Tempers surface at Republican meeting

By the time the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee began their pre-meeting social at 6:30 p.m. last night, Historic City News reporters found signs that there would be tension during the regular monthly member meeting.

St. Johns County Republican Party Chairman Harlan Mason announced that the meeting would be closed, except to elected officials, precinct committeemen and precinct committeewomen; following what he called a “credible threat” that unnamed individuals intended to use the occasion to disrupt the business before the organization Thursday night.

Several members of the St. Augustine Tea Party had arrived outside the Conference Center at Northeast Florida Regional Airport and were distributing literature objecting to two members of the Executive Committee who they say attempted to infiltrate their organization for their own purposes.

Historic City News has been reporting the internal conflict between the St. Augustine Tea Party and its leaders who have been at odds over who should be making the decisions. Former Chairman Eric West announced in a letter to Historic City News, published yesterday, that a new organization, the St. Johns County Tea Party, would co-exist with the St. Augustine Tea Party; although their approach to what he sees as a common goal will most likely be different. West, who hosts a weekly radio talk show “We the People”, reported to Historic City News that he serves as Chairman of the newly formed St. Johns County Tea Party.

Two off-duty St. Johns County deputies had been hired by the Executive Committee to insure that there would be no disturbances as the meeting progressed.

Concerns peaked when a news van from Jacksonville television’s First Coast News rolled into the parking lot and a camera crew attempted to enter the closed meeting. Chairman Mason spoke to a First Coast News reporter, in the foyer outside the meeting, however, the Board voted not to allow television cameras inside. St. Augustine Record reporter Peter Guinta was allowed to enter and take written notes. Editor Michael Gold announced that he was making an audio recording of the meeting for Historic City News and took still photographs.

First Coast News reporters did speak to the St. Augustine Tea Party members in the parking lot as well as some attendees who are members of the Republican Executive Committee and were on their way inside. By the time the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m., all other media reporters and tea party members had left the Conference Center.

Mason called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and announced that St. Johns County commissioners had been invited to attend to discuss and answer questions concerning the Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Commissioner Ron Sanchez made a brief presentation and agreed to answer audience questions that were limited to two minutes each. Sanchez responded to all of the questions. Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson arrived late, however, she was provided additional time to make her remarks about the county budgeting process.

More than an hour and a half was spent in discussion on the budget with Executive Committee members and officers split in agreement and disagreement over specific budget allocations and the need and use of funds being assessed through a tentative millage rate increase.

At one point, the discussion got heated between Commissioner Sanchez and members of the audience when members pressed Sanchez on the true need for the millage rate increase announced in TRIM notices distributed last month. The Chair called for a break in the session after voices reached a strained pitch and tempers flared amid accusations that people who had objections to the staff prepared budget at this point “didn’t have their facts straight”.

County Administrator Michael Wanchick and Finance Director Doug Timms had asked the commission for a .75 mill increase this year with .25 mills going to each of three categories — the General Fund, the Fire Fund and the 800mhz Emergency Radio System upgrade.

During the first of two public hearings required to adopt the millage and 2012 budget, Wanchick announced that the county had received confirmation from the Jacksonville Electric Authority that in January it intends to pay $11.3 million dollars to the county, which can only be spent on capital improvements. Staff recommends applying that money to the projected total cost of the new radio system — somewhere between $20 million and $30 million; reducing the required millage increase to .14 mills.

The Fire Fund may be reduced to .20 mills according to Sanchez comments last night. The .25 General Fund increase has not been adjusted at this point.

In addition to Sanchez and Stevenson, other elected officials at last night’s meeting included School Board member Carla Wright, Airport Authority member Carl Youman and Port and Waterway member Tom Rivers.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer