HOME RULE by Josh "Flo" Florence

I support river restoration. I also support honest, open conversation, and that is precisely what Putnam County has not had on this issue.

Commissioner Harvey’s recent letter frames this as a matter of home rule, locals versus outsiders. But in 2015, the Florida Commission on Ethics warned Commissioner Harvey that his dual role as county commissioner and president of Save Rodman Reservoir “could tempt dishonor.” He resigned as president, then became Executive Director. His own words: “I’m not getting off the bus. I’m just changing seats.” When the person leading our county’s position on this issue also leads the primary advocacy organization defending it, that is not home rule. That is a closed loop.

Putnam County residents deserve the full picture. The Kirkpatrick Dam has never generated power, supplied drinking water, or controlled flooding. It was a remnant of a cancelled barge canal. It has drowned 20 springs, destroyed 7,500 acres of cypress forest, and triggered two fish kills that killed an estimated 11 million fish. The Army Corps of Engineers classifies it as high-hazard. Should it fail, 538 local properties face inundation. These are not opinions, they are documented findings from the U.S. government and University of Florida researchers.

Independent economic analysis projects $198 million in net benefits over 20 years from restoration, $2.09 returned per dollar invested. Bass fishing use at Rodman has declined 3,627 visitor parties per year since 2010. Visitation jumps 81 percent during drawdowns. The data points toward restoration, and the bipartisan SB 1066 and HB 981 are inviting Putnam County to help shape it as a named partner.

I am not asking anyone to take my word for it. I am asking that we have the open, fact-based community conversation we have never been allowed to have. Putnam County deserves a commissioner at that table, not one who has already decided the outcome.

Joshua "Flo" Florence

Melrose, Florida

Candidate, Putnam County Board of County Commissioners, District 4

Facts:

• "The nonprofit organization he leads as its Executive Director" — verified from Save Rodman Reservoir's own website and independently confirmed by Jacksonville Today.

• Conflict of interest framing — verified. He is simultaneously a sitting commissioner with voting power and Executive Director of an advocacy nonprofit on the same issue. That dual role is documented fact.

• Nixon cancelled the barge canal / dam has no power, water, flood purpose — verified across multiple peer-reviewed and government sources.

• 20 springs drowned, 7,500 acres of cypress forest destroyed — verified across FSI and USDA EIS documents.

• 11 million fish killed in reservoir fish kills — verified from Continental Shelf Associates 1994 data cited in FSI report.

• High-hazard designation, 538 properties at risk — verified from Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams and Spontak 2020 economic valuation.

• $198 million net benefit, $2.09 per dollar invested — verified from Hodges 2024 economic assessment.

• 3,627 visitor party decline per year since 2010 — verified from FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails data.

• 81% visitation increase during drawdowns — verified from FDEP data.

• SB 1066/HB 981 naming Putnam County as partner — verified from legislative records.