Errol Jones: Is he or isn’t he?

April 9, 2008

The St. Augustine Record was reporting yesterday that Jones will seek re-election after six years on the St. Augustine City Commission.

When Historic City Media spoke with the Supervisor of Elections Office on yesterday, we were told that they could not find any record that Jones has filed as a candidate for re-election. The website maintained by the Supervisor’s office is checked regularly by our news reporters and as of the writing of this story, there is still no record that Jones has properly filed.

Filing with the Supervisor of Elections allows you to legally do things in the electioneering process; like place campaign advertising, solicit petitions to be placed on the ballot in lieu of paying a “qualifying fee”, and, of course, solicit campaign contributions. Filing means that the candidate has taken an oath to comply with the applicable election laws and that they have designated a campaign account from which they will be required to report all income and expenditures.

Written by Freddy · Filed Under Government

Comments

6 Responses to “Errol Jones: Is he or isn’t he?”

Cato on April 9th, 2008 12:53 pm

The words “St. Augustine City Commissioner Errol Jones, 65, will seek re-election”, as published in the St. Augustine Record yesterday is a statement of intent, i.e., Errol will at some point between now and the June deadline file the appropriate papers.

There is nothing in Florida law to prohibit a prospective candidate from announcing his/her intent to run for a specific office.
AuggieNewsHound on April 9th, 2008 1:48 pm

I don’t think Freddy’s article says that Jones has done anything contrary to Florida law.

According to the Supervisor of Elections office who was interviewed today, to run for office as a City Commissioner, a candidate will be required to pay $167.25, obtain 25 signatures of qualified city voters and submit all of the financial documents, oath, etc. prior to the end of qualifying; noon on June 20, 2008.

Freddy seems to be pointing out the prohibited activities UNTIL Jones files as a candidate. I am glad he brought the issue up and I’ll tell you why.

Until any candidate files, they have no campaign account — as Freddy pointed out.

The financial reports are public record and list each contribution and expenditure for every candidate; once they have filed.

Until that time, how do you know who has given what - and of what value? Until that time, where is the oversight? I say that not to cast aspersions on Jones, but to point out the importance to citizens and to the integrity of the election process, that those who are going to be accepting political publicity and circulating at political functions should get “on the record” by filing, in my opinion.
Admin on April 10th, 2008 3:20 pm

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … the City elections are screwy.

At least the voters in the city got it right in November 2006 when they voted to make “Seat 3″ the mayor’s seat — and have it run for a two year term each time.

But, unlike county districts, the seat numbers for City Commissioners have nothing to do with where the candidate lives; except of course that they must live somewhere within the city limits of St. Augustine.

Don’t get me started on the petitions and differences in qualifying fees!
Cato on April 10th, 2008 3:54 pm

As to qualifying fees, I would like to see them all eliminated; and force each candidate, INCLUDING the incumbent, to obtain petition signatures, e.g., 1% of the registered voters, with all running “at large.”

As to the county’s geographic districts - drawn so all have a sliver in the St. Augustine city limits, they are a relic of another century. The “Districts” have no relevance in the 21st century; just elect 5 “at large” commissioners, who also would have to obtain petition signatures.

In both cases, some voter support would thus be demonstrated before getting on the ballot - not simply paying a fee.

Representative government in this day and age of the internet, government cable TV channels and live commission meetings on the computer is quite different than in the days of mules and horses and buggys.

PS: It is long past due for a total re-writing of the City of St. Augustine Charter, UNLESS the do the right thing and consolidate with the County.
AuggieNewsHound on April 11th, 2008 6:39 pm

Jones is “on the record” now.

Thanks for doing the right thing.
Mike on April 15th, 2008 9:57 am

And by the way, Jones has drawn an opponent already.

Judith Seraphin filed yesterday for Seat 1.