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Vice Mayor Ayscue’s Facebook insults cross the line - again
Commentary
Civic debate is essential to a functioning democracy. Disagreement, criticism, and even sharp political argument are part of public life. What is not acceptable is when an elected official abandons civility and resorts to personal insults against a private citizen.
That line was crossed Friday by Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue, who is also chairman of the Nassau County Republican Party, in a series of Facebook posts targeting local blogger Sheila Cocchi.
Cocchi operates the Facebook page What the Fernandina and had posted about individuals involved in the recall effort against City Commissioners Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter. About an hour after that post appeared, Ayscue responded with a barrage of personal attacks.
In his comments, Ayscue repeatedly labeled Cocchi a “liar,” accused her of running a “propaganda machine,” claimed she fabricates conspiracy theories, and suggested that anyone she supports politically is “40 points behind” by association. He went further, calling her “extremely dangerous” and urging voters to simply vote against whomever she supports.
Ayscue was elected to serve the people of Fernandina Beach — not to demean residents who criticize or question those in power. He is also seeking re-election this year.
Public officials hold positions of trust. With that trust comes a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the dignity of the office they hold. Disagreement with a blogger, activist, or citizen does not justify insults, character attacks, or attempts to discredit someone through repetition rather than evidence.
Nor is this an isolated incident.
In September 2024, Ayscue used similar language in Facebook posts attacking local chemical manufacturing expert Medardo Monzon, calling him a “liar,” an “idiot,” and “stupid.”
That same year, Ayscue publicly described himself as the “Donald Trump of Fernandina Beach,” a comparison that underscored a political style defined less by persuasion than by provocation.
The power imbalance matters.
As an elected city commissioner — especially one who also leads a county political party — Ayscue commands a megaphone that private citizens do not. When that megaphone is used to demean, intimidate, or ridicule, the intent and effect are to chill participation in public discourse. Residents may reasonably ask: if this is how a vice mayor treats critics online, what should ordinary citizens expect when they speak up?
There is also a broader concern for Fernandina Beach. The city is deeply engaged in contentious debates over paid parking, taxes, bioethanol, development, and governance. These are issues where passions run high. Leadership in such moments requires restraint, not escalation — confidence in one’s positions, not name-calling.
Elected officials are free to defend themselves. They are free to correct the record. They are free to argue forcefully for their policies and political views. What they should not do is reduce public debate to insults that would be unacceptable in any professional setting, let alone from someone entrusted with public authority.
Civility is not weakness. It is a baseline expectation. Fernandina Beach residents deserve leaders who can withstand criticism without resorting to personal attacks — and who understand that holding public office means setting an example, not lowering the bar.
Comments
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JayKayne
Ayscuse's behavior reminds me of the adage about lawyers' tactics at trial. "If you have the facts on your side, pound the facts. If you have the law on your side, pound the law. If you have neither the facts or the law on your side, pound the table."
Saturday, January 31 Report this
Mark Tomes
Real men are kind, not kings. Kindness and civility require much more bravery and maturity than vengeful, hateful, and angry rhetoric. Ayscue is reacting like a child, not unlike his chosen mentor and model, the current President of the United States.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
KStadelman
Sounds like it's past time to replace a MAGA councilman!
Saturday, January 31 Report this
rswarner
Guess Ayscue thinks he must shout louder and jump higher to be heard over rational, responsible opinion. Personal insults come across as threats. Threats discredit - and sour one's ability to listen. But they sure do energise one's motivation to vote.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
PaulaM
This immature man needs multiple classes in anger management. If he were the CEO of any corporation in this country he would have been fired after his first outburst. He has taken a page from the Trump playbook which we can all see for ourselves is NOT working. I would surmise that he needs to go….those who subscribe to recall motions ought to be straining at the bit for this one.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
Cmoss56
Mike thank you for calling this out.
Outrageous is the descriptor I would use.
Unapologetically mean-spirited and certainly NOT acting in the interest of all residents of Fernandina
He should be recalled on the basis of
MALFEASANCE: the performance of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law, especially by a public official or a person in a position of public trust.
MISFEASANCE: the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority
This should be quite easy to document since he has been publicly so destructive and has registered to run again
Saturday, January 31 Report this
Karen1952
Just as an FYI, the State of Florida prohibits this type of behavior in the ethics section 112, last paragraph. The state demands respect to be shown to the people they serve. As the Commission on Ethics website clearly states “Public service is Public Trust.” Again, just an FYI.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
FunnyGirl4615
Very sadly - this has become a very unhealthy and unproductive trend in our local, state and national conversations. When you cannot attack the message with logic or reasoning or example, attack the messenger. We, the people, deserve better on all levels of debate in our country but we all have to aspire to it and practice it ourselves in order for us to achieve it.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
Hibdon1998
Several years ago I responded to Ayescue on FB after observing his conduct toward those who supported the Covid vax. In his post, he resorted to demeaning and belittling those who held opposing views. I questioned why he, as someone in public office, would choose to behave in such a manner, particularly by berating the OP. Ayescue explained that as an elected official, he was tired of being treated like a “punching bag.” In response, I suggested that he shouldn’t run for re-election. That interaction prompted me to reflect on how public discourse has changed over time. There was a time when discussions did not become personal, and as a result, people refrained from taking things personally. What happened to civility, patience, kindness, humanity, and grace? The current climate, exemplified by the actions of public figures, demonstrates a lack of respect for differing opinions and a tendency toward cruelty. This behavior is unacceptable and contributes to the broader societal issue of not listening to or respecting one another. Actions have consequences, eventually people will face the results of their behavior.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
BBillings
Personally, i love it when my elected officials tell me - openly and honestly - what they are thinking.
ESPECIALLY if I don't agree with it.
Unfortunately many - including the author of this article, apparently - would rather shut people up than hear their thoughts.
Lots of hand wringing about nothing, from what I'm reading here.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
Schenkelgreg
And he is the leader of the local Republican Party!?! Is it any wonder why our country is divided? It is sad to see “Leadership” that maintains control by means of childish remarks and intimidation—that is not what is needed. I continue to hope we will do better in the coming days but the current atmosphere seems to say otherwise.
Saturday, January 31 Report this
DouglasM
I voted for Ayscue.....then I saw him quickly fall in line with the Bean/Sturges platforms (must have been by osmosis or a Vulcan mind-meld since they can't talk to each other). I had messed up again!! Rats!!!
I voted for the others on the Commission also.....then they touched the third rail in Fernandina and became the PP4 (Paid Parking). I had messed up again!! Double rats!!!!
I don't intend to vote for any of the current Commissioners ever again.......but the PP4, with their stubborn stance in spite of their CITIZENS......are making Ayscue look good. They are handing him a platform to grandstand and pound his chest in his re-election campaign.
If the PP4 would have backed off and waited for the August referendum results, they would have been heroes, instead of reviled for their stubborn arrogance prompting injunctions and recalls......and the wind would have come out of Ayscue's sails.
A perfect opportunity squandered.....but what the heck, my votes have proved wrong every 2 years.
Sunday, February 1 Report this