Update, April 1, 2025: "Joy" Andrews never called me to discuss. County never supplied any documents. Are County staff spying on Commisssioenrs' privilege communications with our Commissioners? On what theory? Do ask, do tell.
In 1929, Republican Henry Lewis Stimson, then U.S. Secretary of State, later Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Secretary of War, said, "Gentlemen do not open each others' mail."
On March 3, 2025, I wrote to our St. Johns County Administrator, "Joy" Andrews, inquiring about our secretive County staff opening and reading citizen mails to our County Commissioners. Do citizens have a right to confidential communications? When we write our elected officials it is privileged, First Amendment protected activity. Are County staff nosy parkers? You tell me. Here's my e-mail:
To Ms. "Joy" Andrews, St. Johns County Administrator:
1. What policies, procedures and legal basis is there for our County staff reading citizen communications with County Commissioners?
2. Please send list all staff who to perform "mail covers" on County Commissioners?
3. Please send me all staff reports on such "mail covers?"
4. Would staff kindly refrain from such "mail covers" if citizen communications said "CONFIDENTIAL?"
5. How would an employee whistleblower or other citizen raising concerns with their Commissioner know that their e-mails or letters are being opened surreptitously?
6. Who has permission, and from whom, to open citizens' electronic and paper communications to our County Commissioners?
7. May our Commissioners "opt out" from surveillance on First Amendment protected activity? Please provide any legal research or opinions today.
8. How many times have St. Johns County staff members opened e-mails or other mail to Commissioners 2022- 2025 before Commissioners read them? Please send Excel spreadsheet today,
9. Has anyone ever filed any federal or state complaints, whether civil, administrative or criminal about County staff reading First Amendment protected activity from citizens to Commissioners?
10. Please include all communications about staff reading communications to Commissioners, including putative justifications for such violations of our fundamental rights to privacy.
11. Please provide all documents authorizing such "mail covers" and any notices to employees or citizens about them. I find nothing on our County website disclosing the "mail covers" by staff reading citizen reports and disclosures to Commissioners.
12. Please provide any BoCC vote authorizing such "mail covers" without alerting employees or citizens that their privileged communications may be read about the persons about whom they might be complaining.
13. Please call me to discuss today.
Thank you.
With kindest regards, I am,Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
904-377-4998
www.edslavin.com
www.staugustgreen.com
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.com
8 comments:
If it's coming from Ed, it's probably going in the spam folder. A decade of daily bombardment with complicated and detailed requests just might do that, especially if it's the same person doing it.
Harrumph. How would you know? Who are you? You sound like a common scold, hiding your name as one of the Anonymice. No class.
"Pete" has claimed omniscience while affecting independence. I don't believe a word from this "Anonymous,," who is the most chauvinistic poster on this blog since 2006. Who is "Pete?" Who out the salsa in his shorts? Dogged developer defender, unadorned by ethical principles or the milk of human kindness. Pity him.
"The Anonymice" are worthy of a psychological study. What do you reckon? What is "Pete's" interest. He started posting when I blew the whistle on a County Attorney who did not apply for the job. Oligarchs still want to rule St. Johnson County. Tree-kiling termagants, Pray for them.
It's unkind to ask for actual proof and evidence for your claims? I guess it would be if you don't have any. Gonna need proof and evidence that I defended developers too... because I've written nothing about developers on this blog or anywhere else.
I'm a tree killer and defending development because I asked for proof and evidence for "job because friends?" Interesting flow of reason you have there... still no actual proof or evidence for any of it.
"Pete" is obsessed with me. Is this a crush?
I'm a developer and obsessed now? Is that proof and evidence for your claims?
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