Ray Quinn to replace Miner on commission

Historic City News received official word yesterday afternoon that effective January 2, 2010, Sergeant Major (Ret) Ray A. Quinn has been appointed as Interim St. Johns County Commissioner for District 3 while County Commissioner Mark P. Miner takes a temporary leave of absence.

Miner will step away from his responsibilities as County Commissioner to deploy with the Florida Army National Guard in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Quinn is an active member of the community and serves as Chairman of the St. Johns County Veterans Council. He has interacted significantly with County staff during the past few months and attended all County Commission meetings in an effort to make as smooth a transition as possible.

Quinn, 63, retired from the Florida National Guard in 1995 with 30 years of service, of which 22 years were spent on active duty. From 1995 until 2008 he served as the Director of Executive Services and Chief of Protocol for the Florida Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Quinn is past president of the Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine and a charter member and Vice President of the First Militia Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. He was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of Directors for the Association of the United States Army and also serves as a member of the Jacksonville National Cemetery Advisory Committee. Quinn is a longtime resident of St. Johns County District 3.

Miner requested Governor Charlie Crist name Ray Quinn as his temporary replacement. “My gratitude is extended to Commissioner Miner and Governor Crist for their trust,” said Quinn. “It is my honor to step up to the challenge and serve the citizens of St. Johns County. I truly appreciate the support of my family in accepting this responsibility.”

According to a press release, Miner said that he is very saddened to leave, but he is committed to serving and protecting the country through his military service. “My heart will remain here with the people of St. Johns County, but I have an equal responsibility to fight and defend the freedom on which America is built,” he said. “I am grateful to Governor Crist for appointing Sgt. Major Quinn to serve in my absence. I have complete trust and confidence in his ability to serve the people of St. Johns County and make decisions that will be in their best interest. I look forward to returning after the deployment to again focus on the business of St Johns County.”

Miner’s leave of absence will be effective January 2, 2010, when Quinn’s term as Commissioner will officially begin. As the interim Commissioner, Quinn will have all responsibilities and privileges of a Commissioner. Miner will not be paid or receive benefits during his leave of absence.

Miner, now 26, was elected to represent District 3 of St. Johns County in August 2008, with a four-year term lasting until 2012. At the age of 25, he was the youngest Commissioner ever elected to serve St. Johns County.

Miner, who is an Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer in the Florida National Guard and has previously served one tour of duty in Iraq, will be given involuntary orders to deploy for a one-year term beginning in January with HHC 2-124th Infantry of the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade.

A brief ceremony will took place at the beginning of this morning’s County Commission meeting to honor Commissioner Miner prior to his deployment. Sgt. Major Quinn is expected to be sworn in as a County Commissioner at the beginning of the January 19, 2010, County Commission Meeting.