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James Adkins: Hernando County Commission District 5, Republican
You stated in your recommendation that any one of the candidates for Hernando County Commission District 5 would be a viable representative of the GOP and a worthy opponent for the lone Democrat, Chris Kingsley.
I have stated that the reason I entered this election is because of the actions of the current commission, since I have watched them wastefully spend our hard-earned tax dollars, encroach on our personal freedoms and ignore the wishes of residents.
I feel that my experience as the former fire chief of the city of Brooksville, and a civil servant for 25 years, gives me the knowledge of all government operations and functions needed to serve the citizens of Hernando County. I know the difference between a want and a need, and it is time for needs to come before wants.
Now is the time for residents to be represented by a commissioner who is not a fixture of the government center, but a friend of the taxpayer who foots the bill.
I have the best interest of all the citizens at heart, and if elected, my first day as commissioner will not be the beginning of a bid to be re-elected by bowing to special interests.
I hope voters will do their homework and not depend on your endorsement, but vote for James Adkins, the candidate who is sincere about solving the problems facing Hernando County and the most viable candidate to oppose Kingsley in November.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. You say it is the newspaper's responsibility to inform the voters of the facts about candidates. If it is important to inform the voters, as you say, then why not post a list of campaign contributions of each candidate in District 5?
Only then will the voters be fully informed as to the special-interest money being spent to help buy a commission seat. Your recommended candidate for District 5 has special interest money, as do the others in District 5 - except J.O. "Jimmy" Batten, who is strictly for the people. J.O. "Jimmy" Batten does not accept contributions for his campaign, does not display roadside campaign signs and is not endorsed by any special interest groups (i.e., developers, builders, Realtors, etc.). J.O. "Jimmy" Batten has no ties with government in any way and can bring a perspective to the board untainted by former jobs within government circles.
Who would be more qualified to preserve the qualities and characteristics of our county than a fourth-generation Hernando County native with 35 years of business experience? As for your endorsement of my opponent, I hardly see where the owner of an electrical company with only one employee listed on an occupational license constitutes someone with vast experience in budgeting and estimating job costs.
Please let the voters make their own decisions on the right choice for County Commission District 5. Allow the people to vote without a possible biased opinion by an editor of editorials.
J.O. "Jimmy" Batten was proud to serve as a Marine in Vietnam and is ready to serve the citizens of Hernando County as the next commissioner for District 5. Thank you very much.
During my recent interview with the Times, its staff focused on two issues: my grasp of quality growth management and my heritage in Hernando County. I am proud of both. Together, they set me apart from other candidates.
No other candidate in District 5 can match my extensive background in growth management issues. Nor can they match my knowledge and experience at all levels of government and my proactive community service.
I am proud to be among Florida's most decorated environmental and governmental journalists - a result of proactive research and writing on our community's behalf.
I am also honored to have the endorsement of the Hernando Homebuilders Association. HBA members listened to my philosophies on smart growth and agreed we can strike a balance between property rights and environmental protection.
We don't have to say no to every development proposal that comes before us, as several candidates suggest. Nor do we say yes to every one. We can allow quality development and still protect our natural resources.
How? By performing the research necessary to develop plans of action and then work with other commissioners to implement that vision.
We can ill-afford to maintain our current growth management strategy to either give the developers everything they ask or nothing at all.
Isn't it time we had a commissioner that focuses on solutions rather than criticism and dissension? Isn't it time we restore fiscal responsibility at the courthouse?
Only one candidate has the ability to restore integrity, teamwork and leadership to our commission. , our next Hernando County commissioner.
Editor: I am thankful that the citizens of Hernando County are smart and independent. They vote their conscience and convictions. They are not vote followers of newspaper editors.
How true it is: Opinions are like belly buttons. We all have one!
Actually, that is what makes being a successful county commissioner so difficult. As an elected official, one should listen to the people and heed their opinions and wants. At the same time, the commissioner must make decisions based on what's best for the entire community.
One of my strengths lies with being able to get along with and communicate with the other board members. Now that's a novel idea! Not once is this mentioned in any endorsements. Remember, nothing gets accomplished with one vote.
I am speaking from experience. I have been there.
I proudly served as your commissioner from 1996-2000. I responded with respect to all my constituents. During my tenure, millage rates were reduced three years in a row and the county was in sound financial condition. Today, things aren't as good. In the last four years, the budget has increased more than 50 percent.
Since my tenure as your county commissioner, have you had enough? You can bring me back.
For these reasons and more, I am asking voters on Aug. 31 to elect the person with proven leadership, who has already shown she can get the job done. Barbara "Bobbi" Mills for County Commission, District 5.