Governor's Commission appointment sound decision

We've Been ROBBED..............

Baxley, how appropriate your last statement, "I hope he has a thick skin".  I have known Mr. Bradley for many years and I have found him to be honest, straight forward and thoughtful in all of the decisions he makes. 

 Angela, I think the only reason you shared "we have been robbed" is that you supported another candidate and that you do not know Mr. Bradley.

 Daily, I think how truly blessed we are in Clay County.  We have wonderful schools, a great enviornment with lots of amenities, beautiful landscapes...the list goes on and on.  I hope that people will stop with the constant barrage of negativism and give people who are willing to volunteer for community service a chance....and count our blessings.

What ever happened to the little phrase every vote counts. Then if that applies then Mr. Platt should have been given the job. Two times this position has opened since Ms. Fitzgerald was removed due to misconduct. Both Governors have appointed people that were not voted on by the people. If either of these Governors were concerned about the people then Mr. Platt would be the Commissioner. It looks like they don't care what we think. Mr. Thrasher should have been forced to resign about the garbage issues and his company that lobbied for Advanced Disposal and the awarding of the contract. If his company makes money so does he and he just sit there and voted "yes". Then he back paddled when confronted. Now that he has resigned that 110.00 investment and his vote will pay off big for him and his friends. Now we are given another individual that we did not vote on. I say ROB should immediately release the names of all his clients to the county and any interest they may have in his law firm and all that work in that firm. Governor Crist say ROB has a good understanding of the inner workings of the county. In this county that statement alone makes me nervous. He stated his work with the CRC again another position he was appointed to and not elected. I think every vote should count is wasn't like Mr. Platt lost by a large margin. Ms. Fitzgerald just narrowly won. You know the will of the people. Evidently someone in Tallahassee thinks we don't deserve our votes to count, or could this be another good ole boys appointment. Negative feelings in the county I could never imagine why. I don't know Mr. Platt and I am not in his district but I do see something here that doesn't smell good. I will state again "We've Been Robbed".

The governor's appointment to fill a vacated county commissioner seat intentionally avoids people who have run or who intend to run to permanently fill the seat.  Mr. Platt has run, and intends to run again (I think) for the District 1 seat.  By appointing Mr. Bradley, the governor has avoided the appearance of giving a candidate an advantage in the next election.  If Mr. Platt had been selected, I think many more people would be upset, and rightfully so.  The appointment by the governor is just that - an appointment.  It is intended to temporarily fill the seat until the next election.  Given all that has happened with the District 1 commission seat, Mr. Platt seems well positioned to run in '08, and will be hard to beat.  If Mr. Platt is to be the Dist. 1 commissioner, being elected is the right way to get there.  His credibility and mandate will be greater than if he had been appointed.  Mr. Bradley, appointed by the governor, is simply trying to fill out the commission and help it limp into the 2008 election.  2 additional commissioners will be added, District 1 & 3 & 5 will be up for grabs and Clay County will really be turning a huge corner.  Personally, I am really looking forward to the election.  Maybe then we can get down to the business of running the county and leave some of the "garbage" (legal and illegal) of the past couple years behind.

your right Baxley,2008 election cycle will be a busy one.I lost my bid to Christy in 2000 and I'm running for the 08 election.Mr.Platt is in the same boat,we both came away with a lost.No matter what the numbers were.I know for a fact that IF I had won(in 2000) we would still have the same commissioner in that seat and doing a great job at that.

I only know of 3 of the 5 people who applied for the post, but any of those 3 would have been OK.  They are only going to serve until the position is filled by a duly elected commissioner in the Nov. '08 election (or Ms. Fitzgerald is exonerated).  About the time they get the hang of the job, they will be gone.  I'm sure the residents of District 1 have election day '08 circled on their calendars. 

Best of luck to Mr. Bradley - he is sure to be roundly criticized by certain groups/people who don't even know him (as would any other appointee).  Welcome to Clay County politics - hope his skin is thick.

This appointment seems to have an agenda attached. Let's review Rob has lobbied the County for money for the Victim Services group and is on the Board. Shortly after being awarded money they appeared again asking for more money. Commissioner Bush stated this was one of those things that was just thrown together and was ill planned. Rob said he did not calculate the total cost before submitting the request for money. Seems like that is a good budget planning skills costing the taxpayers more money. The YMCA that he is involved in has asked for assistance from the county too. He states he will work for public safety issues. Well our public saftey has increase in the county 63% while the county 20%. This should explain our transportation problems, road problems, and the list goes on. After all he will be the perfect vote for the poker rooms when it comes before the board. Not to mention his list of clients in his law practice. Looks like an agenda to me thus my statement we have been ROB.....

dmccall,  good luck on your quest to become the commissioner for District 1.  Your district has borne the brunt of the scandal in GCS.  Congratulations for being willing to enter the fray to help lead Clay County into the future.

Angela, with all due respect, I hope your volunteer resume is as long and as rich as someone like Rob Bradley. He doesn't have to do the things he does or has done for his community but his family raised him with the expectation that giving back to the community was part of being a responsible community member. Along the way, we learn as adults that giving back feels good, too. In fact, we often get more from the giving than we actually gave.

So IF AND ONLY IF your resume is as jam-packed with as many achievements as someone like Rob has, then and only then (in my humble opinion) do you have a right to criticize and detract from what  he is doing. Otherwise, whether you believe there is an agenda or not, his (or anyone else's) community involvement should stand as testimony and inspiration for others as an example of "Service above self."

With so much public sentiment against the card room, the owner would be crazy to bring the subject matter back up before the commission. As of now, a 4-0 vote stands. Period.

I hear you saying you do not support the decision the BCC made to extend additional financial resources to the Victim's Service Unit. If you were a sitting commissioner, Angela, would you vote against denying a rape victim resources to reduce the trauma of a crime investigation of an event that was out of his or her control by simply making those services available closer to home? If the rape victim was you, would you rather travel to Jacksonville for a medical examination? The Victims Crime Services Unit is a new venture for Clay County. I believe whatever support WE (residents of Clay County) need to make, we should. It's part of public safety and law enforcement/judicial services. These are our residents and sadly, in some cases, our children. It is a reasonable request to make of the BCC.

I hope everyone benefits from Rob's appointment: his family and friends, his clients, people he knows, and people he doesn't know. It's time to lay down the verbal swords of devisive language which pits Republicans against Republicans. Give individuals like Rob a chance to earn your respect. Why? Because it's the right thing to do.

No name, with all due respect to you as well. Resumes don't impress me individuals actions speak much louder than their words. However, by your post I was shocked to see that Rob was a Republican. I have no problems with the Victim Services and the feel good statements we generally hear from Democrats "it's for the childern". My problem, the way this was handled. It was ill planned, lacked proper funding, lacked persons involved to prepare properly, and was just thrown together on what seemed to be some whim. Then we were told these funds were to get them started and the remaining funds would come from donations and grants. Only to have them show up shortly after that and state without more taxpayers money we will be a "failure". The poor planning sentiments were shared by Commissioner Bush as well. Those actions make me wonder if Rob will do the same with the peoples business. My resume should have no bearing on this situation because I did not apply for the position, Rob did.

 As far as the poker room, Bush and Stewart are firmly against that idea. Rutledge said he could not support something that had not been requested. The key words "had not been requested". Commissioner Conkey seeing the public who appreared to speak did not want to be the lone man out on a limb. The owner did not appear nor did he submit a request. It would be of benefit to see who contributed to Rutledge and Conkey. I think it will go like this after Rob is in place and things settle down then the owner appears request to be heard and the vote goes 3-2 for the poker rooms. Just as the garbage issues it doesn't matter what the people think but how the Commissoners vote. Get the picture. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Rob had a chance to earn respect when he worked on CRC let me say 5 commissioners that should consider if they are worthy to serve is no better than 7 that should consider if they are worthy to serve. The number of Commissioners is not the problem but the quality of Commissioners. The more Commissioner the more of our money they spend even with reduced salaries. Bigger government does not look like a Republican attribute.

I am sure Rob will benefit from his position or he would not have applied. I am sure his family, friends, and clients will as well. I am just not certain the citizens will but that is why it is called public service.

Angela 

I could not let the moment slip by and had to remind all of those who wrote in your blog. If you saw the story on Q&A with our new "We Been Robbed" Commissioner he validates my statements. Key2Life- Rob says he will address the poker room issue if it comes before him. Looks like a yes to me. Just remember what I said. Baxley- Rob says he might run for office in 08. Still thinking, with his unfair advantage. I guess someone forgot to tell the Governor. No, what I see is he runs for the position he made for himself. One of the at large commissioners. Rob says he hasn't come before the BCC much. Yet he was attempting to get a little deal he was working on pushed through concerning some land. He couldn't be named the Commissioner while working as an Attorney in active negotiations with the county. Looks like an official plug by Commissioner Thrasher to me. Just check who contributed all the money to get CRC recommendation passed with the pr group. Well, today is the start of "We Been Robbed". Just thought you would like to keep up with current events.