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L-4 THE TIMES-UNION AUGUST 5, 2012

St. Johns County 215 Commission 16 and voter guide School 3 21districts Board 5
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210 95 1

Florida House of Representatives District 17

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U.S. House District 717

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State Attorney
Nassau

295

4 State House District 11

Duval

State House of Representatives districts

Nassau

Republican 1

210

Baker County School Board and Commission districts

Putn Com

13

State Senate District 4 1

95 210

Republican Age: 46 Education: Nassau MBA from Putnam University of North Duval Flagler Florida; bachelors St. Johns from UNF; associates from Clay Florida State College at Jacksonville. Alachua Husband, Doug Family: Putnam Flagler (15 years); children Emily, Douglas. Previous elected offices: Marion Elected to Florida House in Volusia Duval CountyCounty School 2008. Nassau Board Board School1998-2008. Lake Qualifications: Getting Sumter districts in Tallahassee Seminole things done requires relationships.Orange I ORLANDO have been endorsed by speaker-designate Will 4 Weatherford and former 6 Gov. Jeb Bush. I have served 5 four years in the House, most recently as vice chair 10 of the Education Committee 301 and K-12 Appropriations 7 Subcommittee. My family 17 owns a small business and I understand the many struggles faced by small businesses. Most important issues: It

hns

Mike WeinStein 210 Clay County Age: 63 Education: Commission districts 16

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95 16

Janet h. aDkinS 5 Congressional Johns St. District

Clay

Florida House of Duval Representatives 4 District 11

Clay St. Johns

Flagler

Volusia

bachelors 13 2 2 3 degree, political science, 5 3 Hartwick 206 215 College; 16 masters,21 criminal justice 1 95 204 administration, California State University; ABD 17 (doctoral studies) criminology, 4 Florida State; J.D., University of Florida 100 Family: Wife, Sara (35 years); children, Scott, Daryl, Danielle; 3 grandchildren Previous elected Congressional District 5 offices: Florida House of Representatives, Nassau 2008-present Qualifications: I have had extensive experience in Duval Northeast Florida both in and out of government. I have worked for 19 yearsSt. Johns in the Clay State Attorneys Office 15 years with Ed Austin and the last four years with Angela Alachua Putnam Corey. As President ofFlagler Take Stock in Children for five years, I regularly visited the Marion schools in all 67 counties. As Volusia the President of the Super Bowl Host Committee for Lake five years, I made sure that Sumter Seminole Nassau County was a part of the event. The last four Orange years in the Florida House have ORLANDO prepared me to understand the procedures and priorities in the legislature. Most important issues: 1) Economy/Jobs: I will continue the effort I was a part of the last four years toward business deregulation and the elimination of meaningless and duplicative obstacles facing the private business sector. 2) Education/ Workforce preparation: We must modernize and improve the way we educate our children and retrain our adult workforce. I will continue to advocate to determine the appropriate funding level for public education. 3) Housing market: expedite the foreclosure and short sales to move the excess housing inventory. How would you deal with budget cuts? I would not be in favor of raising taxes or fees to make up for a budget deficit. Government budgeting is an exercise in prioritization and I would support funding only those services that

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295 our State government can afford. I would support zero based budgeting where all Florida House of expenditures must be justified Representatives every year -- no automatic continuation funding. District 11

aaron Bean

Age: 45 Education: Bachelors 11 95 degree, finance, Jacksonville 301 University Family: Wife, Abby (2010 years); sons Bradley, Gray, Walker Previous elected offices: 295 2000-2008: Florida House of Representatives; 1996-1999: Commissioner of Fernandina Beach; 1997-1999: Mayor of Fernandina Beach (2 terms) Qualifications: My experience in generating economic opportunities in both the public and private sector are what uniquely qualify me to represent Senate District 4. As an owner of two private businesses and a bank president for 10 years, I understand how to run and operate a small business, while creating jobs. In addition, I oversaw a third of the states budget while serving as the chairman of the Health Care Council in the Florida House of Representatives. Most important issues: 1) Creating jobs: I will work to continually attract jobs and help companies grow jobs. 2) Education: I will work for more choices for parents and less paperwork for teachers. 3) Health care: I will work to bring a marketplace of health care to Floridians and create a sustainable safety net that Florida can afford for the long term. How would you deal with budget cuts? I would cut government spending.

is essential we refocus our 17 education budget to ensure our public6 schools align the skills of students with 295 the needs of employers. Closing the skills gap is critical to attracting new 4 6 manufacturing, 1 a and skilled workforce must be one of Northeast Floridas top priorities. We must 2 3 improve the climate for small businesses by reducing 9A 1 regulations. 295 How would you deal 7 with budget cuts? When faced with budget cuts and 95 declining revenue, I would

rights, primarily the Second 2 Amendment. People and businesses are burdened with too many arbitrary 4 and unnecessary rules and 125 regulations. Most important issues: By far 250 most important121 3 the 229 issues are jobs and the economy. 10 But equally important is the 5 90 feeling that government on 1 all231 levels has become far 2 too CorD ByrD intrusive and infringes upon Age: 41 our liberties. Education: Bachelors How would you deal degree in with budget cuts? With political the revenue the state now science/ collects, we can meet our history from Duval County obligations to provide for the University core95 government functions of North City Council of infrastructure, public Florida. Law 17 safety, education and the degree from St. Thomas 11 courts. Raising taxes is not University School of Law. the solution. The solution Family: Wife, Esther; 9A is leaving more money in stepson, Dominic. 8 hands of citizens. The 8 Previous elected offices: 10 the state needs to prioritize None. 7 1 9 expenditures to meet the Qualifications: My 11is grounded in needs of the least fortunate. experience 2 3 This can be accomplished by real 10 and real people. life 12 10 4 cutting waste and overlap 13 in For 14 years, I have 301 14 government agencies and by represented individuals 9A 5 1 17 eliminating programs that do and businesses in state 295 not directly impact13 someone and federal courts, fighting who is truly deserving of aid. fraud in the legal system 6 95 and electoral system, and defending our constitutional

look at ways to reduce state 14 17 Baker government by reducing Duval the workforce and costs 12 associated with state 18 Clay sector employment. I would Union reduce and eliminateSt. Johns fraud, Bradford duplication and waste in Putnam state agencies, and expand the role of technology to 21 achieve productivity gains. Flagler

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Clay Boar

100

Clay Com

Congressional Districts 3
Baker Mike DaviS

State House District 17

Congressional Districts 6
Republican
Nassau

St. Johns County Commission and School Board districts

Should the state keep 4 or eliminate FCAT? Since currently schools have both FCAT and end-of-course exams 210 5 and this year was supposed to be a1transition1 period, I agree with95 staying on schedule as planned. Accountability, 210 high standards and costeffectiveness are addressed 16 with end-of-course exams. 13

Columbia

public Defender 4th circuit

Republican

Matt Shirk

Age: 39 Education: Bachelors, Western Illinois University; J.D., Florida Coastal School of Law Family: Wife, Michelle; son, Pierce Previous elected offices: Elected public defender in Fourth Judicial Circuit, 2008 Your strongest qualifications? Dramatically reduced agency spending; returned nearly $1 million to the State of Florida over four years; improved acquittal rate to ensure innocent are not incarcerated; spearheaded implementation in Duval County of successful diversionary program Veterans Treatment Court; created Public Defender: Vision for Excellence youth summer camp to serve at-risk youth in depressed area of the city; implemented Resource Recovery Program to collect fees mandated by Florida Statute for agency trust fund; launched unique Pro Bono programs in conjunction with JALA and the Jax Bar. Most important issues? Maintaining an office that has proven to operate efficiently and conservatively during lean fiscal times; providing effective client advocacy for the indigent accused while at the same time actively pursuing new smart justice inspired ideas for rehabilitation of clients; prioritizing education, intervention and prevention measures in the community to divert at-risk individuals from entering the criminal justice system. How would you deal with budget cuts? The Public Defender system has absorbed dramatic cuts in funding from the Legislature in recent years and here in the Fourth Judicial Circuit we were prepared and quickly adapted to those reductions.

WilliaM CharleS ChuCk FletCher

Age: 44 Education: Bachelors, University of Florida; law school, Cumberland School of Law Family: Wife, Kelli (17 years), children Kathryn, Rinn, Will, Wayne Previous elected offices: None What are your strongest qualifications for this office? Experience as a defense attorney. I was an assistant public defender from 1997-2000, I stopped counting the number of jury trials Ive had at about 100. Ive had acquittals in about 30 cases, including two first-degree murder cases and one federal case. Most important issues? Ms. Corey is an extremely capable, tough and experienced prosecutor. (As I have tried a case against her, I have real first hand knowledge of it). Our adversarial system needs balance, someone on the other side of the table with more experience than Mr. Shirk, who oddly enough, has only handled one homicide case, and on that one, the guardian ad litem filed a motion to remove him from the case in the best interest of his young client. How would you deal with budget cuts? When Im elected, Im going to make some cuts. The position of communications will be eliminated, and Im going to get rid of the cars driven by the PD and the investigations staff. Im also going to stop outsourcing the subpoenas for witness, as there is a large staff of investigators that can handle that. If we get additional budget cuts, well just have to work harder.

Age: 46 Duval Education: Baker Duval Columbia Bachelors kiM J. Clay Union degree in kenDall Clay Bradford communiAge: 45 3 Bradford St. Johns cation from Education: Florida Bachelors Alachua Putnam Southern College; bachelors Alachua degree, 6 Flagler Florida State University Putnam in building technologies from Flagler University of North Florida Family: Husband, Kelly (19 Family: Wife, Darcy (24 years); children, Chad, Dana. Marion years); children, WesleyPrevious elected offices: Volusia Marion Katherine, Reese, Ethan, None Volusia Matthew Qualifications: Having been Previous elected offices: a small business owner, FAA None air traffic controller, and a Qualifications: political consultant has given Congressional My experience working with varied background into Districts 4 small business and me asmall government, lower running a why has given me the skills and taxes, limited government Nassau fortitude to excel. I know and local control are the best what it takes to balance answers for our economy. 4 a budget, pull together a Most important issues: team, and manage all facets I have two economic Baker Duval of a project. My years of development initiatives community service have for the manufacture and Clay given me great skills in launching of small satellites, Bradford St. Johns working with groups to and for statewide digital accomplish greater goals. implementation for schools. Most We need more tort reform, Alachua important issues: The biggest issues for St. less taxes, less regulation. Putnam Flagler Johns County are economic World-class education is stability, job creation and extremely important. quality education. How would you deal with Marion How would you deal Volusia with budget cuts? There are so budget cuts? I will not raise many options. Allowing nurse taxes but will do what all practitioners and physicians individuals have to do in their to use the full extent of their own homes prioritize the training would save our budget with what we have. state $339 million annually Should the state keep in Medicaid. Putting the or eliminate FCAT? Since class-size amendment back currently schools have on the ballot to loosen class both FCAT and end-ofsize requirements would course exams and this create $3 billion to $5 billion year was supposed to be a in savings that can be used for transition period, I agree technology in classrooms and with staying on schedule merit pay for teachers.

as planned. Accountability, Nassau high standards and costeffectiveness are addressed with end-of-course exams.

Florida House of Representatives District 17

210 95 210 1
100

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Congr

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ronalD DoC 3 renuart

Age: 48 206 Education: 95 Bachelors 204 degree, University of Florida; doctor of osteopathic medicine, Nova Southeastern University Family: Wife, Tamara; children, Jennifer, Scarlett, Ronald Jr., Christopher, Shannon, Matthew, Ashley Previous elected offices: Elected 2008 to Florida House Qualifications: As the only candidate in either Florida House race in St. Johns County who has served in state government, I provide the leadership and experience to represent the countys needs. I am the only physician in state government eligible for re-election. With all the tough decisions placed on the state after the Supreme Court decision on President Obamas national health care plan, it is easy to see why the incoming speaker of the House supports my reelection. Having served as a colonel with the Florida Army National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan, I am one of the

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few combat veterans in the Legislature. Most important issues: We must attract businesses to St. Johns County by competing with other counties and states. We provide the best public education for our children, but we have limited job opportunities for them in our community. How would you deal with budget cuts: I do not support a state income tax. I do support an interstate compact to collect the sales taxes from Internet sales. Most Floridians dont pay the required sales tax because the process is cumbersome and there is little state oversight. This would streamline the process and create a level playing field for local businesses. Should the state keep or eliminate FCAT? It has been used for other purposes beyond its design and teaching seems to focus more on the test than our students. We need another level of accountability more reflective of student learning.

Alachu

Mar

Sum

clay county clerk of court

Republican

GeorGe BuSh

Age: 65 Education: Bachelors degree, University of Florida Family: Wife, Pam (41 years); children, Chrissy, Barbara, Susan, Paul Previous elected offices: Clay County Board of County Commissioners, 16 years; Clay County School Board, 12 years What are your strongest qualifications for this office? Thirty-five years owning and managing a business that deals with the public daily and keeps records that are confidential and court tested. Included in that is the hiring and firing as well as training of staff and meeting all the county, state and federal laws. What are the most important issues in your campaign? Managing a multimillion-dollar agency with over 70 employees and a $5 million payroll with less public dollars while meeting the high customer service expectations of the public and mandates from state and federal agencies. In what ways can the Clerk of Courts office be improved to make it and the courts more accessible and user-friendly to the public? I think making the website a little more user friendly

as to guiding the search options for the public. As to accessibility, it is critical that criminal records are uploaded to the State Court Records as required by Florida Statutes over three years ago and to this day [the Clay Clerks Office is] not in compliance.

larry r. lanCaSter

Age: 64 Education: Associate in arts, St. Johns River State College; bachelor of arts, Georgia Southwestern State College; masters in education, University of North Florida Family: Widower; three children, Murray, Rebecca, Joey; nine grandchildren Previously elected offices: Clay County Commission, 16 years Qualifications: 1) Education; 2) Career: 39 years in the Clay County school system (16 years as assistant/vice principal; 23 years classroom teacher); 3) Community involvement: 10 years as trustee, St. Johns River State College; six years, board of directors, Clay County Agricultural Fair. Most important issues: It appears to be one of qualifications (including education ) and the ability to manage a large public staff confronted with daily demands of meeting the needs of numerous audiences in a

timely and efficient manner the judges, attorneys, the public and various state agencies. Compound the people skills issues with the technical requirements of transmitting information and moving to a paperless judicial records process and you increase the needs for additional training of the staff. In what ways can the Clerk of Courts office be improved to make it and the courts more accessible and user-friendly to the public? 1. Employ and adequately train deputy clerks in legal requirements, technical proficiencies and customer service skills. 2. Fully utilize and provide adequate number of employees at the satellite offices. 3. Continue to utilize developing technologies to make payments or access functions from work or home locations.

tara Green

Age: 43 Education: Associates degree, Florida State College Family: Husband, Chris (15 years); children, Connor, Taylor, Savannah Previous elected offices: None Qualifications: I bring over 15 years of practical business knowledge and leadership experience. I served as vice

president with a Fortune 500 company [Alltel] and have led teams consisting of over 100 professionals with a variety of skills and responsibilities. My knowledge and business professional experiences can be directly applied in the Clerks office to benefit Clay County. Most important issues: It is imperative that Clay Countys new Clerk have the hands-on experiences with implementing technology and operational efficiencies in order to continue to improve how the citizens and the legal community will do business with the Clerks Office. Due to the mandates from the state of Florida, all Clerk of Courts must move to a paperless environment by 2013. With such challenges on the horizon, applicable experience and proven leadership is key to ensure the safety of the public records and the proper support of the court system. In what ways can the Clerk of Courts office be improved to make it and the courts more accessible and userfriendly to the public? There are many Clay County residents that cannot access the Clerks office during normal operating hours. In addition, the legal community that utilizes the office is geographically widespread. As the Clerks office continues to transition to an online environment, availability and accessibility to documents and public records should vastly improve.