Q: Can you give us an update on your new office hours in Ponte Vedra Beach?
A: The first day of office hours will be tomorrow, May 17. I am booked for 30-minute appointments all day at the library. We crafted these office hours to provide a convenient opportunity for citizens to meet with me. Citizens will receive the same services as if they went to St. Augustine. We plan to continue and improve the office hours with a goal of one day per month and eventually two days per month.
Q: Do you have a date for the June office hours?
A: The June date is still to be determined. Citizens can call my office or follow on social media for the announcement of the date and then call in to make an appointment.
Q: What can you tell us about the Town Hall held in mid-May in Nocatee?
A: This was very successful and well attended. We covered the state of the county with guest speakers including the sheriff and the county administrator. It served a dual purpose: to get residents in a room to be able to directly address each county office and ask their questions as well as allow the various offices to learn what residents’ concerns are. There were panel presentations and then time for questions from the audience.
Q: Do you plan to host any more of these?
A: Yes, we plan to have one in Ponte Vedra later in the summer and then one in Palencia in the fall. Our goal is to rotate these around and have them a few times a year.
We also will have a separate Town Hall in the summer in Ponte Vedra Beach on beach renourishment. Unlike the other Town Halls, which are very general, this will be specifically to discuss the beaches and inform the public as to where we are with renourishment. Guests will include county staff as well as engineers and the date is to be announced.
My goal with all of these events, such as the office hours and the Town Halls, is to be more accessible to the public so I can learn what their concerns are. Even if there are disagreements, it is important for everyone to be on the same page as far as information is concerned.
Q: Can you give us some insight into your recent appointment as executive director of the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans and how you plan to fit this into your already busy schedule?
A: The Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans is a group out of Washington, DC that wanted a military veteran to help them with their legislative priorities. I’ll be taking a leave of absence from my law firm (not handling any litigation) to take on this new position. It’s an opportunity for me to help this organization continue to improve and move to the next level and I’m excited about it. It will actually give me more time to be a county commissioner.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc4jblocker@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 679-2620.
