Now I Know!

[James Kring]

To the Jack Webb campaign,         5/9/11

 

This Friday afternoon past, I was doing a citizens roadside display at the intersection of San Jose and Claire Ln.  across from Wal-Mart.

 

I was promoting the action of voting to the passersby as noted by my prominent signage stating “Voting is the Heartbeat of America,…… Check your pulse” and from my stepladder holding a wand like sign saying “Vote”.

 

One of my “Burma Shave” style signs displayed on previous days in the week read “Learn and Vote”- “You Must Try”- Or the Freedoms Left”- “Bye Bye”, again with the “Vote” wand from my elevated vantage point. I had put out my 4, 3’x5’American Flags in a row, staking my claim to this spot.

 

I am a member of the Tea Party but, because of my new political involvement and incomplete knowledge of the candidates, I made a personal decision to focus my attention and energies on bringing the need and interest for “Voting” to anyone I could in this manner.

 

Pretty innocuous most would agree.

 

The Matt Schellenberg supporters arrived later and asked if they could participate, to which I readily agreed, as long as they let me do my thing.  They were displaying signs of their making and message, as there was Jack Webb supporters ahead closer to I-295 and I believe behind as they had been in days past.

 

Pretty innocuous most would agree, everyone in their space, doing their thing, getting their message out?

 

Out of the blue arrived a Webb representative and placed himself directly in front of my position with an upheld Jack Webb sign and extras to place in front of the adjacent Schellenberg signs.

 

Of course, as he knew I would, I drew attention to his positioning and that he was blocking my message, to which he replied that it was a free country, I didn’t own the sidewalk and he could be anywhere he wished.

 

I pointed out my purpose, to which he took no heed, attention or interest, it was obvious that his intention was to disrupt, intimidate and to block my message.

 

From that point, unfortunately, I lowered myself to his level and the childish antics began.

 

Not having the physical means to defend myself I succumbed to his goading. Unpleasantness ensues and the Police were summoned.

 

To the point:

During the verbal exchanges, during which, he was joined by another Webb representative, he stated “You can’t say that, you don’t know me”!

 

Oh yes, my friend, “Yes I do”!!

 

After seven plus decades on this good earth, being raised with seven siblings by a father that instilled in us to never be intentionally mean, Navy and Coast Guard service, running construction crews, being operations manager for a large corporation and many years of dealing with the public as a small business person,……

 

“Oh, my boy, I know you” and now, by extension, your actions and your representation I know Jack Webb, his operation and his family.

 

At one point I asked for Mr. Webb’s number which I called, he answered, I explained my position and the circumstances, He apologized, saying he would take care of it and asked to speak to his person. His control and intent were obvious, they moved about 4 feet further away and held their ground.

 

Oh, make no mistake I know you and now I know the integrity of  Jack Webb, his  platform, and his followers.

 

This old gray head will be back out there on Monday and I’m certain Jack Webb, in the person of his representatives, will be standing in front of my “Get out and vote message”.

 

Forwarded with little respect!

 

James Kring

 

In addition, now that Jack Webb has brought clarity to the event, I will back Matt Schellenberg.

 I had the welcomed experience of meeting and listening to him over the weekend. I was impressed by his straight forward clarity, integrity and interest in the quality of life for the folks of Jacksonville.

 

You have my blessing Matt Schellenberg!

 

 

 

 

[J.R.]

I agree, Debbie.  I'll make a call and will ask others to do so. No one has the right to play politics with crimes related to our public elections... or any other crimes.  And, Mr. Hemmerly has no right to be protected from the consequences of his crime, no matter what county office he holds. His rights are the same as our rights. That's why we call it equal justice under the law.  No one is above the law, and if Assistant State Attorney, Dan McCarthy, doesn't understand that, he needs to find another job.

By the way, Mr. Hemmerly's job on the Planning Commission is an appointed job, not an elected one. So, complaints to the current Mayor, John Peyton, would seem to also be in order, and Hemmerly should be removed from that position, forthwith. In addition to being against the law, his actions were extremely unethical and far below what we expect of any public official.

 

[Debbie G]

@J.R.  the case has gone up to Dan McCarthy, assistant to Angela Corey, who is the one that made the "political incident" reference to the theft.  I posted the timeline, references, and phone numbers in hopes that some people would make calls to inquire why the warrant is "on hold." 

Like I mentioned previously, if this crime were committed by an average citizen the warrant most likely would not be in limbo.  This, in my opinion, is yet another example of "it's not who you know" style justice.

[Valerie Sawyer]

"Coby" and "Acer" are brands of computers. Made-up name, for sure.

[J.R.]

A crime is a crime, no matter what the motivation for the crime is, political or otherwise.  A county election is not a political game. It is a statutory requirement in which voters participate to elect honest and ethical people to represent their best interests in county government.  The right to fair and clean elections and the right to vote for our leaders is an extremely important fundamental right protected by the U.S. Constitution.

This theft in a county election involves real people and real signs that candidates paid for.  Planning Commission member Tony Hemmerly wasn't just being a good citizen and picking up trash off the street, he took and dumped many signs that Matt Schellenberg bought and paid for, the sum total of which was more than $20.00.  Theft is theft... and it is theft according to Florida law, either petty theft or grand theft.  The police officer on duty wrote it up as "grand theft" on his police report. Someone dropped the ball and failed, or "politically chose not," to question and confirm with the witness to the theft.

And, since when does the State Attorney's office have the legal right to pick and choose which people, who have violated laws, they will prosecute based on what someone in that office characterizes as "political" and, therefore, not a crime? Or, are they dithering on this crime, due to Mr. Hemmerly's being a member of the Jacksonville Planning Commission?  I do hope that decision didn't go all the way up the line to Angela Cory, State Attorney, because I voted for her and would not want to believe she made a political decision to not prosecute someone who was witnessed committing a crime.

[FCTP]

Mr. Acer:  I just checked your membership status and here are the facts.  You joined the First Coast Tea Party 1 hour ago and 1 minute after doing so - you posted your comment on our blog.  FYI - you are disbarred from membership.  It appears that was the whole purpose of you joining.  We are busy here Mr. Acer so please move along and tell Jack Webb, good try but we figured you out "that quick." 

And Mr. Acer -- you are being disbarred because of your language and the fact you only came here to make trouble.  Hopefully Mr. Webb will also lose his seat next Tuesday due to the dishonest and unethical actions of his campaign helpers and supporters who come on our website for the purpose of making snide and rude comments and stirring up trouble. We will not allow such common behaviors to distract us from our mission. 

[Debbie G]

Some interesting FACTS:

April 28th Schellenberg campaign signs are discovered missing and subsequently found dumped in a retention pond behind Bealls on San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin (did I mention the same thing happened during the primary?).  A police report is filed and it is later discovered that there was a witness to the theft, Sean Jones.  Mr. Jones filed a statement and a supplemental report is generated on the original report, which the reporting officer labels the crime as grand theft.  The officer sought an arrest warrant the next day, May 2 at the State Attorney’s office.  As of yet, nothing has been done with regards to the warrant.  If this crime were committed by any average citizen, the warrant would most likely have been issued the same day.  The State Attorney’s office is taking the stance that the do not want to get involved in what is political. 

My question to the State Attorney's office, when did THEFT begin to be categorized in criminal and “not so criminal” actions?  Interesting. . .
Below is a timeline and reference material and here are contact numbers for the State Attorney’s office 630-2400 or 630-2075 for anyone wishing to activate their citizenship and inquire why no warrant has been issued or any other relevant question.

• April 28 – a police report, #337625, is filed for theft of Schellenberg signs, 7, found in retention pond off San Jose
• May 1 – a supplement, CCR#347249, to police report is made when a witness comes forward naming Tony Hemmerly as the individual who stole the signs.  Hemmerly tells the officer he was given authority to remove signs from Sleiman Properties by Mike Herzberg.  
• May 2 – A request for an arrest warrant is sought at State Attorney’s Office
• May 5 – Schellenberg contacts lead investigator Scott Hughes.  Schellenberg asks if he has spoke to Mike Herzberg, Hughes acknowledges he has not and asks Schellenberg if he would like to speak with someone higher in authority.  Hughes then request Dan McCarthy, Chief Assistant to State Attorney Angela Corey, to contact Schellenberg.  McCarthy, who had yet to have read the police report seeking the warrant, contacts Schellenberg.  McCarthy indicated he would get back to Schellenberg on this matter.
• May 10 – Schellenberg  contacted Mr. McCarthy seeking status of warrant.  McCarthy stated that on May 5th he had directed his lawyers to look into the matter and they were going to have a status today.
• May 12 – Schellenberg  yet to hear back from State Attorney’s office, calls to inquire what the status of the warrant is and is told the warrant is going nowhere.
  

[JL Gawlik]

What is so interesting, i have heard from people outside this group being harassed with obscene language, comments and jesters from Jack Webb and his comrades and supporters. Fortunately they are spreading the word of his unprofessional actions. Many people are changing their votes. So Mr. Acer, you obviously do not know what you are even talking about. WHY don't you go on a corner and wave a Matt Shellenberg sign for a day or two before the elections and come back and give us a report on how wonderful you were treated by Jack Webb and his comrades? Perhaps you need to take your own advise you gave James?

[FCTP]

Mr. Acer:  These fine people who stood up and spoke out against this type of behavior have "more pairs" than anyone else on the other side.  It takes courage to speak out against thugs. 

And watch your language kind sir.

[J.R.]

Coby Acer: Your comment is both obscene and unacceptable. James has a right to be wherever he wants to be and campaign for whomever he chooses to campaign. And it's not your concern with whom James decides to associate himself, candidates or anyone else. Further, you don't have anything of substance to support what you surmise. It appears you are the one who is less than honest and it is also apparent you have come on this website to agitate and cause trouble, just as some other trolls have done. And, your foul language speaks to your lack of character and ethics.
And, NO, the police don't have anything better to do than enforce the law, which is exactly what they were asked to do in this case. You need to clean up your own act, before you start criticizing others. You can start with washing your mouth out with soap.

[Debbie G]

@Coby,

See what you want or say what you will, but until you experience the hostile and entitlement interactions personally from Webb's campaign supporters and his family it is a moot point.