I'll BET that Bill Gause wants to make developement a priority in Green Cove Springs..He bought a BUNCH of property on hwy. 17 and has a VESTED interest in getting elected as he will stand to PROFIT from the influence that he will garber in that position..Also .Give me a BREAK..Lower the electricty rates? How are oyugoing to do that Bill? That is the SAME platform that you ran on last time..Did it work for you then? Also you HAVE to remember that the City is locked into a contract with FMPA for the next 27 years or so..How u gonna lower the rates when you are under contract? Disperse the police department so you do not have that overhead to pay through the budget?..Where are the "positive comments" from Snow..All he can do is try to raise questions about Debbie Ricks..Pretty weak if you ask me.

YUP..I think you are a certan person that works for "garber". read your last entry. Better watch out people will be out to get you!

oops! look at the keyboard. b and n are right next to each other..it is called a "fat finger" dude. I wish I knew who you are talking about so I can apologize to him or her BEFORE they gets into any trouble!

why else would you run for gcs unless you had some investment interests. good ol florida. what's a few more strip malls and sign wars.

Nope guys I did not make the above comments! After the last "go around" that I had with the "good 'Ole boys" of Green Cove..You know the threatening phone calls 18 onths ago when I was going to run against Ron Snow AND that whole job loss thing before that,I do NOT engage in any politics at work! Lesson learned! I DO However plan on having a few things to say to those that ask me! No Worries anyway, IF someone trys to say that I am that YUP person, I was picking up my daughter from Green Cove Middle at the time of the posting..SO I am covered in that respect!

Yup it is still me, now that I am home I have a few questions! How is Bill Gause going to lower the electric rates? Raise the Property taxes? IF he gets elected is he going to recuse himself from issues that pertain to development of his properties on Highway 17? According to his statements in the above article it sounds like he will not. Are we going to trust that there will be no "back door" politics going on in the Elks Club? (not that I trust them now) Just a few questions More! Are the Citizens of Green cove Springs going to allow property owners AND the Reality industry take over City Council? We already have one "foreclosure" expert on the council who owns plenty of property in the City and a business owner. Besides..HOW MANY people do we really need on the Council that live in Magnolia Pointe? The mayor and Mike kelter are 2 out of 5 that do not.

I have a question for Ron Snow! The Florida Sunshine laws dictate that Council members cannot meet, other than a casual encounter,(see each other at the grocery story etc)Correct? Well if that is so why were you seen with Mike Kelter in front of the Clay Theater last night talking? YOU BOTH were obviously on the "campaign trail" isn't that a violation of the Sunshine laws? Just asking!

A vote for Ron Snow is a vote for Bill Gause. Bill Gause and Steve Duval have been meeting to fire Don Bowles for months. Guess who nominated Bill Gause and Steve Duval to the Charter Review Committee aka The Fire Don Bowles Committee....Mr. Ron Snow who CLAIMS to be his own man. I don't think so. If those two get elected Don's head will be on the chopping block. Our taxes will go through the roof. Bill Gause is claiming to do all kinds of things if elected. Do you want to put your faith in a man that has spent most of his time trying to fire an honorable, hard working man like Don Bowles? Do you want to entrust your money to a man who hangs out with men that are vindictive and and disgruntles? Bill Gause and Ron Snow spend their time with Steve Duval, Bob Gamble (fired from the city of Green Cove Springs), John Buchanan ( on record for trying to fire Don Bowles) and Mike Kelter who regularly runs Don down publicly. Are these the kind of men we want in our govenment? I have higher expectations for my city than these two men!

In 2005, with the leadership of Mayor Bob Page, “Tomorrow’s Vision,” (TV) a comprehensive 20 year citizen developed plan for Green Cove Springs was set in motion. In 2006 Mayor Debbie Ricks keep the TV on the City Council agenda. In 2007, Buchanan, set the Destroy City Manager Don Bowles plan in motion. Kelter, followed suit in 2008 --- we get bad governemnt. My support goes to -- good government ---leaders who will return to the TV. That is very clear -- Bob Page zzz Debbie Ricks… Oh… Vote NO on all of the Amendments too.

It is VERY apparent when the City of Green Cove Springs got "off track" and that is when the fireworks started with Don Bowles. In 2007 the "battle" started with Don Bowles, Bob Page, Debbie Ricks and a WHOLE bunch of citizens on one side and Mike Kelter, John Buchanan, Bob Gamble, Steve Duval and Bill Gause on the other side. That is about the same time that Council meetings get obnoxiously long because of the fact that just about every decision that Don Bowles made was being scrutinized by the "Gause and friends" "team". How many times was Don Bowles investigated pertaining to his residence, his management of City Projects and the like? I know for one I am sick and tired of the same old rhetoric from the Let's get Don Bowles people. The city needs to move forward WITHOUT all of the political posturing! The City Council needs to let the City Manager and the City employees take care of the city! The City Council, BY CHARTER is a policy setting council PERIOD! NOT the meddling council!

Why do I frequently see Mr. Gause at the Clay County School Board Department of Transportation? What could the conversations be between Ms. Hampshire, a sitting council member, and Mr. Gause? Is the sun shining here?

Apple, Bill Gause is not a council member yet so that rule does not apply to him as far as contact between him and city council members.. However it is very interesting that SEVERAL members of the City Council are members of the ELKS lodge in Green Cove Springs and no one has really brought that issue up. Additionally, I know that I have seen 2 other council members "talking" over a fence on the side of a street in Green Cove so they (council members) do not seem to respect the Sunshine laws very much. Just my opinion..I COULD be mistaken..

Top of the day to you Joe and others... As for "Sunshine Laws" (your post above) Bill Gause is on the PzzzZ, he is subject to the Sunshine, just as the CRC was too.

That is the Planning and Zoning Board FYI the "and-sign" does not work in this blog

Hey Art! Have you talked to IRHunt lately? Just wondering how he feels about this issue.

Does anyone else find all these 5-5:30 p.m. "workshops" strange? Why would the council keep holding meetings that could add $48.00 to every $100.00 on your top line electric bill at times when normal working people can't attend then complain that they don't get any feedback? On the same line, why was Bowles' contract pulled from the council agenda and moved to a 5pm workshop on Friday afternoon on Presidents day weekend when the city hall was closed both then and Monday ?Seems like council members were surprised that citizens showed up for the meeting! Did they think word wouldn't get out about it? Was that their plan? Have you heard ther is another meeting on Bowles'contract 3-16-10 again in the afternoon. There is also a meeting on the Reynold's family project at 5:30pm 3-15-10 that could effect the citizens for the next 30 years that's how long the bonds would be for the 30 million dollar electrical expansion that the reynold's family seems to think that the citizen's should pay for them. Are there things in the works that normal citizens aren't privvy to as to why there is such a hurry to bring this to a vote before the election? why did Buchannan and Kelter try to hold a vote on it in November? Why did Buchanan say 4 times in 1 January meeting that they needed to vote on it before the election? When the Reynold's family lawyer was down here, why did Kelter spend the day after he spoke at the council meeting with him out at Reynold's Park? What was being discussed that couldn't be said in an open council meeting? What aren't the citizens being told this time ? We all know that the Reynold's family has done nothing good for the city in 40 years, so what are they promising people now to get the people of Green Cove to pay for more upgrades to benefit a single family on the backs of every other person in town?

GCSNative: Great questions and good points. I hope folks will connect the dollars -- I mean dots. As for Clays question – good question -- perhaps Mr.Ira Hunt crossed over to the happy political hunting grounds.

I had not heard about Mr. Hunt's passing, and hope that is not the case.

Good day Clay and GCSNative… It’s Spring time, newness is in the air, perhaps the rumors of Mr. Hunt’s demise are premature -- after all I must say -- I did not see an obituary.

If you don't have any other reason to vote for or against a person, watch who they are hanging out with, who they spend time with. That tells you all you really have to know, without even asking where they stand on the issues. That will give you a solid impression of their agenda and the bigger picture. You don't even need to ask how they stand on issues, do you.

its like two kindergartner classes fighting the way people in Green Cove are so divided. I like Don Bowles but I promise you, no one person is so good that a city should be this divided. He is but one man. He has not been following the rules, he has not been spending my tax dollars as directed. I know he cares about the City but he also cares about doing things HIS way - strong arming people who want to operate business in our city. I'm not in any hurry to see a new City Manager I just want our current manger to be held more accountable. I am very tired of everything being about Don Bowles in this City - this City is more than Don Bowles, this City is about we who live here and we all need to get focused back on us.

To embarrassed: Although this election is certainly not about one man, it has been made partly ABOUT Don Bowles by the very people who have been out to get him for a long time now; they've made it no secret. They have pointed the finger at him, specifically, as a target. They obviously have a vested interest in getting rid of him and getting someone more to their liking, someone who will be their puppet. In other words, they want control of this city. And it's all in the name of money, connections and power.

I drive through downtown GCS and truly marvel at the lack of vision and leadership. You have potential for a great business village, but you choose to bicker over issues that stifle business and revenue growth. Look at the downtown area...truly a turn-off for encouraging commerce. Why should I invest in a Town that doesn't provide capital improvements to solicit commerce growth? As with the National health care debate, maybe its time to clean house for accountability.

Does anyone know WHY the Minutes of Green Cove Springs City Council Meetings was updated to read "under construction", and has remained that way for practically the entire month??? Prior to the 'under construction' the Meeting Minutes had not been updated since February 2008. Regarding the Don Bowles matter: I truly like the man, but I do have a problem that he has NOT followed the rules. He has not been spent our tax dollars as directed. I know he cares about GCS but he continues to do things his way. I would rather our Council create an accountability policy for the City Manager that we can all agree than agree to the current Charter Amendments.

I think the entire council could use a course in ethics training and the requirements of the Sunshine Law. I'm tired of the vested interests having unfettered (and undocumented) access to the people who are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of the city and ALL of the citizens. These 'unofficial' meetings at Ronnie's and the Elks Lodge are illegal and need to be stopped. Although I don't particularly like the way the charter review is conducted (reviewers hand-picked by council members), the opening letter in the review committee minutes to the council says it all: "It became very clear to the committee as a whole that many of the amendments would not be necessary if you, as the city council, would have performed you duties under the charter." If the people we elect would simply do their jobs, in accordance with the provisions of the charter, Green Cove Springs would be a better place already. I say 'deep-six' all of these superfluous amendments until we can get a true 'citizen review'. Elect who you think will best represent the community as a whole. Get informed! Get involved! Get out and vote! For the record, I like Don Bowles, too. I can't believe that he would intentionally do anything that would harm our community. But, like the council, he needs to play by the rules too.

There are several issues here with regards to our city's financial structure. Lets begin with our police dept expenses.It make's no since to spend millions of our taxpayer dollars for a new building,new equipment,new police vechicle's more police officers.When Rick Beasler's dept is very well trained,and very capable of responding to our calls. And have done so in the past. And there response has often been quicker than GCS.Our city manager is a great guy on a personal level,but has zero accountability to us. He doe's what he wants, when he wants. With only a couple of council member's that hold him accountable. If we want to make our city a better place to live then there must be change. And it must begin with our Leaders. To start I would like to see our city manager on a schedule. Like all our other city leader's. This 10:30 in the morning is unacceptable and very unprofessional.And if any other city employee did this they would be terminated.Let's keep him as our City Manager. But only if he want's to follow the rules. Let's also remember that people we have elected for council work hard to make our community a better place to live. They spend alot of time only to have other's point out what there doing wrong. And never thanking them for the good. So I would like to take the time now to say Thank you to all our current council members.Lets work as a team, and be make a difference. Not just tell us what you think we want to hear. For all of us that live here in Magnolia Point lets remember were all neighbors. Remeber to love your neighbor. Mr.Snow thank you for your hard work since elected and I pray that you continue your service to the city. It was unfortunate that Mrs. Ricks vacated her seat for a high paying job. Which she did not get.And I assure you that you will have most of our community votes. Mr. Page thank you for all of your time and work,however I will not be voting for you again.Your personal agenda is more important to you,than what is good for our city. Mr. Gause we welcome you, you also have almost all of our community support. We are tired of the old,and are ready for change. Not just talk,but results. God Bless our city,and prepare our leaders for the challenge's they will endevor.

I recently received my absentee ballot in the mail...what a complete shocker! These amendments seem completely contrived...asked in a manner hoping to elicit a specific response...and clearly aimed at City Manager Don Bowles. My mistake to stay out of local politics and assume that those I helped to elect would know that going about the city's business is more about fixing potholes and lowering utilities then getting into a tinkling contest with each other. Good gracious. Who put these questions on the ballot? While I may agree with the premise behind a few of them, they are put forward with such obvious malice towards one man (Bowles) I may not vote for them. To borrow GCS Citizen's words..."I drive through downtown GCS and truly marvel at the lack of vision and leadership. You have potential for a great business village, but you choose to bicker over issues that stifle business and revenue growth. Look at the downtown area...truly a turn-off for encouraging commerce"...I also want to know why we aren't dealing with these issues? The view in the heart of this town is it's worse...the one everyone travels past day after day...who would want to come here? They grab their Starbucks and keep rolling because there's not much else they are seeing but empty car lots. They don't have a clear view down Walnut Street or know about Spring Park...we have to make them aware of these things. Doesn't anyone out there have an imagination and an idea on how to remedy this? I can think of a few and I'm just Jill citizen here...what about you experts? Geez. It's time for a breather, folks. Stand down, and refocus on what is important here. The City Manager can't lead if the council won't let him and micro-manages his every move. If he is somehow incompetent (which I seriously doubt), then the City Council needs to do it's job...and that is not about pitting members of the community against each other or making shoddy public (and private) comments. I received another letter, from someone who notes, at the very end..."Rather, because I don't want our city council to end up like Washinton DC, with a lock step political group in charge that is less interested in the desires of the citizenry than those of a few "Concerned Business Owners"; business owners that might just as easily have delivered their message as white hooded horseman of a century ago, hiding themselves in a cloak of secrecy"...Are you kidding me? Don't send me this crap and trash up my mailbox again. I understand you have points on your side of the issues you'd like to make...but this is just wrong. Unbelievable. All it accomplishes is pushing me farther away from even considering whatever side of the crayola mark you're on. GCS is full of some of the most honorable, competent folks I know...next election, PLEASE run for office.

I was surprised and saddened to see that the comment I had written on the website http://www.savedon@wordpress.com. The games seem to be endless.

what was left out of my comment here was that I noticed that my comment on the savedon. site was the only one - how did the sidetracking happen so a good comment gets lost?

Don is a good man and I love him as a person, however the fact remains. If he has a contract then he knows what he can do and what he cant. Then he can do his job without being under a microscope. Council can't fire him when he is under contract and doing his job. So what is the issue? Almost every City Manager across the our country is under a contract. Trust me Don is no fool. He know how to run our city effectively but must follow the rules. Protect DON by giving him a guideline. If everyone cares about him, then you know this crap is going to kill him. Don can handle anything as long is he know what his limits are. I am for a contract to hold him accoutable. But never to terminate him.