Sanchez and Morris will run again

With the St Johns County Commission elections still a year away, on October 11th, Historic City News reporters learned that 71-year-old Commissioner Ronald F. Sanchez told members of the Republican Club of Greater St Augustine that he will be running for re-election to the same seat, “one more time”.

Sanchez told the Republican Club members about his time on the County Commission and how he enjoys the “tempo” and “challenges” of his position on the Commission. Sanchez was first elected to District 2 in November 2006; and he is paid $65,703 a year, plus benefits, for his service.

During the same meeting, current Chairman, 69-year-old John H “Jay” Morris, told members and guests of the Republican Club that he had “just recently decided” to run again for his District 4 seat on the Board of County Commissioners.

Morris is still in the midst of his first 4-year term in office, having first been elected in November 2010. He and his wife retired to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2000. Morris listed his achievements since he has been in office and hoped that would be a boost to his campaign.

Morris has already drawn opposition from two declared Republican candidates who also addressed the Club.

Denver Lynn Cook, who resides at 266 Topsail Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach, filed for election on October 8th. Cook is 47-years-old. He told members that he desired to make the county “even better than it is” and cites his law enforcement background as qualification to accomplish that goal.

Merrill Paul Roland, who resides at 6281 Old Dixie Drive in St Augustine, has made several runs for office but has yet to be elected. This is 59-year-old Roland’s first attempt to run for a partisan position as a Republican; he has always run without party affiliation, guaranteeing himself a position on the General Election ballot. Roland spoke about his business experience and his desire to make the County a better place to live.