Walking past nitrogen tanks and stepping around carts stacked with latex gloves and beakers, it's hard to imagine how Scherwin Henry has any time for anything but his research.
But Henry, who spends part of his day hunched over a microscope listening to his iPod nano, said that above all, his goal is to serve the people of Gainesville.
The Gainesville native and UF biology researcher at the end of his first term as city commissioner for Gainesville's District 1 said he decided to become a commissioner after years of local involvement when his children grew up and "no longer needed their daddy."
One of Henry's main concerns is responsible expansion of business in Gainesville, which he said means creating a delicate balance between development and conservation.
For this reason, Henry said he plans to vote "no" on Charter Amendment 2, which would require a state referendum vote to convert city-owned land used for conservation, recreation or cultural purposes to another use.
Henry said that the proposed amendment has the potential to "close the door on progress."
The other amendment on the ballot, Charter Amendment 1, has Henry in a state of indecision. He said that while he initially supported the anti-discrimination ordinance the amendment would remove, he now opposes the ordinance because he feels it is too far-reaching.
"I cannot support it comfortably in my heart," he said. "To tell you the truth, I have not yet decided how I'm going to vote."
Henry said that in his second term, he also plans to focus on Gainesville's youth.
"We're in bad shape when it comes to providing opportunity for our children," said Henry, who helped form the Gainesville Police Department's Operation Respect Yourself, which taught conflict resolution to middle and high school students. "We just need to get our kids in a better environment."
Henry is a registered Democrat, but he said that he puts his constituents' needs first.
"Partisan politics have no place at the local level," said Henry.
"When a citizen calls and says, 'My lights are going to be cut off tomorrow and I don't have the money. Can I have an extension?' they could care less about how much economic development you're bringing to their neighborhood," he said. "They need you to help them keep their lights on."
