Elect Alan Kelso - St. Johns County County Commissioner, District 5

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2011-07-15 Alan Kelso Blog

Kelso ran unsuccessfully in 2010 against incumbent Dr. William Proctor for the District 20 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. In making his intentions known, he did so, “as an American, as a patriot, proud to be of the party of Lincoln, proud to have always been labeled Republican, to have known no other political designation than that of a conservative”; a sentiment that hit home with many Republicans in the meeting . That sentiment was especially true for those who consider Kelso’s opponent to be a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only). Joseph “Ken” Bryan was elected as a Republican to his first term on the St. Johns County Commission in 2008 — only two years before, having run unsuccessfully as a Democrat. In his announcement, Kelso said, “The key to restoring the health of the economy in America, in Florida and in St. Johns County lies in reducing the size and scope of government and returning our neighbors to work.” Taking exception to the recently proposed budget from County Administrator Michael Wanchick, Kelso opined, “This does not mean sacrificing essential services, nor do we need to destroy the system of benefits which support the most vulnerable of our county,” referring to the 44 mental health workers who the county will no longer employ. Citing what Kelso calls “a failure of imagination” he says the county administration is seeking to raise taxes “in the most inopportune of times — creating a real and imminent threat to economic recovery”. Pointing out that unless there is a change in the culture of spending and a willingness to cut spending even more, the plan to increase the millage rate this year still will not cover the projected thirty-five million dollar shortfall that is anticipated for 2013. “Our budget exploded in size beyond what reasonable leaders should have allowed,” Kelso told the audience. “The fact is our current leaders still do not understand that the problem isn’t about revenue — it is about spending beyond what is reasonable.” Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer

Alan Kelso Seeks Bryan’s Commission Seat

Historic City News learned at last night’s delegate selection meeting of the Republican Executive Committee that Alan ...

2011-06-25 Administrator Blog

As an interested resident of the county, I was eager to have an opportunity to hear first-hand why our commissioners would decide, on a matter of such wide and deep concern, to move forward without giving the citizens to whom they owe their first duty, an opportunity to express their view of the proposed settlement. It was obvious that news of the meeting had been released to the church as so many of their members were present against only a minimal contingent from the residents of the county. I accept the commission's position that this decision falls within the bounds of the law. Unfortunately, it falls far outside the boundaries of trust that citizens expect of their elected officials. Additionally there remain a great many questions unanswered that can seriously impact the economic and subjective quality of life of the residents of District One. The Commission owed its first duty to the citizens of the county who will bear the brunt of this development and they should have fully briefed and heard all points of view. After all, their voices had been echoing in the chambers of the County Commission many times prior to this day. The voice of the residents of the county should have been of primary importance to the commissioners, unfortunately they were not. In this you have a failure of trust. The construction of a church facility in itself is not the central issue at hand. Rather the concern of the northwest residents and myself, as a citizen of the county, is that our elected officials are demonstrating again, that they are willing to place themselves into a situation where they are managing the residents and manipulating the community. Leaders are entrusted to lead, not to manipulate. One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes a crisis.

Leaders recognize a problem before it's a crisis

Recently I attended the St. Johns County Town Hall meeting at the Bartram Trail Library. At the conclusion of the meeti...

2009-10-04 Administrator Blog

Undoubtedly the greatest testimony to Alan's early leadership abilities was his being selected for appointment to the West Point military Academy upon graduation from high school. That selection was much more than an honor -- it represented outstanding success in one of this country's most competitive evaluations of excellence -- it gave evidence of Alan's great personal character as well as top academic achievement. At that time, though, Alan heard other callings and declined the West Point selection. Instead, he attended Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, eventually traveling as a representative of the University, encouraging high school students to continually expand their knowledge, to perceive and thereby to achieve their highest potential. He continued to exercise this exceptional talent – of expanding the abilities of others to reach their potential in life – by serving various communities in Indiana and Florida as a senior pastor of several congregations. This calling to public service is what initially brought Alan to St Augustine, where he worked from 1979 to 1982 and gained a love for this community, which eventually brought him back in 1994. During his time away from NE Florida in those intervening years, Alan acquired substantial business skills and experience while also continuing his motivational accomplishments. Beginning in 1982, he became a sought-after communicator, traveling throughout the southeast, Midwest, and northeastern United States, giving concerts and seminars. In 1985 he built the first infant-daycare facility in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and continued refining his business skills of negotiating, corporate management, effective planning, and problem solving while building and directing a television station as president and part-owner. In this, he also hosted two daily television shows and a daily radio show dealing with how to succeed in life. He taught people how to reinvent themselves for success no matter their situation. In 1987 Alan built a film/video company that was to become Sony Broadcast of America's premier facility -- and the first fully digital facility in the Midwest. This developing career path took Alan to southern Florida, where he owned a consulting company specializing in residential and commercial renovations. Then in 1994, after returning to St. Augustine, he built an ISP (internet service provider) and a software company and also worked in upper management for a wireless-communications company. Alan's passion for NE Florida brought him alongside a team of other leaders to host the Pro-Family Rally at the World Golf Convention Center, with the goal of bringing the Marriage Amendment to fruition in Florida. He worked on an advisory council for then-president George Bush, which led to his appointment to the Business Commission headed by then-U.S. House Majority Whip Tom DeLay of Texas. An article in a 2004 edition of the St. Augustine Record quoted Representative DeLay as saying that Mr. Kelso was selected based on his outstanding contributions to the Advisory Council. In addition, Alan was one of several who worked with leader Ken Asplund and helped launch CPR (Christian Professional Resources) in St. Johns County, a project to develop a resource for professionals to operate strong, ethical businesses. Alan is a visionary who is confident that dreams are the seeds of reality. He believes in his ability to see the reality that can be and to grow it and nurture it. He has the ability to listen to what people say they desire, to offer an ear to understand their needs, to have the compassion to respect their views -- and moreover, he has the resourcefulness to solve problems and meet needs. Complementing these substantial abilities, Alan also has the inner strength and confidence to recognize his role as a servant empowered by those he serves: he is willing to be answerable for his leadership. Alan is married to Terina and together they have three wonderful children and three grandchildren and are expecting their fourth grandchild early 2012.