Q: How are the first few months of your term as a county commissioner going?
A: I think very well. I’m comfortable at the Board of County Commissioner meetings. I’m trying to be honest and listen to my constituents and represent their thoughts and views. I’m getting used to the rhythm of having problems directed to me by constituents and helping to solve them with my team. I prefer this word to “staff” because we really are a team. I think most people in St. Johns County have no idea how hard the county employees work. I get calls from constituents daily and I’m pleased that we are able to get things accomplished for them.
Q: What are some ideas of things you’d like to see implemented?
A: I’m in the early stages of working on this one, but I’d like to get the idea out there. I think litter is a huge issue in our county. Everywhere I go, I see it. Fortunately there are citizens who pick up litter regularly, but this can’t go on forever and I think we need to address the root of the issue. When I was growing up, there were anti-litter campaigns and I think that would be a great place to start now.
The reason for a campaign is to draw the entire community together with the same message and rally around keeping our area beautiful.
The idea I am mulling over is to engage with the academy students in the Marketing Academy at Ponte Vedra High School. I think it would be cool to see what they come up with in terms of a marketing campaign that addresses marketing anti-litter ideas to kids, to adults, and to construction workers. This would be a real-world project that could provide real-world experience. We’d also have to plan how to distribute materials for the campaign. Maybe we could get sponsors?
I’m interested in any and all ideas about this issue. I invite people to reach out to me if they have any.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc4kjoseph@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 679-2620.
