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Feature Story: Profile entry #2, "Alachua Police Chief DeCoursey to retire," by Kristina Orrego, beginning on cover page and continuing on page 3.TRANSCRIPT
The City of Archer expects newly hired Interim City Manager Xavier Z. Bishop to start on June 26.
Current City Manager Al Grieshaber Jr. accepted a position as City Manager of Grantville, Georgia ending his position with the City of Archer on June 25.
According to his resume’, Bishop most recently was employed as a freelance writer with Elance. He has a Master of Public Administration degree from Norwich University, Vermont and a Bachelor of Arts in
Political Ccience from St. Xavier University in Chicago.
The search for the permanent city manager will begin once the commission develops the job description along with International City/County Management Association.
Bishop’s contract offers a monthly salary of $7,000, a monthly housing allowance of $400, as well as a one-time payment of $500 to cover moving expenses.
“It’s an opportunity for Archer to take the next step forward in the professionalization of our administration and commission,” said Archer Mayor Doug Jones.
ALACHUA – In January 1980, Joel DeCoursey Jr. was mopping the floor of the Reitz Union.
On June 25, the former custodian is set to retire from the Alachua Police Department, where he’s served as chief of police for seven years. DeCoursey is the first African American to ever hold the position in the city of Alachua.
His 29-year career in law enforcement has included working for UF’s police department, being a detective with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, sergeant in the juvenile relations bureau, internal affairs as
a sergeant, lieutenant and a total of 18 years with the ACSO.
After being a custodian, he recalls getting promoted to nighttime manager at the Reitz Union, crediting Spencer Mann,
a nighttime manager who would eventually become a sheriff and PIO spokesperson, for recommending him to the job.
“[I] Worked my way up through the good Lord by having good people in my life to provide
those avenues to work through the system,” he said.
Then Russ Lambert, a lieutenant from UPD whom he remembered from his days at Westwood Middle School,
recommended him to a position at UPD, he said.
“[Lambert told him] ‘Hey man, we need an African American for the police department,” DeCoursey said. “I’m not asking you because you’re African American, but because I think you’re
qualified to do the job and we’ll pay you to go to the academy.”
With the financial support Lambert guaranteed him, he attended the police academy
WALDO – In a letter sent to Waldo City Manager Kim Worley on June 5, she was informed that the investigation of misconduct of the City of Waldo's former police chief, Michael A. Szabo, revealed “no basis for action by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) at this time.” This from a letter to Worley by R. Stacy Lehman, Training and Research Manager, Bureau
of Standards, Criminal Justice Professionalism.
In the same letter, Lehman continued by saying that “insufficient grounds exist under the guidelines of Chapter 943.1395 Florida Statutes, to pursue any disciplinary action by the Commission.
In a follow up memorandum written by Jill Simpson, Case Specialist, Bureau of Standards, Professional Compliance Section, she summarized the results
www.AlachuaCountyToday.com 25¢Thursday, June 25, 2015Vol. 15 No. 30
© 2015 Alachua Today, Incorporated
Index insideon A2
Alachua, Florida, two sections
AlachuaCounty
odayTServing the Heartland Communities
New interim city manager of Archer will earn $7,000 a month See Below
ALACHUA POLICE CHIEF DECOURSEY JR TO RETIRE
By KRISTINA ORREGOToday Reporter
By C.M. WALKERToday Reporter
Alachua Tree company owner falls to his death
By SUZETTE COOKToday Editor
NEWBERRY – One local resident fell to his death Tuesday afternoon in a work-related tree trimming accident at 27107 S.W. 46th Ave., Newberry. Alachua County Fire/Rescue, Newberry Fire Department and Alachua County Sheriff’s
Department personnel were called to the scene shortly after 1:30 p.m. following a 911 call and attempted CPR.
Wayne Norton, 73, was pronounced dead at the scene after a limb fell on the boom truck arm causing him to fall out
WALDOContinued on page A2
Former Waldo police chief off the hook
All eyes on Alachua as cities closely follow lawsuits
ALACHUA – During a joint commission meeting with the city of Newberry and the Alachua County Board Of County Commissioners on June 22, inquiring minds wanted to know.
Newberry commissioners were so interested in the outcome of the conflict assessment meeting that took place earlier in the day between staff members representing Alachua County and the city of
Alachua, they added discussion about the outcome of the event to the agenda.
“We understand you had mediation, today,” said Mayor Bill Conrad. “Can we ask the result of the mediation, just to see if it’s going to be settled or if it’s actually going to go to court?”
County Manager Lee Niblock and County Attorney Michele Lieberman both responded to the question.
“It was a public meeting that was held,” Niblock commented.
He informed the Newberry Commission that the media was at the event and added, “There were several members of the public that were available in attendance. Very open discussion,” he said.
“It was a very productive meeting,” Niblock continued. “We had several times to go into private discussion. It resulted in staff at the assistant manager level at both the city and county to work together on resolution language to address
ACCIDENTContinued on page A6
By SUZETTE COOKToday Editor
City of Archer hiresinterim city manager
Commissioners, city staffs tracking developments, weighing in on intergovernmental dispute
DISPUTEContinued on page A5
By C.M. WALKERToday Reporter
SUZETTE COOK/Alachua County TodayAlachua County Attorney Michele Lieberman and County Manager Lee Niblock during a June 22 conflict assessment meeting.
DECOURSEYContinued on page A3
Photo by JESSE SANDUSKY/Special to Alachua County TodayAlachua Police Chief Joel DeCoursey Jr. retires this week after 29 years in law enforcement. DeCoursey said he plans to travel and spend time with family. The community will celebrate DeCoursey's retirement on June 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Swick House behind Alachua City Hall.
SUZETTE COOK/Alachua County TodayAlachua Elementary School students recently asked the chief , at left, questions such as: What is your favorite color? Blue. Do you snore? Sometimes. Do you eat donuts? Yes. Have you ever been pepper sprayed? Yes.
“We see the woes of the world, and if you’re not grounded, and
you don’t have an outlet, it’ll drive you crazy.”
Alachua Police Chief Joel DeCoursey Jr.
A2 Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, June 25, 2015
Jesse says,“The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a
50-50 chance of getting something
right, there’s a 90% probability you’ll get it
wrong.”
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As of June 18, 2015, there were 408 registered sexual offenders and predators residing in Alachua County. Do you know what the difference is?
A Sexual Offender is a person convicted of one or more specific criminal sexual acts.
An offender who committed their crime against a minor often poses a high risk of engaging in
sexual offenses even after being released from incarceration.
A Sexual Predator is a person who is deemed a higher risk than an offender due to the nature of their crime. Predators may pose an extreme threat to the public’s safety. Predators also require a specific finding by the court.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a
database of all sexual predators and offenders who qualify under the Public Safety Information Act (PSIA) in Florida.
The list is available by city, county, or zip code, and you can request your particular area to determine if a predator or offender lives within a radius of one to five miles from you.
This information is available
online at www.fdle.state.fl.us. You can also sign up for e-mail alerts that will notify you when a new sexual offender or predator moves into the area you have specified. The service will also notify you if an offender or predator in your area updates his/her address. You may register with this free service at http://www.floridaoffenderalert.com/.
A message from the desk of Sheriff Sadie DarnellWhat is a Sexual Offender or Predator?
Events All Summer Long! June 12 - August 5, 2015An exciting summer for our area - from first pitch to last out!
Volunteers and Sponsors Needed!www.baberuthalachua.org 386-462-1610
Events All Summer Long! June 12 - August 5, 2015An exciting summer for our area - from first pitch to last out!
Volunteers and Sponsors Needed!www.baberuthalachua.org 386-462-1610
Host Cities:AlachuaNewberryHigh Springs
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Q: Why is my breath so terrible in the morning?
A: You’re not alone in this situation. Morning breath is a fact of life for most people.
While you sleep, several processes are occurring that promote the growth of bacteria that create bad breath. As the bacteria break down any tiny food particles left in the mouth, they produce sulfur compounds, which are the source of the foul odor when you first wake up.
The body also reduces its production of saliva while we sleep. Saliva is something of a natural mouthwash and the decreased production allows for more bacteria growth.
Another process that
occurs while you’re asleep is a thickening of nasal mucus, which is another source for bacteria. And when you sleep, your tongue falls to the back of your mouth and becomes covered with bacteria.
The bacteria reproduce every four to six hours, so when you wake in the morning you could have a couple of generations of bacteria living in your mouth.
Before you go to bed you should brush your teeth and your tongue, floss thoroughly and rinse your mouth out with water to help remove all debris.
For more advice on fighting morning breath, and on keeping your breath fresh throughout the day, talk with your dentist,
Morning Breath
TOP GOLFERS
COURTESY PHOTO/Special to Alachua County TodayThe winning team of the Sportsfest Golf Tournament is Capital City Bank. Players, from left to right, are Tim Rogers, Randy Sommers, Eric Thomas and Jerry Smith. The main sponsors of the event were tournament sponsor Dollar General and Shootout sponsor Captial City Bank.
ObituariesTommy Clark
Tommy Clark went to be with the Lord on June 17, 2015, at Shands of Gainesville. He was born to Cody Clark and Ann Waters Clark. Tommy was an electrician by trade. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ann Clark.
He is survived by his wife Julie Clark, three sons, Cody (Kimberly) Clark, Justin Clark and Chris (Charies) Boos, three daughters, Savanna Clark, Susie Boos and Jennifer Pulseo, his parents Cody and Diann Clark of Alachua, his sister Debbie (Daren) Stormant, three brothers, Terry (Sharon) Clark, Paul Clark, and Timmy (Shannon) Johns, 4 grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Tommy loved everyone and always had a smile and a hug to give, and a story to tell. He enjoyed taking his kids to the store and eating Bev’s Burgers. Go Gators!
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015, at Forest Grove Baptist Church, Alachua, FL, with visitation to begin at 10:00 a.m., interment to follow immediately.
Arrangements are under the care
of Evans Carter Funeral Home, High Springs, Florida 32643, 386-454-2444.
Frances PattersonFrances Albritton Patterson, 77 years
old, born and raised in High Springs, FL passed away Sunday, June 21, 2015 in Boca Raton, FL.
She was a member of Delray Missionary Baptist Church. She attended Douglass High School in High Springs, FL. She is the daughter of the late Clyde Albritton and Mittie Ann Albritton Latson. Seven siblings preceded her in death.
Her survivors includes husband,Willie Patterson; daughter, Sabrina Zinnermon; son, Rodney Patterson; grandchildren: LaToya and Fabian; great granddaughter, Xaviera; brother, Johnny Albritton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren and friends.
Funeral service for Mrs. Patterson will be held at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church,High Springs, FL; Rev. W. F. Cunningham, Pastor, on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 11 a.m.
Bishop Albert Moore, eulogist. Viewing one hour prior to funeral services. Professional service entrusted to A. Jerome Brown Funeral Home, High Springs, FL 386-454-1110.
Obituaries: The obituaries in this section are considered news and are published free of charge by Alachua County Today. Obituaries may be edited for style, space and policy.
of the investigation by commenting, “In light of this, it is recommended that the case be closed at this time.”
The investigation initially began amid allegations that Waldo's police chief required his officers to meet a traffic ticket quota. Officers also made additional comments last year that indicated that other possible misconduct on the part of their chief may have occurred as well.
Waldo City Manager Kim Worley asked for an independent investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on Aug. 12, 2014. Less than a month later, on Sept. 5, Szabo turned in his official resignation. In a review of the charges
filed against Szabo, the letter indicated that the charge that Szabo may have illegally audio recorded a conversation in his office with an officer without revealing he was doing so and his possible enforcement of ticket quotas by his officers were reviewed.
“The investigation revealed the officer observed the device on Szabo's desk under a pile of papers and saw the red light was on, indicating it was recording,” said Simpson in her memorandum to Worley. “In his sworn statement, the officer admitted he suspected he was being recorded, but did not say anything. The conversation took place in Chief Szabo's office, where a reasonable expectation of privacy is questionable,” said Simpson.
“Staff reviewed Szabo's ticket quota as a charge of Misuse of Official Position; however, there was no evidence Szabo or his employees received any special benefit, privilege or exemption as a result of the quota. For these reasons, there was insufficient evidence to take either of these charges forward; therefore, staff recommends finding 'No Cause' and closing this case. Legal has reviewed this case and concurs,” said Simpson.
At about the same time, the city determined they could no longer afford the cost of maintaining their own police department and contracted with Alachua County to provide those services in the future.
# # #Email [email protected]
WALDO:Continued from page A1
Independent investigation will not move foward
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A3Alachua County Today COMMUNITY CORNER Thursday, June 25, 2015
Meetings & Events in the Heartlands ■ Summer event: Hiking for
Health at O'Leno State Park, sponsored in collaboration with the Columbia County Department of Health and Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Recreation and Parks Division. Location: 410 S.E. O'Leno Park Rd., High Springs. Health walks will continue throughout the summer on the third Saturday of every month. Weight and BMI checks will be done before each walk to help participants monitor their progress. Cost: Admission to O’Leno State Park is $5 a car but participants in the inaugural event will receive five free day park passes after the walk, which can be redeemed at any Florida State park, a $25.00 value. Time: Free weight and BMI checks at 8 a.m.; walk begins with Park Rangers at 9:30 a.m.
■ June 25: Retirement Reception for Chief Joel Decoursey, Jr., sponsored by the City of Alachua. Join the community in wishing farewell to the City of Alachua's Police Chief Joel Decoursey as he retires from city staff. Times: 3 – 5 p.m., Location: Swick House at City Hall, 15010 N.W. 142nd Terrace, Alachua.
■ June 25: Waterventures,
sponsored by the Alachua Branch Library with Assistance from the City of Alachua. Walk through an underwater cave, morph into a water drop, turn trash into new substances and harness the energy of water...all in a 52-foot mobile lab! Times: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location: The old City Hall parking lot (east side), corner of U.S. 441 and N.W. 140 St., Alachua.
■ June 27: Waldo Historical Society's 10th Birthday Party. Location: Family Life Center, Waldo Baptist Church, 14370 FL-24, Waldo. Join the Waldo Historical Society's members for ice cream, cake and punch as you visit historic displays that encompass the past 10 years. Time: 10 a.m. Cost: Free.
■ June 27: Waldo Historical Society's 10th Anniversary Party. Location: Family Life Center, Waldo Baptist Church, 14370 FL-24, Waldo. Join the Waldo Historical Society's members for ice cream, cake and punch as you visit historic displays that encompass the past 10 years. Time: 10 a.m.
■ June 27: Dudley Farm Historic State Park: “A Taste of Syrup” at Noon. There will be cane syrup tasting and fun
with the Southern Syrup Makers Assoc. Vote for your favorite or bring your sample. Park admission is $5 per vehicle with up to 8 occupants. 18730 W. Newberry Rd, Newberry 352-472-1142 www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org
■ June 27-28: Summer Studio Show - John Tilton and William Schaaf. Location: John Tilton's Porcelain Studio, 16211 N.W. 88 Terrace, Alachua. Directions from I-75, Alachua-High Springs Exit 399. Head towards Gainesville six miles to the Hague sign. Turn left onto C.R. 237 (at Dollar General) and drive two miles, turn left onto N.W. 156 Ave. Go one mile, then turn right onto N.W. 90th St. Curve left at N.W. 88 Terr., then right into the first driveway. Times: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, Noon - 3 p.m. This event is open to the public at no cost.
■ July 7: City of Alachua Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting. Location: Alachua Lion's Club, 1515 N.W. 142 Terr., Alachua. Time: 12:00 p.m. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call 386-462-3333 as this is a catered event and a preliminary head count would be very much appreciated.
■ July 8: AARP Meeting, High
Springs. Location: St. Madeleine's Church, 17155 NW U.S. Hwy. 441, High Springs. Times: Meet and Greet at 10:15 a.m., Meeting10:30-11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Bring a covered dish to share. For further details, email Gloria James at [email protected].
■ July 7: City of Alachua Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting. Location: Alachua Lion's Club, 1515 N.W. 142 Terr., Alachua. Time: 12:00 p.m. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call 386-462-3333 as this is a catered event.
■ Aug. 4: City of Alachua Chamber of Commerce Monthly Meeting. Location: Alachua Lion's Club, 1515 N.W. 142 Terr., Alachua. Time: 12:00 p.m. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call 386-462-3333 as this is a catered event and a preliminary head count would be very much appreciated.
■ Aug. 7-16: High Springs Playhouse Presents Jungle Book. From the Mowgli stories by Rudyard Kipling, an incredible tale of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves. With the help of his friends, the Bear Baloo, the panther, Bagheera, and the python, Kaa, Mowgli learns
the way of the jungle. High Springs Playhouse, 130 N.E. 1st Ave. Times: Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m. Cost: ALL tickets are $6 for Summer Youth Performances.
■ Aug. 7-16: High Springs Playhouse Presents: Jungle Book. From the Mowgli stories by Rudyard Kipling, an incredible tale of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves. With the help of his friends, the Bear Baloo, the panther, Bagheera, and the python, Kaa, Mowgli learns the way of the jungle. Location: High Springs Playhouse, 130 N.E. 1st Ave. Times: Fri.-Sat. 7:00 p.m. Cost: ALL tickets are $6.00 for Summer Youth Performances. If a show is sold out online (HighSpringsPlayhouse.com), tickets may still be available by phoning 386-454-3525.
■ Aug. 12: AARP Meeting, High Springs. Location: St. Madeleine's Church, 17155 NW U.S. Hwy. 441, High Springs. Times: Meet and Greet at 10:15 a.m., Meeting 10:30-11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Bring a covered dish to share. For further details, email Gloria James at [email protected].
at Santa Fe College’s Kirkpatrick Center. After he received his certificate of completion, he worked for UPD for two years.
He was sworn in at the police department about one week before Gainesville was hit by one of the most heinous crimes to date.
On August 24, 1990, serial killer Danny Rolling killed roommates Christine Powell and Sonja Larson after breaking into the apartment they shared together. When he found Powell asleep on the couch downstairs, he hovered over her body for a short time before making his way upstairs to murder Larson while she was also asleep. He then came back down and murdered Powell.
Christa Hoyt, a sheriff’s office employee who worked in the public records department, was Rolling’s next victim.
DeCoursey said he remembers Hoyt as a dedicated employee who was always on time. When she didn’t show up to work, he and his colleagues knew something was wrong.
At a time when DeCoursey was relatively new in law enforcement, he said being thrust into the investigation scared him. “It shapes your career and makes you reevaluate whether you want to do this or you want to do something else,” DeCoursey said. “It was a scary time for everybody – we didn’t who or what we were looking for, or how many we were looking for.” The gruesome nature of all that DeCoursey has seen throughout his career as a police officer hasn’t stayed with him, but has made his fully aware of what human beings can do to each other.
“It puts things into perspective. At that time [in the beginning of his career], I said, ‘That will never happen.’ Working cases where you see brothers and sisters stabbing the other over a piece of chicken…. Going through my career and seeing different types of behavior that mankind do to each other. You couldn’t imagine it.”
He said he credits his faith in God as the anchor that has kept him grounded in a line of work where men and women are especially vulnerable.
“Unfortunately, a lot of law enforcement officers kill themselves by the hand of their own gun – without a perpetrator or a vehicle,” he said.
“We see the woes of the world, and if you’re not grounded, and you don’t have an outlet, it’ll drive you crazy.”
DeCoursey said the national attention the murders brought to Gainesville followed him around when he would attend conferences.
“We weren’t sure what was going on or what animal was unleashed on this community,” he said.
“That was unheard of around here. It was one of those things, went to a conference, mentioned he worked in Alachua county and people automatically associated the place with the murders.” It was an eye-opening experience for the Gainesville community and the country because so many people came to the University of Florida from different areas, he said.
He said the string of murders were the catalyst for changes to be made to the process of students moving to residential areas in Gainesville.
Now, students are given ample time before the semester starts to move in so they can become more acquainted with their neighbors. “You would think, ‘Why would another human being do that to somebody?’” DeCoursey said. “And to be unleashed in a collegiate community, where you’ve got young kids, not knowing, so naïve and just beginning life. He stole that from them.”
He said he also remembers working as a detective on other homicides such as the murder of 21-year-old Elizabeth Foster, a Santa Fe student who was killed in 1992.
In the following years, DeCoursey said he knew that in order to gain upward mobility and advance through the system, he would need to go back to college and earn a four-year degree.
This was a small bump
in the road that never stopped him. He went on to become the first African American lead inspector in the Office of professional standards.
“I was told, ‘You will never be a lieutenant on the road because you don’t have a bachelor’s. But the Good Lord made it where, I wasn’t a lieutenant on the
road…. I became a captain over lieutenants on the road.”
“So, that was one of those things where I said, “The guardian angels
watch out for you, and the Good Lord look[s] out for you.”
# # #Email scook@
alachuatoday.com
DECOURSEY:Continued from page A1
DeCoursey to celebrate on June 25 in Alachua
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A4 Alachua County Today VOICE OF THE HEARTLANDS Thursday, June 25, 2015
The Shame Sham
The last time Jeb Bush ran for office, it was 13 years ago. Barack Obama was serving in the Illinois state Senate. No one had heard of Obamacare or the tea party, and wouldn't for years. It was before the invasion of Iraq, before Hurricane Katrina, before the financial meltdown. We had just invaded Afghanistan, and Saddam Hussein still ruled Iraq. It was a political epoch ago.
If timing is everything in politics, Bush has, among other things, a timing
problem. He had an exemplary record as a conservative reformer in Florida almost a decade ago, but the achievements and fights of the other Republican governors running for president have been the stuff of contemporary headlines. He is a gifted politician, but his father and brother preceded him to the presidency, giving his campaign an inevitable dynastic air as the vehicle of "the third Bush."
His fundraising, even if it falls short of the widely cited $100 million mark, has been prodigious. But there has been a stark enthusiasm gap between donors and actual voters. If the Republican nomination were going to be fought out exclusively in fundraisers held in corporate conference rooms and fancy homes, Bush would be winning in a rout. Instead, he is clustered with a few other top contenders, a front-runner in name only.
His freshly unveiled "Jeb!" logo might be more appropriately punctuated with a
question mark, about whether he can excite Republican voters in a field that is as large and talented as any in memory.
The Mitt Romney path to the nomination is not available to him. Bush can't show up with a fundraising advantage, a professional operation and a resume, then expect to inexorably grind down all the other candidates. Romney could do that in 2012 against an unprepared Rick Perry, an undisciplined Newt Gingrich and an unfunded Rick Santorum. Bush is running against a field that has about a half-dozen candidates who would have been in the top tier last time around.
Romney won the nomination despite his Massachusetts health-care plan that was anathema to much of the party.
It's one thing to have a few heterodoxies, though; it's another to be defined by them. What most conservatives heard from Bush during the Obama years was his plaints about the GOP's tone, and
his support for comprehensive immigration reform and Common Core. Those two issues have come up over and over again during the early phase of the campaign, and while Bush has adjusted his positions a little, he hasn't changed them.
Bush gave a spirited announcement speech to a boisterous crowd in Miami, the best public moment of his campaign so far. The party will need to know he's a fighter, and chiefly of the left and the media, not his own side. It will need to know that he has an agenda new and different from his brother, and much broader and more conservative than his famous stances on immigration and Common Core.
Bush is a genuinely accomplished executive and a creative policy wonk, with a natural sense of authority. He is a talented man, in the political fight of his life.
(c) 2015 by King Features Synd., Inc.Rich Lowry is editor of the National
Review.
The Front-Runner in Name Only
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Alachua County Today is
a newspaper dedicated to: (1) balanced reporting of news and events relevant to the community, and (2) reporting on all significant social, economic and political issues and problems that the staff believes should be of concern to our readers.
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Jeb Bush is onto something, and it's a shame. A book he co-wrote 20 years ago has come to light again, just as he has formally declared that he's an official presidential candidate -- now that's he's finished sucking all the money out of being an unannounced one.
In the book "Profiles in Character," he includes a chapter touting the "Restoration of Shame," his Scarlet Letter prescription for society: "One of the reasons more
young women are giving birth out of wedlock and more young men are walking away from their paternal obligations is that there is no longer a stigma attached to this behavior, no reason to feel shame. Many of these young women and young men look around and see their friends engaged in the same irresponsible conduct." No shame, no gain.
Confronted with his own words, the man who is trying to present himself as, well, a compassionate conservative -- which seems to be the Bush family term for "all things to all people" -- Jeb says he has evolved, although he doesn't disavow the idea that people should be forced to be ashamed of their misbehavior.
Actually, there is every reason to feel huge guilt about our disgraceful political process. Let's start with him, since he has not really shown any embarrassment at the baldfaced way that he's promised everyone everything as he has accumulated tens of millions of dollars to try to overwhelm
his opponents in a deluge of money. Of course, he won't; they, too, have been out there hustling for cash -- groveling if necessary, changing positions depending on which group or individuals are the day's panderees.
It's not just the Republicans. Hillary and others in the Democratic wild bunch scrounge just as hard for the big bucks from those bloated by personal wealth and, by the way, personal agendas either based on ideology or self-enrichment. Nobody even bothers to concern him- or herself with the obvious:
Those who give something want something, and it's blatant hypocrisy to complain about economic inequality while holding your hand out to those who have accumulated massive riches.
As for Mr. Obama, he makes no apologies for refusing to play schmooze politics. Yes, the game is disgusting, but that's how it's played. When he decides he really wants something, like trade
legislation, passed, so much so that he condescends to visit his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill, he antagonizes them to the point that they don't hesitate to humiliate him by voting against his wishes.
Of course, they're also trembling because the ones who finance their campaigns have made it clear that they won't back them next time.
This goes far beyond politics. As a society, few in business show even a tad of remorse when they pull the rug out from workers in order to increase profits, or they band together to offer pathetic service, like the airlines have done, or inferior products. Everybody's doing it, so nobody in the corporate world cares, unless some news organization decides that the conduct is so egregious that it's worth a story.
The price we pay is that we don't trust each other, for good reason. And that is really a huge shame.
(c) 2015 Bob FrankenDistributed by King Features Synd.
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Guest OpiniOn
Flying the Flagof the Confederacy
There are two sides to the issue as to whether the Confederate flag should be flown. (I will not discuss those who are racists and fly it to show racism.) There are those who see its historic side.
Perhaps they see the Southern way of life: easy days on the veranda; gentlemanly and lady-like behavior and an easy-going life style. Perhaps they say that its part of our history and should not be lost: that it is not about slavery or racism, but merely about an earlier time.
There are others who see it as the symbol of slavery. They recognize that the primary reason for the Civil War was that the South wanted to keep their slaves. While I do believe that there are many Southerners who like the idea of a genteel,
Southern life and who are NOT racists, as a trial attorney I know that it doesn’t matter what one truly feels, but it is the perception or others that really matters. An attorney can have the facts completely on his/her side, but if the witness doesn’t come across well, the jury will perceive them differently.
Although I used to be one who thought that the flag could be flown and have no racial undertones, years ago I came to realize that the perception of others is more important than that.
For this reason I believe that the Confederate flag should not be flown on any government property.
On private property owners have their rights of free speech, but I hope that they come to understand how their actions are perceived.
Tom WellerHigh Springs, Florida
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the issues and move on forward.”
Lieberman then addressed the commission. “We had a discussion of the circumstances. There were several ideas that were thrown out as part of that discussion, and we will be waiting for something in writing from them, and we’ll be looking at what they put in writing to see if it’s anything we’re able to recommend to the board.”
“It was a fruitful discussion,” she added. “And I do think it was worth the time we spent there.”
N e w b e r r y Commissioner Jason McGehee, who said he was responsible for adding the topic to the joint meeting agenda then said, “The only question I had, is why wasn’t this done before a legal challenge was made? We’re all trying to work together and it just seems like, a little, you know… a little heavy handed. I think is has everything to do with Home Rule. I’m concerned,” he said.
“Are we next? Are we going to try to do something here in Newberry and the County’s not going to like it, and they’re going to come after us?”
Lieberman then explained that the County was up against a 30-day window to challenge the decision and that the county was not aware of the circumstances until later in the rezoning process.
N e w b e r r y Commissioner Tim Marden commented, “The communication that I had, was that had been going on for years and that it was only at the ‘11th hour’ that the County realized that something was going to happen and they threw down this lawsuit.”
County Commissioner Mike Byerly said, “I would flatly disagree with that characterization. We do have a long history. The County has been very consistent with its concerns, spent money doing a very extensive study of the movement of water in that area.
“The area in question has a very complex geology,” Byerly said, and noted that the area is linked to water sources and several springs and that the water supply is proven to be connected.
Byerly said the County invited themselves to the City of Alachua proceedings to “put our concerns on the table, put the science in front of the Alachua City Commission.
“We learned that they hadn’t considered that science and ignored the study that was done,” he added referring to the 2005 Dye Trace Study that proves connectivity in local springs and water supplies. “It’s simply unfair to claim that the County waited until the last minute to make our concerns known.”
Pre- lawsuitDuring a May 11, 2015
Alachua County meeting held in Gainesville, city of Alachua Attorney Marian Rush, City Manager Traci Cain and Assistant City Manager Adam Boukari asked the County Commission to forgo filing a lawsuit and expenses of a filing a lawsuit and work with the city of Alachua to make sure environmental concerns were addressed.
“Please work with the City and let’s all work together for the good of
Alachua County,” Cain said as she addressed the County Commission. Rush urged the County to spend its money on elevating water standards countywide, not on a lawsuit against the City of Alachua.
“Between a zoning and the time a site plan got to the City, the County could spend the $15,000 to $150,000 that they’re going to spend on litigation on putting together regulations that they could then require all of the other municipalities to comply with, she said. “What is it we disagree about?”
The County moved forward and filed its lawsuit against the City on May 27, 30 days after the City of Alachua approved the rezoning of a 154.5-acre parcel located adjacent to U.S. 441 and I-75 in Alachua. County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson was outvoted by the rest of the County Commission in the passing of the motion to file the lawsuits that insist Ordinance 15 03 be quashed and claims the City of Alachua is not following the its comprehensive plan.
Cities monitoringThe exchange about
the County suing the City of Alachua during the Monday night Newberry Commission meeting prompted comments from Newberry commissioners and residents both for and against implementing a single-member district in the future. Some felt the County Commission should be made up of a representative elected from each city, while others said that was not a good idea.
Newberry is not the only municipality monitoring the intergovernmental dispute which may or may not reach future litigation.
Archer Mayor Doug Jones, who has served his city since 2013 as a commissioner and now mayor said the Archer Commission and staff are also paying close attention to the dispute. “We’re staying abreast of the issues at the County level that affect rural municipalities such as Archer directly and fellow cities around the county,” he said.
Other than the lawsuits
filed against the City of Alachua by the County, he said Archer is monitoring more topics. “An example of the things we have to keep track of is what is going on with the County’s negotiations with other cities’ MSTU renewals,” he said.
Hawthorne Mayor Matthew Surrency is in agreement about following the details of the intergovernmental dispute.
“Anytime a local government is involved in a lawsuit, we will keep a close eye on it,” Surrency relayed via email. “I think everyone is following this situation.”
High Springs Mayor Sue Weller represents a city closest to multiple springs in the County. She said the High Springs Commission has not officially addressed the suit between the County and City of Alachua. But Weller commented via email, “I would expect, if the County had concerns over a development in our city, they would meet with us to discuss those concerns. I would also think that if the County has any concerns over the possibility of future developments and the impact such developments might have on our waters they would be proactive and reach out to us now."
Conflict meetingOn June 22 the County
and the City of Alachua did come to a possible agreement. The four-hour-long meeting involved 15 staff members from both parties sitting across from each other.
The County brought two assistant attorneys, the county attorney, a county attorney extern, the water resources manager, the county manager, the assistant county manager, the director of the environmental protection department and a senior planner.
The city brought its principal planner, planning and community development director, city manager, city attorney, assistant city manager and public services director.
The city of Alachua asked specifically what they could do to resolve the lawsuits and the County responded that the County thought the city should have been prepared to offer a specific solution.
After several breakout sessions and discussions about protecting the water supply and input from Engineer and Causseaux, Hewitt and Walpole, Inc. CEO Rory Causseaux offered suggestions about monitoring and pretreatment of water and examples of environmental measures that might be implemented and included in the language of the proposal.
OutcomeCity of Alachua
Assistant City Manager Adam Boukari said the official outcome of the meeting was a proposal that the individual property owners of the 154.5 parcel, excluding Wal-Mart who will possibly arrange its own agreement with the County, put language in a restrictive covenant deed that addresses handling
of the environmentally sensitive property and its water supply through treatment and monitoring.
“The property owners, on their own accord, are going to draft language to include in a restrictive covenant in a deed, which will hopefully resolve the challenge by the County,” Boukari said.
The property owners who the City is developing a proposal on behalf of include Alachua Holdings, Ltd; 10.47, LLC; City of Alachua; First Street Group, L. C.; and Christopher Allan Korosic.
“Even though the City does not believe there is a valid basis for the lawsuits, the City negotiated in good faith with the County in an effort to resolve their issues and minimize legal fees. This also provided a platform for the property owners to propose a compromise.”
According to Boukari, The next meeting of staffs is unknown, however
there is a tentative joint meeting between the city of Alachua Commission and the Board of County Commissioners scheduled on July 15, 2015.
NSS-CDS lawsuitWhile the lawsuits
against the city of Alachua involving the county and the National Speleological Society (NSS) Cave Divers Section (CDS) have been consolidated , if the negotiation and proposed resolution offered by the City does not meet the desired outcome of a quash of rezoning orders requested by the NSS-CDS which is represented by Bogin, Munns & Munns of Gainesville, the NSS said it plans to move forward with its case. The NSS-CDS claims “The City Commission’s finding that “there are no geologic features located on the Subject
Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, June 25, 2015
DISPUTE:Continued from page A1
CITY OF ALACHUASUPPORTS
FAIR HOUSINGWHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSINGThe choice of where to live is one of the most important rights an individual has. It is more than a location, for it directly impacts the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason, whether for home sales or rentals, that the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to guarantee a right to a national housing market free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.
If you feel you or someone you know has had their fair housing rights violated you can make a complaint by: 1. Filing online at: http://www.hud.gov/complaints/ 2. Calling Toll Free: (800) 440-80913. Contacting City Hall: (386) 418-6100
(Published:Alachua County Today - June 25, 2015)
NEWBERRYSUPPORTS
FAIR HOUSINGWHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSINGThe choice of where to live is one of the most important rights an individual has. It is more than a location, for it directly impacts the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason, whether for home sales or rentals, that the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to guarantee a right to a national housing market free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.
If you feel you or someone you know has had their fair housing rights violated you can make a complaint by: 1. Filing online at: http://www.hud.gov/complaints/ 2. Calling Toll Free: (800) 440-80913. Contacting City Hall: (352) 472-5447 ext. 105
(Published:Alachua County Today - June 25, 2015)
City negotiating for four property owners, Wal-Mart on its own
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#Alachua (City) – Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. #Alachua County - Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st Street, Room 209, Gainesville. Citizen comments are taken at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.#Archer - Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 16870 SW 134 Ave.#Gainesville - Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at City Commission Chamber, 200 East University Avenue.#Hawthorne - Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.#High Springs – Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.#LaCrosse – Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.#Micanopy - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.#Newberry – Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall#Waldo - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Yerkes Center.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
DISPUTE:Continued on page A6
A6 Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, June 25, 2015
Alachua County Today
is your best source for local news - 386.462.3355
“As a 3rd generation farmer, I have dedicated 75 years to working the land … until a problem with my heart — an irregular heartbeat — slowed me down. Dr. Floyd Burke was able to find the problem. He quickly sent me to Dr. Charles Klodell for heart surgery that saved my life. I know that UF Health has the brightest medical minds, and the most advanced technology and research in North Central Florida. I’m thankful to everyone there for getting me back to doing what I love.“
At UF Health, we’re here for you, from the routine to the complex. We can handle any heart problem you have — big or small — whether it’s evaluating your chest pain or performing aortic aneurysm surgery.
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of the bucket, according to Cary Gallop, Public Information Officer, Alachua County Sheriff’s
Office. Norton was the owner of Alachua Tree Service in Gainesville. An OSHA investigator was on the scene and it is expected OSHA will conduct their
own investigation to determine the facts leading to the incident.
# # #Email [email protected]
ACCIDENTContinued from page A1
OSHA investigating accident
SUZETTE COOK/Alachua County TodayStaff from Alachua County and City of Alachua started negotiations over two lawsuits during a June 22 conflict assessment meeting.
Property which indicates an increased potential for karst sensitivity,” simply ignores uncontradicted and unimpeached expert and fact-based testimony from Alachua County staff and members of the public.”
The NSS-Cave Diving Section Vice Chairman Sylvester “TJ” Muller attended the conflict assessment meeting and addressed both the County and City of Alachua.
“That cave system is a national environmental treasure,” he said. “There’s four imperilled species in that cave system that are nowhere else, and there’s no second chances with that. If you shut down the connectivity of that aquifer, it won’t recover. Runoff alone could damage [the property.] And parts of that cave system, the rooms are the size of auditoriums. They’re massive and some of them come within 20 feet of the surface. So, when I hear ‘we’re gonna grade and put a top over it,’ it just sends chills down my spine.
That being said,” Muller added. “Please be careful.”
This statement was released by Muller on Wednesday afternoon to the media about why the
NSS-CDS acquired the property and is active in conserving it:
“The National Speleological Society purchased the site because it is a unique geological feature. Mill creek goes underground (What is called a swallet) and meets up with a big aquifer and forms a three-way intersection. There are outstanding formations in that system that are nowhere else in the world. It is also a stronghold for several species of cave-adapted creatures that are already critically imperiled and are in danger from the recently increased runoff.
The National Speleological Society only allows diving for scientific purposes because the ecosystem is just too fragile. The recent developments already
completed, TK basin overflow, the widening of the highway, and recent construction have only exacerbated the impacts to the ecosystem. The National Speleological Society maintains there is no responsible way to develop on top of that aquifer.
The first zoning decision contained no reference to any significant geological structures. In my opinion the current city council still maintains that they are completely unaware of any cave system there. Despite all the testimony from the hearings ten years ago (the last time development was attempted here), the Dye trace study done in 2006 that they received. The fact that we check in with the Alachua City police before every research dive at the site. During the current round of zoning meetings, the City council was presented cave maps showing the path of the aquifer. The NSS is left with no choice but legal action, and will soon be welcoming other national conservation groups to the struggle.”
# # #Email scook@
alachuatoday.com
DISPUTEContinued from page A5
NSS says it will protect its property
S. COOK/Alachua County TodayNewberry Commissioner Jason McGehee started a discussion about the lawsuits filed against the City of Alachua by the County during a meeting on June 22.