UPDATED WITH CLARIFICATIONS: Jeff Andros’s Way. Part 1 - The Politics of the David Dyer Campaign
The Sunshine Journal received a legal notice in a response to the July 21st article.
NOTE ON CLARIFICATIONS FROM THE EDITOR:
As the owner of a news publication, there will come times to make changes in articles when statements that need clarity are brought to my attention.
In the words of one of my mentors, “We aim for truth. We settle for accuracy.”
The great opportunity in being an independent online publisher is that you can share with your readers editorial changes with abundant transparency. And when necessary, I will apologize publicly for any unintentional misunderstanding.
I received in my mailbox on Saturday a request from a law firm representing Jeff Andros. It stated that The Sunshine Journal feature article posted on July 21st contained “false and defamatory statements.” Enclosed is a copy of a portion of that letter.
His legal representative wrote:
“The article was entitled ‘Jeff Andros's Way. Part 1 - The Politics of the David Dyer Campaign.’
Specifically, the article contains false and defamatory statements as set forth below:
(a) "Subsequently, Dr. Jones' messaging is being set by Mr. Andros who in his failed attempts to find anything on Mr. Dyer's opponent (more on this later), has resorted to offer an attempt to change the discussion of issues through his longtime friend's column at 32963 Vero News.”
The foregoing statement is patently and materially false. Mr. Andros has no affiliation with Dr. Jones' campaign.
(b) "Prior to Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Andros selecting David Dyer, Kevin McDonald met with them for 2 interviews.”
The foregoing statement is patently and materially false. Mr. Andros did not select David Dyer to run for a local position.”
I was given a short turnaround time to respond and make any necessary editorial decisions. The following addresses Mr. Andros’s specific concerns.
Concern (a)
Mr. Andros’s legal representative says the reason this statement is false is because “Mr. Andros has no affiliation with Dr. Jones’ campaign.”
The varied definitions of affiliate are “to connect or associate in thought,” “to attach or unite (oneself to another person) in fellowship or membership,” “to bring in close association or connection of action or interest.”
( SOURCE: Dictionary.com )
According to the definition of affiliate, Mr. Andros ‘associated in thought’ when he personally & publicly endorsed Dr. Peggy Jones’s re-election to the school board on January 14, 2024. (See below)
In March at his first fundraiser at Quail Valley, the David Dyer campaign, which is managed by Mr. Andros, brought Dr. Jones into ‘close association’ through a public endorsement by David Dyer in his remarks to the audience. In a media report, Dr. Jones is quoted as fully accepting saying she was “simply honored” by the endorsement. (McNulty, Ray, “School Board hopeful Dyer draws impressive crowd at fundraiser,” Vero Beach 32963, March 28, 2024, pg. 16.)
Mr. Dyer made a maximum contribution to Dr. Jones’s campaign expressing a ‘connection of action or interest’ according to the above definition of the term, affiliate.
The two campaigns have continued to work together. For example, at Sebastian’s 4th of July Freedom Festival, the campaigns shared a display tent in the vendor area at Riverside Park.
Dr. Jones sent an email campaign to voters urging them “to vote for David Dyer,” adding, “a highly respected, nationally known businessman…”
Dr. Jones has also made a Facebook post asking voters to vote for Dyer and herself on her campaign page.
In another reciprocating gesture, Mr. Dyer stated his expressed support for Dr. Jones during the NAACP forum. He did so as part of one of his answers.
( LINK: NAACP Candidate Forum )
Concerning the article referenced in the statement contested by Mr. Andros’s legal representative, Dr. Jones posted on her Facebook campaign page,
“I'm proud to stand alongside David Dyer for School Board in our commitment to a campaign focused on integrity, transparency, and real solutions for our community. Our approach is highlighted in this recent article from Vero News, where we emphasize our refusal to engage in hardball politics. David and I believe in positive, issue- based campaigning that addresses the needs and aspirations of our constituents. By staying true to these principles, we aim to foster a healthier and more productive political environment. Thank you to Ray McNulty for this article. Read more about our vision and commitment here.”
A link to the article followed. (McNulty, Ray, “Candidate’s no fan of hardball politics here,” Vero Beach 32963, July 18, 2024, pgs. 1, 3-9.) The writing included an attack directed at Peggy Jones’s opponent, Rob MacCallum.
Furthermore, it is hard to believe the manager of the David Dyer campaign wasn’t aware of Dr. Jones’s statements of public support for Mr. Dyer. After all, he is paid well to make sure campaign messaging is consistent with their overall strategy.
The one aspect of affiliation Mr. Andros’s legal representative might be referring to is a contractual agreement. If so, The Sunshine Journal never made a claim of that type of affiliation. As editor, I apologize to Mr. Andros if he was offended by any inference to such a relationship or affiliation. The Sunshine Journal has always recognized that neither Mr Andros, nor his company, Mack Work Consultants, LLC, have received any payment from Dr. Jones’s campaign.
With that acknowledgment and in an effort to live by the statement, “We aim for truth. We settle for accuracy,” I made a correction that best expresses both campaigns’ mutual affiliation. The statement now reads, “Subsequently, Dr. Jones’s messaging aligns with it. Mr. Andros, who in his failed attempts to find anything on Mr. Dyer’s opponent (more on this later), has resorted to offer an attempt to change the discussion of issues through his longtime friend’s column at 32963 / Vero News.”
As a fully affiliated member of the David Dyer campaign, I want to personally thank Mr. Andros for addressing the accuracy of the affiliation with Dr. Jones’s campaign so it can be publicly presented.
Concern (b)
B) Mr. Andros’s legal representative also stated, “Mr. Andros did not select David Dyer to run for a local position.”
As editor of The Sunshine Journal, I am aware that David Dyer decided to run for school board. The Sunshine Journal broke the story because Mr. Andros revealed it to a credible source prior to the formal announcement in Vero News 32963. The Sunshine Journal verified his filing at the Supervisor of Elections.
( LINK: BREAKING: David Dyer Enters School Board Race. Brian Barefoot Expected to Shutdown Campaign )
Citizens do not select candidates to run for office. They endorse candidates, while others can manage campaigns. A candidate’s decision to run is their own. On more than one occasion, The Sunshine Journal referenced a process Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Andros used in “selecting” Mr. Dyer as someone they could get behind and support in the race for school board. I realize the word “selecting” may need clarification, so I’ve decided to replace this with a synonymous phrase. The sentence from the original article now reads as follows, “Prior to Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Andros respectively endorsing and choosing to work with David Dyer, Kevin McDonald met with them for 2 interviews.”
Mr. McDonald, incumbent candidate for school board, recalls meeting with Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Andros in some sort of vetting process. As indicated in my article, the quote provided by Mr. McDonald tells of the role of Mr. Andros as if he were selected by the two men offering their potential endorsement of Mr. McDonald. Mr. McDonald said, “The first meeting was very encouraging. Mr. Barefoot told me he would connect me with his campaign manager, and that he won his election in 2020 without him even being in town.” Mr. Barefoot’s campaign manager was Mr. Andros. Ultimately, Mr. McDonald did not gain their support. Instead, the two men selected to put their support towards Mr. Dyer.
We aim for truth. We settle for accuracy.
Again, I apologize for any unintended misunderstanding. I flatly reject the claims made against my journalistic integrity. The First Amendment right to freedom of speech and of the press gives me the fundamental legal construct and latitude to report the truth based on my research and factual discoveries. My work stands upon reasonable grounds to believe what was put in the article is accurate and published in good faith. There were not intended falsities. However, if any edits needed to be made, they have been cured as evidenced in the body of this note. To be clear, no defamation has been committed. As a result, there is no reason for Mr. Andros to assume my intentions are designed to injure his reputation in the community.
Thank you for contributing more transparency for readers on this matter.
The updated article is below per your request.
Thomas Kenny
Publisher, The Sunshine Journal
“We aim for truth. We settle for accuracy.”
UPDATED: Jeff Andros’s Way. Part 1 - The Politics of the David Dyer Campaign
Editor’s Note: Normally, The Sunshine Journal does not consider the opinion of another media writer in such deliberate detail. However, due to the nature of forged political relationships in Indian River County, this story cannot be covered properly without such an examination.
Don’t discuss the issues. Label them “political.”
Thursday evening was the NAACP school board forum. A question was presented about ‘banning books.’ Candidate, David Dyer, said, “I don’t think anyone wants pornography in schools, but, the way the law is written, it says, ‘let’s not have pornography in schools for under third grade.’”
Of course, the statement is incorrect. Everybody knows pornography in the hands of school children at any age is absolutely wrong. It violates obscenity statutes (FL s. 847.0012) and basic education law (FL s. 1006.40) that states, “All instructional material must be free of pornography.”
Mr. Dyer prefaced that statement by saying he was about educating kids. After his clueless legal statement, he said that he wanted to move on from the issues that “don’t improve” a kid’s education. It was a bizarre political explanation in an attempt to challenge those parents who voiced concerns to protect their children.
Moms for Liberty is a group of parents who identified the porn problem and stepped up publicly with morals and common sense to protect their sons and daughters. The March 5th arrest of newly deputized law enforcement officer, Kai Cromer, for possession of child pornography after a female Vero Beach High School (VBHS) student recognized him, brought the cultural issue to the forefront. Mr. Cromer, who graduated from VBHS in 2022, was ultimately accused of soliciting 4 girls for various nude photos. The brave young women came forward and told their stories to investigators that day.
LINK: The Casualties of the Culture War - Kai Cromer’s Arrest
Chairwoman of the local chapter of Moms for Liberty, Jennifer Pippin, was in attendance at the NAACP forum. She commented, “Pornography cannot be allowed to advance in our schools at any level. Mr. Dyer has avoided all communication with myself and our chapter of Moms for Liberty. He clearly doesn’t want to learn the education laws. He spoke of a book that he thought was O.K. for schools. The book tells children, as young as 4 years old, to seek out other pornographic books. He doesn’t want to know the facts. After all, Brian Barefoot endorsed him, and he voted to put pornographic books back on the shelves in February 2022.”
The NAACP forum was fairly well attended, but mostly by partisans on both sides. At the Taxpayer’s Association, in front of a different audience, Mr. Dyer claimed he supported the DeSantis education agenda. Even in his few public facing statements, he is inconsistent.
Yet, Mr. Dyer’s campaign is really focused on a different venue to convince a majority of voters. The same goes for incumbent, Peggy Jones. The venue is the newspaper. If you want to understand the “politics” of the local school board race, look no further than Dr. Jones’s recent social media post referring to her and David Dyer saying, “Our approach is highlighted in this recent article from Vero News, where we emphasize our refusal to engage in hardball politics.”
As the incumbent, she is the only board member who voted against the Title IX Resolution in May that stated, “WHEREAS, Title IX was passed to ensure that females and males receive equal educational opportunities, and WHEREAS, Title IX refers to biological sex, which, like race and national origin, is an immutable characteristic that cannot be changed, fluid, or altered…”
LINK: Dr. Jones Lets Politics Take Precedent Over Basic Truths in Education
LINK: Moms for Liberty & Other Plaintiffs Defeat US Dept. of Ed. in Title IX Legal Battle.
People referring to actual voting records is not politics. It is accountability which, in the case of Dr. Jones, a particular local writer ignores. Her challenger, Rob MacCallum with Mr Dyer’s challenger, Kevin McDonald, sent out a campaign message that emotionally illustrates Dr. Jones’s vote and Mr. Dyer’s support of her in very stark terms. Reached for comment, Mr. MacCallum, said, “School systems are not used to being held accountable. We are now in the day and age where everyone is watching and questioning. We need to start taking accountability from the top down. So, when a school board member votes against something like a referendum to protect our girls in sports, the community deserves to know. The board member deserves to be questioned.”
The silky smooth messenger recruited to convince the masses.
The daily messaging of Mr. Dyer is coordinated by his campaign manager, Jeff Andros. Subsequently, Dr. Jones’s messaging aligns with it. Mr. Andros, who in his failed attempts to find anything on Mr. Dyer’s opponent (more on this later), has resorted to offer an attempt to change the discussion of issues through his longtime friend’s column at 32963 / Vero News.
The 74 year-old Mr. Dyer has already spent $60,000 for the services of Mr. Andros - an excessive fee of $10,000 per month. In the description of campaign services found in the report at the Supervisor of Elections (SOE), Mr. Andros’s company, Mack Work Consultants, LLC, is responsible for a variety of items, including “advertising.” However, Mr. Dyer’s SOE report shows additional expenditures for advertising with various media. One advertising expense not mentioned is 32963 / Vero News. Mr. Andros must be personally handling that account for the campaign which he is legally permitted to do. However, there is not a transparent accounting on the SOE expense report of specific advertising Mr. Dyer’s campaign is buying from 32963 / Vero News. How much of that exorbitant $10,000 monthly fee does 32963 / Vero News receive and for what purpose?
Through Mr. Andros’s and Mr. McNulty’s friendship, the core function of campaign messaging for Mr. Andros’s retained clients is manufactured. In 2020, it was Brian Barefoot. In 2022, it was LaDonna Corbin’s failed attempt against Jackie Rosario. In the July 18th issue of Vero News, the My Take column shows Mr. McNulty groveling over Mr. Dyer’s sincerity, how the “hardball politics” is nothing he has ever experienced, even as a CEO of multi-billion dollar companies. To encourage county voters who are a right-of-center majority, he adds, “he is as much of a Republican as anyone on the ballot.”
Mr. Dyer has given his full endorsement to Dr. Jones, a true left-wing progressive who has donated to the Progressive Turnout Project and its campaign, Stop Republicans. She has made over 400 donations Democrats. Of course, Mr. McNulty describes her as the “beloved” school board member, excusing her voting record and political affiliations. Since 2021, Dr. Jones’s major items of school board business were inspired by the Biden Administration. As a result, DeSantis has endorsed her opponent, Mr. MacCallum.
Mr. McNulty has been a complete and emotionally passionate supporter of Mr. Dyer. He wrote the same for Mr. Barefoot and other clients of Mr. Andros who have received unmatched and glowing write-ups from 32963 / Vero News. How is it that Mr. Andros always lands clients with whom Mr. McNulty fawns over with his words and accolades? Prior to Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Andros respectively endorsing and choosing to work with David Dyer, Kevin McDonald met with them for 2 interviews. In early December, Mr. Barefoot first met with him alone. About 2 weeks later, a second meeting was arranged with Mr. Andros. Reached for comment, Mr. McDonald said, “The first meeting was very encouraging. He told me he would connect me with his campaign manager, and that he won his election in 2020 without him even being in town. Yet, after that second meeting, something didn’t feel right and I never heard from them again.”
How do you win a campaign from your out-of-town address? How do you win without meeting voters face to face? It helps when your press release is submitted through a weekly column for the major newspaper. Chosen by Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Andros, Mr. Dyer’s Valentine’s Day announcement was authored by, yes - you guessed it - Mr. McNulty. It included his immediate endorsement. The following week, with supposedly blind ignorance to the facts, Mr. McNulty wrote about the resignation of Mr. Barefoot from the school board. The self-acclaimed reporter, Mr. McNulty, went to print without verifying the district residence of Mr. Barefoot which started a political fiasco. Is Mr. McNulty really that incompetent, or, was the article written by design between Mr. Barefoot, Mr. Andros and Mr. McNulty to get the appointment for Mr. Dyer? In the article, Mr. McNulty devoted a significant portion of his writing to endorse the appointment of Mr. Dyer to fill the vacated seat. As The Sunshine Journal reported, if it was by design, the contrived strategy failed.
LINK: BREAKING: David Dyer Enters School Board Race. Brian Barefoot Expected to Shutdown Campaign
LINK: BREAKING: Brian Barefoot Resigns from the School Board
LINK: BREAKING: Former Educator and Businessman, Kevin McDonald Files To Run For School Board Seat In District 5
LINK: After 4 Years, Brian Barefoot Doesn’t Know His District Boundaries? Another Former School Board Member Says, “Something Is Off Here.”
The constant badgering from a notorious political operative.
Since Kevin McDonald was appointed by Governor DeSantis to the School Board of Indian River County, Mr. Andros has been on the warpath at the school district. After failing to secure the appointment for his candidate, the controversial political operative has been submitting daily public records requests to the school district demanding “all emails, communications and texts made and received by Mr. McDonald” on each previous day. He has made over 125 records requests in about 100 days. It’s an interesting campaign strategy. In his view, if the public records office isn’t timely in its response, his demands on the office will threaten retribution by bringing in his media compadre, Mr. McNulty. He will even directly pressure the superintendent, Dr. David Moore.
More odd behavior from a campaign that claims to endorse “the all-star superintendent,” Dr. Moore, as Mr. Dyer described him in the July 18th My Take column. Mr. Dyer previously said that Dr. Moore is so talented he could “write his own ticket” and go to any district in the state. Why would he permit such behavior from his subordinate and only hire, Mr. Andros, that could drive Dr. Moore away from Indian River County?
For example, on April 15th after the first 9 public records requests concerning Mr. McDonald, Mr. Andros copied Mr. McNulty. He also copied Dr. Moore and addressed the superintendent with a question. “Dr. Moore, any reason the SDIRC doesn't want to provide public access to the multiple requests on Kevin McDonald?” he asked. He then jeeringly followed, “Here we go again. Media take note….”
Less than a week later, on April 21st, another email was sent with the inclusion of Mr. McNulty as well as Dr. Moore. “Please provide all emails both to and from Kevin McDonald’s provided email address for the last 5 days,” he required. Mr. Andros then went on to state, “… the SDIRC has now failed to answer 13 independent public records requests made by me in reference to Mr. McDonald,” adding, “The district needs to provide me a detailed explanation why others are receiving records and I am not. Please note the press is CC’ed on this email. I look forward to the records and answers.”
When asked about the daily scrutiny, Mr. McDonald laughed, “I am stalked by my opponent’s campaign manager every single day since I took office. He must have a big crush on me.”
His daily requests for all communications are sprinkled with other random requests. On April 4th, Mr. Andros arbitrarily demanded, “all documentation provided to Kevin McDonald today.”
On April 12th he wanted “all new hire, payroll and tax documents for Kevin McDonald” from the school district. Ten days later, he asked for “his most recent paystub.”
After two months of asking for all the communications and not receiving many texts, Mr. Andros was frustrated. Without furnishing evidence, on June 18th he wrote, “I am demanding the SDIRC now go back through all requests to get a clear response from Mr. McDonald as we have proof he has used his personal devices for district business. Please let me know soon the status as these requests are now unfilled. Any texts or calls from other board members??? hmmm….”
Who is the “we” he is referring to in that statement? Does the “we” include Mr. Dyer, himself and his media friend?
Copied on this email was Dr. Moore, as well as, Mr. McNulty and even Russ Lemmon, owner of Lemmon Lines. The Sunshine Journal reached out to Mr. Andros for comment and asked for the proof of his claims that they possessed evidence that Mr. McDonald is doing school business on his personal devices. He has not responded.
Mr. McDonald remarked, “I feel sympathy for the woman that has to read and forward all the emails that I do not have time to read. Basically, he is desperately grasping at straws, and besides, there’s a lot of junk mail in there.”
The requests for Mr. McDonald’s communications by Mr. Andros are still on going. He is working hard to justify a monthly $10,000 in professional fees.
Thomas, we really should congratulate Jeff on the cleverness of the scam he's got going. He keeps marketing worthless candidates to beachside RINOs, and milking them for every penny he can get. I just hope Ray is getting his own piece of the action for his part in the scam ... It would be a pity for him to be an unpaid patsy in this scam.
OMG Thomas! Are you a Mensa genius? Great writing!