TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

House 44 Seat - Keep Schenck

ADVERTISEMENT

Hernando Today

Published: October 28, 2008

House 44 Seat - Keep Schenck

The Florida House 44 seat race between incumbent Republican Robert Schenck, Sarah Roman the Green Party candidate and Spring Hill attorney Jason Melton, a Democrat running in place of Joe Puglia, was not difficult for us to pick.

It is clear to us that Schenck is the best candidate. To his credit, Melton is in favor of more primary industry development. He has attacked Schenck on his industry development record. However, it seems to us that Melton's understanding of the primary industry development process is very limited. Melton is a viable candidate; however, his views are that of the tax-and-spend school of thought - views that we and most taxpayers do not support.

Additionally, Melton is reluctant to expand offshore drilling while Schenck is in favor of drilling now.

Sara Roman has failed to reply to media requests for interviews and says she simply wants to bring an environmentally minded perspective to Tallahassee. Well that's great Sara, but voters would like to know more about her and her perspective. We believe voters require more than getting your name on the ballot when candidates run for public office.

We recommend Robert Schenck for Florida House 44 seat.

Anderson Best In Supervisor Of Elections Race

The race for Hernando County Supervisor of Elections is an important but difficult race to make a recommendation for. Incumbent Annie Williams knows the supervisor of elections office very well because she has worked there for many years. In fact, she has worked there her whole career.

Gus Guadagnino is a well-known community leader who is respected. Shirley Anderson has worked competently for Republican U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite as district director since 2003. All three candidates have strengths that qualify them to do this job. All three candidates have our respect, and we support their efforts to help our community.

There have been some errors and criticism of policies and practices at the supervisor of elections office under Williams' watch. Some of them have been costly to the taxpayers. It is true that everyone makes a mistake from time to time, but there should be some accountability for public officials who are paid the kind of salary that this job pays.

Guadagnino has stated that this will not be a full-time job for him and that he has other responsibilities that would not allow him to apply himself full time to this office. Guadagnino has put a good deal of effort and money into his campaign and is a competent leader. However, we believe the job requires a full-time effort.

Anderson has committed to a full-time effort, has demonstrated the kind of competencies the job requires and seems to be passionate about the importance of the election process.

We recommend Shirley Anderson because of her commitment to a full-time effort, her initiative to gain more knowledge about the job and her passion for the democratic process.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT