Fred Hawkins: Superman? or Con Man?

When Fred Hawkins defended his $40,000 salary increase by stating at a recent Osceola County School Board Meeting that he left his private sector job to devote full time to the Education Foundation of Osceola County (the "Foundation"), that raised a couple of red flags for me. 

As a resident of Osceola County District 5 that Fred represented prior to his recent suspension by the Governor, I follow what goes on, relative to his position as my representative.  I was pretty sure that Fred left his job with Waste Corporation of America (WCA) in 2018 shortly after the Florida Ethics Commission found there would be a conflict of interest if a commissioner stayed with a subsidiary of a corporation but "…if the commissioner terminates his duties for the subsidiary, there would be no conflict." [video link].(1)

Needless to say I was surprised by this epiphany that he was attempting to sell to the School Board.  Maybe I'm just naturally skeptical but it sounded like a load of bunk. As an aside, he is endorsing one School Board member as his replacement for County Commissioner given that Fred has chosen to move on to seek loftier goals at the state level.  When he was endorsing this same candidate for School Board a few years back, Fred's speech sounded almost as if he had handpicked him for the position.(2)

Back to Fred’s work hour numbers.  There is the Form 990 filed by the Foundation for 2017 which indicates that Fred Hawkins worked an average of 40.00 a week.  Perhaps that is something that needs to be looked into since Fred obviously wasn't performing as stated given his statement to the School Board.

That led me to go back and look at Fred's various Form6 filings over the past few years. 

While he claims to have left his private sector job to work full time at the Education Foundation, when his waste industry job at WCA went away in 2018, another waste industry-related job at a company called Brightmark magically appeared for 2019's Form6 submission.  So, it appears he didn't really "end that job", he merely traded it in for one that would arouse less curiosity from the Florida Commission on Ethics.

What may be more interesting is that his LinkedIn resume shows that he has worked at Brightmark since February 2015. Yet, there is no mention of it on any of his official Form6 filings prior to 2019. 

All right, we all fudge our resumes here and there and maybe he is a terrible consultant and just didn't make any money during 2015-18, but when you are running for public office, I believe transparency is paramount. What you put out there for public view shouldn't leave people questioning the integrity of your Form6 filings.

Adding up the Numbers

 So, using 2013 as an example, he listed employment income from Progressive Waste Solutions ($68,500); Osceola County BOCC ($74,000); Great St. Cloud Chamber ($50,000).

source:  census.gov

According to the Census, the median household income for Osceola County is $50,063.  So I will assume all three jobs are full time.  That's 120 hours based on a 40 hour work week….and I sure hope he was working at least 40 hours as my commissioner, given the pay grade.  That leaves less than 7 hours a day for sleep, eating, commuting, family time, personal hygiene, shopping, etc. 

For 2017 he listed employment income from WCA ($101,000); Osceola County BOCC ($78,000); Osceola Foundation for Education (no amount listed but their form 990s show 40 hours a week average); Preferred Government Trust (no amount listed).  I'll assume that at least three are full time...so, give or take 120 hours total...PLUS how ever many hours in that newly added part-time Insurance Job AND interest in a new business called H3Property Ventures which he apparently co-owns.  Again, less than 7 hours a day for all other activities INCLUDING the nightmare that is commuting in Osceola County traffic.

Form 6 for 2017

I know he frequently he has held positions on various Boards of Directors in seemingly unpaid capacities.  My question is, is he performing his altruism on the taxpayer's dime?  After all there are only 168 hours in a week.

Form6's for all other years have similar numbers of job and incomes listed. Perhaps there is a reasonable explanation of how he does it all.   To me the number of working hours simply don't add up.  Another reason I say #HellNoHawkins2020

You can search for any elected official's Form6 documents by their name.  Once you bring up their most recent submission page, click on "View Filing History" to see several years of documents available.  I highly recommend you vet the people you intend to vote for to get a clearer overall picture of their finances. 

____________________

(1) Florida Commission on Ethics Meeting, July 27, 2018

(2) ”…We asked Ricky to go there and be a leader…” Fred Hawkins Jr. - Ricky Booth Testimonial, October 17, 2017

Was Fred Hawkins Less Than Truthful with the School Board?

I submitted a 2 minute public video comment in response to a recent agenda item listed for the July 14, 2020 Osceola County School Board meeting(1).  Item 13.01 called for Approval of the Agreement (C-21-0063-EP) between The Foundation for Osceola Education, Inc. (the "Foundation") and the School Board of Osceola County, Florida (the "School Board") to Disburse WCI Funding.  That funding comes from Waste Connections Inc. ("WCI") the owner of the JED Landfill that was at the heart of the Coal Ash controversy.

I questioned turning over money allocated to our schools to an organization that upped Fred Hawkins' salary as President, $40,000 or so in three short years to over $100K.

Fred made some comments(2), that I found interesting, during his pitch to continue the funding agreement.

With regard to a different private sector job, he stated

"I chose to end that job to do full time with the foundation." (time:  1:14:14)

The 990s filed by the Foundation for the year 2017 don't support that statement.  

While Fred might try to pass off that his role at the Foundation changed and that was a reason he resigned his other private sector job, ironically, he left the private sector job shortly after the Florida Commission on Ethics heard his requested case on July 27, 2018. At that time "the Commission adopted a formal opinion noting a conflict of interest would be created were a county commission member employed by a subsidiary of a waste management company to act on behalf of a subsidiary of the company doing business with the county. However, if the commissioner terminates his duties for the subsidiary, there would be no conflict." [video link]   The County was in talks with several companies on the solid waste removal contracts for Osceola County.  Coincidence?  You decide!

Personally, I always thought there were ethical concerns with Fred's private sector jobs, given he previously worked at the company that owned JED landfill while the conditional use permits restrictions slowly disappeared and the fact that he sat in on negotiations for the Coal Ash with Ben Gray of WCI, a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors that decides his current salary as President.

Since the Form 990s filed by the Foundation for 2017 list Fred Hawkins as working an average of 40 hours per week did they lie on the form? Was Fred shortchanging the Foundation on the number of hours worked? Or isn't 40 hours "full time" in Fred's mind?

It should be noted that prior to Fred becoming the President of the Foundation, there was never a formal agreement for the school to fork over their share of the host fees (the Foundation also receives separate funds directly from Waste Connections).  The School Board still provided funds, but without a set obligation.  Yes, Fred is doing his job for the Foundation, locking down funding sources, but I still question the School Board in going along with this "lock down" of funds to an outside entity, especially given the current climate with school funding.  Heck, the problems with the video taping, audio and live streaming of the School Board meetings alone is proof enough that they should be leaving themselves open to having the funds on hand to correct in-house issues that may arise.

At the School Board meeting Fred went on justifying the huge salary increase, making statements including, but not limited to:

"She's [Kerry Avery] their hands on I'm out meeting with corporate sponsors trying to get new sponsors...
I had a brainchild that came up to do fundraising...
...involved in events we have making sure I'm present there...".

Fred Hawkins stated that "Ken [Smith] was a fundraiser".  Sounds to me like Fred's role is the same as his predecessor, possibly with the exception of him stumping at foundation events?  Mind you, he's campaigning for Florida State House District 42.  Coincidence?  You decide!

Given that his regular weekly hours were suppose to be 40 PRIOR to the so-called change in the role as President of the Education Foundation, I still think that a $40K+ increase in salary in three short years is excessive even if the functional duties changed from his predecessor.

So, since I find Fred's justifications a little misleading, it's another reason I say #HellNoHawkins2020

(1)    School board videos can be found at https://sdoc.eduvision.tv/Default 
(2)    Fred Hawkins comments at the July 14, 2020 meeting begins at 1:10:40

Fred Hawkins' "Award"...Who's Behind It?

So Fred's campaign issues a "Special Announcement".  Fred Hawkins was recognized as a 2020 Presidential Advocate by the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), who advocate and lobby for Florida counties in Tallahassee. Counties pay to join the organization.  The FAC also provides for corporations who want an easy, if not costly way to push their wares in front of local elected officials.  

For a fee of $450, your company can run an ad for 30 days in our daily* News Clips newsletter.

Isn't this a little like performing pimp-ish services working for benefit of both sides? One has the goods and the other is willing to pay. 

As the photo above depicts, these awards are handed out to many.    

The fact that they gave Fred recognition in 2019 at the exact same time as he participated in the negotiations that brought tons of out of state COAL ASH (jeopardizing the health of his constituents) made me question the organization behind the recognition. 

It's a good press release sound bite but it is pretty much meaningless from the standpoint of being an advocate for the citizens you represent.  FAC are lobbyists, plain and simple, using fancy marketing language and tools.  "Presidential Advocate" My A_ _ ..... ummmm......INDEED. 


FAC needs willing players in the corporation/governmental arena so Of COURSE they give out "awards".

The fact that the entire Osceola Board of County Commissioners warranted the recognition two years in a row, while their constituents are screaming for their heads, doesn't make this something to be proud of.

To me it raises concerns about those willing to work with lobbyists fueled by corporate partners while ignoring the wishes of the actual people who they are suppose to represent.  Once again I have to say #HellNoHawkins2020

Fred Hawkins Campaign Blocking the Truth? #AfraidOfGranny

Fred Hawkins campaign machine is on the case and recently started sending out text messages begging people to sign petitions to get him on the ballot without having to spend a mere pittance of his $192,000+ War Chest.  Ok, we all like to to take the frugal way out and I don't deny he has the right to do so, but should people who spend their hard earned money on phone service be subjected to what pretty much amounts to SPAM? 

In light of their campaign push, I joined a Polk County Politics group on facebook to provide insight on what I have learned about Fred Hawkins over the years.  I have lived in his district for the entire time he has held office and even voted for him in 2008....before his true self came to light. He and his "pipedream" visions for our future show he will always side with big business and corporations at the expense of the quality of life of the people who actually live in his district.  Remember he supported the Urban Growth Boundary expansion into our water recharge areas, helped negotiate bringing Coal Ash from outside the state of Florida into Osceola County and is leading the effort to placate his large campaign donors by trying to undo the "in perpetuity" clause on conserved lands so a road can be built in Split Oak Forest WEA.

I commented on a few items posted by Zac Stone in the Polk political group. Mr. Stone appears to be a part of Fred's campaign staff. Some of my questions included inquiring why I was blocked on the campaign page from posting comments.  I don't curse, only post verifiable facts but I do ask a lot of hard questions.  There was no reply.

In one response to me, Zac mentioned Fred's "leadership", so I replied with a link to an article I wrote a few months back about Fred on that very subject.  The comment exchange become quite interesting when Zac replied that it was "all fake news" and written by "dedicated internet trolls". 

Obviously Fred's campaign staff doesn't fall far from the tree. Zac Stone didn't do his due diligance regarding my blog and spoke less than factually.  Fred does the same.  He just responds with whatever answers he thinks makes him sound good. Doesn't matter if there are facts to support it.

When I replied that I was the author and mentioned that all of the emails were factual and available via public records request from Osceola County, I was immediately BLOCKED so I can no longer comment on anything and the posts are no longer visible to me.  Mind you, I'm a 67 year old lady who pretty much keeps to herself, I am dedicated to getting out actual facts about Fred's tenure as my commissioner, but I'm hardly a "troll".   Glad I had the presence of mind to screen grab the conversation while I still had access to it.

Galatians 4:16, KJV: "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

Why is Fred and his campaign afraid of people learning some truths about #FredHawkins history in Osceola County?  I guess that explains why I was blocked months ago on the campaign page.  They are clearly #AfraidOfGranny.

Is this a man we want as the Republican Candidate?  On August 18th join me in voting for #AnyoneButFred.

More reasons I continue to say #HellNoHawkins2020.

Fred Hawkins: Shortsighted on the Environment

Click on photo for full size; escape to return to blog

Fred Hawkins, Jr. claims to be for the environment, but frankly, his voting actions since becoming an Osceola County Commissioner in 2008 indicate otherwise.  In 2009 he fought hard for expanding the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) on the northeast side to allow for the "Northeast District", home of the Sunbridge Development and ultimately the further UGB expansion to allow the North Ranch Sector which is estimated to bring in an additional 500,000 people to Osceola.  His campaign contribution documents list people involved in those projects as supporters.

Experts have weighed in on the plans and to me, it sure seems like a bad idea.  A report submitted to the County showed that the Master Plans fell short in their determinations on what should be important long-term. 

Additionally, the east side of Osceola County, especially the Mormon-owned Deseret Ranch is an important water recharge area for the St. John's River which serves the drinking water needs of the east coast, north all the way to Jacksonville.  Parts of Orange and Seminole Counties also draw from the St. Johns for their water needs.  To me, it makes no sense to think that you can provide water to an extra 1/2 million people if you pave over the areas that are necessary for recharging the very sources which are quickly becoming inadequate to provide for the current state population. 

Meanwhile, toward the west side of Osceola County is the headwaters of the Everglades, the water recharge area for the entire South Florida area.  All these additional subdivisions remove natural areas of water treatment and flood control that the county is then responsible to deal with.  Brandon Arrington was concerned enough with potential flooding to fight for inclusion of a $1.6 million stormwater study in the budget.  Heck, if they didn't try to pave every square inch of the county that study might have been quite unnecessary. 

From Osceola County's own website: 

"Development by humans has led to the destruction, filling and paving over wetlands which has reduced the storage and treatment capacity of stormwater."

Some land is meant to be left in an undeveloped state and Osceola County's unique location speaks to its ability to perform a vital role in providing for the water needs of a fair portion of the state.  Water quality will still be dependent on decisions at the state level with regard to biosolids and such.  I don't hold out much hope for Fred's ability to maintain an objective position on that subject when I see that several of his campaign contributors are major users of biosolids, enough of an environmental concern in Brevard County to have had that county call for a moratorium on new applications.

Promoting and encouraging development, even in the name of increased tax base and jobs can be quite shortsighted.  Sure it sounds good on the surface, but our elected officials should be looking at the long term and what will be left for future generations to deal with.  Fred went all in, fighting for the rezoning to allow certain development projects despite expert opinions indicating that it wasn't in the best interest of Florida long term, specifically with reference to water needs. 

Rezoning and encouraging building in our water recharge areas and floodplains just shows that he isn't looking at the big picture for Florida when making decisions.  He caters to those that think that bringing in construction jobs and the amount of taxable assets in a county indicates positive progress and sound fiscal practices.  That's thinking on a temporary solution basis. It works for the immediate need, but doesn't prove sustainable.

Given that Florida's environment IS its economy, I've been pointing out to Fred that since you can't drink development and you can't out engineer mother nature, perhaps all his rezoning and pipe dream "Work, Live, Play" Development Master Plans aren't really good long term investments for Florida as a whole.   No companies are going to want to set up shop in these fantasy developments if they have to struggle with water restrictions and quality. Some current residents are already experiencing the effects of flooding caused by questionable development.

This is an email exchange on the subject when Fred voted to approve expansion of the UGB in August 2010.   When Orange County used common sense and voted against housing developments that threatened the environmentally sensitive area, Fred jump in full throttle to push it through on the Osceola County side, environment be damned.  He is completely misdirecting my concerns with his usual double talk, this time highlighting high paying jobs in Medical City which has nothing to do with expansion of the UGB to allow for RESIDENTIAL development in Osceola County. 

Click on photo for full size; escape to return to blog

Further, I think he fails to recognize that the residents of these communities may ultimately be spending their tax dollars in Orange County....since it is close and where they work. I question just where is the benefit to Osceola if all that is happening is pretty much providing the bedroom community for Orlando? 

Fred seems to fail to recognize the extended value of Agricultural and Conservation Land to the WHOLE of Florida. And I don't see any job creation and commercial tax base to offset the loss...just many more people and traffic given his thinking on developing it.  Once again catering to his developer campaign contributors and ignoring the residents that already live here.   Just more reasons I say #HellNoHawkins2020.

Select Resources:

 Osceola County Special Assessments :First TRIM Budget Hearing - September 5, 2019

Fred Hawkins Name Calling

Click on photo for full size; escape to return to blog

I've frequently been taken aback by Fred Hawkins' name calling and condescension when his constituents hold him to task.

I was more than shocked at the very first Osceola Board of County Commissioners meeting after Rachel Christian broke the Coal Ash story. At this May 6, 2019 meeting, I was the sole person who spoke and requested they reverse their decision. During the county explanation and rebuttal Fred made a comment that, quite honestly, made my blood boil. He said,

"As much as I think some people are just mad that it coming from Puerto Rico, there is a humanitarian side to this." 

I sat there thinking....did Fred just call us bigots?

Humanitarian effort? Nice spin, but I think not.

For the record, the only humanitarian aspect to accepting that coal ash would have been toward AES, a PRIVATE firm. They created the crisis in Puerto Rico and now are legally REQUIRED to clean up their mess. Osceola County's choice to accept the imported coal ash was a favor to Fred's old employers at the J.E.D. Landfill who saw a opportunity to make some money. It in no way benefitted the people of Puerto Rico. If Osceola said no to the deal, AES would still have had to remove it at their own expense, but would have had to dispose of it somewhere other than Osceola County Florida.

Constituents hit a nerve

Then there was the June 10, 2019 BOCC meeting when I was one of four speakers. During "Commissioner Comments" Fred Hawkins, Jr. from District 5 referred to his constituents as “keyboard cowboys" and Brandon Arrington from District 3 called us hatemongers. When things heat up and uncomfortable truths comes out, Hawkins and Arrington routinely resort to name calling, acting more like 12 year olds than community leaders.

#haterswillbehaters

Fred is always front and center for "photo ops". At the end of July 2019, he was stumping during a "Positively Osceola" Facebook live-feed highlighting an Education Foundation of Osceola County teacher supply giveaway. I was curious how many supplies could have been purchased with the fees lost from the coal ash deal non-profit waiver. When Osceola County Manager Don Fisher and Commissioner Fred Hawkins crafted the Coal Ash deal they left out the non-profits who historically receive a per tonnage fee for any waste delivered to the landfill from OUTSIDE the county. The fee was one of the concessions to get the BOCC to approve the conditional use permit which allowed the landfill to be built way back when. This isn't a mere couple of hundred dollars.....it involves THOUSANDS.

Click on photo for full size; escape to return to blog

I asked the question via a Facebook comment and Fred jumped in with a response. He used the hashtag #haterswillbehaters in the response to me. I'd like to say I was shocked, but not much that Fred Hawkins says or does shocks me anymore.

Here is the full exchange.

Click on photo for full size; escape to return to blog

Fred followed up by saying my "historical intent is well documented".

Click on photo for full size; escape to return to blog

If by "historical intent" he means the willingness of a senior citizen with the sole agenda of making others aware of what our elected officials are up to, well, then, color me GUILTY as charged.

So in conclusion, with Fred's humanitarian spin (a lie) on the coal ash fiasco and the fact that he thinks I'm a hater for asking questions, I say #HellNoHawkins2020.


Select Resources:

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/osceola-leaders-call-residents-angry-over-coal-ash-dumping-keyboard-cowboys-hate-mongering-/957671945/

Osceola News Gazette June 12, 2019