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The county commission dismissed South Ponte Vedra's concerns
Source: Oldenburg letter on commission meeting #747
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March 1, 1972 Dear Ponte Vedra Property Owner: COMMISSIONERS MEETING Well, we presented the signed petition to the Commissioners at their regular meeting of February 22, 1972. At this time we restated the problems confronting the South Ponte Vedra Property Owners for the benefit of the Commissioners who were not present at the meeting held at the Old Country Store on the 12th of February. We wish we could give you a favorable report, while the attitude of most of the Commissioners seemed cooperative, the climate was quickly established by the Chairman (Mickley) who stated he did not favor closing the beach at anytime, day or night. The Commissioner from our area (H. Wiles) joined in and also attempted to point out that it was impossible to restrict visitors to specific beach and parking areas. On matters of law enforcement, they quickly passed the buck to the Sheriff. MEETING WITH SHERIFF Following the meeting with the Commissioners we met with the Sheriff. The results of this meeting were encouraging. The Sheriff appears to be a dedicated officer. He assured us that he will do everything humanly possible to provide the area with... 1. Competent police personnel 2. He is in the process of submitting his departments budget for the new fiscal year (September, 1972) and will request the necessary funds to provide the area with 24 hour protection. He also plans to request funds for suitable vehicle that can be used on beach patrols. The Sheriff seems actively aware of his departmental problems, but more important, he assured us he is doing something about it. Incidentally, he will be up for re-election in September. He is deserving of all the support we can give him. Assuming that the Sheriff is successful in acquiring the necessary funds, it would probably be at least October or November of this year before he could acquire the necessary personnel to police the area in an efficient manner. In the meantime, we are without police protection at night. PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS Anticipating that it might be necessary to consider using a private watch service we contacted the Wackenhut Corporation, who has an excellent reputation in the field of private guard service. They will furnish a uniformed guard who will not only patrol highway A1A but the beach as well. This guard will also check houses known to be vacant, according to the Wackenhut Area Manager (Arthur C. McPhail) their man would perform more than a cursory patrol. It is estimated that the guard would make at least four (4) round trips through our area during his 8 hour patrol period. He is paid at the rate of $2.75 per hour plus $.12 per mile for the use of his car. It would cost $l,638.84. per month for this service. If all the houses in the area subscribed to it (there are approximately 100) it would cost each homeowner $16.83 per month. It is the writer's opinion that it is a sound investment to safeguard our houses. Naturally this cost would decrease as additional homes are built in the area. Hopefully, if the Sheriff can accomplish his objectives in the next budget session, he should be able to provide us with competent "round the clock" protection sometime in late fall of this year. It is interesting to note that while some of the Commissioners did not appear to be willing to exert any effort on our behalf, it was suggested on several occasions that maybe (we) the property owners in South Ponte Vedra Area consider incorporating this area. We are checking into their suggestion and hope to be back to you with specifics as soon as practicable. In the meantime, please let us know if you are willing to pay your share for guard service. Please complete the attached form and return to P.O. Box 37150, Jacksonville, Florida 32205. R. T. Oldenburg & L. Picus RTO/sm YES, I Am willing to pay my share for the Wackenhut Private Guard Service! Name Address Phone
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