Morris leaves office after 8-years as county commissioner

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners celebrated eight years of service by outgoing District 4 Commissioner Jay Morris today during its regularly scheduled county commission meeting in the auditorium of the county administration building.

Morris announced early this year that he would not seek election to a third term.  He directed his support to friend and neighbor, Dick Williams.  District 4 turned out to be the race with the most candidates — and the race that raised the most money.  Williams lost in the Primary after raising a total of $139,540.

The audience was introduced to incoming County Commissioner Jeremiah Blocker, who replaces Morris in District 4. Blocker was the top fundraiser with $169,645. Republican Erika Alba also ran, however, she only raised $110,985 to finance her advertising, publicity and promotion during this first run for public office.

District 2 Commissioner Jeb Smith was installed for his second term in that seat. Smith has a reputation for holding county staff accountable and being the watchdog for the taxpayer in an administration that is not bashful about spending money and raising taxes.

Historic City News also learned that all departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, and the Pet Center will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. St. Johns County libraries and bookmobiles will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21. All library branches, the Pet Center, and Animal Control will resume standard business hours on Saturday, November 24. All other offices will resume standard business hours on Monday, November 26.

Garbage, recycling, and yard debris will not be collected on Thursday, November 22, and the Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road solid waste scale houses will be closed. Beginning November 23, collections will be delayed one day with all routes being completed by Saturday, November 24. Scale houses will resume standard business hours on Friday, November 23.