Local Issues
Downtown Fernandina Beach Parking Meter Proposal Faces Backlash from Residents and Business Owners
Locals say paid parking is a recycled plan that failed...
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City of Fernandina Beach Potentially Forfeiting $500,000 Annually Due to Lower Bank Interest Rates
The City of Fernandina Beach is currently receiving over 2%...
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State Scrutinizes Nassau County Finances—Is the County Being Transparent Enough?
A recent request from the Governor’s Executive Office (EOG), specifically...
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Sharp Decline in Building Permits Raises Questions About Staffing and Spending in Nassau County
Recent permitting data reveals a significant slowdown in new residential...
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East Pays, West Plays: Taxpayers East of I-95 Fund $22.86 Million Park They May Rarely Use
It would surprise many in Nassau County to know that...
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Lack of Fiscal Transparency and Oversight in Nassau County Government
Government waste, fraud, and lack of accountability have long been...
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Lack of Oversight and Wasteful Spending in the Nassau County School District
A recent presentation to the Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) highlighted...
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DOGE's plans to offload government buildings supported by former GSA official
'GSA has to rightsize its lease portfolio,' former GSA administrator tells Fox News Digital
What is GOAT? Here's what you should know about Wisconsin's DOGE-inspired efficiency committee
Wisconsin has a new Assembly committee, called GOAT. And no, that doesn't stand for Greatest of All Time.
Democrats train fire on Musk as unelected billionaire dips in popularity
Elon Musk’s recent comments on potentially cutting Social Security and other federal entitlement programs have sparked significant backlash from Democrats. During an interview with Fox
Priority Issues
There are many issues facing our community, but as your representative, I have identified several key priorities that I believe require immediate attention
01
Lack of Fiscal Transparency and Oversight in Nassau County Government
Government waste, fraud, and lack of accountability have long been concerns in Nassau County. Business owners and residents alike have faced obstacles due to a local government that mismanages taxpayer dollars, ignores inconvenient laws, and treats citizens and businesses as adversaries rather than valued stakeholders. Attempts to seek help—even from state officials—have often been met with inaction.
While Governor Ron DeSantis’ DOGE Task Force is a promising initiative to combat local government inefficiencies, Nassau County cannot afford to wait a year for state intervention. The urgent need for transparency and accountability has led to the formation of a local watchdog program: My County DOGE. This initiative will focus on exposing government waste, educating taxpayers, and advocating for reforms to ensure responsible spending.
A key issue uncovered through research is the lack of transparency in county spending. Locating detailed budget and expenditure information online is nearly impossible—something that appears to be by design. Without easy access to spending data, taxpayers remain unaware of how their money is being allocated, and government officials operate with minimal oversight.
02
Lack of Oversight and Wasteful Spending in the Nassau County School District
A recent presentation to the Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) highlighted troubling patterns of spending within the Nassau County School District (NCSD), particularly regarding the use of referendum funds and general budget allocation. Rich Lamken, a concerned citizen and advocate for fiscal accountability, raised several important points regarding the district’s budgeting practices.
One key issue discussed was the misuse of referendum funds, which, like bond funds, are intended to supplement—not replace—general fund expenses. For example, the district allocated $92,000 from referendum funds for Athletics Transportation, despite having a budget line item for this purpose in the general fund. It was suggested that if the general fund budget isn’t sufficient, it should be increased, not supplemented with referendum funds.
Additionally, concerns were raised about significant budget increases without sufficient oversight, such as when an athletics-related line item increased from $4,000 to $85,000 and another from $7,000 to $75,000, without clear justification. Furthermore, the district recently spent significant funds to renovate weight rooms that had been recently updated, raising questions about the appropriateness of these expenditures.
03
Funding and Accessibility of the Westside Regional Park
Nassau County invested $22.86 million into the Westside Regional Park, a project spanning 107.6 acres, with a construction cost estimated at $21 million. The county purchased the land in 2007 for $1.09 million, but it took 17 years to develop a viable plan for the park.
While the park is intended to serve the entire county, its location—approximately 14 miles from the 32097 (Yulee) zip code and 20 miles from Interstate 95—makes it largely inaccessible for many residents, especially those in the western parts of the county. A significant portion of Nassau County’s population, particularly in the eastern zip codes (67.6% of the county’s population), is located far from the park. The western zip codes (32011/32046/32009), which encompass 32.4% of the population, are closer to the park but still face challenges with accessibility.
Studies show that individuals living more than 10 miles away from a park are likely to use it only occasionally, if at all. This raises concerns about the park’s true value to the majority of Nassau County residents, particularly those who funded it. The reality is that while 67.6% of the county’s taxpayers will bear the brunt of the costs for this park, they will receive minimal benefits.
Become a Local DOGE Defender!
Want to stay informed and make a difference right here at home? Join our local DOGE (Defenders of Government Efficiency) group and be part of a growing movement to bring accountability, transparency, and common sense back to government. As a DOGE Defender, you’ll get updates, insider insights, and opportunities to take action in your community. Sign up below and help us make every dollar — and every decision — count.