Alice Monyei, born and raised in Levy County, is candidate in The Democratic primary election to be held September 10. She is running for Seat 2 on the Levy County Commission. Ms. Monyei is active in many organizations that seek community improvement, including Big Brother-Big Sister, Essence Women Club, and Black History Committee. There are three other candidates running for Seat 2 in the primary. CKN: Education issues are hot this year. Are voucher to send children to private schools a good idea? AM: No! I don`t like private schools. Schools should prepare children for life. CKN: What about charter schools? AM: Charter schools are the same thing as vouchers. I`m a public school person. I could have sent children to private school, but I knew that my daughter needed to be educated in how to deal with society--how to deal with different cultures. Academics are fine but she needed to learn how to deal with a whole lot of stuff. CKN: You are running in the Democratic primary. How long have you been a Democrat? AM: All my life. I registered as a Democrat at 18, and voted for Jimmy Carter. And I`ve never missed a time voting. CKN: Environmental issues are important here on the Nature Coast. How can the County Commission protect the quality of our springs? AM: We can stay abreast of what is happening that could contaminate the springs. We can address this at the county level, yes indeed. CKN: How can the County Commission protect the clam industry in Cedar Key from possible pollution from the Cedar Key Plantation development? AM: I was discussing this with someone here in Cedar Key this Saturday. I would like to study that. I`m not trying to be politically correct right now, but I don`t know enough about it at this time to give an answer. An honest answer. I want to know what I`m talking about. I`ve heard one side of it. But I am a person who is willing to protect the environment. CKN: Are there areas where Levy County can save tax dollars? AM: We are not getting our money`s worth. Taxes keep going up, but we don`t know where the money is going. I would like to see our Commissioners focus on where the money is going. I can manage my personal budget so that I know where the money goes. Once I`m in a position to manage money I know that I can do that. I need to know what is going on. CKN: One of your opponents favors charter government for Levy County. What is your position? AM: Levy County is not ready for chater government. With policy changes within the county government charter governemnt would not be an issue. To be more specific, if the county would change from a County Coordinator to a County Administrator the Commissioners could set policy and be relieved of day-to-day duties. CKN: Locally City Managers have had very short tenure. Why is that? AM: I`ll focus on the one we just had in Chiefland. He just resigned. He had no education, no training for the job. He didn`t know how to run a town government. But the City is on its way back. CKN: What are key reasons for voters to choose you in the primary? AM: Because I am concerned about returning trust in our government, both city and county so that people can trust them. We`ve had the "good old boy" system so long that people don`t even participate. I want to return some trust here. I will be there for the people. If I can`t do it for them I will find a way for them to get to where they need to be. CKN: Who do you support in the Democratic primary for Governor? AM: I want Bill McBride. I met with him and spoke with him. He seems to be what we need for the State of Florida now. To put some pride back in Florida. | 