Nearly one hundred engaged electors filled the Williston High Middle School Cafetorium on Saturday, July 28, in response to the Citizens for an Engaged Electorate and Williston Area American Association of Retired People Chapter 912 invitation to meet the 2018 candidates. The sequence of speakers, from 10 am until 1 pm, was orchestrated expertly with candidates speaking within their limited times, ample opportunities for audience members to pose questions, high school students presenting questions to candidates, and management of all that with only three five-minute breaks.
As the Levy County School Board required the sponsors of the nonpartisan Candidate Forum, designed to inform its citizenry, to rent the cafetorium, the community itself supported the event. Sponsors included Dr William Bennett’s Williston Veterinary Clinic, Rebah Farm, Harriet Downs Real Estate, Williston Well and Pump, Maguire’s Auto Repair, and Knauff Funeral Homes.
Also stepping up to assist were Williston High School students: Adam Sistrunck, Virginia Lake, Austin Lake, Anthony Griffith, Ryan Kline, Angelina Maguire, Will McCoyy, and Janiya Williams. Articulately and professionally, the group alternated posing audience members’ questions from index cards.
Opening the program was Levy Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones who reminded the audience that democracy does not work without informed and engaged voters. Jones remained available throughout the event to assist any with questions or concerns; rarely was her area unpopulated. Earnestly Jones urged audience members to vote early as one never knows when might get the flat tire or encounter other unexpected distractors.
Candidates varied immensely throughout the three-hour program. Notable candidate “noshows” included Neal Dunn and Adam Putnam.
Levy County School Board candidates vying for one seat were Ashley Breeden Clemenzi and Gary Bennett. Both spoke emphatically to the requirement that parents become more involved in order to have children succeed. Neither candidate offered solutions as to how that might increase.
Four potential County Commissioners, running for two seats, spoke: incumbent Lilly Rooks versus Ryan Bell for one seat and Rock Meeks and Terrance Reed for the other. When asked about their goals for the next four years, should they acquire the position, Bell responded that the community needs to work together, Rooks responded that, as she has done in the past bringing $16 million dollars to the county, she would continue to look for grant opportunities to enhance Levy County.
Incumbent Rock Meeks spoke to increasing business opportunities in Levy County was against legalizing recreational marijuana use, but is concerned about those who need to access medical marijuana. Terrance Reed, of Reed Automotive, wants to bring more business to the community.
Three nonpartisan Circuit Court Judge candidates, Julie Waldman, Gloria Walker, and David Robertson spoke of their backgrounds. Waldman has a strong health and human services background; Walker is broadly experienced and active in guardian ad litem programs and many more; Robertson has extensive breadth and experience working with any levels of law.
Florida House District 22 candidates republican Charlie Stone, republican Brigitte Smith, and democrat Bernard Parker. Parker’s concerns are water, housing, and children; he spoke briefly about each stressing their interdependence. Smith spoke to her background in nursing and in the armed services; she promised to listen to and reflect what the people, the voters want on issues. Stone noted that he had been in the position for six years and that he wanted the audience’s support for his last term-limited term.
US Congress democratic candidate Brandon Peters spoke. His opponents democrat Bob Rackleff and republican Neal Dunn failed to respond to the event sponsors. Peters spoke proudly of his Levy County residence and history here, a “home-town boy,” as he phrased it. He hopes to be the “voice of the people,” echoing their voices in congress. He further wishes to improve the care system and strengthen infrastructure.
Commissioner for Agriculture candidate democrat Jefferey Porter spoke. Currently in his third term as mayor of Homestead, Florida, Porter has abroad and municipal and state experience. While never raising taxes, he helped revitalize Homestead, under the motto, “Promises Made, Promises Kept.”
Four gubernatorial candidates closed the forum. Non-partisan candidate Bruce Stanley spoke to his five-point plan which included increased civic engagement and legalizing cannabis. Democrat Alex Lundmark spoke to the need for youth in government and the revamping of education, which includes “giving all the kindergarten through third graders to the churches.” Republican John Mercadante believes that Florida is the most corrupt state in the union and believes himself a “patriot” for the state. Reform Party candidate Darcy Richardson, from Dunnellon, Florida, is a veteran of other campaigns and an author.
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