2022 Board of County Commissioners Candidate Questionnaire
In your opinion, what is the County's role in economic development?
County government is responsible for providing core services such as human services, criminal justice, public welfare and infrastructure to its county citizens as a return of investment on the Taxpayer dollar. To ensure the delivery of these essential services, it is imperative we support job growth and maintain a healthy and diverse revenue base.
County government is responsible for providing core services such as human services, criminal justice, public welfare and infrastructure to its county citizens as a return of investment on the Taxpayer dollar. To ensure the delivery of these essential services, it is imperative we support job growth and maintain a healthy and diverse revenue base.
Do you believe incentives are necessary for economic development and why or why not?
I do. We know that of the fifty states Florida is open for business and will continue to be under the current governor administration. We are competing against 66 other counties to entice a shovel ready worksite, a competent workforce, and a resilient community. If Nassau doesn’t incentivise industries, a neighboring county will. It iss a short term investment for a long term payoff.
I do. We know that of the fifty states Florida is open for business and will continue to be under the current governor administration. We are competing against 66 other counties to entice a shovel ready worksite, a competent workforce, and a resilient community. If Nassau doesn’t incentivise industries, a neighboring county will. It iss a short term investment for a long term payoff.
Discuss your opinion on conducting a comprehensive and continuous review of all regulatory processes that impact businesses and provide solutions that address these barriers.
We know that Regulatory compliance encourages businesses to follow state, federal and international laws or regulations relevant to their operations. Compliance touches every industry and has become a vital part of operations. It ensures our citizens are receiving the highest quality products and services and allows companies to offer a level of consumer trust that adheres with the highest of standards.
We know that Regulatory compliance encourages businesses to follow state, federal and international laws or regulations relevant to their operations. Compliance touches every industry and has become a vital part of operations. It ensures our citizens are receiving the highest quality products and services and allows companies to offer a level of consumer trust that adheres with the highest of standards.
How can Nassau County improve the climate and competitiveness of our existing businesses? And do you support the creation of a local purchasing program?
Workforce. With our current climate and culture and my background in Career Tech Education I believe I am able to target our FUTURE workforce of Nassau County. A true internship based work program offering students skilled trades that set them up for success and creates an unmatched workforce driving businesses to choose Nassau as their home. Within local purchasing programs it is imperative that there is a contracted commitment to prioritizing the support of our local businesses and Northeast Florida as much as we are able to.
Workforce. With our current climate and culture and my background in Career Tech Education I believe I am able to target our FUTURE workforce of Nassau County. A true internship based work program offering students skilled trades that set them up for success and creates an unmatched workforce driving businesses to choose Nassau as their home. Within local purchasing programs it is imperative that there is a contracted commitment to prioritizing the support of our local businesses and Northeast Florida as much as we are able to.
How can Nassau County better support our entrepreneurial ecosystem?
The technical skills that local entrepreneurs currently have or acquire through education, training, and mentoring allow them to start and grow successful businesses. The County has to prioritize appropriate fundings to cultivate our homegrown workforce. Engaging young entrepreneurs with entrepreneurship support providers, key individuals in the business community, and other entrepreneurs. Offering the support and encouragement from the broader community for entrepreneurship. Ensuring our businesses have access to and availability of resources required for business activity like quality buildings, roads, and broadband access. We must commit to the reduction of red tape, access to transparent business registrations and filings, and policies that support other pieces of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The technical skills that local entrepreneurs currently have or acquire through education, training, and mentoring allow them to start and grow successful businesses. The County has to prioritize appropriate fundings to cultivate our homegrown workforce. Engaging young entrepreneurs with entrepreneurship support providers, key individuals in the business community, and other entrepreneurs. Offering the support and encouragement from the broader community for entrepreneurship. Ensuring our businesses have access to and availability of resources required for business activity like quality buildings, roads, and broadband access. We must commit to the reduction of red tape, access to transparent business registrations and filings, and policies that support other pieces of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
How can Nassau County engage in the creation of partnerships and funding programs related to current and relevant data, research as well as talent recruitment and start-up opportunities?
Community Communication is KEY in this endeavor. Far too often in government there is repetition. With a clear, concise plan of state networking, Federal Grant Funding, and working hand in hand with our Career Tech Education, going to our small businesses, reaching out and having those meetings not three minutes at a podium but true boots on the ground, we are able to acknowledge, understand, and proceed forward with data that creates opportunities for our county.
Community Communication is KEY in this endeavor. Far too often in government there is repetition. With a clear, concise plan of state networking, Federal Grant Funding, and working hand in hand with our Career Tech Education, going to our small businesses, reaching out and having those meetings not three minutes at a podium but true boots on the ground, we are able to acknowledge, understand, and proceed forward with data that creates opportunities for our county.
What, in your opinion, are the three biggest challenges facing Nassau County?
1. Workforce challenges - As a thirteen year education veteran, no one has seen our workforce change more than those of us on the frontline. In Nassau county we have the opportunity to grow manufacturing, which is one of the top five most STEM (science, technology, engineering and math-) intensive sectors in the United States, with 30 percent of the jobs in this sector requiring a high level of STEM knowledge. Working with existing UF Cooperative Extension, our School Board, and private funding, we can commit to growing an unprecedented workforce in Nassau County.
2. Home growth regulation versus infrastructure for high wage careers and pleasing all of the near 100,000 citizens of Nassau County. I have sat at kitchen tables from The Sanctuary to the St. Mary’s river and I have yet to hear constituents ask for another neighborhood. I firmly believe that before we rezone and give variances for high density housing we pay respect to our current property owner rights as equally as newcomers to our County.
3. Nassau County’s lawsuits with Raydient. This is a real entanglement. Controversies over text messages and handshake agreements and dismissals are mired in rapid-fire lawsuits between the parties involved. This only involves the biggest commercial development ever in Nassau County. Solution: There is too much riding on this relationship. Both sides are vested in resolving the disagreements .We must bring about a truce and contractual language that no longer burdens the taxpayer. We need to bring the parties together and resolve the differences.
I have watched commission after commission create more and more burden for the taxpayer. We need assertive leadership that executes decisions that are constitutional and that invest in the taxpayer.
1. Workforce challenges - As a thirteen year education veteran, no one has seen our workforce change more than those of us on the frontline. In Nassau county we have the opportunity to grow manufacturing, which is one of the top five most STEM (science, technology, engineering and math-) intensive sectors in the United States, with 30 percent of the jobs in this sector requiring a high level of STEM knowledge. Working with existing UF Cooperative Extension, our School Board, and private funding, we can commit to growing an unprecedented workforce in Nassau County.
2. Home growth regulation versus infrastructure for high wage careers and pleasing all of the near 100,000 citizens of Nassau County. I have sat at kitchen tables from The Sanctuary to the St. Mary’s river and I have yet to hear constituents ask for another neighborhood. I firmly believe that before we rezone and give variances for high density housing we pay respect to our current property owner rights as equally as newcomers to our County.
3. Nassau County’s lawsuits with Raydient. This is a real entanglement. Controversies over text messages and handshake agreements and dismissals are mired in rapid-fire lawsuits between the parties involved. This only involves the biggest commercial development ever in Nassau County. Solution: There is too much riding on this relationship. Both sides are vested in resolving the disagreements .We must bring about a truce and contractual language that no longer burdens the taxpayer. We need to bring the parties together and resolve the differences.
I have watched commission after commission create more and more burden for the taxpayer. We need assertive leadership that executes decisions that are constitutional and that invest in the taxpayer.
Any time decisions are contemplated that affect a particular segment of the community, representatives of that affected sector, such as the business community, should be invited to the table for dialogue and input. How important is community/partner organization input as a meaningful direction in developing sound policy and how will you implement?
I have found in the last two years, communication outside of three monthly meetings is most beneficial to our citizens and businesses. In the 21st century we owe it to our residents, resources, and revenue creators to go to them. To seek council, input, and clearly, effectively, and transparently deliver their wants and needs for our County. I will implement this as I have done legislation throughout the past. DO IT. Shake hands, meet in the middle, advocate for the community. Go to the ballgames, the grand openings, the Sunday Sermons. We meet our residents and businesses at their home plate, not at ours.
I have found in the last two years, communication outside of three monthly meetings is most beneficial to our citizens and businesses. In the 21st century we owe it to our residents, resources, and revenue creators to go to them. To seek council, input, and clearly, effectively, and transparently deliver their wants and needs for our County. I will implement this as I have done legislation throughout the past. DO IT. Shake hands, meet in the middle, advocate for the community. Go to the ballgames, the grand openings, the Sunday Sermons. We meet our residents and businesses at their home plate, not at ours.
Do you believe Nassau County has an adequate amount of funding from property taxes or do you expect to require additional resources from Nassau County property owners? Please explain.
As a residential property taxpayer I see the need for my road to be paved, I love seeing our smiling police officers keeping our community safe, and then I hit a pothole. We are property taxed out in Nassau County. We need to make a concerted commitment to create a much broader and diverse tax base to significantly decrease the county’s dependence on residential
property taxes as the primary source of county income. Our county has to regularly update impact fee ordinances on all new construction to pay for all civic infrastructure-related costs, as well as recurring maintenance costs.
It’s ok to reign in some of our irons in the fire and commit the budget to our citizens' needs and low interest bond long term projects that allow future citizens investment in capital projects. County assets continue to deteriorate faster than the county can maintain them. While these costs are large, the county can and must develop a long-range plan to fund these needs.
As a residential property taxpayer I see the need for my road to be paved, I love seeing our smiling police officers keeping our community safe, and then I hit a pothole. We are property taxed out in Nassau County. We need to make a concerted commitment to create a much broader and diverse tax base to significantly decrease the county’s dependence on residential
property taxes as the primary source of county income. Our county has to regularly update impact fee ordinances on all new construction to pay for all civic infrastructure-related costs, as well as recurring maintenance costs.
It’s ok to reign in some of our irons in the fire and commit the budget to our citizens' needs and low interest bond long term projects that allow future citizens investment in capital projects. County assets continue to deteriorate faster than the county can maintain them. While these costs are large, the county can and must develop a long-range plan to fund these needs.
How can Nassau County balance and pursue both natural environment protection and sustainable economic development?
One common rumble amongst citizens in Nassau County is our rezoning and variances. Citizens are tired of watching large parcels be rezoned from agriculture to high density residential. They are worried about flooding issues and what economic development impacts will be on surrounding neighborhoods. As the Florida Sustainable Agriculture Advocate of the year it is evident that my last five plus years have been dedicated to this county’s long term protection and preservation of the Nassau County we all know and love.
One common rumble amongst citizens in Nassau County is our rezoning and variances. Citizens are tired of watching large parcels be rezoned from agriculture to high density residential. They are worried about flooding issues and what economic development impacts will be on surrounding neighborhoods. As the Florida Sustainable Agriculture Advocate of the year it is evident that my last five plus years have been dedicated to this county’s long term protection and preservation of the Nassau County we all know and love.
Lead by the Chamber of Commerce beginning in 2015, the now completed Public Transportation study and recommendations concluded in 2017. What are your specific recommendations to increase the options and availability for public transit?
Nassau County is a broad and diverse County. We still have under 100,000 residents. While I greatly appreciate the Nassau Transit system and the services it provides to our community - I think we would best benefit in allowing modern capitalists healthy competition in our county for transportation of residents.
Nassau County is a broad and diverse County. We still have under 100,000 residents. While I greatly appreciate the Nassau Transit system and the services it provides to our community - I think we would best benefit in allowing modern capitalists healthy competition in our county for transportation of residents.
The future innovation economy and efficiency of government is dependent on technology infrastructure. How will you ensure Nassau County continuously improves faster, more stable, and more secure connectivity?
5G is the next generation of wireless cellular technology. It will provide speeds faster than any previous generation — up to 3000 Mbps (3 Gbps) in the real world, depending on the conditions and the tech being used — competing even with those delivered via fiber-optic cables. Once again, allowing and enticing multiple companies to offer services to our citizens and businesses ensures that we are all up to speed and mobilized.
5G is the next generation of wireless cellular technology. It will provide speeds faster than any previous generation — up to 3000 Mbps (3 Gbps) in the real world, depending on the conditions and the tech being used — competing even with those delivered via fiber-optic cables. Once again, allowing and enticing multiple companies to offer services to our citizens and businesses ensures that we are all up to speed and mobilized.
Land development codes and incentives for workforce housing have not produced the needed inventory for our community. What are your recommendations for access to housing?
Affordable housing is a controversial topic across the nation. Nassau County is a rare rural gem and while affordable housing to some looks like a government subsidiary to others it looks like cutting out a guest bedroom or a third bathroom and living within your means. The county alone can not control our housing market and the lucrative bidding war it has created. A dedicated and measurable effort to move toward environmental sustainability as a practical means of attracting well-educated, productive residents who value the tangible benefits a holistic lifestyle offers and the corresponding high-wage jobs they bring.
Affordable housing is a controversial topic across the nation. Nassau County is a rare rural gem and while affordable housing to some looks like a government subsidiary to others it looks like cutting out a guest bedroom or a third bathroom and living within your means. The county alone can not control our housing market and the lucrative bidding war it has created. A dedicated and measurable effort to move toward environmental sustainability as a practical means of attracting well-educated, productive residents who value the tangible benefits a holistic lifestyle offers and the corresponding high-wage jobs they bring.
Community-based development organizations are vital to Nassau County. How will you strengthen the role of these organizations?
For far too long I’ve watched the hustle and bustle of families just like mine feel like they want a voice in local government and community partnerships but don’t know what role to play. We strengthen organizations by showing up. By actively engaging participation from various groups and organizations within the community. Providing feedback to the community. Faith- and community-based nonprofit organizations have a long history of meeting the critical human needs of their communities, including those related to substance abuse and mental illness. Nonprofit organizations provide all types of services in these areas, such as treatment and counseling, recovery support, transportation, and housing. Over the years, many faith- and community-based organizations have relied on charitable giving, donations, and State and Federal funding to preserve their services. Some have begun to seek relationships with corporations and private foundations to meet cash and other resource needs, such as food, furniture, and staff. In the long run, support from these partners can help these organizations solve complex community problems. By forming private and public partnerships everyone wins.
For far too long I’ve watched the hustle and bustle of families just like mine feel like they want a voice in local government and community partnerships but don’t know what role to play. We strengthen organizations by showing up. By actively engaging participation from various groups and organizations within the community. Providing feedback to the community. Faith- and community-based nonprofit organizations have a long history of meeting the critical human needs of their communities, including those related to substance abuse and mental illness. Nonprofit organizations provide all types of services in these areas, such as treatment and counseling, recovery support, transportation, and housing. Over the years, many faith- and community-based organizations have relied on charitable giving, donations, and State and Federal funding to preserve their services. Some have begun to seek relationships with corporations and private foundations to meet cash and other resource needs, such as food, furniture, and staff. In the long run, support from these partners can help these organizations solve complex community problems. By forming private and public partnerships everyone wins.
What is the role of the County for underserved communities and their development?
Raising awareness of the critical county role in breaking the cycle of poverty. This starts in our schools, our community business partners, and our neighborhood outreach. Advocating for federal policies that support county efforts to expand opportunities in Nassau County. Providing tools to increase our capacity to combat poverty as we build healthy, vibrant,
safe communities.
Raising awareness of the critical county role in breaking the cycle of poverty. This starts in our schools, our community business partners, and our neighborhood outreach. Advocating for federal policies that support county efforts to expand opportunities in Nassau County. Providing tools to increase our capacity to combat poverty as we build healthy, vibrant,
safe communities.
