By Al Abbatiello
The voting record of a politician is a factual history of their actions and decisions.
This history cannot be denied or excused. Voting records are testimony to the allegiances of politicians and Stevenson’s record tells a tale of special interest influence.
Our county has not been well served by District 1 Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson. In 2004, she was heavily financed (nearly $110,000) by developers and, in an open primary where all parties could vote, she was elected with only 35.9 percent of the votes cast (less than 11 percent of registered voters).
After election, she voted for 44 of 47 new developments (more than 22,000 new homes) and other ill-advised votes, including the approval of a water bottling plant incentive plan, a future land use map amendment supporting leap-frog/urban sprawl development on Trout Creek that included building heights up to 52 feet, and a seldom used, million dollar equestrian center in Hastings. Couple this with approving more than 400 land use changes and you might decide money really does talk.
The commissioner denies anything influenced her decisions. But she can’t deny her voting record and the benefit to special interests. We are now dealing with the congestion and safety issues dealt to us by
From 1998 through 2006, 72,632 homes were approved—with no assurance that needed infrastructure would be in place. Approximately 62,000 homes remain to be built.
The announced temporary “fix” of the on/off ramps at Interstate 95 and County Road 210 is another example of ill-advised decision making. Twin Creeks, a DRI approved by Stevenson, was to have made this road improvement as part of their development order.
Unfortunately, after a two-year delay, and with Twin Creeks being in financial crisis, the county and FDOT have each “anted up” $7 million in taxpayer money to move the project forward.
While Stevenson has supported development, road improvements are lagging behind. The northwest sector is inundated with traffic, with no planning to relieve congestion anytime soon. Some new roads have been built, but the daily congestion points remain. No new roads have been built for people to leave the county except for Bartram Parkway, which is highly congested during peak hour travel. The Bartram Park community has another 7,000 homes to be built, creating even more congestion.
Starting in 2007 Stevenson began expressing “surprise” at the “insane congestion” around the county, blaming other commissions, and claiming she tried to slow the growth. Her voting records show a different story.
With a pro-growth commission she usually voted with the majority and with a slow-growth commission she again votes with the majority. What do we think will happen if the majority changes once again? This county needs independent votes by its commissioners, not ones influenced by others.
Charter government is another issue of “waffling” by Stevenson. She was against charter before she was for it, as reflected in the records. She now supports charter but then, it is an election year.
We must manage residential growth, keep it slow, while improving our commercial business base to create jobs in St. Johns County.
We can’t continue reacting to development requests and the resulting road congestion, crowded chools, environmental impacts and other problems that come with new home development. We need planning to determine where we are and where we want to be. We need a strategic plan addressing our long erm needs and goals and a roadmap to achieve those county goals.
The most important issue in the county is the lack of a long range strategic plan. To grow our economy, job and tax base, and continue or expand services, we must engage in a process for managing our county and its direction in terms of action plans, implementation strategies, performance measures and progress evaluations. We must know the what, where, when, how and why of our growth strategy as well as the benefits to the citizens of this county.
The difference between me and my opponent is that I bring a platform of
ideas, strategic thinking and action plans for the long range development of the county and for bringing our citizens into the planning process through district advisory committees for each district.
I’m the only candidate with a plan of action (www.votealabbatiello.com).
Platitudes and empty words are no substitute for action by a county commissioner. My only special interest is the citizens of St. Johns County and their health, safety, and welfare.
Al Abbatiello is a Republican candidate for the St. Johns County Commission District 1 seat.
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July 10th 2008 - 10:59PM