Response to Albert “AL” Abbatiello Charges that Cyndi Stevenson Believes in The "Power of Developers” and Big Money Interests
by Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson
The unbridled growth of the past is over leaving a hole in our economy. I continue to advocate building a long term vision for our county which includes attracting good paying jobs to add to our strengths in tourism and agriculture to provide stability and local prosperity.
I continue to work on your behalf on major issues. A few accomplishments include:
Proposal to require a supermajority of the commission before adding more growth in the Comprehensive Plan or allowing high-rise buildings on the coast.
Requiring common sense water conservation for new construction
Holding the line on costly urban sprawl
Obtaining State funding of the 9B extension to US 1
State/ local funding for safety improvements at I-95/CR 210
Protecting essential right of way for our regional road network.
Securing critical hurricane evacuation route from Silverleaf DRI
Securing funding plan for construction of 7 miles of County Road 2209
With the support of fellow commissioners and public private partnerships, we have built new parks, fire stations and expanded our local road network.
Regarding my opponent's allegations, it is important for you to know that he can say almost anything about me to discredit my service to this county.
Al alleges I do not represent you, the citizens of St. Johns County. That is false . There are many people who support me-because they care about our county and believe in my stewardship.
My largest financial supporter in both campaigns has been my family. We are not developers-nor are most of my friends and supporters.
In 2008, I have raised $39,000 from 260 contributors. The average donation is $150. My supporters include 80 contributors under $100 and reflect a broad base of support. Contribution details are posted at sjcvotes.us.
My opponent chooses to characterize most of them as "developers" and 'Big Money interest'.
He alleges that county and state bailed out Twin Creeks of their obligations. That is false . Twin Creeks still has the same transportation requirements that must be met before they build.
He states I approved 400 comprehensive plan changes since November 2004. That is false . ONLY 130 have been approved since January 2000!
He indicates that I am responsible for 1/3 to 1/2 of approved but unbuilt homes in St. Johns County. That is false. Most of the projects he refers to were fully vested long before my election and in full compliance with our laws.
He says that I called for a moratorium on 210 and 95 as a campaign stunt. That is false. By calling for the moratorium to protect CR 210 & 95 I stopped the board from lowering the bar on transportation requirements.
In fact, most vested dwelling units in St. Johns County are in projects that are required to make major contributions to infrastructures including roads, schools, parks and fire stations. These projects include industrial and commercial sites as well.
We face real funding challenges to catch up on infrastructure for the tens of thousands of homes already built. Funding state and regional roads is too big for our county or new development to shoulder alone.
I pledge to Focus on the Future of St. Johns County and work with all people for our success. In these turbulent times, experience matters. It will take cooperation, civility and respect to get the best for our county.
I continue to research issues and make decisions based on hard facts and the law, and be conservative with your tax dollars. I am asking for your vote on August 26 th . Cyndi Stevenson, St. Johns County Commissioner District 1.
Cyndi Stevenson
Cyndi Stevenson Believes in The "Power of developers”
and Big Money Interests
by Albert “AL” Abbatiello
Whether or not the general public accepts the "fantasy" of Cyndi Stevenson's statements justifying her record in the August 3 rd Record is still to be determined.
The basic fact people need to know is Ms. Stevenson was elected in 2004 with more than $109,000 in campaign funds - primarily from developers and development interests. Big money! This is fact. 2008 is no different than 2004 regarding who leads in the big money chase , just read Peter Guinta's report in the July 27 th Record. The difference is contributors are listed as individuals not corporations.
Being a good commissioner means saying no when developer projects are not in the best interests of citizens and taxpayers. Ben Rich says NO to bad projects, Commissioner Stevenson says YES. Ben believes in "power of the people", Stevenson in "power of developers" and big money interests.
Stevenson talks about twice seeking moratorium on growth around I-95/CR210. Operative word is "seeking "as compared to what should have been done. The Moratorium didn't happen because it couldn't and she knew it. This was a blatant attempt at headline making to fool the public in an election year. The truth is, she encouraged development in the area and we now reap the benefit of traffic congestion and safety hazards for years to come.
She says moratorium requests were intended to "force a plan" to solve traffic problems BUT where's the plan. The temporary fix of the on/off ramps at I-95/CR210 was the responsibility of Twin Creeks developers - they couldn't/can't do it and now St. Johns County must build it. This isn't a plan, it's a bailout and you're paying for it - $14 million.
Control of this county was and is the primary interest of Big Money. "Buying" votes of county commissioners is the easiest way to achieve control. Please remember her prompt votes for 44 of 47 new developments and many land use changes after being elected in 2004.
This County has no long range strategic plan for intelligent growth while absorbing 60,000+ homes, prevent road grid-lock, create jobs, or ensure hurricane evacuation routes that actually let us evacuate safely. Remember Floyd in 1998? Since then all we've done is add thousands of houses BUT no additional interstate access. Ms. Stevenson had four years to provide solutions but none are evident. Where's the plan? Where's the action?
The Silverleaf development of 10,700 homes is cited as solving urgently needed road construction, specifically CR 2209. Fact is - FDOT/U.S. mandated this road be built to relieve traffic on I-95 when the county approved the Belz shopping Center at S.R. 16/I-95.
CR2209 was originally designed as limited access road BUT is now a local access road for Silverleaf and other traffic. Ms. Stevenson originally voted to approve Silverleaf dumping traffic onto both CR210 and World Golf Parkway until FDOT insisted on an interchange for I-95 access midway between two highly congested intersections. A plan to accommodate Big Money?
Talk is cheap. Action is doing. What has she done?
Poor decisions are Stevenson's legacy, urban sprawl/ leapfrog development on Trout Creek along SR13 Scenic Highway with 13 units per acre sets a horrible precedent for rural land use, Stratton Blvd where 500+ housing units approved creating flooding and congestion problems for long time residents of an existing neighborhood is another, then remember the Fire MSBU and her yes vote then blaming staff and others for her poor decision.
Opposition to Rivertown is untrue - Stevenson supported this development at public hearings before being elected, Mariposa (in Putnam County) was not a decision for St. Johns County, Elkton was never a development request in front of the BCC - it was a request for Board consensus and none was given. Big difference!
Ashford Mills was passed by the Board of Jim Bryant, Bruce Mcguire, Karen Stern despite a no vote from Commissioner Stevenson yet exactly two weeks later she approved Silverleaf. Who is kidding who?
Cyndi Stevenson - Yes Votes for Development
Date Ordinance Development
11-17-04 2004-109 Payasda Estates
11-17-04 2004-110 Mission Trace
1-12-05 2005-03 Woodlake PUD
2-23-05 2005-14 Kings Trace
3-9-05 2005-21 Playa Rive
3-23-05 2005-31 Sunshine 13 PUD
3-23-05 2005-32 Sunshine 16 PUD
3-23-05 2005-33 Liberty Park PUD
4-6-05 2005-36 River Plantation PRD
4-6-05 2005-37 Grey Fox Farms PRD
4-20-05 2005-39 Ashton Oaks PRD
5-18-05 2005-39 Summer Point PUD
7-26-05 2005-65 Stratton Blvd.
7-26-05 2005-66 Sebastian Cove
7-26-05 2005-05 Villa Sovana
8-9-05 2005-71 Westchester PRD
8-9-05 2005-72 Southshore Plaza PUD
8-23-05 2005-74 Villages of Valencia
9-6-05 2005-79 Grafft's Landing PUD
9-6-05 2005-83 Honey Branch Estates PRD
9-6-05 2005-84 Wildwood Plantation PUD
10-04-05 2005-90 Old Moultrie Village PUD
11-9-05 205-103 SR312 PUD
11-9-05 2005-104 Mill Creek Landing PUD
11-15-05 2005-108 Palencia North
11-15-05 2005-109 Las Calinas
1-15-05 2005-110 Roehrs Road Condo
11-15-05 2005-111 Grand Ravine PUD
1-10-06 DRI2004-01 Twin Creeks
1-24-06 2006-9 Timberwood PUD
2-8-06 2006-13 Gateway to St. Johns
2-8-06 2006-14 Johns Creek Phase II
2-21-06 2006-18 Bartram Farms
3-26-06 D.O. 2006-01 Silverleaf Plantation
5-2-06 2006-44 TMI-Rollinghills
5-2-06 2006-45 County Rd. 214 PRD
8-8-06 2006-92 Morgan's Cove
8-22-06 2006-102 Bartram Park PUD
9-5-06 2006-106 Ashton Down PRD
9-5-06 2006-104 Marsh Harbor PRD
9-19-06 2006-108 Old Moultrie Bluff
9-19-06 2006-109 Ashley Oaks PUD
9-26-06 2006-112 Westwind
10-31-06 2006-128 Stonebridge Oaks
10-31-06 2006-129 Westgate Crossing
11-01-05 Comp. Plan & Pacetti Marina Condo
FLUM Amend. 224/52' High
Approved Incentive Package for LeNature Water Bottling Plant
11-14-06 2006-136 Floridian @ St. Augustine
11-14-06 2006-137 Oldfield Forest
Total Units Approved 23,595
Supported Vocally Before Election
Aberdeen DRI 2018 Units Approved
Durbin Crossing DRI 2498 Units Approved
Rivertown DRI 4500 Units Approved
Total Units 9016
Total Units Approved or supported = 32,611
We are being taxed out of our homes
We are being taxed out of our homes; this is the number one complaint we receive from viewers. It would seem we are being taxed out of our homes. First this must be stopped.
That will take telling the St. Johns County Commission we are mad as hell and not going to take this any more. We must call, write letters, email, petition, speak at county board meetings, and tell friends, neighbors, and family members about this problem. We can do something to stop this nightmare. We must become organized and united to stop being taxed out of our homes. Second, we must look at what caused this nightmare.
We are told because of Amendment 1 the county must dramatically increase our taxes to pay the fire department. This is a load of rubbish. Amendment 1 increased the homestead exemption savings on average about $200 per homestead exempted home. Remember, not all homes are homesteaded. Now the fire department says because of Amendment 1, we must raise taxes to make up the loss tax revenue - not just homesteaded land, all land.
The average increase is nearly $300 per home and $1000's for businesses. Simple math will tell you this is crazy. The tax increase is far greater than the tax relief Amendment 1 has removed from the tax roll. Amendment 1 has turned into the excuse of the day to raid taxpayers' wallets. Here's the real cause of why we are being taxed out of homes: elected county commissioners, backed by developers, approved a mountain of developments without having the developments pay for new fire stations, police, roads, and schools needed to serve the new developments. The cost was passed on to the residents of St. Johns County, instead of the developments paying their own way. This is why we are being taxed out of our homes. It is an outrage that the residents of St. Johns County have been stuck with the bill, so developers can get rich at our expense.
One only needs to check the voting record and campaign donations to find the guilty parties. In the last election, Bruce McGuire and Karen Stern were voted out for green-lighting development which created this mess. In case you forgot, the County Commission votes used to come down 4-1. The other two that voted with McGuire and Stern, Jim Bryant and Cyndi Stevenson, have also paved the way for this mess. On the current board, Commissioner Ben Rich was the lone voice of reason trying to prevent this disaster. Thankfully, in the last election, Tom Manuel and Ron Sanchez won and the votes changed, 3-2 putting an end to residents subsiding development at the taxpayers expense. Three commission seats are currently up for election.
We must ask ourselves, do we really want to elect someone backed by developers? Or even worse, elect a developer? Cyndi Stevenson's voting record is history. You can't change the past, it's a fact. No amount of warm and fuzzy words can change her support by and for developers and the shadowing secret society called the Issues Group . Randy Brunson is a developer and served on the Airport Authority Board that used imminent domain to take residents' homes. Is this the leadership we need for St. Johns County?
Commissioner Ben Rich has led the way exposing the shenanigans of these groups. As well, he has consistently voted in the best interest of the people of St. Johns County. On August 26 the County Commission seat will be decided. If you wan to put an end to being taxed out of your home, your choices are clear.
Frederick St. John
