Rob Zeller moved to Gainesville in 1993 to study chemical engineering at UF, but when he graduated in 1995 he decided to hang around for a while.
Finding no engineering jobs, he opened the Grog House Bar on West University Avenue. He was successful over the next few years and expanded to buy Copper Monkey, Gator City Sports Grill and the downtown cowboy club :08.
Now, the 39-year-old from Ohio is demonstrating his affinity for Gainesville by running for city commissioner of District 3.
“I didn’t leave Gainesville because I fell in love with Gainesville,” Zeller said in an interview Friday. “Now I see it falling apart . . . I don’t want to see this happen.”
People are dealing with the hardest economic times of their lives, he said. They need city commissioners who can bring a business mind to the city’s problems.
“I understand how to cut and make strong decisions,” Zeller said. “I ran a large organization for many years. Education-wise, experience-wise, I have a proven track record.”
If elected, Zeller said he would fight hard against increases in taxes and GRU rates as well as any cuts to the Gainesville Police Department or Alachua County Fire Rescue.
He said he also hopes to tackle traffic congestion downtown and eliminate what he sees as over-regulation of small businesses.
“We’ve got to cut spending and still provide the best services available,” Zeller said. “I’m not a politician. I want to bring common sense and a business mind to the city.”
Zeller said he wants to be a fresh, new voice on the commission, which he thinks is made up of like-minded individuals.
“I want to be the people’s advocate,” he said. “I think [the current commissioners] have pet projects and don’t really care about what the people want.”
Zeller said he wants voters to know he’ll be listening to their voices throughout his campaign and, if elected, during his time as commissioner.
“I want to actually find out what’s going to make the people happier,” he said. “I’m always here. I work every day. Come sit down with me at the Copper Monkey. Have an ice-cold tea and talk about your issues.”
