$155K War Chest (and counting) for a >$40K job? Woaahhhhhh!!!!!

Sometimes a comment on social media will bring about a true "why didn't I think of that" moment.  One of the better ones for me was recently left on a post concerning Fred Hawkins who is running in 2020 for Florida HD42. 

It stated:

"Fred Hawkins has already raised $100,000+ to run for a position that pays less than $40,000 a year for 2 years.   Something tells me he's not there for the paycheck, or the public service."

The statutes call for a salary of $18,000 per year for the two year tenure of the job.  However, there are adjustments made through the Appropriations Committee. This year the average salary for House Reps was just shy of $30,000. 

Now Fred makes a pretty considerable salary ($120K+)(1) from his "Landfill Certified" career with an emphasis on Governmental Affairs.  The companies he has worked for seem to change their names frequently due to mergers and he also appears to have switched companies based on potential conflicts of interests in his role as an Osceola County elected official. Still, he seems to have no trouble finding a new position at a company that won't be doing direct business with Osceola County.  Probably great letters of reference.  We know the waste industry loves him cause he gets things done, albeit at the expense of his constituents and their health concerns.

In addition, He gets a payday as President of the Education Foundation of Osceola County.  An interesting aside....Waste Connections Inc. is a major sponsor and Benjamin Gray of JED Landfill holds a seat on the Board of Directors of the Education Foundation of Osceola County. 

Of course to avoid the appearance of impropriety when crafting the deal between Osceola County and Waste Connections to bring the AES Coal Ash from Puerto Rico to the JED landfill in Holopaw, he stated that he didn't want the Education Foundation to get the historical monetary fee for waste tonnage received from outside the county "due to his employment"(2).

Mind you, the waiver of those fees resulted in the waived fees going squarely into the pockets of Waste Connections.  I still can't wrap my head around the ethics or logic of those fee waivers.  I first asked when I spoke at the Osceola BOCC meeting on May 6, 2019 why fees were waived for the non-profits and schools and  many others have asked repeatedly since that time. Yet still no one has come up with an answer.  Then again, Osceola County management avoids the hard questions if it can't put a spin on it that makes them look good. 

When I am checking out a candidate, one of the first things I do is see who is contributing to their campaign. 

So, how can one find out just who is donating to Fred?  myflorida.com makes it simple to query the database to bring up the list.  https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/CanDetail.asp?account=74095

Step one:

Step two:

For some reason, I find it counter intuitive to believe that real estate developers, attorneys, and waste industry people are willing to back a person who will go the extra mile to strengthen environmental protections, preserve land, water, natural resources and quality of life as the current citizens want and deserve.

Looking over Fred's contributors' list, I have to say #HellNoHawkins2020

Be sure to check out the other candidates as well:  https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/candidates/CanList.asp
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(1) Form 6 2018 Full and Public Disclosure of Financial Interests, Fred Hawkins, Jr., Board Member CFX, Osceola BOCC

(2) Email reply to Loret Thatcher, 5/16/2019 11:50AM, Subject RE: New County Management is needed

#HellNoHawkins2020

Welcome to my new blog.  My name is Loret Thatcher, citizen of Osceola County, FL.  I plan on writing here and there about things that bother me about our goverment representation at the local and state level with the hopes of making good voting decisions come the 2020 election.

The deal that Commissioner Fred Hawkins, Jr. helped craft with the landfill that brought AES coal ash in from Puerto Rico was a defining moment for me.  Over the years I had reservations about whether or not the best interests of the citizens were being properly represented by Osceola County management and elected officials.  The way that item was put on the agenda as a last minute rush eliminating any chance for citizen input erased any doubt I had that we were being let down by those who are suppose to represent our best interests.
 
I feel the quality of life in Osceola County has diminished since Fred Hawkins was elected as the District 5 Commissioner back in 2008.   Which begs the question: Do we really want Fred Hawkins to have a run at the State?  I myself say #HellNoHawkins2020!

Along the way, I'll share some of what I uncover that I find quite eye opening.

                                                                       * * * *

A while back I was doing some internet searching and ran across a blog post on Fred Hawkins, his politics and his relationship with the waste industry.  I thought I was reading current events but alas, it was dated back in 2008.  I thought WOW.....some things never change.

As a part of this first post I direct you to that very blog which appears more than predictive in its reporting.  The link I have provided includes all the articles where "Hawkins" was mentioned in that blog.  One paragraph really hit home with me:

"We feel that it’s going to be real hard for Mr. Hawkins to “change” the current established system as he claims with all of these interested companies and individuals tugging at his ear or wallet. If most of this money is coming from these special interests, who will Mr. Hawkins ultimately be listening to? If nothing else it looks like the developer crowd is ready for someone to say "Yes We Can" as they plan their way into dumping more growth into an area that can not afford it. We say: Follow the money!"

In my opinion, the above statement is spot-on. 

It is up to YOU to decide the accuracy of information provided from the other blog.  There are many legitimate news organizations indicated as as sources.  Given the current state of Osceola County, well, you decide.

Again, Do we really want Fred Hawkins to have a run at the State?  Again I say #HellNoHawkins2020!

Link:  https://whoiswayne.blogspot.com/search?q=hawkins