Three seats on the five-member St. Augustine Beach City Commission this year, but only one seat will be on the ballot for voters in November. The commissioners for Seat 4 and Seat 5, Virginia Morgan and Don Samora, were the only ones to qualify for their respective races, and were automatically re-elected.
The Seat 3 commissioner, Undine George, is seeking re-election and faces a challenger, Jacob David Dascomb. The Seat 3 race will only appear on the November general election ballot. As it is a non-partisan race, candidates run without party affiliation.
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News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES |
Jacob David Dascomb
Occupation: Patent professional (intellectual property law)
Age: 40
Family: Wife of 8 years and three sons -- ages 6, 3, and 1
Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering -- FSU 2008; M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering -- UF 2009; JD (juris doctor) -- American University Washington College of Law 2019;
Political experience: This is my first run for public office
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Stop reckless development; make taxes more affordable; provide choice to residents to elect one of their commissioners;
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My opponent has voted to raise taxes 12 years in a row and runs a law office that handles property matters in the City’s jurisdiction; I can provide unbiased decision making and finally deliver a tax cut for residents;
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Giving residents a chance to vote for change at City Hall; Residents have only had the opportunity to vote for one commission seat (out of 5 total) for one term in more than 8 years -- Residents need the chance to actually elect the commissioner who represents them
Campaign website: Not yet active
Campaign social media: Not yet active
Undine Celeste George
Occupation: In addition to being your City Commissioner, I’m an Attorney and owner of Anastasia Law, located in St. Augustine Beach since 2010. I have an extensive background in real estate and civil litigation but recently narrowed my practice to focus on estate planning, probate and trust administration. I am a former Pres. of the SJC Bar Assoc. and founding board member for SJC Assoc. for Women Lawyers.
For 24 yrs I’ve made active contributions to our community, volunteering with dozens of non profits and community groups; I believe it is crucial for elected officials to stay in touch with the needs of her, or his, neighbors. Therefore, I currently serve on the Board of Directors for St. Johns County Council on Aging, as well as the Friends of the GTM National Estuary Research Reserve. I’m a member of Rotary (“service before self”) & a 4th generation Elks lodge member.
Age: 48
Family: Family is very precious to me; I am blessed to have a large, extended family. Both of my parents moved here, shortly after I did; they raised me to value community service. I met my husband at St. Aug. Beach City Hall (who was on the Commission at that time & also is a former mayor).
Education: I received a scholarship to study law at Suffolk University Law School and earned a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, with an Honors Concentration in International Law, with distinction for achieving a 4.0 GPA.
For undergraduate, I first studied at Massachusetts College of Art, with a dual major in Art History and Oil Painting. After completing my Junior year, I transferred into a Philosophy program at Suffolk University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Summa Cum Laude.
My Sacred Heart high school (Stone Ridge; Bethesda, MD) not only provided me with a rigorous academic education but also reinforced my interest in community service, with its five foundational goals: a personal and active faith in God; a deep respect for intellectual values; social awareness impelling to action; the building of community; and personal growth in wise freedom.
As a City Commissioner I successfully attended and completed the Florida League of Cities’ Institute for Elected Municipal Officials program.
Political experience: Appointed to the St. Augustine Beach Planning Zoning Board in 2006 - 2010. First elected as City Commissioner of St. Augustine Beach in 2010. Elected as Mayor of St. Augustine Beach in 2018 and 2019 (2 term limit); elected as Vice Mayor in 2016 and 2017.
Key successes during my service: first female mayor with 16 years of service; preservation and accreditation of the beach police (after Commission efforts to dismantle dept.); secured the 35 foot building height limit in the City Charter; kept taxes low despite Covid & major hurricanes (today’s total millage is less than it was ten years ago); preserved Ocean Hammock Park and Hammock Dunes Park; reductions in cost of flood insurance policies for beach residents by as much as 90% due to city policies and FEMA map updates in 2018; installed and improved many beach walkovers; planted thousands of sea oats to protect against coastal flooding; following storms like Hurricane Matthew (2016) and Irma (2017), improved emergency response coordination, recovery processes, and infrastructure hardening; major investments in drainage infrastructure, especially along A1A Beach Blvd and low-lying neighborhoods, have reduced chronic street flooding and improved resilience to heavy rains and king tides; various streetscape improvements, pedestrian crossings and beautification projects.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Top issues are: (1) Protect low taxes and high-quality services during a critical transition. With our city manager, Max Royle, retiring (after 37 years) and potential homestead revenue loss, I’ll ensure steady, experienced leadership and fiscal discipline for a smooth management handoff. (2) Public safety and neighborhood livability. With more tourism, e-bikes, and projects like SunTrail, I’ll push ongoing ordinance review, support the Police Department, and manage parking and traffic impacts. (3) Preserve St. Augustine Beach’s character (our beaches, tree canopy, family-friendly and pet-friendly quality of life, and thoughtful growth) by stewarding natural spaces, amenities, and small businesses.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I’m seeking re-election because I care deeply for St. Aug. Beach. It’s the most desirable place to live & that didn’t happen by accident. I’m proud that my 16 years of hard work on the Commission helped shape the quality of life we now enjoy! But the City is facing some big changes ahead with the City Manager’s retirement, possible change in our city attorney and possible loss of homestead revenues. These changes could cause serious disruption to our services and quality of life. Many neighbors and colleagues on the Commission asked me to seek another term specifically because my experience & institutional knowledge will help ease us through those changes, with efficiency.
I can help constituents immediately because I’m already prepared to serve. After 16 years in office, I’ve built a foundation of knowledge in city codes, procedures, state laws and budgeting, so I won’t be learning on the job. My opponent seems like a nice guy; I met with him and we’ve talked a couple times. He didn’t share his platform or view of the issues with me, so I don’t know what he stands for, but he articulated only a passing interest, and no essential experience. I admire his courage in stepping forward but it takes a few years to become acquainted with the role of a Commissioner, to learn the limits of the office, and the unintended consequences of budgetary, legislative or policy decisions. I encouraged him to fill a vacancy on a planning or advisory board, to explore his interest and knowledge further, but don’t believe he was interested.
Residents likely remember that in the City’s not-to-distant past: some personalities on the Commission were a detriment; others misused the power of the position, or resigned unexpectedly; the Commission didn’t always have the professional reputation that it has today. A fresh voice on the Commission might be a good idea when the timing is right. But the Commission already has new members and the next two years are critical; now is the time to stay steady at the helm.
The current Commission is the most effective, professional and well reputed Commission that has existed throughout the 24 years I’ve lived here. It makes no sense to disrupt that at this time; I have a proven track record of selfless service for the good of our City. I’ve listened to residents at commission meetings, been persuaded to change opinions when objective reasoning affords it, built relationships with other governments and agencies for the benefit of our City, and approached decisions with critical thinking, an open mind, while using my legal training and creativity for problem-solving. I’m deeply committed to protecting our small-town character, our environment, and taxpayer value. If the people think it best to re-elect me, I will be more than happy to continue that service!
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Someone who always “walked” her “talk”, asked the difficult questions, left her ego at the door before walking into a meeting, did all she could to help her community, nurtured what we love about living in St. Augustine Beach, and did it all with a smile!
Campaign website: www.VoteUndine.com
Campaign social media: None given