HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The Florida Commission on Ethics weighed in on a complaint filed by High Springs resident Janet Evans alleging ethics violations by sitting High Springs City Commissioner Ross Ambrose. Following the Commission’s review of the complaint, all counts were officially dismissed on Oct. 20, 2023 for failure to constitute a legally sufficient complaint.

Ethics Complaint

The complaint filed by Evans listed a number of alleged ethics violations. Evans states that Ambrose founded a non-profit organization named The Heart of High Springs (HHS) in 2019, prior to his election as City Commissioner in November 2020 and that he owns PortaServe, a company that provides “porta-potties.”

The complaint alleges that the “HHS organization signed a contract with WallDog Mural Artists to hold a mural festival in the City in 2022, which was delayed due to COVID and generated controversy that inspired consideration of a mural ordinance that was discussed repeatedly for eight months.”

1. The complaint alleges that Ambrose received financial gain in the form of a tax write-off through a business contribution of $5,000 to HHS.
2. The complaint also alleges that Ambrose’s porta-potty business received financial gain through free advertising when he donated porta-potties to the mural festival.
3. The complaint also alleges that the City Attorney’s office donated $250 to HHS.
4. The complaint further alleges that Duke Energy has contributed to HHS.
5. Evans also claimed that Ambrose supported a Duke Solar Power Plant until he signed a contract with Duke Energy to supply portable toilets for the project, after which he stated he “would no longer be participating in the discussion or decision-making process regarding this topic.”
6. The complaint alleges that Ambrose voted to support the building and opening of a Tractor Supply Store and that Ambrose’s porta-potties were used at the building site.
7. The complaint alleges that the City paid $18,246 more than its contracted retainer to the City attorney and records indicate many telephone conversations between the City Attorney and Respondent.” Evans cited telephone calls between the attorney’s office and Ambrose as the source of the additional cost.

Committee Public Report and Order Dismissing Complaint

In the Public Report and Order Dismissing Complaint, the Commission on Ethics states that in reference to complaints identified here as 1 – 4, “The complaint fails to indicate violation of State Statutes Section 112.3148(4). To indicate possible violation of the statute, a complaint must allege, in a factual, substantive, nonconclusory manner that a Respondent or someone acting on their behalf, accepted a gift worth more than $100 from a vendor, lobbyist, or principal of a lobbyist or their agency.

“In this case, the complaint alleges that contributions to HHS were made by Duke Energy, the law firm currently contracted to provide legal services to the City, and the Respondent’s business. In each of these cases, the recipient of the donations is not Respondent, but HHS, an entity that is distinct and separate from its founder.”

In the Public Report and Order Dismissing Complaint, the Commission on Ethics states that in reference to complaints identified here as 5 – 7, “The complaint fails to indicate violation of State Statutes Section 112.3143(3)(a), which prohibits local public officers from, among other things, voting on a matter that will inure to his or her special private gain or loss.

“Regarding the vote on the construction of the power plant by Duke Energy, the complaint specifically alleges that Respondent recused himself from discussing or voting on the matter when the matter began to inure to his special private gain or loss, which is when his company signed a contract with Duke Energy.

“Regarding the construction of the Tractor Supply Sore, the complaint does not allege that PortaServe had any existing contract at the time Respondent voted to support the construction. In order to sustain an allegation of a voting conflict, the special private gain or loss may not be remote of speculative. Therefore, the complaint does not allege that Respondent voted on any matter that inured to the special private gain or loss of himself, his relative, his business associate or a principal by whom he was retained.”

“Finally, the allegation that the City Attorney has billed more than its contracted retainer, and that it has billed conversations with Respondent, does not implicate any part of the Code of Ethics. Nor does the allegation that Respondent is getting free advertising by donating PortaServe’s services at a festival.”

In summary, the Commission on Ethics said, “Accordingly, this complaint is hereby dismissed for failure to constitute a legally sufficient complaint with the issuance of this public report.”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Brewing Company was home base for robotics, art and music on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Dozens of families took advantage of the sunny and windy afternoon to watch children and youth compete in robotics competition and enjoy the upbeat sounds of local teen music phenom Trevor Ellis. Adding to the eclectic mood of robotics and music, the nonprofit Good News Arts was on hand offering both children and adults opportunities to try their hand in arts and crafts activities.

Tucked a block off Main Street in beautiful High Springs, the High Springs Brewing Company provided an open-air setting and drinks for the day’s events. Pizza, wings, and more were scuttled from Prohibition Pizza located across the street by eventgoers throughout the afternoon.

Billed as a demonstration event, the robotics competition was organized by the local Swampbots Robotics Team. The Swampbots is a FIRST Tech Challenge Team (FTC) centered in Alachua County. Their middle/elementary team, the Frogmen coached by Jason Sweat, is part of the FIRST LEGO League.

The sole competition of the day was in the middle/elementary school division involving three teams: Frogmen, Inno Gators and Byte Force. After winning the first of three heats, the Inno Gators won the third heat to win First Place for the competition. The Frogmen scored Second Place and Byte Force finished in Third.

The Swampbots high school team put on several demonstrations showcasing robot building and agility exercises. And the pre-school team offered building activities to all competition visitors. All team coaches and team members were open to answer questions about robotics and team activities.

Throughout the afternoon, 15-year-old Trevor Ellis took to the stage to ply the crowd with a variety of music. Ellis has been playing musical instruments since he was a toddler. He was inspired by his family of musicians and began on the drums at the age of four. Singing both originals and covers while playing the acoustic guitar, Ellis was a crowd favorite between the breaks in competition. hiss parents and grandparents were present cheering him along.

Attendees also took the opportunity to visit the Good News Arts tables throughout the day. The local nonprofit had several arts and crafts activities set up throughout the venue and also hosted a silent auction of six handmade quilts crafted by regular attendees of Good News Arts. The proceeds of the silent quilt auction will benefit the upcoming 2024 Good News Arts Summer Camp. Located on Main Street downtown, High Springs, Good News Arts meets from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Visit them online at goodnewsarts.com for more information about getting involved.

Sunday’s robotics event made for an entertaining and informative afternoon, bringing together music and arts with the world of science and engineering in a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.

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Photo by MOXIE MEDIA

ALACHUA ‒ It was an exciting fall sports weekend for the City of Alachua's Recreation & Culture Department.  The local Santa Fe Raiders Babe Ruth Softball Organization hosted over 60 games at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex in Alachua. 

The Showcase drew high schoolers from Tennessee, Virgina, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Florida. College coaches throughout the entire country reviewed hundreds of future prospects over the weekend. 

In other action, the Alachua Raiders Youth Football Organization hosted its Homecoming games at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex this past Saturday. Dozens of teams from the North Central Florida Region participated in exciting and competitive games.  

Recreation Director Damon Messina offered thanks to all volunteers, coaches and participants for a successful weekend.

Coming up this coming weekend, Alachua Raider Youth Football will host the first section of Tournament play at Legacy's Multipurpose Fields.  This will be the first time organized youth football games will be played at the City’s Legacy Fields. The public is invited to come out and watch future football stars show their talents while having a good time.

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