With nearly half of the seats on the City Commission up for grabs Tuesday and an amendment affecting tax revenue, the results of this election day could also have a great influence on a city already navigating redevelopment and economic growth.
Whether it's the empty plot of land on University Avenue or how much your rent increases, the City Commission will impact how your time and money in Gainesville is spent.
We have based our endorsements for this election on the candidates' ideas for the future of Gainesville and how well they relate to and understand student issues.
For District 2, we endorse Lauren Poe, who recognizes the challenges facing the city in coming years. We like Poe's idea to build up an urban center downtown, while encouraging economic growth with private-public partnerships to help offset the cost of that development. We agree with his vision to have our "west-weighted" city revitalize a downtown area but still maintain a community feel that would improve the student experience.
Poe, a professor who teaches dual-enrollment students at SFCC and a UF alumnus, is directly connected to the issues students face as Gainesville residents. He recognizes the impact that UF has on the city and would work with the university to implement positive changes such as improving public transportation. He is open to fresh ideas and recognizes that real progress does not come overnight. His opponent, Bonnie Mott, seemed out-of-touch with student life and did not present practical solutions to some of the city's pressing challenges.
For District 3, we endorse incumbent Jack Donovan. During his term, Donovan voted against building a coal power plant and suburban sprawl on the city's boundaries. His support of investments to convert downtown property into a high-tech business park demonstrates his vow to revitalize Gainesville's economic climate. Donovan's concern for every citizen was proven when he established a domestic partnership registry to ensure equal opportunity for all types of Gainesville families. While we identified with his opponent, former SFCC student Armando Grundy, we feel that Donovan's extensive experience and past leadership make him a more viable choice.
For the At Large 2 seat, we endorse Robert Agrusa. The former UF Student Senate President was responsible for a $13.6 million budget, so we have confidence in his demonstrated ability to lead. His ideas to work with the commission to include students in the political process along with his plans to improve the predatory towing practices in Gainesville reassure us that he would represent the student population well.
His opponent, Thomas Hawkins Jr., seems more concerned with land development issues. While this is an important issue facing the future of Gainesville, we back the candidate who thoroughly understands the impact that students have on the city.
We urge students to vote "no" on Amendment 1. The amendment doesn't provide any real tax reform and would intensify inequities that already exist. Contrary to what its proponents claim, the amendment would actually shift the tax burden to those who could least afford it.
The loss of revenue would limit the ability of local governments and may force them to raise taxes. Necessary public services would be at risk. Most importantly, if passed, the amendment ultimately would not save the state money in the long run.
