Last week, Tom Manuel, chairman of the St. Johns Board of County Commissioners, was indicted on fraud charges and suspended from his position by Gov. Charlie Crist, leaving a hole on the board and no direct representative for Ponte Vedra.
A federal grand jury handed down the indictment Oct. 15 charging Manuel with two counts of bribery. Federal prosecutors accuse Manuel of receiving gifts in excess of $10,000 in violation of Title 16 of the U.S. Code.
Manuel took a leave of absence from the county last Friday. In a prepared statement, he said he was temporarily stepping away from his position as commissioner in the best interest of the people of the county and he maintained his innocence.
Later that afternoon, Crist issued an executive order suspending Manuel. Governor’s office spokesman Sterling Ivey said Crist will not replace Manuel.
"The seat will remain open unless [Manuel] resigns or is removed, creating a vacancy," said Ivey. "There is never a set time frame on how long a suspension is set. Unfortunately there is not an official representative for District 4. We aren’t even entertaining appointments because there isn’t a vacancy."
In 2006, Clay County Commissioner Christy Fitzgerald was suspended from office by former governor Jeb Bush after a grand jury indicted her on petit theft and official misconduct. Bush temporarily filled Fitzgerald’s position on the board, but Fitzgerald returned to office after being acquitted earlier this year. She is now serving the remainder of her term as a commissioner on the Clay County board.
Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson, who was named chairman of the St. Johns County board effective immediately after Manuel’s suspension, said the dynamic of a four person board would not be a good thing for the county in the long run.
"We are all at large commissioners," she said, speaking about the election process. "I don’t think there is any member would wouldn’t give Ponte Vedra their full attention."
The idea that a four person board will run the county indefinitely has some Ponte Vedra residents concerned as well.
Palm Valley Community Association president Marcy Silkebaken said Wednesday she thinks a person from Ponte Vedra should represent the area.
St. Johns County public affairs specialist Karen Pan said Stevenson will remain chairman until after the November elections. The county’s regular reorganization meeting is scheduled to take place Nov. 18, Pan said. After the new commissioners are sworn in, the board will choose a new chairman.
"Traditionally it’s whoever is vice chair," said Pan.
After the 2006 election the board bypassed Stevenson who was then vice chair, and elected Commissioner Ben Rich as its chairman.
October 28th 2008 - 10:41AM