Beth Sweeny
Peter Schorsch hunkers down with Beth Sweeny, director of community and government relations at Flagler College for nearly two years. Before that, the St. Augustine resident was the lead lobbyist for the St. Johns County School District. In 2014, she tried her hand at politics, running in the special election Republican primary for John Thrasher’s empty SD 6 seat, after he retired to accept the job as Florida State University president. Sweeny withdrew from the race in December. The election eventually went to Sen. Travis Hutson. Sweeny offers an update on how St. Augustine is handling the COVID-19 crisis, describing a surviving business climate along the beaches, which only closed after other nearby beaches did, but a somewhat deserted downtown. She describes the struggle with balancing keeping businesses afloat and maintaining public health and safety. The county had hoped individuals would take personal responsibility on the beaches, but closed when it was clear that wasn’t happening. Sweeny also offers some insight on the new level of togetherness her family is experiencing thanks to social distancing efforts and how she’s making up for lost time from the recently concluded Legislative Session. Listen also as Sweeny reminisces about her last memory of normalcy before the coronavirus gripped the state and nation. Her answer: Huh, when even was that? Special Guest: Beth Sweeny.