What I've accomplished for you, the residents of St. Johns County, since I was elected in 2022:

My first promise to you was to restore public comments for non-agenda items to be first order of business – at the beginning of BOCC meetings — so that residents would have a greater voice in their government. Before that, some would sit for hours waiting to speak, and many would not even try to be heard. Now, we have many more residents commenting, and they can say what needs to be said, and get back to work and back to their day quickly.

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I successfully advocated to cut property taxes while Chair of the BCC with a unanimous 5-0 vote.  You will experience that on your next tax bill.

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Great news for St. Johns County commuters and families — the long-awaited International Golf Parkway and I-95 interchange (ramp) is now fully funded to begin the first stage of construction, and I worked with Representative Kendall and Congressman Rutherford to help make that happen. I fought hard to improve a dangerous section of freeway referred to as the crash/death mile.

Last year, I was able to secure $2 million in state funding for the first phase of this project. Just recently, the remaining $18 million needed for construction was secured. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2027/2028, and once completed, this new interchange will significantly improve traffic flow in one of the most congested areas of our county. It’s expected to shorten travel times and improve emergency response.

 

While I was chair, a new comprehensive plan was approved 5-0 and delivered on time.  That was a major accomplishment. The comprehensive plan is the blueprint for our county’s growth, and my goals  were to hold development boundaries and keep density down. This was the result of a lengthy process involving many town halls and significant input from residents.  This is in addition to my town halls in my own district. 

While Chair, I advanced clearcutting and tree protections, winning approvals on three of a total  of 14  points that I fought for for two years.  This is the first time in 20 years that advances were made on tree protections. We made changes to the land development code, and I will work hard for the remainder of those protections with the new board. Due to the developer-funded majority on the board stifling tree protections, there’s still much work to do!

 

I voted to deny a 670,000 sq. ft. industrial park located on rural and residential land, in the middle of a residentially zoned neighborhood.  That was a 5-0 vote, and I was proud of the rare unanimous vote to stop development that’s wrong for our county. (That's equivalent to seven Super Target stores.)
 

I voted to deny a 297-townhome project that would have added traffic to overcapacity road at 210 and Moon Bay which is at 158% capacity. Unfortunately, I did not win that vote, and the three developer-funded commissioners put townhomes where they don’t belong. The developer threatened a Live Local project, but there was zero compromise, and I believe a precedent was set for more such threats. Other Florida counties have fought Live Local – we need to do the same to protect our county and our safety.  This is why we need a majority on our BOCC, to hold the line.

I worked to hold developers accountable for road improvements at Beachwalk and World Golf Commerce. (Beachwalk and World Golf Commerce), and they finally came through on what they owed us.

In the planning of brand new North Beach Park at the A1A walkover, I advocated to NOT clearcut the entire site.  The community reached out to me and explained how integral the trees were to the children's use of the park. So the entire park was redesigned because I stood up for the neighborhood, and now we have a playground, parking and beautiful trees. 
 

Further south in Vilano, I worked with Commissioner Ann Taylor to create a new beach entry with a trail, bathrooms, parking  and a crosswalk. Beautiful marsh views can be seen from the top of the trail.
 
I successfully advocated  for a 10,000 sq. ft library in Nocatee that was not  originally included in the Parks bond. That was a high priority for Nocatee residents.  I fought for it, and that project is in the beginning stage right now.

I voted to approve four new parks and fire stations. The parks will include ball fields for a variety of sports so that no child in St. Johns County will be without a place to play his or her favorite sports.  More fire stations not only increase response to emergencies, but will lower your insurance rates.
 

I also voted to approved raises for first responders and updated equipment including state-of-the-art fire/rescue trucks.  Keeping you safe, and ensuring that our first responders have the resources they need to perform their jobs has been a top priority of mine. 
 

In my own district, I strongly promoted and voted to approve upgrades and privatizing of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and the St. Augustine Amphitheater to help bring even more world class performers to our county. The Concert Hall was one of four worldwide locations named best sound instllation.  Our Amphitheater was voted the top outdoor concert venue in the U.S. 
 

Also in my district, I advocated to save 600 acres of Guana (GTM-NERR) from probable development by an unknown developer trying to trade low quality land for a right to build on our treasured, protected Reserve. An intense 5-day campaign, coordinating state Reps and Press to push back and save the property for the citizens of SJC and Ponte Vedra Beach where the acreage was in jeopardy, culminated in success. Similarly, I advocated to protect Anastasia Park from being developed with pickleball courts and a golf course.

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I successfully advocated to obtained millions in state and federal grants for Ponte Vedra Beach’s first true beach renourishment, accomplished with dredging and not just trucked in sand. We did this without the Ponte Vedra Taxing authority being required to raise the millage rate.

Working with diligent citizen advocates, I spearheaded the effort to finish the Palm Valley sidewalk for connectivity and safety throughout the Ponte Vedra Beach Corridor.

Responding to residents, I worked with our building department to save 20 mature trees on Mickler Rd. that were either marked for removal or would be at risk of death from construction impacts. The project was scaled back with no compromise to traffic needs, and thousands of residents who travel to the beach enjoy their shade and beauty every day.

 

I helped develop solutions for Mickler Beach parking without any clear-cutting on Ponte Vedra Blvd.  First, we redesigned the parking lot with more spaces, and then we worked with two private commercial businesses to provide extra parking, and included shuttles for peak days.

I worked closely with Public Works to ensure that the new Mickler/A1A intersection was completed. The result is traffic moving much more efficiently at rush hour.

I advocated for new bathrooms, showers and dressing rooms at Mickler Beach, and they were completed in record with little disruption  to beachgoers.

I voted to not allow data centers in St. Johns County which failed 3-2, but then a second vote resulted in staff research for a one year moratorium.