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.

In 2024 Ayscue said he was the Donald Trump of Fernandina Beach

These were not policy critiques. They were not rebuttals to specific factual claims. They were direct personal attacks delivered by a sitting elected official using his public platform.

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.