Citizen exploratory committee for good-government

A committee of citizens interested in issues involving money in politics, campaign finance, lobbying, government transparency and ethics is forming to explore the possibility of enacting a local chapter of the national advocacy group, “Represent Us”.

After months of hard work, in November 2014, voters in Tallahassee passed America’s first Anti-Corruption Act by a 2-1 margin, and we believe it is possible here — and long overdue.

“The best part about the Anti-Corruption movement is that it’s cross-partisan, bringing together conservatives and progressives,” said Matt Vaughan, the Represent Us organizer working on the St Johns County chapter. “There are millions of us and when we come together, the odds are with us.”

Cuen Funderburke, the leader of Represent Tallahassee, said the folks at Represent Us guided the grassroots group through the entire process of passing an Anti-Corruption Act.

Vaughn says he is looking for additional St Augustine residents who believe money in politics has become the greatest corrupting force in St Johns County.

The next step is to form the exploratory committee and arrange a meeting with Vaughn and Represent Us staff to determine the best way to end, on a local level, the legalized corruption that has come to define modern politics nationally.

If you would be available to participate in this democratic exercise, please e-mail your name and contact information to Matt Vaughn or the exploratory committee at representus@att.net