and state your your comment. All right. At this time, we will hear from um Carol Mosley. Good morning, commissioners. At your last meeting, you threw caution to the wind and moved forward on a very controversial item that was inadequately
noticed to the public. To no avail, I sought away for mediation so that we could maybe get a consent agreement to do better. It seems any statute violation you might commit would be a civil matter since there's no criminal penalty assigned. So, I'd have to sue you. I was looking for the public to get
more respect, not looking for a lawsuit over a civil offense. But that made me wonder about the penalties for violating federal immigration laws. It turns out that overstaying a visa, whether for a week or 10 years, is also generally just a civil offense. Crossing the border without documentation is a misdemeanor,
unless previously deported, which is then a felony. I don't think many of us realize that many of those being picked up by ICE in this mass deportation effort have no criminal offense charges at all. They are not the worst of the worst. All too often they are hardworking community members, many with
US citizen children or spouses. That is what is upsetting to people. I'd like to put the to rest the idea that neighboring counties are unaffected outsiders. they will be affected. And regional groups like the Sierra Club and our Santa Fe River who came here with concerns over a bad mining plan joined
with Bradford County and with Bradford Environmental Forum to fund the science bus visit to Brooker Community School and the RJ Center summer camp. Even after it was all over, they still cared about our community. Now we find that ICTHs is looking for empty warehouses all over the country to convert to
immigrant detention centers. Many of them in small towns who do not want it and do not have the infrastructure for it. Some are passing local moratoriums to try and fight it. I've been told if we say no, the state or the feds will come in as bullies and force us into submission. As someone who suffered
domestic violence from the age of 18 to 31, I cannot stay silent in the face of intimidation. If we have no choice, then all attempts at community input is just a farce. That is not okay. If ICE comes here, there will be chaos in a number of areas. Will higher fed salaries offered
draw staff from DOC and the sheriff's department? Where will all these new arrivals be housed? In FEMA trailers at the Keystone Heights campground? Do we have affordable housing available now for our current residents? Can we handle more consumption of water, electric, internet? Can we deal with more sewage,
garbage, traffic? We know that such a contentious issue as this will draw protests. They're already happening here and in neighboring communities. They will likely grow larger over time. Will our community be even more divided as pro and con? And are there legal challenges at every level? Does ICE need a judicial warrant to enter property or
is an administrative warrant enough? This question may make it to the Supreme Court. Might our county be sued if we violate some of these questionable interpretations of laws? Exodus 12:49. The same law applies to both the native born and to the foreigner residing among
you. Let's take a beat and iron out some of these wrinkles first. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] Thank you all for being obedient. Um, next we will have Anya Griffith.
>> Good morning. My name is Ana Griffith. My address is 1949 Northwest 135th Lane, Lake Bel, Florida. It is in Bradford County, right on the line. Um, I'm speaking for the public record. This is not political for me. I'm here as a Bradford County resident and taxpayer
and I also run a grassroots advocacy group called Protect Rural Florida. At the January 15th meeting, the commission voted to move forward with a proposal listed as a generic warehouse use. It never mentioned ICE, DHS, or federal detention.
Residents only learned the truth after the vote. It is not a neutral warehouse project. It is a highintensity detention facility that will demand water, sewer, emergency [snorts] services, and create long-term county liability. It is also
unclear if the site has municipal utilities or still relies on septic. It is also in the St. John's River Water Management District, where drainage and water use challenges require permits. Those reviews have not been done before authorizing negotiations. Renovations
could be completed in as little as 90 days, putting a detention facility online before residents even know the full impact. For the record, I request full public briefings and impact reviews before any further action on the Douglas building. Big facilities don't just change a parcel, they change our county.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And next we will have Melissa Proto Mastro. Good morning. I had the privilege of addressing this assembly last at the last meeting and my position has not
changed. I stand opposed very opposed to the development. >> Pardon me. >> Oh my name. >> My name is Melissa Pogstro 639 Laura Street in Stark.
I do stand opposed to all of this. I believe that we have been bamboozled. Frankly, one of the questions that came up over and over from your assembly was directed to the U. company was what
would happen when it closed down? What's going to happen to the current residents? Well, you know, he was very smooth and said, "Oh, we'll we'll stay there until the last person leaves." Now, think about that.
Really? I don't think so. And I have an example. When they decide that when they discover that they have mistakenly incarcerated someone, someone who is a citizen or someone who has a green card, do they
take them home? No, they dump them out the door out into the community. Every single one. The child in Texas was only able to be get returned to
Minnesota because a well-known political figure, Mr. Castro, picked them up, took them home, kept them overnight, got them back home. This did, you know, this didn't happen by ICE. They just dump them out the
door. And I have heard from a resident with the facility in um next to Columbia County that not only do they dump them out the door, but they have a slick little trick. These people
have no record. They have no criminal record, but all along that road they have posted no pedestri no pedestrian signs and they keep their cars, the police cars are their not the police cars, but
their ICE cars on the road all night long blocking a lane with lights so that when they dump them out [clears throat] in the middle of the night and they're walking along the road, they arrest They arrest them. It's a trick. It is abominable.
They're just there. They they have so many tricks up their sleeves. We don't know because we are community. Miss Spooner, you you mentioned community in your prayer and I pray that we stay a community [snorts]
that we don't Thank you. Next we will have uh Steve Luff. [clears throat] Hello. Uh my name is Steve Wineoff 8789 State Road 100 West Stark Florida and I'm opposed to the concentration camp
being put at the end of Stark. Uh what I have here is the transfer of the uh uh land deed for the Douglas building to the county of Stark. And what the county
of Stark agreed to when they took in uh got the piece of property was Bradford County has identified a company in an aerospace and defense industry that would lease
the Douglas building from the county. Okay, that's why we got the piece of property or Brford County got the piece of property. In the unlikely event that the building should ever become vacant, Brford County,
us everybody as the owner would be able to seek another aerospace defense industry to occupy the building. This is what the
Bradford County signed in order to get that piece of property from the state of Florida. Now, if we don't use it in that respect, then it was given to us in in a conveyance
with basically like not like a grant, but just given to you. Now, if we don't do that, do we really own the building? because we got it under false pretenses. Now,
I don't want to see Stark be ruined. I mean, when I first moved to Stark, the whole controversy was the cross on top of the water tower. After years and years, they finally fought so hard they made us take the cross off the water tower. A few years
after I moved here, we had the KKK marching in Lahi, Florida. Um, I thought, hey, everything, all that stuff went away. Why do we want to bring racist
possible uh uh people seeing us as racist in in the city of Stark when we may not even own the building in order to put it there. So, that's my kind of views on it. I don't think we should, you know, do it.
Uh, I have checked on the water facility because I actually work for a company that rebuilt the water uh uh sewage plant here in Stark. And uh right now with the amount of sewage
that is possibly going to go in if if you can get hooked into it because we also got the Department of Transportation that has to be involved. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, next we have um looks like
uh Jones uh Orwell >> Oel. Okay. My name is Ozel Jones. I'm from uh Union County uh 22590 Northwest 49th Street, Rayford, Florida.
And I was invited I was invited here this morning. I'm I'm glad that I came and I and I came to to speak for let us unite, let us come together and strain >> [clears throat] >> uh to figure out ways for us to to work these things out and and and nobody be
left behind. you know, uh, we can't let money lead us and guide us. Let our hearts lead us and let us examine ourselves and do and try to do things that's that's going to help one another and build one another up and not tear one another down. Let us come together
in unity. Uh, I uh I do about 78% of my business here in Stark. So, uh u I might be outside as a Union County individual, but I do a lot of business here, but my heart is here and my heart is with my whole country. So, let's all come together in peace and love and figure
out a way that we all can do this here and and not be money driven, you know, let God lead us and guide us and let the spirit lead us and guide us and let and and and let good people come together to be to be problem solvers. So, let us be problem solvers for everybody. I ask and
I pray in Jesus name and I thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next we have U Maria Gear. [cough] [clears throat] Good morning everyone. Uh my name is Maria Gear. I live at 17245 Bradford
Avenue in Brooker, Florida, District 5. Um, I am here because I oppose the proposed uh ice facility. Um, and I've heard a lot of positive reasons why people want it and a lot of
negative reasons why people do not want it. I am one of the people that do not want it. And the reason is um I've been hearing a lot of issues, [clears throat] but one issue I think is being overlooked is the impact on our local uh
businesses. Um that facility is right on the road of 301. It's going to have a lot of uh militarized people there. Um, and if you don't think so, just go to Baker County and look at the Baker County facility
because there's a lot of not only ICE vehicles and personnel there. There are sheriff and state police vehicles there and there is National Guard people that there and depending on their threat level uh that will be increased if they
feel threatened by protesters. Also, you know, I like shopping at Walmart and Stark has a lot of good cheap prices, but also um I'm wondering if that's going to be impacted because it's right across the street. Uh a lot of employees
are probably going to wonder, do I really want to work here at Walmart if I have to go through a gauntlet of militarized people? Do I want to shop at Walmart if I have to go through a gauntlet up 301 through a lot of militarized people? Do I want to shop at
any business along 301 or any restaurant along 301 and start period? You know, so you know, you might think, oh, we're going to get all these jobs, but we're going to lose a lot of jobs, a lot of long-term jobs. And it sounds like this
facility is only going to be a short-term uh money grab and therefore I cannot and I hope you cannot uh want this in our community cuz I sure don't. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next we have Paul Steel [clears throat] >> Paul Still 14167 Southwest on 101st Avenue Stark. I sent you an email on January 20th 28th in which I wrote, I would urge the BOCCC to pass a motion at
its next meeting that would instruct the sheriff and the county manager to suspend discussions with Sabbath about the ICE detention facility until a number of questions can be addressed. Today, I would suggest to spend staff time and discussions with Sabbat before
there is some clarity about the BOCC action. proceed with discussion with Sabbath would be a waste of county uh resources. It was stated in the uh during the BOCC meeting discussions of the Sabbath proposal that the county would not have
to pay anything if the county did not accept the Sabbath proposal. This is a little misleading because the county staff time currently being uh used in this discussion phase would be significant could be significant and would not be reimbursible. Pausing the
discussion lowers this cost. There are a number of questions that need to be addressed to avoid potential legal challenges to a decision decision uh to proceed with the Sabbath proposal. Some of these questions are was putting
the uh 115 2026 port of county commission uh meeting agenda on the website uh reasonable notice of um the SBA proposal. Should Commissioner Reddic's motion to table have been appro provided an
opportunity for a second and if a uh second or seconded a vote? Is the motion by Commissioner Doy uh clear or is it vague and confusing? Uh quick
key questions would also include um what zoning actions will be required for the ICE detention facility? Is the city of Stark willing to provide the amount of water and sewer services required by the ICE detention facility?
Uh there appears to be several firms that provide this uh the services that Salat is prov is proposing. A potential failure to meet the county's requirements for entering into contracts may be the most significant uh issue
associated with your decision uh to proceed with discussions with Sabbath. Please at least entertain a motion today that would instruct the sheriff and county manager to suspend discussions with Sabbath about the ICE
detention facility until the questions that are being asked by me and others can be addressed. And I think the most important thing that I just learned at this meeting was in fact there may be a problem with using the facility for anything other than an aerospace
industry activity. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we have Mark Frasier. Hi, my name is Mark Fraser. I live at 14627 Southwest 155th Avenue, Brooker, Florida. As a citizen of Bradford
County, I'm opposed to the county owned Douglas building warehouse facility in Acorage being used as an ICE detention center. Our participation in this attack on our immigrants will leave a permanent stain on our community.
According to the Ko inst Institute, only 27% of ICE detainees even have a criminal record. Uh most are minor offenses like traffic and immigration offenses. Uh this is a lower criminal conviction rate than the US-born citizens.
Actually, ICE raids violate unreasonable search, seizure, and due process rights guaranteed to all persons under the Constitution. They result in the separation of parents from children, causing profound emotional and psychological distress.
The removal of so many essential workers, sectors like the food service, agriculture, health care, and child care industries disrupts the economy and is harmful to the entire community. [clears throat] Reports and allegations surrounding the
conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement uh detention guards suggest a pattern of serious misconduct, abuse, and systemic failures, raising significant questions about their character and professionalism. Detainees, advocacy groups, and federal
investigations have highlighted instances of physical violence, racist behavior, as well as inadequate or contaminated food and water. I appreciate Sheriff Smith's affirmation that these undocumented immigrants would
not be violent criminals as well as his intention to make sure that the abuse of detainees will not be tolerated. However, I seriously doubt that he would be uh permitted to inspect these facil this facility in any meaningful way.
Uh many other elected public officials, as we know, have attempted to inspect ICE detention centers around the country and have been routinely turned away and even arrested. So, I urge you to vote against any such
use of Bradford County facilities. This would be a disaster for our community. Thank you very much for your consideration of this matter. >> Thank you. >> Next, we'll have Robin Frasier. My name is Robin Fraser. I live at 14627
Southwest 155th Avenue in Burgerer. I want to talk about why building an ICE detention center in Bradford County is the wrong choice for this community and for our state. This issue is not about being for or against immigration. is about what kind of future we want for
this country and this county, how we use our limited resources, and whether this project actually delivers the benefits it supporters promise. Detention centers are often marketed as job creators. But is that really true? Most positions require specialized training and are
frequently filled by workers brought in from the outside. Local hiring is limited, wages are modest, and profits are funneled to private contractors, not the community. Meanwhile, the long-term economic identity of a town becomes tied to incarceration even more than it already
is. This discourages the diverse business investment growth. There are real costs and risks to the community. Detention centers place pressure on local infrastructure, roads, water systems, emergency services, and healthcare. When medical emergencies
occur, our first responders are the ones that carry the burden. Taxpayers often end up subsidizing a facility that is not meaningfully reinvest in this area. We also need to consider human dignity and accountability. ICE detention centers across the country have faced
[clears throat] repeated allegations of poor medical care, unsafe conditions, and lack of transparency. Whether someone supports strict immigration enforcement or not, most people agree that government facilities should meet basic standards of safety, oversight, and fairness. Building a
detention center here ties Bradford County to a system that has struggled to uphold those standards nationwide. Additionally, this project does not make communities safer in the way people are often led to believe. Immigration detention centers primarily hold people for civil violations, not violent
crimes. Studies show that immigrants, documented or undocumented, are less likely to commit crimes than the general population. Public safety is better improved by investing in education, health care, infrastructure, and local law enforcement, not by expanding
detention. Shouldn't we be investing in safe and affordable recreational opportunities for our children? Finally, there are better alternatives for Bradford County's future. The community deserves investments that that build people up and not lock people
away. job t job training programs, renewable energy projects, healthcare facilities, small business developments, youth programs, and educational partnerships create sustainable growth without moral or financial trade-offs. The question
before us is simple. Do we want Bradford known as a detention community or as a place that invests in opportunity, dignity, and long-term prosperity? We could choose a future that strengthens this community, protects his values, and uses public resources wisely. We should not build an ICE
detention center. Thank you. Next is Py Hoff. [clears throat] >> Hello. I spoke at the last meeting. My name is Kaylee Harper. I've lived here my whole life. I live at 2213 Southeast 150th Street. I've lived there and the land
that we live on has been with us for three, four generations. Uh so we've been here a long time. Uh so she she's been born here in Stark, Florida. Actually, Jesus teaches that nations will ultimately be passed judged by how they treat the disposed and
needy, including the stranger. Matthew 25:31-46. Migrants fall within every marginal group set forth in a judgment day parable of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, ill, and imprisoned. Over 10 million Christian immigrants in the United States are vulnerable to deportation, including those with
temporary protections could be revoked. According to a report released by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with the Association of Evangelicals, nearly 7 million US citizen Christians live within the same households of those at risk of deportation. 18% are
Catholics and 6% are evangelicals. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt where they were probably regarded as asylum seek seekers or illegal immigrants. Either way, these strangers struggling to get by in a foreign nation could land uncertainty or could certainly be contained called undocumented workers.
Would Jesus's family have needed to come legally? What papers would they have needed in order to survive and live in this country? The goal post keeps getting moved. So, how much farther must it be moved in order for someone to truly be considered legal? The majority of our ancestors didn't come because there was no such thing until the late
1800s were when they wanted to exclude the Chinese and the Asians. And from there it went on further and further to what we know what it is today. Becoming a citizen could cost upward of $2,000, something hard to obtain in different parts of South America, as in some parts
only can make up to $400 a month. The main issue though is time. As when they are being threatened by cartels, they need to leave. Becoming a US citizen can take upwards of 10 years if they even can have a degree or approved for their application. You don't even have to have any affiliation to get attacked by the
cartels as well as they can just decide to kill you because someone paid them to. Unauthorized immigrants live in 6.3 million households that include more than 22 million people. These households represents 4.8% of the 130 million households. At 86% of these households,
either the household or their spouse is an unauthorized immigrant. They come protecting their loved ones and to give them better lives. Other undocumented people are adopted individuals from foreign countries whose parents never made them citizens of one reason or another. How are they returned to a country they don't even know or don't
remember? In terms of criminals coming over, available data includes that a relatively small percentage of undocumented immigrants have committed crimes. As of September, the DHS says there are 6.2 2 million people on the non-detained docket which means they live in the United States while their immigrants immigration cases are pending
or removal is deferred by for other reasons of that number nearly 620,000 or 10% have criminal conviction or pending criminal charges more on Wednesday >> thank you next we have Virginia Harper
>> [snorts] >> I am Virginia Harper and uh I live in Stark. Um I lived here. >> Can you state your address for the record? >> I'm sorry. >> State your address for the record. That's right. Um I'm at 2213 Southeast 150th Street.
um our our lives, my families, we've been here for a long time and and our best my best friend, her best friend were immigrants.
Hers was Spanish, mine was Vietnamese, and we've been friends, best friends for years. And what scares me and I just thought of before I got up is her best friend was coming home from work. Somebody was
already following her trying to f was trying to follow her home and now we have to worry about her rest of her family. And and I mean they they've been here for years. She's she they're im they're immigrants but yet they're they're legal
immigrants. where I'm I'm afraid, you know, I'm all for getting the criminals out of our country, but do it the right way and not do the things that they're doing to the the um innocent people like
that little 5-year-old boy when his father was arrested. And I just heard last night a man was arrested. Um I don't know if he was legal or not. I don't know that part, but they took him.
Oh, he was a caregiver for his son who was 30, 31 years old and he was special needs and he died while his father was gone. Nobody helped him. And I don't know all the the
circumstances about it, but I just thought it was, oh my gosh, you know, this poor man away from his son like that. the boy died. Well, it wasn't a boy, it was a man, actually. But, you know, it's sad. Just do they need to do
things the right way. I'm like I said, I'm all for getting the illegals out the right way. But this ice facility in in in Stark, I don't think that it's good. I really don't. I mean, there's other places to
have it. Oh, let's see. Um, there's an empty prison out that way. I forget where except my husband was telling me about it. Said that there's a pl place out there they could do it but not right in our community like that. With all the
the stigma that ICE has brought upon themselves, I don't think that it's going to be good for our community to have ice facility here like that. It needs to be somewhere else like out in the prison. It's already set up and stuff,
you know. I mean, >> thank you. Thank you. >> And next we'll have Kate Ellison. Kate Ellison, 971 Southeast 32nd Way in Melrose, Florida in Bradford County. An ICE detention camp in our county
really needs more thought. There was too much pressure on you to move forward at the last meeting based on the nearly unlimited time given to the consultant and the sheriff who is a strong advocate for this plan and a power center in himself. A decision like this can't be
clearly made under pressure. Declaring that the sheriff will be in charge of the prisoners, their food and treatment does not make it so. The ICE of today is not the ice he has dealt with all along. Local control is not what's happening in
other detention camps and we are no different. Garter world is the provider designed to make a profit on the detainees and local management would cut into their bottom line. Let but let's say our local sheriff has some control
of the facility. What would he do? What could he do if ICE brought him a 5-year-old or a 15year-old? Keep them in the cages. This proposed facility is huge in comparison to our town and our county. Stark is only 5,800 people with a
workforce of 2,300. This new detention camp calls for 3,000 caged beds and living quarters for the military staffed there. It will be overwhelming. Bradford County's unemployment rate hovers around 5% with about 500 people unemployed.
Where are all those detention workers coming from then? Somewhere else. That's where they'll be driving to work, clogging up the roads with traffic. Will our local workers be leaving their jobs for better paying temporary jobs with ICE or Garter World? What will that do
to the remaining chronically overworked prison guards in our area? The sheriff says no detained prisoners will be released onto the streets because that's what he asked for. At this stage of the contract, the consultant can agree to
anything that sounds reasonable. But actually, in Baker County and across the South, many people arrested in error are being put out on the street with no money and no place to go. Like many other towns, we could have another
emergency on our hands. Or do you plan to rearrest the innocent? For us, this camp and all the issues surrounding it are huge and significant, requiring careful thought, perhaps a unique contract with unique conditions.
For an operation like ICE, required to arrest 3,000 people a day. Our facility is but one of hundreds, insignificant and not qualifying for special arrangements. Please stop this
illconceived plan. You [clears throat] can stop it right now. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, we have Tommy Alexander. Good morning. My name Tommy Alexander, but I'm going to tell you my gift. My gift is a prophet. God sent y'all a
prophet. You said some I'm from Speedville, Florida, and you said some in your prayer to give you clarity. I'm not a great speaker, but I'm uh God has showed me a lot of things what's going on. 5 years ago, he showed me
about the con I call them consecration camp. And uh he showed me 5 years ago. I've been preaching that in churches around here about this was coming. And [snorts] uh I much uh prophet God showed me that Donald Trump was going to be the
president. I can I can I wish I could invited all these people and all these uh churches I went to that I had said this five or six years ago. And one more man is real important to all of us and that's Elon Musk
5 years ago. I I'm I'm a worker. I ain't got time to look at news. God was showing me that uh what's was what was going to come. He got a heart for what I'm seeing today.
He got a heart for stars. All these people been talking. We is a I I'm observing that Starks is a Christian community, but you is on the edge to make a bad
decision. Now God took me out from what I had to do today to come to warn you. You can do what you want to do but we is doing no long we doing the same thing Hitler did [clears throat] and we better watch out. I ain't got too
much this like I say this is no joke and we don't get it right the that we had we get the church firsthand information. a real prophet and the Bible say a real prophet everything he what he say come true
everything I've been prophesized now came true uh uh we need to take heed uh what's going on and just like to say the the the what I see is driving this
and somebody said it money the love of money [snorts] you better love God but we better put God first cuz we I'm telling you sir, your soul is at stake. Your soul is at stake.
Thank you. Next, we will have um Diane Williams. Thank you. [clears throat] I'm going to try this again. Diane Williams, I live in Stark at 1018 Palm Street. I think I'm District Three, Mr.
majority. I think uh speaking opposed to this facility, uh I'm opposed to the whole operation nationwide, the way it's being run. Uh until 2025, it was run kind of like it's supposed to according to the law and the
constitution. That's not happening today. [clears throat] And uh so far it's resulted in a lot of bad stuff and two murders right in front of our eyes on city streets of United
States of America which I grew up in the Jim Crow South. I went through the civil rights era and we saw some bad stuff then and this is eclipsing that.
Um, a lot of what I was going to address has already been addressed, but I just wanted to talk about the perspective here. Um, right now the federal government ICE is
trying to go into communities all over the country. They are being met with push back. They are being rejected to take over facilities, communities. This is not really political because it's it's a lot of red states, red communities,
um, that voted Republican, which is all fine and dandy, but this is not political. This is moral and ethical. And just a little perspective, right now, there's 78,000 incarcerated in these camps
in America. That's not all that much compared to the big numbers they were talking about. So when are they how are they going to reach that? 3,800 are children under the age of 18. 20 20 [clears throat] are infants. Are
these the murderers and the rapists that we wanted to get out? Babies. Babies. People. And they have been held longer than the 20 days. A lot of them have. [snorts] That right there is immorality. the communities that are pushing back. I
just wanted to one stuck out in my mind. Social circle, Georgia. You're probably not familiar, but I am. Rode my motorcycle through there a few times. About the size of Stark. They wanted to put a 10,000
bed facility in a town of 5,000. They said hell no. Excuse me. But that's what they said and they voted 75% Republican for Donald Trump and they said no because they knew what it would
do to their community and communities all over are rejecting. Do we want to be Thank you. Uh next is Deborah Burgerer. >> Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to allow me to be here. My name is Debbie Burgerer. I am from
Melrose, 1421 Southeast 5th Avenue. Um, I am terrified to be up here. I've never spoken in public before, but I want you to listen to all the people. The concerns that they have should mean something to you. Deep in your heart,
you know what's right and wrong. We've been fed lies. We're seeing it play out right before us in in the United States of America. It's the worst of the worst. They said that's not really what's happening and we all know it. We're we're seeing it live right
before us. I want you to take into consideration I don't want to repeat you know what anybody else has said um oversight of this place
would be [snorts] key in knowing that people are not being abused fed poison food um treated unfairly abused lost look at our concentration camp I'm
Alligator Alcatra, there are there are people missing. How can we be assured that isn't going to happen here? This is a moral issue. You seem to be all great people and I hope that you'll do what's right for
this community and listen to the people before you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, we have Norman Trailer. Good morning everybody. Norman Trailer, 2400 Northeast 2003rd Street, Lau, Florida. Um I'm
[clears throat] here on a little bit different note. uh want to mention about a road being built over here in district 2 uh where I grew up and um five six years ago the state appropriated money
to build or fix that road out there to state specs with state money and uh everything was put on hold for a long time um in the last 6 months or So, uh,
actually 3 months they've been working 2 months, 2 and a half, they've been working on the road anyway. And, and it's not going to be to state specs by no means. And it's a big huge disappointment to everybody that has
lived out there on that road for a long time, which I currently do not live out there, but still family land out there. And u the Bradford County
website states that they will uh fix denes to where drain water, run water, divert water, whatever the case may be, and keep vegetation out of the out of the ditches and what have so
ditches can drain. um the road that they're working on out there now, which is uh like I said, district 2 at air off 225, state road 225, kind of road 225, whatever. At one
time it 225 was state road. Um, but when you're going to run water, you got to pull up all your culverts, existing culverts, and put and put your grade in there. And they're not doing
that out there on this road, which is just a waste of taxpayers money because the road is going. And another thing, they're not putting it wide enough to be a state spec road. Back in the 60s, vehicles were small.
You had little small mirrors on the sides. Now you got wider trucks, mirrors stick out that far from the sides and and uh couple weeks ago I went out there and trailers are a lot wider than what they used to be. So it takes more room
if you back going past an oncoming vehicle. And uh I had two pickups and trailers out there and actually and set it on the road where they going to put the put the pavement and uh it don't give a whole lot of room
but and one of the side roads between that road that they're building and highway 225 there there's trees that big growing down at the bottom of >> Thank you. Y'all have a good day. Uh >> next we'll have Joanne Crowley.
Good morning. Joanne Trembley, 18739 Northwest 235th Street, High Springs, Florida, Elatchua County. Madame Chair, thank you for allowing me time to speak. I am here as a member of the executive team for the Sierra Club, Swany St.
John's Group. I asked the commission to consider a few straightforward questions, all of which are grounded in Bradford County comprehensive plan and zoning standards that guide decisions like the proposed 3000 bed immigration detention center. Our first question is
this. How does a 3000 bed detention center fit with the future land use elements goal of orderly community integrated growth? At this scale, the facility functions much like a small town. But unlike a town, it doesn't
create housing, demand, support local businesses, or contribute to civic life. At the same time, it places constant demand on infrastructure and public services. Our second question, how does the county ensure it's meeting infrastructure concurrency and fiscal
responsibility requirements when this use depends on temporary federal contracts? The comprehensive plan is clear that long-term infrastructure cost should not be shifted on to local taxpayers. A detention center operates around the clock and requires permanent
investment in water wastewater roads and emergency centers services. Third, how does this proposal align with the conservation elements goal for protecting rural land and the environment? Facilities of the size
require extensive impervious surfaces, land clearing, storm water systems, and highintensity security lighting. Once land is converted to this type of use, it's effectively removed for future agriculture or low impact rural reviews.
We ask whether that level of intensity is consistent with the county's adopted environmental and rural character goals. Fourth, how does a 24hour secure detention facility meet zoning compatibility standards in rural or
agricultural areas? Zoning isn't just about whether a use appears on a list. It's about compatibility in scale, intensity, and how the use actually operates. This is a fast, secured, continuous operation institutional
facility. And finally, how does this proposal advance the economic development elements goal of stable residential supported employment? Detention facilities typically rely on non-local staff and high turnover positions. Communities that depend on
detention contracts often become more economically vulnerable when those contracts change or end. In closing, the comprehensive plan exists to guide growth thoughtfully, protect public investment, and avoid long-term harm. Based on these questions, I respectfully
add that it's inconsistent. Thank you. Did I miss anyone's comment card? Um, and >> I'm sorry, I was here late. Um, can I still speak? I have my comment card. >> Do you have a comment card? I have not
committed it to arrive late. >> Make it brief. Come. >> Last time I missed someone, not purposely intentional, but the card was missed. So, I want to make sure to miss anybody. >> Thank you so much.
>> Say your name and address. And my name is Jodi Parar. I'm from Elijah County. And if you don't mind, I'll share my information directly, but for my personal safety, I'd like to not give my home address here. Thank you. My name is Jodi Palmer. I
live in Alajra County. Um, I actually came here to speak on behalf of my employer, the Sierra Club of Florida. But Joanne Trembley has already read our statement, so I'm going to offer you an opportunity to meet a real immigrant. Speaking for myself, I came to the US in
1981. I was my father was recruited by the US government by the commerce department as he was the CEO of the steel plant in India. And I have lived here and served here. I'm one of the founding members of the of the science bus we mentioned somebody
mentioned before. I serve um Marian County, Putnham County, um Aladra County. I work and in Jacksonville I serve communities. It's what I've been doing for 40 years and I have more or less a clean driving record. The last 30
years I think I've gotten one ticket and I have to share with you that in the last 6 months I've been pulled over four times. My driving hasn't changed. There's nothing wrong with my car. And I've been pulled over a number of times. And the police officer thumbs up and asked me where I was going, what I was
doing, and if I knew what I had done wrong. And the answer is as far as I know, I haven't done anything wrong. And they take my driver's license, they go check it, they come back, and they start asking me more questions. [clears throat] And I respond with, I am a citizen, and I have that paperwork if
you'd like to see it. Sometimes they look embarrassed and sometimes they don't. But I've been let go each time. What I want to share with you is this is what an immigrant looks like. And a lot of times we are people are looking for
an excuse to pick us up. I have no confidence that I'm not going to [clears throat] break a traffic law sometime and that I won't get picked over picked up and that I will not be taken into a detention center. These detention centers, while people say that these are, you know, the worst of the
worst, that racial profiling that is now legal is harassing your communities. people like me who actually spend our entire lives um serving the communities we live in and around and who are here legally
with all of our paperwork. Um so just wanted to share that with you as you consider having this ice facility here. I'd also like to say that um some people do know us. I mean Jennifer Bradley um has worked with the Sierra Club a number of times and she might even know my name
just giving my wife actually a good productive assistant. Um and I am being harassed. Thank you. Thank you. I want to thank you all for um the way you conducted yourself in a respectful manner. Um next on our agenda is uh
approval for the consent agenda and I ask for a motion for approval of the consent agenda. >> I'm going to make a motion, but I'd like to scratch item D until each of us can have a a little bit further discussion with the county manager. And that's my motion.
Is there a second to the motion? Would like a second? >> Okay. U motion by Commissioner Dory to table the item D and second by um Commissioner Re. Um any for the question of discussion? All in favor by sign I
>> I. >> Any oppose? n same night. Three nays. Um three nays. So it the naysay has it.
>> Okay. So we madam chair the um motion was to approve the consent agenda without dee. >> Yes. >> So that means as we sit here because it was two to three and I'm obviously not concerned about my name. I'm just letting you know where we are standing
procedurally. Nothing has passed on consent agenda. >> Okay, >> that's where we stay, which is fine, but I just want to let you know what what the effects are right now. >> All right, so procedurally
um then can we enter another motion for >> absolutely >> the approval? Do I have >> However, however the board wishes to proceed, you can any motion would be in order. Okay. or if you want to just move on to the next part of the agenda, however you want to proceed, it's up to
you. >> Is there a motion for the approval of the consent agenda as indicated here? >> I'll make a motion we approve the consent agenda as it is. >> Second. >> Okay, this motion by um Commissioner Thompson, the second by Commissioner
Andrews. Um any further discussion? All in favor by the sign. I >> I three eyes nays. >> No. 3 to2. So the consent agenda passes. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Next uh um is the appointment for the
canvasing board alternate just um last year or this past year. um the the judge and I both had had to step back because we were up for election and so um Commissioner Andrew served uh on that
capacity and now that I'm chair now then I'm serving on the board but we need an alternate and so um I wanted to ask Miss Andrews if she want to continue to serve as that person or commissioner daughter one of the two because u the election
time will be coming up for Commissioner Reik and Commissioner Thompson. So, it would have to be one of one of you two. I'll continue. >> Okay. Miss Andrews is consenting to Oh. Oh, hello Amanda. [laughter]
And she and she can attest that we have to have um a city member and an alternate. So, Miss Andrews is agreeing to continue. So, do I have a action by the board to um allow this appointment for Miss Andrews to continue?
>> Miss Andrews, are you okay with that? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> On the alternative, right? >> Yes. Okay. >> You have my vote. >> Okay. Uh well, just a motion for Miss Andrews to be the alternate to the board. If I can hear that motion, >> I'll make a motion for Miss Andrews to be the alternate on the canvasing board.
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Second. A motion by Commissioner Dohy and second by Commissioner Rico. Any further question or discussion? All in favor by saying I. I. >> I. Okay. >> Madam Chair, I need to be dismissed. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> At this time, we'll have our clerk support report. Um Thompson have nothing this meeting. >> Okay. From our sheriff, I don't see him. Um and then from um well, the sheriff is in
here and he's absent. I have to say, I was going to put it in my my comments, but that department, the emergency management department, the sheriff department has had some very difficult cases that they've dealt with in the last two weeks. And I just wanted to commend the staff um for their good work
um and all that they had to endure and to to do this past couple of weeks. I just wanted to say that. Um all right, the county manager's report. Um >> yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Chair. A couple of things. First of all, the uh
we did institute a burn ban yesterday. The current burn ban will expire at midnight on next Monday, February 9th. Uh we will re-evaluate at that time uh to determine whether to extend or not extend the burn. We did have a fairly
large brush fire at the Bradford sportsman's farm on Saturday. Um some equipment was lost, but we uh between the Bradford County Fire and Rescue Department and the Department of Forestry, the fire was contained rather quickly and um no structures were lost.
So given the fire weather currently, we believe that the burn ban is most appropriate and once again we'll re-evaluate in a week's time. And just a reminder, immediately following this meeting will be our workshop for the land development regulations. our
consultant is here to um to uh carry on the workshop for us. So, we'll take however long of a break the chairman decides to give and then we'll reconvene for the workshop. That's all I have, Madam Chair. >> Okay. Um from our attorney, Bradley,
>> nothing to report. Thank you. >> Okay. From the commissioner, um Commissioner Andrews. Um, I have nothing other than just thank you for coming and speaking and um, we appreciate everyone's opinion. So, thank you. >> Um, Commissioner Thompson,
>> Commissioner Ray. >> Yes, I've got a couple things. Um, thank you everyone for coming. I really do appreciate it. The most important thing you can do is please keep us in your prayers, make good decisions, and uh, thank you for that. Um, on another note, uh, opening day for baseball and
softball at Edwards Road will be March 21st at 9:00. Uh, we invite everybody out there. It's going to be a great day. Um, there's been a lot of work, as y'all know, going on at the fields and, um, we're we're really excited, looking forward to, uh, having that grand
opening day. Uh also the uh last day for signups for baseball and softball, we're going to it's this Friday, but we're going to extend it over to Saturday from 11 to 2. We're going to be at the field uh giving out free hot dogs and um you
can come and sign up in person. We'll have it set up where we can help you whatever you need to sign up. So that again, that's Saturday from 11 to 2 uh with free hot dogs. And um after a lot of prayer, I just want to
make this announcement. Um it excuse [clears throat] me. It's a tough one cuz uh if you know me, I I enjoy this position. I enjoy this job. [snorts] And I Excuse me. I'll just tell you, God
has blessed me. He's helped me find favor with the people. He's kept me in office for a long time. I enjoy it. But I've got eight grandkids that I love more than anything in the world. And uh so with that, I'm just out of respect
for this job, I just want it out there. I will not be seeking reelection. So just please be praying that God will put the next one he wants in line. And uh thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Renie. Um, just
to share a few u briefings. I again I want to thank the sheriff's department and also our firefighters. They have battled brush fires and putting their lives on the line. Um, and the um sheriff's folk have had to deal with
some very difficult situations. Um, and all of the emergency responses that we've had over the past couple of weeks, it's just been phenomenal. and then the hard work we take for granted sometimes their job, but we don't really understand that the danger that they
place themselves in to keep us safe. And so I just commend all of our first responders, everyone who has been involved and helping with these emergency situations, um the death, the death, and all that that they've had to
to face uh in the last few weeks. Um, I also want to um just ask our community to also be in in prayer for our legislators and and for people who are making decisions about things that impact our lives. Uh, we have some big
um decisions that are coming up um you know that the legislative session is going on, the impact that um property taxes and those kinds of things will have on our communities. And so when we do our workshop coming up, I think our first one is coming up on March the 3.
We need to look at if we lose that revenue base, how will we manage our communities? We have to look at some real life situations and how it impacts us. So um we will have our first uh workshop coming up in March. Um so be
thinking about that. And also our next uh regular board meeting is going to be February 19th um here in this room at 6:30. And I also wanted to share with our board um that the concerned citizens of Bradford County recognized the Rapid County Board of County Commissioners for
the 9th annual MLK Drum Major Service Award for its support of that organization in our community. And uh here is the plaque that was presented um there. Thank you. Um if there's no other
further business um this meeting is now adjourned and we will take uh 5 minute break and go into the next uh workshop. Thank you and again thank you all. Heat. Heat.