Leon County, Florida Ballot Blog
Don't forget to vote November 6, 2018
This is my take and observations on the candidates on my ballot. I include links where I can but really this is an exercise to help ME decide who to vote for. Hope it helps those others out there researching.
Commissioner of Agriculture
Matt Caldwell - Rep - (My Pick) My pick during the primary. Former real estate appraiser. Current member of the Florida House where he was elected in 2010. Has a lot of endorsements
Nicole "Nikki" Fried - Dem - Worked as a public defender after college, now is lawyer in private practice. Increased access to medical marijuana is her main platform.
Mayor
John Dailey - (My reluctant Pick) He is not as bad as Dustin. One day I hope to be able to elect at least some moderates to the city government, until then John is the least bad option.
Dustin R. Daniels - Dustin is a buddy of Andrew Gillum and involved in some of the same "receiving of favors". If you like Andrew Gillum then Dustin is for you.
City Commissioner Seat 3
Lisa Brown - (My reluctant Pick) CEO and board member at the Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union. Formerly registered republican now NPA, considers herself a moderate. At least she is not supported by NOW.
Jeremy Matlow - Owner of Gaines Street Pies, supported by NOW, FSU college DEMS, the teachers union, and Boldprogressives.org.
City Commissioner Seat 5 (this is a no win race)
Bob Lotane - Communications (marketing lobbying) Consultant - Progressive liberal. Anti-school choice, anti-charter schools, proposes to ban plastic bags, proposes "high speed" buses. He does have a strong ethics reform and government transparency stance. His website has a lot of info.
Dianne Williams-Cox -(my changed pick)Accountability/Comp. Officer for Voices of FL, Inc., Proud member of the Democratic party. She didn't really state any real policies only platitudes. After reading some negative politico flier I changed my mind to pick her.
Leon Soil and Water Conservation District 2
Cara Feischer - Co-leader of Tallahassee citizens climate lobby (that sounds like an organization that needs some tax money)
John W. Hedrick -Assistant public defender, served as chair of democrat environmental caucus.
Will Henry - (My Pick) Veteran, retired nurse and accountant, seems at least somewhat moderate
Leon Soil and Water Conservation District 4
Bill Helmich - (My Pick) He is running on a platform of doing away with the Leon Soil and Water Conservation committee, which sounds like a good idea since their original function is not longer needed. They were created in the 1938 to represent small farmers to report soil and water needs to the government. They do not make policy or influence taxes but only inform and lobby for their own ideas.
Brian Lee - Incumbent, co-founder of Re-think energy Florida advocate.
Retain Justice Alan Lawson - (Yes) A conservative leaning judge appointed by Rick Scott.
Retain Judge Harvey Jay - (Yes) Appointed by Rick Scott, I could not find a reason not to keep him.
Retain Judge Stephanie Ray - (Yes) Appointed by Rick Scott, lots of awards and community organizations.
Retain Judge Brad Thomas - (Yes) Appointed by Jeb Bush, I could not find a reason not to keep him.
Retain Judge Kemmerly Thomas - (Yes) A conservative leaning judge appointed by Rick Scott.
Retain Judge Allen Winsor - (Yes) Appointed by Rick Scott, I could not find a reason not to keep him.
Circuit Judge, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Group 12
Lisa Barclay Fountain -Worked at a variety of private law firms, about half plantiffs and half defense lawyer.David Frank - (My Close Pick) Former Green Beret, CIA analyst, and Assistant Attorney General. Currently owns The Frank Law Firm. Also has defense and plantiff experience. I give him the edge because he had experience as a prosecutor in addition to private work.
Amendments
In general if you don't understand an amendment it is better to vote NO. Our Florida constitution is muddied up with way too many things that should have been left to legislation by the house and senate, and not put forever in the constitution.No. 1 - Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
If you own a decent home you will get an additional tax break on the house you live in. I love lower taxes.
(Yes)
No. 2 - Limitations on Property Tax Assessments
Makes permanent, limits to non-homestead property tax increases to 10% or less. This limit is already in effect, this just makes it permanent.
(Yes)
No. 3 - Voter Control of Gambling in Florida
Financed by the Seminole Tribe and Disney. It would make it so that expanding gambling would require being voted on by Florida residents. (now the legislature or voters can authorize gambling). I don't think it makes sense that voters in Tallahassee would have a say in Miami expanding gambling or visa versa. After additional research and discussion I don't think this should be in the constitution and the legislature should have a say in this issue.
(No)
No. 4 - Voter Restoration Amendment
Fairly straight forward. Restores the voting rights of felons after they complete their sentence. Does not apply to murder and sexual offenses. I believe in restoring the rights and privileges to those that have finished their sentence.
(Yes)
No. 5 - Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees.
Requires 2/3rds vote of each house of the legislature to raise taxes or fees. Does not apply to counties or cities only state. I am for lower taxes in general. If a fee is really important they can get more than 2/3rds votes.
(Yes)
No. 6 - Rights of Crime Victims: Judges
I don't like that this is really 3 (or more) amendments rolled into one. This is a complicated one with too many different moving parts. I agree with overall giving rights to victims (Marcy's Law), I think this is a complex issue that requires more simplification and clarity than is given by this amendment.
(No)
No. 7 - First Responder and Military Member Survivor
While I support giving death benefits and cheaper college to the surviving family members of First Responders and the military, this does not belong in the constitution and should be handled via the legislature.
(No)
No. 9 - Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces
First this should not be 1 amendment but 2. Prohibiting Oil and Gas Drilling is shortsighted and foolish, a sentiment based on fear. This should be handled first in the marketplace, and second in the legislature. Vaping issues should be handled by whomever owns the workplace and not in the constitution.
(No)
No. 10 - State and Local Government Structure and Operation
Although this has way too many different things in one amendment, I strongly support elections of the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collectors, and clerks of court. County officials that remove the elections and instead put there own choices in these positions have way too much power. The other part of the amendment are not that important.
(Yes)
No. 11 - Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes
This is a bundle of several revisions proposed by the "Constitution Revision Commission" to remove and change 3 main provisions. 1. repeals a prohibition of foreign-born persons from owning or inheriting Florida property. 2. repeals provision that forced the development of high-speed rail. 3. Allows more flexibility in prosecuting amended criminal statutes.
(Yes)
No. 12 - Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers
This prohibits public officials from lobbying for compensation during the official's term in office and for six years after the official leaves office and prohibits public officials from using the office to obtain a disproportionate benefit. A good idea in theory, enforcement would be very tricky, but does not belong in the constitution.
(No)
No. 13 - Ends Dog Racing
I disagree with dog racing for a number of reasons, however, language in this bill could be used to limit or outlaw hunting, fishing, farming of animals, etc. It has a "poison pill" and does not belong in the constitution.
(No)
Extras: (not Constitutional)
Code of Ethics as Proposed by the Citizen Charter Review Committee
Establishes a Code of Ethics for the County Commissioners, employees, and their appointees. Long overdue, the county is in bad need of Ethics reform.
(Yes)
Second Judicial Circuit Public Defender Appointee to City of Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board
Provides that the Public Defender will appoint Seat 2 on the Tallahassee Ethics Board.
(Yes)
I will continue as I have time:.....
