A Better Clay County

Marsha

I have been saying the same thing in different ways for ages. Thanks. I fail to see your delineation between the rich and the wealthy, however. Could you elaborate?

Lily's Lore

"I don't ever want to be rescued

And I don't ever want to be saved

I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever

Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman

Back in September when the school board positions were up for re-election, every incumbent was challenged for his/her seat. Every challenger dared to offer outside-the-box suggestions for the enormous problems facing the district. Some of these ideas have since been touted by the very incumbents who had a V-8 moment (for those of us old enough to remember the tomato juice commercial, "Gee, I could have had a V-8.") It describes a moment of clarity when you find yourself thinking, "I wish I had thought of that."

Voters saw fit to re-elect all incumbents.

Where was Clay County when that happened?

Then voters realized what they had done and the county was up in arms about redistricting. "How did these folks get back in office? Why didn't they tell us about concurrency and what it means to our schools?" If you take a look, we haven't moved any further away from these issues since the election. Concurrency is still a year out. We still have overcrowded schools only the District re-set its level of service high enough to make it - temporarily - go away.

My mom always said that if you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got. Webster's Dictionary doesn't define insanity like that but it's the same.

It's time residents start accepting some harsh realities:

1.  There's never going to be enough money to build all of the schools the district needs. Not in this economic climate, not with this Governor.

2.  Not with this School Superintendent. A strong challenger needs to emerge and run against him in the 2008 election.

3.  Some residents and School Board members may dislike the idea of year-round schools but honestly, there are 37-40 schools in Clay County. They're here. They're built. . One way to alleviate overcrowding is to run two schedules. It's difficult, yes. But it can be done. As long as families are kept together, there will be less trauma to students and parents. Regardless of whether you build a new school or conduct two schedules at one school, the overhead costs are the same. If someone tells you different, ask for the numbers to prove it. The School Board should consider using this strategy where it makes the most sense. (Fleming Island High School certainly could benefit by using its existing facility.) It doesn't have to be a countywide practice but it could be used at isolated sites. Students and parents will be faced with tough choices in selecting after-school activities. But hey, it's cheaper than the alternative right now and it buys precious time to allow us to fully understand the implications of concurrency. It's one thing on paper and always another in practice.

4.  While there's still time and land, the School Board needs to consider educational campuses. The Black Creek DRI and Clay Hill DRI are perfect examples of residential developments that are in the planning phases that could benefit from this type of advance planning. Educational campuses are one way of capitalizing on common areas like athletic fields, cafeterias and media centers - all of which are very expensive to build at three independent school sites a) an elementary school, b) a junior high and c) a high school. Those schools don't have to be built all at once but now is the time to plan. Who knows, maybe the campus idea doesn't work because it isn't sanctioned by the state BUT, do you hear anyone talking about it? No. Looking for alternatives? No. Planning for future school sites?

At this point, we should all be open to any idea that helps the District provide a safe environment in which students can learn. We cannot allow them to fall back on, "We've always done it this way..." This is tried and true. Right now, it's doing what you've always done and getting what you always got. Would voters pick a higher sales tax over year-round schools? I don't know. But I tend to believe they'd rather try year-round schools in their own neighborhoods.

At this rate, not only is the School Board the largest employer in Clay County but it may also be (or become) the largest landowner...and none of it on the tax rolls.

As they say, you gotta pay the Pied Piper and he's coming to collect...

With Bellsouth clearing out and the building across from the Lighthouse apartments empty, there are two resources for some expansion and/or possibility of some Jr High space in the area. All these empty buildings and no one to occupy them is a waste when there is so much overcrowding at Thunderbolt Elementary and FIHS. I too am in favor of split sessions with shorter days and longer school years with high schoolers going to classes in the moring and Jr Highers in the afternoon. It works in other places, why not here on the island?

This is in response to doc32's blog.  I happen to agree with him!   

I keep hearing of getting some high paying jobs in Clay county to keep our residents off the road to Jacksonville.  It's just not going to happen.  The Americredit building on FI is empty, and from what I read, the BellSouth facility will be empty soon.  These were supposedly high paying jobs, so what happened?  Who knows!   The only jobs that are plentiful in Clay county are service jobs.  Unfortunately, they don't pay enough for the people who work there to live here.  So, we get an influx of people from other places to perform our service jobs, and an outgoing of people to Jax for the non-service (high-paying jobs).

A business would have to be insane to build here.  Our roads are over capacity, traffic is a nightmare, and our infrastructure is in shambles.  Why would a business want to put jobs in a non-centrally located, difficult to get to area of north Florida.  Duh, they don't.  They haven't, and they won't.  We are a bedroom county with lots of retirees.  We need to accept that fact and do something about the mess we have made.  That would be a "better Clay County."

I'm sick of hearing about high taxes.  No one who moved here from any other state is paying more taxes in Florida than they did in their home state.  Florida has always been a tax haven.  When you move to paradise, there is a cost.  Pay up.  Quit griping or go somewhere else.

Our roads are gridlocked, yet we continue to approve DRI's without any hope of improving the infrastructure.  When was a new road built in Clay county?  Can anyone remember?  We have a mess in Clay.   It is becoming a paradise lost.   

It's time for some tough decisions.  Business as usual will only give us more of the same.  We need to take a breather and make some hard decisions.  Our elected officials are in need of replacement.   More of the same is just that, more of the same.   

Our schools are overcrowded because of rapid development.  Schools don't appear overnight, somehow subdivisions do.   People need to know when they move here that our schools are bursting at the seams.  They need to know that redistricting and split-sessions are possible in the future.  They need to know that we do not have the money to build all the schools that are needed today, forget about the schools we may need tomorrow.  They won't hear about our problems until they move here and get a reality check.  You won't read about our problems on a developer's website.

Well, it is finished, I have vented.

I feel like Charlie Brown-  ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!!! 

Didn't like my own comment.

I would agree with your comments but I would like to add that the largest employer in our county, is Clay County. That being county employees either on the Sheriff's payroll, the Commissioners County Manager's payroll, the school board's payroll, or one of the other constitutional officer's payroll. Maybe that might explain why they think they own the county because in a way I guess they do.

I often wonder why there is very little effort to attract Businesses to our area. I know we have as Commissioner Bush calls them the worthless Chamber of Commerce group acting like they are working to get industry here. At least with the recent approval to contract with them again for another 50,000.00 would indicate that desire. Well, if pass performance is any indication of future performance we can all rest assured they will not be any industry locating here in the near future. I will say all of the businesses (services) that are here are sales tax paying/property tax paying customers to the Commissioners. Businesses require incentives and that would cost the county money but would benefit the citizens.

Your statements:

It's time for some tough decisions.  Business as usual will only give us more of the same.  We need to take a breather and make some hard decisions.  Our elected officials are in need of replacement.   More of the same is just that, more of the same.   

Our schools are overcrowded because of rapid development.  Schools don't appear overnight, somehow subdivisions do.   People need to know when they move here that our schools are bursting at the seams.  They need to know that redistricting and split-sessions are possible in the future.  They need to know that we do not have the money to build all the schools that are needed today, forget about the schools we may need tomorrow.  They won't hear about our problems until they move here and get a reality check.  You won't read about our problems on a developer's website.

Your statements need to be posted on a daily basis because they are fact and everybody needs to remember these statements. Our urban sprawl has now become urbran crawl on the roads and I don't see any magic money showing up to fix the mega millions it would cost to bail our county out of a mess.

All of the elected officials need to be replaced with competent people not of the "good ole boys" kind but people that have the citizens interest first instead of theirs.

Don't delete those comments because they are right on target and the people need to hear them loud and clear.

I often wonder how many dirt roads could have been paved for the 9 million dollars we spent cleaning up after our Commissioners while paying them a nice salary to allow this illegal dumping to go on. When was the last time the County Commissioners even built a road? 

As an avid fan of Clay County - living here, raising a family here, enjoying the great quality of life, etc. - I have to jump into this fray.

To me, the current Clay County government is too easy of a target to blame for all of our woes.  Clay County is a victim of its own success.  It is also a product of its past.  But that's not to say that the current, and frankly, brand new "government", should be run out on a rail.  4 of 5 County Commissioners are on their first term in office.  The county manager, and many of his staff, have been on the job less than 2 years.  How can these people be blamed for traffic problems, and other effects of a rapid growth rate (71% increase from 1990 to 2005).  It's obvious the previous Clay County governments did not plan for, or manange, the rapid growth very well. 

But, I do firmly believe that the current county administration, both elected and employees, is trying to take the county in a better direction.  Many improvements have been made in the day-to-day business of the county by Mr. Behring. And all of the current commissioners seem content to set policy, advise, and legislate, and let Mr. Behring and his staff do their job without interfering.  Some of the schools are overcrowded, but they continue to outdo other schools in the state on test scores.  The roads are overcrowded - but only during rush hour.  I travel throughout the county with my job, and except for am/pm rush hour, I'm able to drive from Green Cove to Oakleaf to Orange Park and all around with very little problem.  Even during rush hour, with the lights synchronized, I can go from 295 to Middleburg in 15 minutes.  Of course I have spent many hours sitting in traffic on US-17 or Blanding or even CR-218, but it's not so bad that I'm thinking about moving somewhere else.

Getting a handle on growth is a serious issue, and we should all take an active interest in it.  But we need to do more than complain on a blog, or write a nasty letter to the editor, or call for the complete overhaul of the government.  We need to be involved, go to the public meetings, know and talk to your commissioners and county manager, planning director, etc.  Let these people who are trying to put the genie back in the bottle know how we feel, and what we want the future Clay County to be like. 

Islander, I think it is perfectly normal and natural to vent when frustrated - I agree with Angela, no apologies needed.  But we all need to take responsibility for planning better, and making sure our government is doing all it can to prepare for what is projected to be another 40,000 people by the end of 2010, and a projection of over 265,000 people in the county by 2015 (currently about 180,000).  The numbers may be off a little, but one thing is certain - there will be more people, not less people, in the future of Clay County.  I encourage any one who cares about Clay County to be aware of the new DRI's, the future planned traffic improvements, efforts to bring business to the county, and to get involved.  Too many of us sit back and don't get involved, but then complain loudly when subdivisions appear "overnight" (actually it takes years to get a subdivision out of the ground).  We complain the government doesn't listen to us, but during a recent round of public hearings to amend the Comprehensive Plan, a total of 13 people - 13, attended all 3 public hearings combined.  That's pretty bad out of about 180,000 - .007%.

Clay County is a great place to live. Attend as many of these types of meetings as you can, and tell people, face to face, what you think. 

I am not certain you live in the same Clay County where I live. I read all your post and will say you only have according to your figures 179,999 other people to sway over to your ideal thinking of Clay County. I am elated that utopia is over at Baxley's house. While the rest of us will have to deal with the realities of life.

Did you miss the article in the Times Union as recent as a few days ago on the woes of Blanding Blvd and 17 and the efforts to put a bandaid on these problems with no guarantee. How about the article where people were so upset about the traffic out here they were calling 911 to find out what's the problem. Well, that is the reality of the other 179,999 people who live in Clay County.

I live in Clay County and work in Jacksonville and live the nightmare of Blanding and Hwy 17. Blanding Blvd is and has been a failed road for many years. In the past all communication with the Commissioners have been the rhetorical statement Blanding is a State Road and you need to contact them with your concerns. The State's comments, we build and fix the roads your commissioners are the ones authorizing the building of subdivisions, not us. We have done all we can to assist with Blanding Blvd and no more can be done and we have moved to Hwy 17 with its problems to relieve as much traffic on that road as possible with available funds. Well, if the Commissioners continue it will soon be developed to the maximum another failed road just like Blanding and they are still looking for any good subdivision to approve.

I recently posted a newspaper article on one of these blogs that disputes the Commissioners statements their hands are tied because once a person has been through the process they cannot vote no. Well, that is a blatant lie and the newspaper article where the Commissioners in lower Florida voted no because of the outcry of the citizens.

I would suggest you call and get the figures on the number of building permits which is reaching a low for the first half of 07. I am not shedding any tears for those being cut from the trough and Commissioner Bush will understand that statement. I talk on a daily basis with individuals that have and are in the process of selling their home simply because of the traffic problems they encounter on a daily basis attempting to get to work each day. I would suggest you sit on I-295 on any morning and watch the bumper to bumper traffic that sits on the Buckman Bridge due to the commuters from Orange Park.  

As far as the public officials and the congenial atmosphere you seem to have found is quite different from the butt end of the water cooler jokes I get to hear on a daily basis about living in Clay the "Corrupt" County. The next time I believe any of these public officials will be after they earned that trust which was previously given but violated.

Why should I go and waste my time at any meetings when my Commissioners are going to make statements I know are not truthful, blame all the traffic problems on someone else. As a matter of fact they are still looking for someone to blame the illegal dumping on and I am afraid all these problems fall solely on the doorsteps of the Commissioners and the job we elected them to do but they failed to do.

I recently posted information concerning current public officials and you at least agreed it was inappropriate, but would not go so far as to call it illegal. So was the trash being dumped in the landfills inappropriate until they got busted then it was illegal.

I remember a movie when I read your post called A Few Good Men and the statement where he says you can't handle the truth. So, I'll just call this a reality check. Its the citizens that are the victims, not the County. They are a product of their own demise and set the precedent for future public officials that trust will need to be earned.

But as always I enjoy the opportunity to converse with the community on these subjects and thank you My Clay Sun for that opportunity.

Today makes Tommorow

Baxley, I would like to respond to what you said.  Thank you for your honesty.  I don't want to be the "basher of the county", but I would prefer to see some real improvements.  I realize we have some new faces in government, and I realize the problems that developed over the years in Clay county cannot be fixed overnight.  I would however, like to see some real changes be visible.  We have to get a handle on growth.  I have some experience in growth management as I was a land use administrator for a municipality in Florida for 8 years.  I can give you a birds eye view on how developers hold sway on elected officials.  During my tenure as a land use administrator, I received many calls from our elected officials asking for favors for developers who had financed their campaigns.  I received many off the record requests for "sliding" something in under zoning that wasn't exactly up to code.  I never yielded, but there was constant pressure.  I left the job after years of seeing special interest groups catered to, but the average citizen was always being held to task.  I am not anti-growth, but we have to have a breather for a couple of years.  If we didn't approve any new subdivisions or DRI's for two years, there would still be enough housing in the pipeline to handle reasonable growth.  Don't look for that to happen.  Unfortunately, to be elected in modern times, you have to have the support of special interest groups, preferable those with cash.  That is just the way it is.  The reason we keep electing people who do the same thing is because the same people always support candidates who will support the "status quo."  Unfortunately the "status quo" cannot be maintained when it comes to growth. 

We live in a great place.  Our biggest problem is that we are such a great place to live.  We have a low crime rate, low tax rate (no matter what you think, your taxes are lower here that most other states), great schools, and a sense of community.  We should begin to guard our quality of life more closely, and not make the same mistakes as we have in the past.  That is a difficult issue.  Special interest groups have not helped our quality of life.   The problem is that it takes the support of special interest groups for a candidate to get elected.  The immigration bill again before congress is an example of a bill that most people don't want, but special interest groups in both political parties support completely. 

What type of plane do you fly to make it from 95 to Middleburg in 15 minutes?   I can't make it to Kingsley from the south end of Fleming Island in 15 minutes, unless it's the middle of the night!

Angela - I could have written your response for you.  And I too am grateful for MyClaySun and the dialogue we are having about our home.  We both live in the same county, but obviously view things differently.

Overcrowded - yes.  Who should we force to move out?  Or maybe who should we deny the right to move here?  Your family members?  Mine?  I hope not.  I want my grandkids to live here so I can see them often.

Islander:  though I am not a paid land use professional, I am in the construction industry and make a concerted effort to be involved with growth issues in Clay County.  I agree, developers have too much influence in the growth management process.  They have an obvious vested interest.  So do the citizens, but we seem to have abdicated our right to be involved.  From apathy?  Not if you read here.  From laziness?  From frustration?  I don't know, but I do know regular citizen participation in the process is virtually non-existant (Fleming Island is an exception).  However, developers, as you know, are knee-deep in the process.  What frustrates me is that we have plenty of chance to be involved, but apparently we like sitting on the sidelines, and then complaining loudly when something we weren't "aware" of comes to be.

I am a realist about growth.  I have yet, and the challenge still stands, to hear anyone address the real root of growth problems - population increase.  Everyone is quick to bash the developer, bash the builder, bash the politician, etc., but never focus on the real problem - people having babies.  I know it is fun to criticize politicians.  Why not criticize builders and developers - they are ruining the world anyway.  But why doesn't anyone ever say anything about where will all of the people live if no one is building new homes (or re-developing older areas of town)?  The population is increasing - no one can deny it.  More people means more of EVERYTHING.  More cars, more pollution, more crime, more houses, more students, etc.  But if it makes some people feel better by criticizing the evil "government" - have at it.

Are some politicians crooked, lazy, self-centered, immoral - duh!  But so are some Sunday school teachers, some grocery store clerks, auto mechanics, etc.  Always has been, always will be.  But the cry of "vote the bums out" is such a tired cliche.  Heck - they just got there (except for Mr. Bush).  I have a better idea.  How about put down the remote, get off the couch, pick-up a newspaper and get involved in what's happening.  I am involved with a very active group of people in my community who are staring down the barrel of an incoming DRI.  Do you think we are just sitting on ours duffs waiting for the mean evil developers to come in and rape and pillage so we can later scream "those stupid politicians didn't listen to anything we said"?  No.  We have already had, and continue to have meetings with the developer and the county officials and if, a very big if, if the DRI does happen, we will have been involved from day one.  And guess what - the developer actually contacted us first and asked us how we wanted to be involved.  They have included us in every step of the process.  Sure it's self-serving, but they are publicly, openly inviting citizen input.  And we're taking them up on it.

As you can see this is an issue that quickly gets under my skin.  I hope I don't sound like a hot head because I try not to be.  But it is frustrating to me for people to say "they" are screwing us, but "us" never really has made any effort to be involved.

Now, I feel better.  Who ever thought blogging could be therapeutic?

Islander, I see real change in the way the County Manager took the bull by the horns and established Municipal Service Taxing Units so that citizens are not doubled taxed on government services - especially if you live in one of our municipalities. Now our tax bills will tell us what we're paying for. This alone is reportedly going to save taxpayers $1.5 million.

I see real change in the Commission adopting a strong Ethics Code by limiting gifts from lobbyists to Commissioners. The Ethics Code was mandated by voters, placed under review by an in-house committee (which had representatives from the School Board and Constitutional Officers) and is now in public hearings. A stronger non-interference clause. A stronger Ethics Code. We've legislated just about everything we can to help elected officials make moral choices that benefit the county.

Concurrency is very real. It's law. It's a real tool to deal with real growth issues. Different agencies have to plan for the decisions they make. But let's remember...the School Board has ALWAYS had a voice on the Planning Commission and could have - at any time - said, "We don't have capacity at..." But didn't. They (we) have allowed them to operate in a vacuum the past 30 years.

I see real change coming in the next few months as Commissioners adopt a Long Range Transportation plan. I have seen the framework for the plan and am confident commissioners can build consensus about how best to prioritize, fund and build roads in Clay County. It won't be easy. But we're moving forward. We're getting organized and that's the first step toward's progress.

I agree with Baxley in that the heart of growth is people. I don't know that we, as a society, can agree to address the population rate but if you really wanted to stop the flow of people to Florida, all you'd have to do is enact a personal income tax. Problem solved. Florida is a tax haven. We have cheap auto registration rates, cheap university tuition fees, and now cheaper property tax rates. I think it'll open the floodgates even more to population growth. Governmental services will be further strained. But we'll see. It'll play out.

I want to commend Baxley for actively participating in the development phases of a DRI. His community, our county and the DRI will be better - one way or the other - for the conversation. I firmly believe that.

Baxley:

My family was in the construction business, so I am not anti-builder, just put out with how we got in such a mess. I don't blame developers for every growth issue, but I do blame the people in growth management who allowed these development to occur without making sure the infrastructure was in place, or at least funded before construction began. The traffic generated by Eagle Harbor and Fleming Island Plantation should have been addressed when the DRI's were approved. Adding additional lanes on 17 simply moved the traffic jam to the Doctor's Lake Bridge. Our previously elected officials let us down. Local governments have had comprehensive plans and LOS (level of service) definitions on the books for years. The problem is no one, including land use and zoning ever dreamed that development could take place at such a frenzied place. The planning and zoning ordinances never kept up with the pace of growth. Case in point, the new Saratoga Springs development on CR 315. There are plans to take care of traffic in the immediate area, but all the traffic will simply dump on US 17. That's all we need, more cars on 17 during rush hour. Lake Asbury, look out, you are in the same boat. All that development, and no immediate plans to correct woefully deficient roads is becoming an issue. Clay county is one huge bottleneck. No matter where you plan to go, you are in gridlock. What about the Clay county end of Oak Leaf? Try going down Baxley Rd at 6pm, or even later. I guess I am just grouched by the fact that the infrastructure was never put in place for the amount of growth Clay county has seen. Good luck with your DRI, I am sure you will need it. DRI's are a long and frustrating process for everyone involved; builders, environmentalists, local and state governments and even local residents.

I agree with you, we all share the blame for some of our current  growth related problems.  Apathy has a way of biting your backside when you don't expect it.

Blogging is very therapeutic, for many people. To quote Charlie Brown: "ARGHHH!" Now I feel better too.

 Clay County lets see who owns it, runs it, and decides it future?

To: Fritz Behring

Sent: Wed 10/25/2006 1:59 PM

Subject: BCC Approvals

Congratulations on receiving the BCC approval on Saratoga Springs, the Settlement Agreement for LAMPA, and Peters Creek Business Park PUD.  I greatly appreciate all the hard work of you and your staff, particularly Holly and Chuck.  I feel these approvals will have a very positive impact on Clay County and I look forward to working with you in the future. Jack

Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 11:29 AMSubject: Informal Dinner Meeting

Hi Harold and Fritz,

On behalf of the people copied on this e-mail, I would like to invite you to join us for an informal dinner meeting at Winterbourne House, on the grounds of Club Continental, to discuss the County's  future.  Cocktails would be at 6:00 P.M. and dinner at 7:00 P.M. on either April 17 or April 25, 2007, whichever is convenient for you.  Please feel free to bring any other County staff people you feel are appropriate.  If you are available on both the 17th and 25th, we will select the date that the most people can attend.  This e-mail will also serve as an RSVP for those on the copied list to confirm if they are available on April 17, April 25, or on both dates. I will notify you of the final date as soon as I receive everyone’s response.  As everybody's schedule is tight, I would appreciate everyone responding to these two dates as soon as possible. 

Thanks.

Jack

Under our new County Manager

BCC minutes dated 2/27/07

LETTERS FOR ACTION

26. Patrick D. McGovern, Use of BCC Staff on an As-Needed Basis for the Council on Aging

After discussion, Commissioner Stewart moved, seconded by Commissioner Conkey, and

carried 5-0, to approve Item #26.

Florida laws:

A former county commissioner is prohibited for two years after he leaves office by Section 112.313(14), Florida Statutes, as amended by Chapter 2006-275, Laws of Florida, from representing a client for compensation before the county commission collegially or its individual members, as well as the commissioners' aides and the "immediate support staff" of the county manager identified in the opinion. Additionally, the term "representation" includes mere physical attendance at a county commission meeting or workshop, even if the former county commissioner does not directly address the commission.

Some things in Clay County never change note Commissioner McGovern is prohibited by law from being able to  use the "immediate support staff" of the county manager and he also attended the Feb. workshop and addressed the commission, and had meeting prior to the workshop in the county managers office. What year is this taking place 2007.

You comment in your post:

"Angela - I could have written your response for you.  And I too am grateful for MyClaySun and the dialogue we are having about our home.  We both live in the same county, but obviously view things differently".

Baxley- Maybe the reason we view things differently is the amount of information a person has to form their opinion. You keep going to those meeting but if you want to make a difference you need to be attending the informal dinner meeting because the BCC meetings are just the formalities. Let me know if you get your name on the list.

OneMann- Let the sun shine on!

"I think a Better Clay County would have elected officials and government employees who actually try to follow the law, even when they don't like the sunshine in their eyes, and have the courage to look for reasons and ways to say "No" to developers".

Thank you again My Clay Sun

You're right Angela, one of the largest landowners should not talk to the
County Manager or our Commissioners...that would not be in the interest of the
public for constructive dialogue to occur between those folks.

Angela, I appreciate your passion, but some of us who have gotten to know some of the leaders in our community (in both the public and private sector) happen to think that they are not bad people. In fact, many are dedicated to the public interest. And it's not because we are naïve. To the contrary, we know all the facts. It's just that we disagree with your perspective.

Angela,

As is often the case, I think about this blog site WAY too much during the day, and thank you for continuing our dialogue.  I don't know where you got the above info (public records apparently) but this is where people in positions of influence do more harm than good.  Not only do they need to avoid conflict of interest, they need to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest.

I will confess to a certain bit of naivete (sp?), or maybe I am guilty of giving people the benefit-of-doubt.  I don't see some insider type of plot in every conversation between a large landowner and a government official.  You're right, I wasn't invited (bummer), but have been to enough of these type of functions to know it's a back-slapping fest and a chance for people to get to know each other.  Whether we like it or not, developers, business people of all stripes, builders, realtors will seek out and find an audience with government officials.  It is necessary for their success in a world dominated by government regulation.  It's salesmanship.  It's influence.  It's what makes the world go 'round. 

I can tell you from first hand experience, government officials want to hear from John Q. Public.  They are dying to hear from him.  But way too often Mr(s). Public is silent.

"I'll open the Public Hearing now.  Seeing no one wishing to speak to the issue, I'll close the Public Hearing and bring it back to the Board for a vote."  That is the most often repeated sentence at any Public Hearing.  If people really care, get up and say so.  If not . . .

I don't know what else to say.  I think Clay County is a great place.  I think Fritz Behring is doing a FANTASTIC job.  I am looking forward to voting for 2 new at-large commissioners in Nov. 2008.  Go Clay County.  Middleburg is "God's Country".  (Key2Life - so is Keystone .)

To All Clay Countians

I think the blogs are awesome because they offer a forum to debate and discuss issues that involve our county. Issues that can have a profound effect on our daily lives, and the quality of our lives in Clay County. The best part is it gives all the citizens the opportunity to read these blogs and offer input so they can form their own opinions. Those are the most important, your own opinion. We are the voting public and there is power in that vote. I have confidence and faith in the citizens of our county and when given correct and factual information can and will make the right choices for our county. So, I would prefer to call the blogs a level playing field or an equal opportunity for all of us to have "A Better Clay County" based off the facts.

I love Clay County it is my home and I want Clay County to be an example of what is good in our State not what is just status quo. I would like to provide information on these blog that if nothing else makes the people who read these blogs think and question the powers that be.

We will soon be having elections in Clay County that will give our county 5 new commissioners. That is a majority and those 5 people will have the right to make the decisions that effect all of our lives either for the good or bad. The positions that will be open are single member districts 1, 3, and 5, and 2 at large commissioners. I hope that each one of you see how important these election are and what effect they will have on the quality of our lives.

I hope that when you see some of these elected officials and those who want to be elected officials you remember some of the information provide so you can make an informed decision. I hope that when these elected officials and those that want to be elected officials see these blogs, know they stand the risk of being exposed too. I hope when you see our public officials who tell us about our ethics policy for the employees, and the soon to be ethics policy for the elected officials and constitutional officers remember the information that has been provided on these blogs.

Florida is the sunshine state in more ways than one. It has some of the most open government laws of any state. People know the best way to run a government is an open government and we should demand that from our public officials. Governor Crist is an advocate for open government which I think is awesome too.

Attorney General Bill McCollum is a champion of Florida’s open government laws and firmly believes in the principle that government must be accountable to the people. As such, he has launched the Government Accountability Project (GAP) whose objective is to encourage state and local government entities to be proactive in providing Florida’s citizens the information and records they need to hold government accountable.

My Clay Sun you are awesome, OneMann "A Better Clay County Clay" a awesome blog. County better put on your sunglasses the sun is shining in Florida. 

Lily,

Shaquille O'Neal makes about $30 million annually.  He's rich.  The person who signs Shaq's paycheck, well, that person is wealthy.

In Clay County, there are quite a few rich people, many of whom depend on shuffling papers required by some agency or department within local government.  The truly wealthy are few in number and they are usually the owners of large tracts of undeveloped land.

I would like to remind everybody when they talk about getting involved in the meetings.

I can tell you from first hand experience, government officials want to hear from John Q. Public.  They are dying to hear from him.  But way too often Mr(s). Public is silent.

"I'll open the Public Hearing now.  Seeing no one wishing to speak to the issue, I'll close the Public Hearing and bring it back to the Board for a vote."  That is the most often repeated sentence at any Public Hearing.  If people really care, get up and say so.  If not . . .

Remember the garbage fee imposed on us and we showed up with close to 500 people to speak. What good did it do? They passed the fee anyway. Commissioner Thrasher worked with the garbage company. The Commissioners had a big smirk on their face when we talked. They did not care what we had to say.

Janie,

I think commissioners cared about resident opinions but ultimately, it came down to a decision about moving the County forward into the surburban generation versus sticking with a rural mentality. We may not like the legislation today but in 10 years, we may appreciate the visionary decision these commissioners made.

Hindsight is 20/20.

Janie,

Excellent point this is another one of those situations that you showed up at the wrong meeting. You needed to be at the meeting (informal dinner meeting) where they were deciding our future because as I said the BCC meeting is just the formality. Let me know if you get your name on the list with Baxley. However I thought I voted for my Commissioner to represent me not some people behind the scenes deciding my future. Let them run for office and share their vision of A Better Clay County with the rest of us.

Hindsight is 20/20 so I would like to state the following in relation to that statement for A Better Clay County, the people who are and have been deciding our future their ideas have been a failure. Our roads are gridlocked, our schools overcrowded, almost all the roads are failed roads, and if they are not now, will be soon. It appears to me your vision for my future is a nightmare and I drive in it everyday.

It will be interesting to see what some of these roads our citizens constantly complain about where the forced garbage is being collected will look like in 10 years if it still is a road. It is against State Law for the county to work on private roads.

Here I am venting again......The mandatory garbage collection argument was such a sham. Not much I can do but vote against everyone that I can who voted for this "brother-in-law" deal.

In a county full of republicans who are always yelling about personal responsibility and lack of government intervention, we have a body of elected Republican politicians, who vote to add another bit of government intervention in my life. Thanks guys. I never did and never will leave my garbage in my 110+ degree garage, or even worse in an unsightly can beside my home for a week at a time. Sorry guys, just ain't gonna do it, even if I pay for something I'm not gonna use.

Another brilliant argument for this intrusion was to keep litter off the streets. Where I live, its worse than ever, especially with yard trash. When do most people do serious yard work? On the weekend of course. When does yard trash removal take place? Not until permanent impressions have been made on the front lawns. In the summer not until green grass turns yellow. So now I look at trees, bushes, and yard trash all piled up in my neighbors front yards until mid or late week. Now, they could do what I do, take a load of yard debris to the landfill. My logic here is that I live in a subdivision with covenants and restrictions and the neighbors still have no regard for others. The argument for the garbage tax was that the rural areas were blighted with trash, and garbage service would clean up those areas. Sorry guys, the guy who want to dump a refrigerator, will still dump one, just not in front of his house. This is a whole new group of people, not NIMBY's, but NIMFY's. (not in my front yard), but yours is okay. We have deputies riding around all over, how hard would it have been for them to do a bit of litter control? Since I am a regular user of the landfill, I see the Florida Statute posted very prominently. Loads in all trucks are to be covered, and or secured. I see deputies behind uncovered trucks with unsecured loads at red lights, but I never see a ticket being written. The county gets a portion of all tickets, we could have used this portion to do litter control. Humm... logical, but that thought never occurred to our elected officials. We could have shifted some of the costs to the people who litter instead of shifting the costs to the whole county.

Did the county commissioners listen to the people who attended the meeting to voice their opposition to mandatory garbage collection? NOT.....so, if they won't listen to us, we need to get people who will in the future. Let's hope our new ones commissioners  won't be as deaf as past commissioners.  They didn't think we were smart enough to know what was good for us. The county knew better. Darned if they don't sound like a bunch of democrats! If they wanted the public present, they would regularly meet when people who work for a living could attend their meetings. Nope, thats not going to happen. Maybe we need an amendment to require their meetings to be in the evening when the working public can attend. I will have to agree with Baxley, we need to get involved more in our government. When I retire, I plan to have my own seat, front and center, at as many of our elected board meetings as possible.

Members of the County Commission did listen to people when considering universal garbage collection.  The problem is WHO they listened to.

Check the campaign contributions of the last election and you will see that Advanced Disposal contributed the maximum allowable amount to Commissioners Rutledge and Conkey, two major supporters of the legislation that resulted in Advanced Disposal winning the multi-million dollar contract.  And, of course, then-Commissioner Thrasher was on the company's payroll as a lobbyist until a couple of hours before casting his vote on the issue that affected every single Clay County citizen.

Well I like the rural mentality of Clay County because we have many areas of our county and you can live in the one you like. I did not want my garbage to be picked up. I still don't like the idea. I still like the rural area and don't want to live in the surburban generation or whatever you called it.

Besides if the Commissioners all of a sudden wanted to be a visionary group of people with as many problems as we have they should of started with something different than the garbage pick up fee.

What makes me angry is they just sit there and smirked in our face everyone of them. I don't think I will ever forget that.

Cheers for a "BETTER CLAY COUNTY"!!!

Note:  lots of good info and awareness in this topic - thanks!

Like most of you, I am still ripping mad about these thugs on the Commission. I've seen more honesty in The Sopranos than ever was displayed by this board. I will be seeking and supporting future candidates who will not only A) pledge to back a complete building moratorium for ten years and B) repeal the crooked deal that brought us a garbage tax. Who do they think they are, Tommy Hazouri? I certainly hope so.

Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman