Our Board would like to send a heartfelt thanks to our members Sarah, Maryann and Jacob who attended last night’s Clay County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Although the Commissioners voted to enact their Ordinance, which included a doubling of the residency restriction, Halloween restrictions and a fee for any registrations, the reality is by them showing up to the meeting we accomplished a lot!
First, it put on the record (these meetings are recorded and are public record) the commission’s motivation for passing this amended ordinance, including the unbelievable misinformation that went into it’s passage. It also put on record that there was opposition to it’s passage. Had nobody showed up to present an opposing point of view there would have been no discussion on the topic and none of this would have been documented. Although all this seems useless when it came to dissuading the commission, it will become very useful in litigation.
Second, it educated the commission – as we told Sarah, trying to stop this ordinance this late in the game is like trying to stop a fast moving train. This thing was going to pass regardless. What Sarah and Maryann did was plant a seed in the commission’s mind that maybe this wasn’t the right thing to do. That seed can continue to be nurtured by remaining in contact with the commissioners and continuing to share information.
Finally, Sarah and Maryann proved to themselves and to others that they are strong and capable enough to show up and speak out. The strides that Sarah has made (with respect to courage and knowledge) during the past few months have been incredible. Imagine how strong our movement could be if we all were as brave and dedicated as Sarah and Maryann (and Jacob for supporting).
So what next? FAC will send a “shame on you” letter to the Commission, which may or may not be read and the ordinance goes into the pile of ill-informed, ineffective and punitive laws that were passed without any insight into the scientific research. That pile will be used by the attorney in the Ex Post Facto Plus challenge. One day, after Clay realizes the unintended consequences of their ordinance or in the face of a lawsuit, they may roll it back.
We’ve also learned. We learned how important it is to be proactive and set up teams in each county to monitor the legislation and start advocating against bad laws early on so we don’t show up after it’s pretty much already decided on. If you are not active, call membership to find out who your county or regional coordinator is and become active NOW! No excuses!
Most importantly, we learned that we have rock star advocates who know their stuff better then the Sheriff’s office or the County Attorney! We all need to strive to be as brave as they were last night.
I do not know if this news story has already been posted:
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/health/kids/clay-county-law-changes-where-sexual-predators-offenders-can-live/77-011f54ed-4430-4422-ba2c-87507ca372f2
Commissioner Rollins talks about the abduction of Summer Thompson in 2019 in his TV interview, implying that this new ordinance would help. Her killer was not on the registry, so it would have done nothing to prevent what happened to her. I told that to Mr. Rollins in my email that I sent to him after the Oct. 8 meeting.
Mistake — Summer’s abduction was in 2009.
Using a dead child to pass a new law is almost always a mistake.
I wish i would have known about this i would have gone. I have not been on this website in a while. If you guys need help with anything in Clay or even duval i would love to help. I do work 5 days a week but can help when i am able.
Thank you, Walter. Before November 12, I was skeptical of what just a few people could do. I thought: what government leader is going to care about the opinions of only a handful of people? I have been surprised about the coverage of the Nov. 12 meeting and how it is always mentioned that there was opposition. I thought we would need around 50 people to draw any attention, but I found that was not true. I have posted the First Coast News video a couple of places at this website where they mention there was opposition.
The emails have been mentioned, too. So talking to politicians as well as writing to them does leave an impression. I am also finding that you do not have to say a lot — just letting them know that you are opposed to what they are doing is noticed. So if we could get a lot of people at future meetings, with registrants and family members from adjacent counties showing up and just short statements could make a big difference. The emails leave an impression, too. But all communications have to free from sarcasm or any hints of anger — let your speech be seasoned with grace, even if it is normally not that way. The politicians do not have know how some of us really talk in our everyday lives.
Can’t thank Sarah, Maryann and Jacob for what they have done! Their actions are what leads to change. My heartfelt thanks for acting!!!
I just read the letter sent by FAC to our Clay County Commissioners. I appreciate that it was written and sent so promptly. Everyone needs to read it. It is so good and helps greatly to make up for what time did not permit to be said last night at the meeting. Four of our commissioners had at least some reservations about this ordinance. This letter can only help to increase their concerns.
There are going to be other issues that will pop up over time. Hopefully, I or someone else will hear of them and be able to share it with our commissioners.
I agree completely and congratulations on being so strong. If all Registered People were like you and some others, I just wonder what the Registration harassment scheme would look like. It would be different.
But I would send them a letter like every single month. I do that where I live. And I send to many law enforcement agencies also. I want them to understand that Registries are not just something that they can put in place and then all is well. I want them to understand that because Registries exist, there is damage literally every single day. I want the Registries to be a problem for them every day. I want them to be sick of the Registries and sick of hearing about them.
In my case, I’m not being nice about it. I know a lot of people completely disagree with that stance. They say things like “you get more bees with honey”, “be respectful”, and similar. I’ve thought about that and tried that at different times. But it doesn’t work and I just can’t do it. I’m not going to be fake like they are. I’m not going to mask my real beliefs and feelings. I’m not going to respect people who don’t deserve it. I am going to wage ACTUAL war and I am going to continue to ACTUALLY harm them in ACTUAL reality. Unlike the fake protection of the Registries, all of that is occurring in reality and is going to continue.
As long as Registries exist, there will be negative consequences for the people who support them. Every day.
Amen! Well said! And thank you to all three of you. We applaud and appreciate you!! Thank you FAC for pointing out the learning moments in this.
Yes thank you to Sarah, Maryann and Jacob…..very brave of all of you.
If you speak out in county hearings, you won’t be disrespected. Not for your background, or your family situation. Even if they disagree with you. Just follow proper protocol, give respect, and you will get respect. Say what you have to say. You will have a time limit (in Clay County, just three minutes), so consider what’s most important for you to express.
And why wait for an emergency, when sex offenders are on the agenda? If you have hesitation or (like me) inexperience, you might find time to attend a county commissioner hearing before you need to, when there are other items on the agenda, just to become comfortable and familiar with the environment and protocol.
Thank you 3 for going there and speaking up and providing moral support to us all!
We must all plant those seeds that you planted in the minds of the commissioners and the public audience last night.
Most people have a conscience, and those seeds will grow.