Leon County Florida, General Election, November Ballot 2016

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After many hours of work and late nights staying up writing this blog it was accidently deleted and I can't figure out how to get it back.

I apologize for the lack of in depth research but below is a quick synopsis of how I plan to vote without all of the previous detail, except in a few races.

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

Difficult choice but I give the edge to Gwen.
Gwen Marshall - DEM - (My Pick) has been working for the Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers for 17 years.
Franklin Ayetin - NPA - Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Sheriff

After 2 years being the county with the highest violent crime rate in the state it is time for a change.
Charlie Strickland - REP - (A close second) -
Walt McNeil - DEM - Former Police Chief, would also make a good choice.
Tommy Mills - NPA -
Mike Woods - NPA - (My Pick) Current Sheriff, based on inside info, has helped to greatly improve moral at the office.

Property Appraiser

Akin Akinyemi - former county commissioner. My favorite quote from him. "I am a very humble man, but I have done more for this county in 3 years than anyone." He should not be allowed to hold any public office.
Greg Lane - (My Pick) Has been in real estate and doing property appraisals for many years.

Superintendent of Schools

View the WCTV debate HERE
Forrest Van Camp - REP - (My Pick) Former Leon County School Board member and long-time school administrator. He is against the common core curriculum.
Jackie Pons - DEM - Current Superintendent, Time for someone new.
Rocky Hanna - NPA - Worked as Assistant Principal and Principal of Leon High, worked with Special Sites and Programs for Dept. of Juvenile Justice.
Patricia Ann Sunday - NPA - No chance of winning not enough people know who she is.

Justice of the Supreme Court

(Yes) Charles T. Canady - one of only 2 conservatives on the court
(No) Jorge Labaraga
(Yes) Ricky L. Polston - the other conservative.

District Court of Appeal

(Yes) Ross Bilbrey
(Yes) Susan Kelsey
(Yes) Lori S. Rowe
(Yes) Kent Wetherell
(Yes) Bo Winokur
(No) Jim Wolf

Supervisor of Elections

Mark S. Earley - (MY PICK) 22 year employee of the elections office, currently Voting systems manager. Endorsed by Ion Sancho. Clearly has the most experience.
Alan Williams - Former Democrat State Representative looking for another government job.

County Commissioner - District 2

Jimbo Jackson - Has served as Administrator at Fort Braden School for past 12 years. Seems OK but I'll give the edge to Manny.
Manny Joanos - (My Pick) Divisional Director for the Leon County School District. Endorsed by NEBA (pro business group), based on his platform he seems more pro business which is something Leon county needs.

County Commissioner At Large, Group 1

David T. Hawkins - (My Pick) Works at Florida Department of Revenue Warehouse. Fiscal conservative, emphasis on limiting county spending.
Mary Ann Lindley - Current County Commissioner, former Tallahassee Democrat and Miami Herald employee and Hillary Clinton supporter.

Leon County Soil and Water Conservation District 1

Unpaid position
Brooke Bustle - (My Pick) Works for Strategic Management Office of the DMV. Has worked for Steve Southerland and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
Lorin Pratt - Current Supervisor of the Leon County Soil and Water Conservation District. Public Information Specialist.

Leon County Soil and Water Conservation District 3

Unpaid position
Tabitha Frazier - Runs website "leontrees.org" a website dedicated to Leon County's trees. Current supervisor, Leon Soil and Water Conservation District. Not bad.
Bill Helmich - (My Pick) BA Military History. Owns local business consulting firm. Has worked for City Water Utilities and Underground Utilities Departments. Previous supervisor, Leon Soil and Water Conservation District

Capital Region Community Development District, Seat 2

Brian Kelley - Regional Sales Director for IT company.
Carl Mikyska - (My Pick) Executive Director of the Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Worked for FDOT. He has the most experience.

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.
Amendment 1 - Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice
this has been pushed by the Florida Utility companies, and should not be in the Constitution, but through legislation.
(No)

Amendment 2 - Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions
I am actually for the Medical use of Marijuana or its derivative, but this should not be in the constitution.
(No)

Amendment 3 - Tax Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled First Responders
For this to happen, needs to be through amendment.
(Yes)

Amendment 5 - Homestead Tax Exemption for Certain Senior, Low-income, Long-Term Residents; Determination of Just Value.
This is a revision of a previous amendment and must be handled by another amendment
(Yes)