Marihelen Haddock Wheeler

The issues

Why are you running for this office?

I am running for County Commission to protect the environment, advocate for children, and improve economic opportunity for rural and urban families.

In your view, what are the top three issues facing the county? How are you qualified to address these issues?

I am committed to keeping elected officials focused on sustainable growth as Gainesville and outlying communities as we attract new development. Water quantity and quality should continue to be our focus as we grow and as we watch our weather patterns fluctuate. Economic equity in the face of needed affordable housing and transportation solutions and living wages from expanded job opportunities must continue to be a priority. Attention needs to shift to vocational and technical training in our public schools, and we need to support our community schools, like Hawthorne Middle/High School. Our children’s developmental and educational needs must be addressed outside of the classroom through initiatives like the Children’s Trust.

As a retired teacher of 38 years, I have been heavily involved in the social and economic networking of the communities in which I have taught. I have been an activist on labor, immigration, education, arts, and environmental issues in the 20 years that I have lived in Gainesville. I was raised in rural Kentucky where many of the issues I experienced are the same as our local rural municipalities. As I campaigned throughout Congressional District 3 in 2014, I traveled through 13 counties, connecting with environmental groups, farmers, educators and landowners in the path of the Sabal Trail Pipeline and have maintained strong working relationships with these groups to continue our work across county lines for regional solutions.

How would you assess the performance of the current County Commission, how it works and the ability of individuals to make a difference?

I support the direction of the current Commission and would not be willing to commit to such a group if I did not believe that individuals can make a difference. There is no woman currently serving on this commission and I feel that I would open the Commission to a demographic that can be better served with a more diverse Commission. Our BOCC should reflect the community it serves.

What more could be done to curb gun violence? Share your opinion on the changes to school safety and gun ownership enforced in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act.

I believe that there should be background checks, taxes on ammunitions, waiting period for gun purchases, and a ban on public sales of assault rifles. I am sorry for the focus on school safety over the control of weapons. Students should be safe in their schools, but should not feel that they are in a prison. I don’t like the idea of having civilian guards in the schools as they are not completely prepared for the needs and behaviors of students. Overreaction is a fear and, as a former teacher who has watched erratic and often traumatic behaviors of children, I see a grave potential for more damage being done with the increased presence of gun-toting “guardians”. I do approve of school resource officers and believe that they serve an important resource of safety because they know their kids and their faculty and respond as a community policing agent.

The Stand Your Ground Law has been highly controversial. Do you think the law is working or is there something lawmakers should do to change it?

I believe the Stand Your Ground Law provides a license to kill. It should totally be done away with.

When Richard Spencer came to the University of Florida’s campus last year, the administration at first barred him from renting a space to speak. They later reversed that and allowed the event to take place on campus. What did you think of the decision making process?

I was relieved that our university would not allow such an event on our campus. If indeed the fear of a lawsuit prevented UF from sticking to its principles of safety for its students, then I am disappointed. There was a great deal of expense in protecting our community, particularly at a time of high anxiety in our country, and I believe that the university owes it to its students and the community that supports it to be more mindful of its responsibilities.

Share your thoughts on the results of the lawsuit against the sheriff’s office regarding budgeting for deputies’ raises.

Clear communication and transparency are always the best way to avoid confusion in negotiations between agencies as it makes it easier for the taxpayers to understand the outcomes of budgeting priorities.

Do you support legalizing marijuana for recreational use and why?

I do support legalization of recreational marijuana as I believe it is the least harmful of drugs being used in our country and would prevent damage done from more damaging drugs, including alcohol. I do not believe it to be a gateway drug. Notice my age and you will realize that I come from an era that proposed its use 50 years ago.

Do you support a $15 minimum wage and why?

I do support $15 minimum wage as we need to increase living standards for all citizens. Anyone who works should not be living in poverty.

Sexual assault is a serious issue on college campuses. What, if anything, should lawmakers do to address concerns raised by the #MeToo movement and other instances of unwanted sexual harassment and assault?

Lawmakers should consider this a serious crime of battery. People who attend our campuses should feel safe to move about and focus on the mission of education. Campuses should be safe zones and funding for that safety should be a priority of any college/university board. If a board does not consider it a highest priority to protect our university and college students, then state lawmakers should be included in the responsibility.

How do you hope to address North Central Florida’s economy and growth?

I want to focus on training for jobs that are in demand. That does not mean that all should require college educations. We need to focus on the need and importance of labor opportunities especially as we address aging infrastructure. We need to attract clean industry to our area that does not require extensive college training and that does not impact our environment negatively. If indeed, we are an innovative community, we must ask our incubators to expand job opportunities for our local citizens. As Gainesville grows, I see that many families may move to our rural municipalities and so those communities must get ready for that growth and determine how that growth should look. We must focus on the unique opportunities available in areas of East Gainesville and afford those communities the same respect as city and county commissioners have afforded Tioga and Haile. We cannot underestimate the value of our natural resources as a magnet for ecotourism.

How would you gauge threats to the environment and what do you hope to do about them?

I have long been an activist against the Sabal Trail Pipeline, fracking, offshore drilling, agricultural pollution, phosphate mines, and Rodman Dam and have worked with the Silver Springs Alliance against Sleepy Creek Cattle Ranch in Marion County. I have also worked against FDOT efforts to expand road systems through sensitive environmental lands. The threats to our natural resources are great. Our environment is attractive to ecotourists and as we carve it and drain it, we are not only draining our resources, we are draining our way of life. We have resources in our community through UF and the science community to find the solutions we need.

Gainesville Regional Utilities may have new management. What changes would you suggest making in how the utility operates?

We need to keep this utility in our hands. It belongs to the people of Gainesville and we must make it successful.

What is an example of a policy or issue you have changed your view on in the last 20 years?

I believe that residential care for adolescents with traumatic issues are better served in well- funded boarding school type environments where there are trained staff who can address needs of kids who are homeless and can provide a wider range of services to young people who understand each others needs rather than pushing to place in foster homes who may not be prepared.

Do you support voting on college campuses?

Absolutely

The campaign

Is there anything you want us to know about your opponent(s).

I trust that he will

Why should voters vote for you?

As teacher, as an activist and as a woman, I bring a unique and much needed perspective to the county commission. I have received endorsement from organizations who recognize my history of advocacy on a number of important issues facing our community. They include the North Central Florida Central Labor Council, Sierra Club, Our Revolution of North Central Florida, and Ruth’s List Florida.

Miscellaneous

What type of student were you in college?

Married student who was juggling home as well as school, but was focused and determined.

What is the last music concert you saw?

Irish Rovers

Who is your political hero? Why?

Lawton Chiles....He knew Florida well and tried to work to keep it healthy.

What is the best advice you have ever gotten?

A soft answer turneth away wrath.