Diane Hutchings Joins The Lyons/CTLAC Lawsuit

Just what we need.

This is the one that is a great advocate of the Tollway. The one that is going to bring in all those high paying warehouse jobs from the new port business coming to Jax so our people can quit their Duval County jobs and start working in Clay County. 

The one that did not know that Hanjin told Jax to cool it with the size of the port they were going to build because they weren't bringing in that many ships. The one that had that deer in the headlight look when asked if she knew about that. I'm not sure she even knew who Hanjin was.

The one that can't answer the question as to whether the section of road from Blanding to I-10 is going to be a part of the Tollway. The one that thinks if it is the folks living there will just be able to 'drive around' the tollway to get anywhere. I guess they could if they are driving ATVs because there sure as heck aren't any roads that 'go around'.

Now she wants to sue to make sure she keeps one of the two jobs that should never have existed. It isn't bad enough that we have a private citizen that is trying to short circuit the petition process by which we are able to get charter amendments on the ballot, now we have a Commissioner helping him out.

What a horrible day for the electorate of Clay County. The only good news about this is that at least she will be up for re-election in 2 years.

Mike Heemer

Just great.  Another suit because of a few indidvuals with an agenda of their own.

1) Comm Fitzgerald law suit

2) Now this

3) Standby for another suit when Rob Bradley wins and somehow by the grace of God the CTLAC get their way on the amendments.

There's a way to prevent number 3. Vote for the other guy running for the Chair.

He won't file a suit to keep the job. He's hoping that CTLAC wins and that the jobs get done away with. 

Mike Heemer

Diane Hutchins should probably be recalled. Can't a suit be brouht based on the fact  she was a liar during the elections? She's right up there with the creeps that would screw the state cheating us on overpriced land for their own profit. Is there any honest politician anywhere?

Solo, good list. I think you may only be able to communicate with a very few on these blogs. We may differ here and there on any given subject but I believe the least one can do is answer honestly to any question raised. Hey, even if your answer is an honest "I don't know" it is a lot better than ignoring it altogether.

I would even accept "Because it just feels" right". Whether one wants to put the onus on a deity of any sort or simply attempt to redefine something in a new and convenient way for their point ala the Simpleminded Supreme Court. Doesn't mean it's right or accepted by anyone else but that's how civikl discourse goes. And anonymity is golden. Unless, apparently, you have a letter printed in the paper. I hear the crackpots come out of the woodwork then.

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

Is that possible when she has not taken office?

I hope you get some overtime pay. Great job in nipping the newest goofball cyberidentity so quickly. Hopefully you can ban him forever. The bloggeratti (most of us I am sure) thank you. By the way, is that with one "g" or two? :>)

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

Why not? We are living a speedier nation during the 21st century. "We have the technology We can recall her". (Apologies to Steve Austin and Jamie Summers.)

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

I believe you would have to wait until she took office to recall her.

Yes indeed, excellent job!

 P.S. Jonathan keep cleaning the blogs.

 Is there any honest politician anywhere?

I believe the answer to your question is , NOPE!  Welcome to Clay County Politics.  I told my wife that this person would win as soon as I saw that she was going to run.  Reason being:  she is in with the little GCS clique.  YEP! 

If Judge Buttner grants Roy Lyons' motion for summary judgment on Wednesday then we can all cry a few more tears.  The "powers to be" want Judge Wilkes' Nephew to be the Chairman for 2 years.  I just wonder what they plan to railroad through the Board now!  Could it be anything to do with the land use around Camp Blanding?  What could the Board do in that cas if the US Government wants the restrictions?  I believe that I have already read something in a local newspaper about Cheerise Stewart meeting with some of the landowners (along with a few constitutional officers) pledging their concern & help. 

At least GB will be out of there soon!  HOORAH!

I'm missing something here. I don't know the family tree of Judge Wilkes. Who is his nephew?

The only person running for Chair other than me is Rob Bradley and whichever one of us gets elected will be the Chair for 4 years not two.

Was the two a typo? Diane will only be there for two before she is up for re-election.

Fill me in please.

Mike Heemer

Can a business also be a PAC?  When it comes to recording contributions in a candidates records does it matter?

In going through Hutchings financials I came across a donation from an entity identified as a PAC,  "PBSJ".  Curious about these four letters I did a search and came up with a business that has the same address in Tampa even though it's listed as "PBS & J"

Scoop I believe the Chair position is a four year term. I will be completely and utterly shocked if Judge Buttner rules in favor of the people.  There are those that speculate including me that the real target is the 5+2.

It is unfortunate that Judges can render a ruling yet issue no findings, that is what I believe is going to happen.  The question is, when one is at the end of their professional career which is more important, ending it on a note that upholds the principles of the position or......? 

I am not a fan of Judge Buttner, I've said that before and I felt this way long before the issue with Fred running for office.  It was a freaking thrill to watch the apple who probably didn't fall far from the tree lose his race for Circut Judge.

http://www.ctlac.com/

Thats it Mike, Judge Wilkes is Uncle to Rob Bradley.  Remember several months ago the story from Folio about how Rob went to the County Mgr trying to get the new goodies for the Judges digs with the new courthouse after Mr Behring I believe had already said no?

http://www.ctlac.com/

Was one of Thrasher's clients. It is a business.

This should answer your questions.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/wednesday/localandstate/orl-xway27x07jun27,0,1921042.story

Tharsher is a lobbyist for:

Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan
5300 W Cypress St Ste 300    Tampa,  FL  33607-1712

Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority 
525 S Magonolia Ave    Orlando,  FL  32801-4414

Marsha;

Yep. I remeber the story. I guess I didn't catch the relationship there. Or maybe I just didn't pay attention because I figured it was just another Commissioner sticking his nose in where it didn't belong. 

Mike Heemer

Thanks for the info links, Angela.  Marsh, PBS&J's contribution is one of the many contributions to local candidates that have bolstered the campaign accounts of Thrasher's preferences for Clay County office.  The contributions can, and have, come in bunches and $500 increments that overwhelm any opponents' ability to raise campaign funds.

My favorite has always been the two real estate PACS in Orlando.  It doesn't take a genius to figure out what their interest in Clay County government would be.

Mike, it ain't quite as bad as it used to be, but there are still an awful lot of people involved in all kinds of positions in all branches of Clay County government and politicians who call each Uncle or Aunt.  Even Mom, Dad, Bro and Sis.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

I am proud to say I was one of the 54% of the people who voted for Diane.  But of course - before you get a chance to say it - I would because I am one the "special interest" people that are constantly being criticized.  (Bill's definition of "special interest" - people who get things done.)

But, I'm in good company.  Diane got more votes than her 2 opponents combined.  Boy, this special interest group is getting stronger every day.

Hmmmm.  Wonder what we can take over next.  I'll have to give it some thought.  Let's see, something that will deprive other people of their rights, their property, their money - something.  I'm sure if we "special interest" people can get together, invite a handful of politicians we can bribe, maybe throw in a couple of judges just for grins, we can come up with something.

Does everything that doesn't go "your" way have to be a conspiracy rooted in nepotism, or some other sort of favoritism?  Does anything that you disagree with ever happen because the majority of the people thought it was a good idea, and not because the evil empire was able to throw justice off the righetous path?

I realize that MCS is a great forum to vent - I do it too (like now) - but to quote Sen. Phil Gramm, after a while, we sound like "a nation of whiners."

And they're off . . .

I don't disagree with that Bax. I didn't happen to vote for her but it had more to do with her lack of understanding of the tollway that she is such a big fan of than anything else. She doesn't have a clue of how it works, where it is going to be and how much it is going to cost to use it, but she certainly wants it built.

I didn't have a problem with her winning her race either. I do have a problem with a commissioner elect involving herself in this suit. To me it smacks of a conflict of interest. But that's just my opinion based on my feeling that the commissioners should not be personally involved in this.

Just like I thought Rob should not have voted on the amendment issue when he was on the board and running for one of the positions involved.

I don't think pointing out what appears to be unethical practices or a conflict of interest is whining.

But I am glad to see that I am a member in good standing of your 'special interest' group. Bax I can get things done very well thank you. Certainly better than any one of the three that will be leaving the board this year.

I wonder what those two new motels on Wells think of spending months getting them built and opened only to have the road in front of them under construction within months of their opening. Great timing on that, don't you think? Great planning and coordination there.

Sort of like putting shingles on the roof then having to tear them off to lay down the felt. 

Mike Heemer

Hey, Bax, it only sounds like whining about conspiracies if you're among the 54 percent.  To everybody else, it's just talking politics like usual.

I've got my own special interests, too.  They don't concern building more houses.

But I'll never hold your special interests against you, as long as you continue to openly talk about those interests with us.  Rather than chastise you, I'd rather have you educate me about what your interests really are and why they're special.  Then, maybe, I can decide if your special interests make you more or less of an ass than my special interests make me.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

I've held off posting about this latest motion until a copy had been obtained and facts vertified.  So here's the facts:

Latest motion filed was recorded by clerk's office today and titled "Commissioner-Elect Diane Hutchings" Motion to Intervene".  She is represented by a Jacksonville attorney. 

Her reason for filing appears to center around Count One of plaintiff's complaint and outlined in paragraph 9 of her pending motion to intervene which states:

"Despite these facts, defendant Citizen's for Term Limits and Accountability Committee, Inc. (the CTLAC) has asserted the position in this action that Hutchings is not the duly elected Commissioner At-Large.  The CTLAC asks this court to adopt its position with regard to Hutchings and to incorporate that finding in a Final Judgment,  For that reason, Hutchings has an interest in the pending litigation before this Court.".

There is no Order yet on any of the motions including this latest one.

Hearing has now been moved to a courtroom instead of taking place in  Judge Buttner's Chamber.

Having been elected to the at large position, Diane simply wanted the court to hear information regarding the at large election details, but was told that the nature of the hearing would not allow her to speak or have a letter read. She was told that the only way she could have her voice heard was to be a party to the lawsuit so that is why she joined it. There is no conspiracy or big business pressure.

It is always easy to throw out things like "unethical practices" or "conflicts of interest" without anything to back that up, but that is what gets the blogger base energized. Did anyone think of picking up the phone and calling her since she is a financial manager and is in the phone book and she is such a personable individual, I know she would be happy to talk to her constituents.......Oh, I forgot, that might actually put an end to the conspiracy theories.

She was told that the only way she could have her voice heard was to be a party to the lawsuit so that is why she joined it.

Could she not also have joined the lawsuit on the side of CTLAC? Why join the devil when the angels are available? I realize I may be missing something. That is why I am asking. Thank you.

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

Lilyslore, as I understand an intervention in a pending civil proceeding, it permits a third party to enter a lawsuit already in process in order to protect some right or interest alleged to be affected by the proceedings.  An interventor must show they have an interest in the subject matter of the original litigation.  However, if the intervention excessively interfers, it may be denied.

Intervention can take place with either party or demand something adverse to both.  It depends on the intervenor's interest or alleged effect as to which side you intervene.

"Despite these facts, defendant Citizen's for Term Limits and Accountability Committee, Inc. (the CTLAC) has asserted the position in this action that Hutchings is not the duly elected Commissioner At-Large.  The CTLAC asks this court to adopt its position with regard to Hutchings and to incorporate that finding in a Final Judgment.  For that reason, Hutchings has an interest in the pending litigation before this Court."

All that lawyer-talk boils down to Hutchings asking the judge one question:

"If 5/2 amendment makes the ballot and gets passed by voters, will I have a job after the election, or not?"

Seems like a legitimate question for her to ask, and a ruling now on that particular issue will save another court case after the election if the amendment is passed.

Michael S. Mann

michaelsmann@comcast.net

Mike, your analysis of this coinsides with mine.   

Bill you posed a sarcstic Snidley Whiplash situation that I already believe exists:

"Hmmmm.  Wonder what we can take over next.  I'll have to give it some thought.  Let's see, something that will deprive other people of their rights, their property, their money - something.  I'm sure if we "special interest" people can get together, invite a handful of politicians we can bribe, maybe throw in a couple of judges just for grins, we can come up with something."

I believe the "something" already exists, and it's called the Beltway.