicholas.weilhammer@myfloridalegal.com>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 2:49 pm
Subject: Re: Follow up re Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Messrs. Patty, Miner  and McCormack, et al::
1. 
Will you agree to mediation by Assistant Florida Attorney General Ms. Pat Gleason?
2. This is discriminatory viewpoint discrimination, a violation the First and Ninth Amendments, F..S. 119 and Florida Constitution Article I, Section 24, adopted by 3.8 million votes in 1992 -- 83% of the electorate.
3. Please send the records today, without further obstructionism. 
4. As James Madison wrote in 1822, "A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."  
5. I requested records from Clerk of Courts, an independent constitutional officer!
6. So why is Mr. Patty hiding behind our County Attorney?
7. Do you accept credit or debit cards?  (I have arthritis and do not drive).
8. Please send me a detailed explanation of your work to date and why you think I should pay for a list of our investments. 
9. Enough flummery, dupery, nincompoopery, sloth and torpor from St, Johns County,
10. It has been a fortnight since my request.  Your delays are, at best, inculpatory.  What are you hiding now?
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,



-----Original Message-----
From: Betty Dixon <bdixon@sjcfl.us>
To: 'easlavin@aol.com' <easlavin@aol.com>; Diane Lehmann <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>; Lovinue Taylor <ltaylor@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>; Patrick McCormack <pmccormack@sjcfl.us>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 2:12 pm
Subject: Follow up re Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments 

Dear Mr. Slavin, 
 
We have received records that maybe responsive to your request.  It is estimated to require at least thirty (30) minutes of staff time to review documents.  Per St. Johns County Administrative Code 104.6, the County may request a deposit for costs, if an extensive records search takes more than fifteen (15) minutes to locate, review for exempt information, copy (if requested), and re-file the requested material.  Pursuant to section 119.07(4)(d), Florida Statutes,  if the nature or volume of the records requested requires the extensive use of information technology resources, or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, or both, the County may charge an additional special service charge based on the cost actually incurred or attributable.
 
The total estimated fee for your request would be (30) minutes at a staff rate of $28.46  for a total fee of $14.46.  A cost deposit of $7.23 will be required before the County will begin to collect responsive records.  The remaining  cost and any additional cost reflecting the actual time and cost incurred may be paid when the records are made available.  If the actual cost is less than your deposit you will be refunded the difference.
 
If paying by check, please make your check payable to the “Board of County Commissioners” and mail or deliver to:
 
                St. Johns County Attorney’s Office
                500 San Sebastian View
                St. Augustine, Florida 32084
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Respectfully,
 
Betty Dixon
Legal Services Specialist
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
Compassionate~Trustworthy~Innovative
 
This electronic transmission and any documents accompanying it contains information intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may include confidential information. This information will be made available to the public upon request (Florida Statute 119.01) unless the information is exempted according to Florida law. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information contained herein is prohibited by Federal Regulations (42 CFR Section 481.101), HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley and State law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or a person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that you must not disseminate, copy, use, distribute, publish or take any action in connection therewith. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is subject to prosecution and may result in a fine or imprisonment. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. If you have received this communication in error, do not distribute it. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail and delete this message. Thank you.
 


-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: nmay@stjohnsclerk.com <nmay@stjohnsclerk.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 2:31 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Ms. May:
1. Why? 
2. The request was to Mr. Patty, who is an independent constitutional officer. 
3. This violates the non-delegation doctrine, it would appear. 
4 Please send records. Now.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,



-----Original Message-----
From: Nikki May <nmay@stjohnsclerk.com>
To: easlavin@aol.com <easlavin@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 3, 2021 2:11 pm
Subject: FW: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Good afternoon Mr. Slavin, 
 
We, the St. Johns County Clerk of Courts Office, have provided the records you have requested to the custodian of the records, the Office of the St. Johns County Attorney.  
 
Thank you, 
 
Nikki May
Records Management Supervisor
Records Management Liaison Officer
St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-819-3638
 


-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>; bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; waltbog@nytimes.com <waltbog@nytimes.com>
Sent: Fri, Oct 29, 2021 6:04 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Messrs. Patty and Miner:
1. Where are your manners?
2  Simple request -- list of our county investments.
3. It's our money.
4. Still no documents.  
5. This is discrimination. 
6. Enough,
7. Honor your oaths, from this day forward..
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am, 


-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>
Cc: mminer@stjohnsclerk.com <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>
Sent: Fri, Oct 29, 2021 4:06 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Dear Messrs. Patty and Miner.
Please send records today. 
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,



-----Original Message-----
From: Brandon Patty <bpatty@stjohnsclerk.com>
To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
Cc: Mark Miner <mminer@stjohnsclerk.com>
Sent: Wed, Oct 27, 2021 9:47 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments

Mr Slavin,

Thank you for the note and request. To be sure, the requests are being actioned, and a member of my staff will be in touch once complete (if not already).

Brandon 
From: Nikki May 
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 9:07 AM
To: easlavin@aol.com
Subject: FW: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments
 
Good morning Mr. Slavin,
 
Our Finance Department has been working to fulfill your request. You will be hearing from them soon.
 
Thank you, 
 
Nikki May
Records Management Supervisor
Records Management Liaison Officer
St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-819-3638
 


 
Dear Mr. Slavin,
 
Your request is estimated to require at least thirty (30) minutes of staff time to locate, retrieve, and review documents responsive to your request.  Per St. Johns County Administrative Code 104.6, the County may request a deposit for costs, if an extensive records search takes more than fifteen (15) minutes to locate, review for exempt information, copy (if requested), and re-file the requested material.  Pursuant to section 119.07(4)(d), Florida Statutes,  if the nature or volume of the records requested requires the extensive use of information technology resources, or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, or both, the County may charge an additional special service charge based on the cost actually incurred or attributable.
 
The total estimated fee for your request would be (30) minutes at a staff rate of $28.46  for a total fee of $14.46.  A cost deposit of $7.23 will be required before the County will begin to collect responsive records.  The remaining  cost and any additional cost reflecting the actual time and cost incurred may be paid when the records are made available.  If the actual cost is less than your deposit you will be refunded the difference.
 
If paying by check, please make your check payable to the “Board of County Commissioners” and mail or deliver to:
 
                St. Johns County Attorney’s Office
                500 San Sebastian View
                St. Augustine, Florida 32084
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Respectfully,
 
Betty Dixon
Legal Services Specialist
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
Compassionate~Trustworthy~Innovative
 
This electronic transmission and any documents accompanying it contains information intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may include confidential information. This information will be made available to the public upon request (Florida Statute 119.01) unless the information is exempted according to Florida law. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information contained herein is prohibited by Federal Regulations (42 CFR Section 481.101), HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley and State law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or a person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that you must not disseminate, copy, use, distribute, publish or take any action in connection therewith. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is subject to prosecution and may result in a fine or imprisonment. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. If you have received this communication in error, do not distribute it. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail and delete this message. Thank you.
From: Betty Dixon 
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 8:30 AM
To: 'easlavin@aol.com' <easlavin@aol.com>; Thomas Filloramo <tfilloramo@sjcfl.us>
Cc: Diane Lehmann <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>
Subject: RE: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments
 
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.  Per St. Johns County Administrative Code 104.6, the County may request a deposit for costs if an extensive records search takes more than fifteen (15) minutes to locate, review for exempt information, copy (if requested), and re-file the requested material.  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.  If you fail to provide the cost deposit within thirty (30) days, your request will be closed.
 
Respectfully,
 
Betty Dixon
Legal Services Specialist
Office of County Attorney
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL. 32084
Office: 904-209-0817
 
Compassionate~Trustworthy~Innovative
 
This electronic transmission and any documents accompanying it contains information intended solely for the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may include confidential information. This information will be made available to the public upon request (Florida Statute 119.01) unless the information is exempted according to Florida law. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information contained herein is prohibited by Federal Regulations (42 CFR Section 481.101), HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley and State law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or a person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that you must not disseminate, copy, use, distribute, publish or take any action in connection therewith. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is subject to prosecution and may result in a fine or imprisonment. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. If you have received this communication in error, do not distribute it. Please notify the sender immediately by electronic mail and delete this message. Thank you.
From: Patrick McCormack <pmccormack@sjcfl.us
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 8:20 AM
To: Betty Dixon <bdixon@sjcfl.us>
Cc: Diane Lehmann <dlehmann@sjcfl.us>
Subject: FW: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 5:17 AM
To: bpatty@stjohnsclerk.commminer@stjohnsclerk.com; Jesse Dunn <jdunn@sjcfl.us>; Patrick McCormack <pmccormack@sjcfl.us>; Jesse Dunn <jdunn@sjcfl.us>; Hunter Conrad <hconrad@sjcfl.us>; davidmigut@gmail.com
Cc: Commissioner Henry Dean <bcc5hdean@sjcfl.us>; Commissioner Christian Whitehurst <bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us>; Commissioner Jeb Smith <bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us>; Commissioner Paul Waldron <bcc3pwaldron@sjcfl.us>; Commissioner Jeremiah Blocker <bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us>; aschindler@firstcoastnews.comkrys.fluker@news-jrnl.compat.rice@news-jrnl.comwaltbog@nytimes.com
Subject: Re: Request No. 2021-79: SJC investments
 
Dear Messrs. Patty, Miner, Dunn, McCormack, Migut and Conrad:

Please send me a list of all St. Johns County investments, including those in corporate bonds. 
 
Second request.  
 
St. Johns County must comply with Article I, Section 24 of our Florida Constitution and F.S. 119 & 286 from this day forward, without further evasions or obstruction. 
Thank you.
 
With kindest regards, I am,
 
 
Dear Messrs. Patty and Miner:
Please send me a list of all St. Johns County investments, including those in corporate bonds. 
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,
 
 
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the County. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. If you believe this message is fraudulent or malicious, please contact MIS for further assistance.
 



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