DeSantis staff Met with Golf Group Months Before Controversial Park Proposal
Months before Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration proposed building three golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, top officials in his office had already scheduled meetings with representatives of Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization involved in the project, according to public records.
Emails and text messages reviewed by WPTV show that staff for the governor met with Folds of Honor representatives in February 2023, 18 months before the controversial proposal became public. This initiative, along with eight other proposals for projects like pickleball courts and lodging construction at other state parks, was ultimately withdrawn following widespread protests across Florida.
Notably,text messages from a WPTV public records request reveal founding staff member of the Florida Department of Commerce,Meredith Ivey,suggesting a connection between the proposed golf course and the Tuskegee Airmen. this connection aligns with statements made by Tuskegee Dunes, the group behind the proposed golf course, which aimed to “tell the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen,” as stated in a press release.
Tyler Russell, who worked at Enterprise Florida at the time and participated in the text conversations, confirmed to WPTV his awareness of Folds of Honor and the meaning of the Tuskegee Airmen in history. Though,he recalled limited details about the proposed golf course project.
The details of these early discussions raise questions about the level of clarity surrounding the state park progress proposals. While the official proposal was announced later,the governor’s office had already engaged with key players in the project months prior.
Florida Governor DeSantis Distances Himself From Controversial Everglades Proposal
Whistleblower Alleges Secret Planning and Governor’s Involvement
A proposed plan to develop golf courses and other recreational facilities within Florida’s everglades ecosystem has sparked controversy and accusations of secrecy.Former Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) employee James Gaddis, who leaked the controversial proposal, claims that the project was planned in secret and that he was ordered to draw the golf course designs.
Governor Ron desantis has since distanced himself from the proposal, stating that he was unaware of the plan. “This was not approved,” DeSantis said at a press conference. “I never saw that.”
Gaddis alleges that his supervisor received instructions to create the designs from Cody farrill, the governor’s deputy chief of staff. This claim is supported by a newly discovered calendar invitation that reveals meetings between the governor’s top staff and representatives from the Folds of Honor non-profit organization, which would have overseen the project, back in February 2023.
The invite indicates the involvement of than-Deputy Chief of Staff alex kelly, who now serves as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce, in the planning discussions.
Public backlash and scrutiny from lawmakers have led to DeSantis calling for the DEP to rework the Everglades initiative.
Florida Golf Charity Event Raises Questions Amidst Governor’s Involvement
A proposed golf benefit in Florida for the Folds of Honor charity has sparked controversy due to the potential involvement of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
According to reports, Florida businessman WJ “Pete” Young organized a tournament at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, to benefit the organization, which provides educational scholarships for families of fallen service members.
Young stated that Jack Nicklaus, the prestigious golf legend, is seeking guidance on the event’s legitimacy before offering his support. Though, Young’s assertion that the governor had pre-approved the event despite potential bidding conflicts remains unconfirmed.
Efforts to reach the governor’s office and the Department of Commerce, which falls under the governor’s purview, have been unsuccessful.
Here are two PAA-related questions based on the provided text:
Frequently Asked Questions: DeSantis, Golf Courses, and state Parks in Florida
**Q: When did discussions about the proposed golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State park begin?**
**A:** Public records reveal that staff for Governor DeSantis met with representatives from Folds of Honor, a non-profit involved in the project, as early as February 2023. This was 18 months before the proposal became public.
**Q: What is the connection between the proposed golf course and the Tuskegee Airmen?**
**A:** Text messages obtained through public records requests suggest a link between the project and the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black fighter pilots during World War II.Tuskegee Dunes, the group behind the proposed golf course, aimed to “tell the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen.”
**Q: Why were the proposed golf courses and other projects at state parks ultimately withdrawn?**
**A:** The projects faced widespread protests across Florida and were ultimately withdrawn.
**Q: Has Governor DeSantis admitted to any involvement in the controversial Everglades proposal?**
**A:** DeSantis has distanced himself from the proposal, stating he was unaware of the plan. However, a whistleblower claims the governor’s staff was involved in secret planning meetings.
**Q: What is the folds of Honor charity?**
**A:** Folds of Honor is a non-profit institution that provides educational scholarships for families of fallen military service members.
These developments raise important questions about transparency and accountability in Florida’s government. Keep informed and stay engaged in the issues that matter to you.
