Rachael Bennett named Vice Chairman

In what some are calling a “surprise”, and others are calling “expected”, the last junior member of the St Johns County Board of Commissioners has been tapped to serve as Vice Chairman. Rachael Bennett, who defeated the sitting chairman, Ken Bryan, in the last Republican Primary Election, was nominated by Ron Sanchez, seconded by Jay Morris, and appointed without opposition.

What was “expected” about today’s annual “reorganization” meeting, was that, as the only member of the existing board that has not been through “the chairs”, Bennett would be offered the Vice Chairman seat. What was a “surprise” was that Vice Chairman Bill McClure was not advanced, as is customary, into the chairman’s seat — instead, on nomination by Sanchez and second by Bennett, Morris was selected to succeed himself for an additional year as chairman.

Each of the five commissioners, including the chair and vice chair, have only one vote on matters of business that come before the Board; so, there is no advantage for one district over the other, plus all commissioners vote on all issues countywide. At least three commissioners must agree on any action that will be taken in the name of the Board, even if those three votes dissent from the wishes of the chair, or vice chair — which has happened during Morris’ first year on the throne. All five earn the same $69,033.49 salary, plus benefits.

Neither Sanchez, who told a local Republican club that he intends to seek a third term as commissioner in November, nor Bennett, who is still in her first term, gave much explanation for their recommendation of Morris other than to say that they were happy with the way Morris has handled the position.

With this appointment, Morris starts the last year of his first four-year term on the Board. In the past in St Johns County, a sitting chairman has not fared well if challenged for reelection — it’s not unheard of, but the odds are against a sitting chairman candidate, when that occurs. Although neither Sanchez nor Morris have filed the proper papers to bid for reelection, Morris also told the Republican club that he intends to run again.

Morris, who is 69-years-old, has already drawn two declared Republican opponents for Seat 4. Also from Ponte Vedra Beach, 47-year-old Denver Lynn Cook has begun his campaign. Merrill Paul Roland, who is 59-years-old and resides in St Augustine, has made several runs for office — but has yet to be elected. This is Roland’s first attempt to run as a Republican in a partisan election.