Letter to the Editor by Brian Donnelly:
Do you know the definition of Insanity? It’s doing the same thing over and over and knowing the results but doing it anyway. It is way past time voters became sane and voted for change.
This August 16th republican voters have a choice to make.
Let’s explore the choices.
• You can have someone who is heavily funded by developers or not.
• You can have someone who is a career politician or not.
• You can have someone who is part of “the system” or not.
• You can have someone who will vote for the builder’s association or not.
• You can have someone who will say yes to more development, more subsidies to developers, more debt, and more destruction of the things we all love – or not.
I want you to think about those 5 points when you vote. I want you to really think about where we have come from, where we are and where we are going. Your future is in your hands.
Did you know the reason why you are being asked to approve a 1 penny tax in November is because you have been subsidizing developers and the County does not charge adequate impact fees to cover the cost of new construction to our infrastructure? How do you feel about giving developers $500/year for the next 20 years? Are you subsidized? Why are they and when did you approve of that?
Remember taking a nice leisurely drive somewhere in 15 minutes instead of risking your life to make the same trip in 45 minutes? Do you understand that the rate of development directly corresponds to your personal safety, your child’s education and the amount of money you pay into the system?
What are you really feeling when you see our beautiful live oak trees slaughtered and burnt without regard so we can make way for another warehouse that provides low pay paying jobs or no jobs at all because they are vacant?
Did you know that Marion County is the 9th fastest growing county in the country? Did you know we have the 2nd highest traffic rates outside of Oakland California? Did you know we have one of the highest rates of fatalities on our roads?
Did you know that our health statistics are one of the worst in the State and people here live 4 to 6 years less than in other Florida Counties? Did you know we have one of the most expensive school systems in the state with the lowest scores?
The job of a County Commissioner is to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents. I submit to you that our commissioners have failed us in this regard – substantially. If there was a scorecard they would score exceedingly low based on their record. When you check that box on election day for the incumbent you are voting for more of the same. If they win we have no one to blame but ourselves.
I don’t think voters understand that the Board of County Commissioners is a nonpartisan position. Party makes no difference at all. Commissioners do not vote on state and federal issues – they vote on roads, and water and sewer – they vote on our local way of life. How is your local way of life lately? Do you feel safe knowing our fire and police do not have the equipment or manpower needed to adequately protect you in an emergency? How do you feel about paying more and getting less of what you need?
I follow what is going on in this county. I make it a point to meet the candidates, get to know them, hear why they are running and listen to what they want to do. Recently I met Sarah Almeida Dennis. For those of you who may not know her I thought it was important to share my opinion with you.
Sarah Almeida Dennis is a warrior. She told me how she got tired and fed up with what is going on in this county and she could no longer just sit still and be quiet anymore. She decided to turn off the TV, get off her couch and do something to make sure her kids have a chance at a decent future. I know there are a lot of people out there who feel like she does but have given up trying to fight the system. Sarah will never give up. She will stand and be counted on and do everything she can to change our trajectory, to change our future and to fight for our homeland.
For those who don’t know her and what she is trying to do for all of us, I wish to make a few points here. She is not some political fat cat, she is not part of the system, she is not in anyone’s pocket and she is not someone who ever forgets others or does not listen to the people who rely on her to work for them and help them and stand by them. She loves this county with all her heart. She has grown up here and it is where she will die someday. She remembers the good ole days and wants to bring them back again.
She believes we need to slow down development and increase impact fees so taxpayers are not subsidizing billionaires anymore. She is not anti-development – She is anti-subsidy.
She believes we should become a charter county and put more power into the hands of voters where it belongs. 75% of Florida Counties have a charter and it is time for Marion County to strongly consider it.
She believes we should have in-district voting only to ensure Commissioners truly represent their district. 80% of votes for a district Commissioner come from outside the district and she would like to change that.
She believes we need a complete financial review of all operations in our business, known as Marion County. She believes we are all partners and shareholders in this Counties business, and we need to make sure we are running our operations efficiently.
She believes we need a complete review of our Comprehensive plan to ensure it reflects the will of the people today – not a vision of the past.
She believes we need a commissioner of the people. Someone who will listen to us, fight for us, defend us, protect us and do everything possible to ensure Marion County stays beautiful, green, safe and happy.
She wants to protect our farms, our water and our animals. She will not vote for the invasion of our Farmland Protection Area, She will not vote for any proposal that negatively impacts our water and she will do everything possible to ensure our animals don’t end up in a kill center and have a fighting chance in a loving forever home.
A vote for Sarah is a vote for you. If you want change vote for her – if you want more of the same – please vote for the incumbent. You know what you will get with them – and now you know what you will get with Sarah. Trust, Hard work, attention to detail, honesty, consideration and someone who has your back at every turn.
I found Sarah to be a sound choice for Commissioner. In her I know my rights, my hopes for the future and my voice will be heard and considered.
