By Eddie Fleming | October 30, 2014 | EddieFleming.com
On October 29, 2014, Randy Brunson’s son-in-law, Cory “Duke” Mara placed a paid political ad in The Historic City News providing his plan to run the AMCD and its Board of Commissioners, if he is ever elected.
MARA HAS NO PLAN
The problem is…MARA HAS NO PLAN, at least not an effective professional plan to serve the citizens of St. Johns County and the employees of AMCD.
In this writer’s opinion, Duke is still confused, as he so aptly stated at the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at the St. Johns County Administration Auditorium.
Let’s clear up a few of Mara’s misconceptions.
Mara: I will use my Bachelors in public administration degree, my experience in policy, public budgeting and finance, and planning to help the Mosquito Control District.
TRUTH: Mara has no experience in policy, public budgeting and finance. He has never been a supervisor or manager. He is a map maker. A degree does not make you an expert.
Mara: I will use my experience in working for St. John’s County.
TRUTH: Mara was terminated by St. Johns County on November 10, 2009.
Mara: Let’s bridge the relationship between the “independent district” with other government municipalities in SJC.
TRUTH: Mara’s plan is to join forces with Michael Wanchick and the SJC County Commissioners to take over AMCD and grab their reserve and contingency funds. Please see the following warning sent to St. Johns County residents, concerning a takeover by a county commission and its dangers. This warning was written by Stephen Murray-Smith, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District and Chairman, Commissioners Caucus, Florida Mosquito Control Association.
Click on the following link to read Mr. Smith’s warning.
https://eddiefleming.com/2014/10/mosquito-expert-sends-warning-to-st-augustine/
Mara: Let’s rebrand the Anastasia Mosquito control something that serves all of St. John’s County.
TRUTH: Cory means change the name. This will cost the tax payers in excess of $776,000, depending on legal, accounting, legislative and other professional fees to change the ID of a government agency which is internationally known and recognized for its outstanding research, development and operations in controlling mosquitoes. Do not forget the painting and stenciling of all vehicles and equipment; printing of all documents and correspondence; design of new website; rewriting of all contracts, health plans, retirement plans; plus other changes too numerous to mention.
Mara: Let’s commit to doing something productive with the surplus property on Anastasia Island including the Ron Parker expansion or public beach parking. Let’s give this property back to you -the tax payers.
TRUTH: The following Florida Statute prohibits a county or district governmental unit from giving away public land: Title XVIII, PUBLIC LANDS AND PROPERTY, Chapter 274, Tangible Personal Property Owned By Local Governments. The land must be sold, for fair market value, only to the highest responsible bidder, or by public auction.
Mara: Let’s get grants from corporations the federal government and state government and lift this tax burden off of us locals.
TRUTH: Corporations, in the mosquito control research and development and manufacturing business, donated $159,000.00 to AMCD during the 2013-2014 budget year. AMCD, because of the size of the budget and the 622 square mile service area of St. Johns County, is not eligible to receive state or federal grants. Due to the economy, the state and federal grants, as in the past, have stopped, except for new start up mosquito control districts in Florida. All grants go to the universities.
Mara: Let’s do away with AMCD board members voting by proxy. Board members should attend meetings in person.
TRUTH: Since AMCD’s inception in 1948 there is no record of voting by proxy.
Mara: Let’s treat our hard working Anastasia Mosquito Control Employees with dignity and respect.
TRUTH: Cory Mara has treated both the AMCD Board of Commissioners, its Director and employees in a disrespectful, rude, insolent and brazen manner. He has continually made multiple request for information, records, personal and AMCD telephone bills plus personal and AMCD emails under the Florida Sunshine Law. It was reported that Mara used private email addresses, he obtained by his request to AMCD, to send personal campaign literature. Mara’s actions totally disrupted AMCD operations on a daily basis for weeks. Reportedly, Mara has made false allegations concerning mosquito problems in the Palencia and North St. Johns County area. Residents have also reported Mara’s misrepresentation of the professional tasks and responsibilities of AMCD.
Cory “Duke” Mara, Brunsons’ son-in-law, does not have what it takes.