Randy Wells
The issues
Why are you running for this office?
I am running because I am passionate about identifying solutions to local issues, bringing people together to advocate for those solutions, and getting local government to help implement them.
In your view, what are the top three issues facing the county?
We must protect our environment. We must grow our local economy. And we must tackle poverty and discrimination. This is our challenge. This is who we are.
How are you qualified to address these issues?
I have a 15-year track record (as both an elected official and active citizen) advocating local policy and projects that advance all three goals.
How would you assess the performance of the current County Commission, how it works and the ability of individuals to make a difference?
I believe the current County Commission has performed well in most policy areas — particularly in advancing the Children’s Trust, environmental protection, homeless services, police and court peace and justice reforms, and protecting the Comprehensive Plan. I would like to see better and more effective partnership with the city of Gainesville and the smaller municipalities in redevelopment of older areas of each community (including creation of permanent high quality affordable housing), more cooperation in delivery of efficient fire and police services, and more progress on a regional solution for public transit. Individuals working together are absolutely KEY in advocating specific local projects and policy changes. That is why I have helped organize or support citizen groups in every major initiative I have worked on--including Friends of Grace Marketplace, Friends of Reserve Park, Gainesville Citizens for Active Transportation, Waldo Main Street, Inc., Florida Community Design Center, and Welcoming Gainesville & Alachua County. This allows us to build broad coalitions, develop world-class ideas, and bring local government staff and resources to the table to accomplish good things. This is the approach I would bring to the county commission.
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 there are evidence-based measures that we can take (at the national, state, and local level) to reduce gun violence. The act implemented some good measures, with the exception of the proposal to arm teachers and other school staff. I spoke in favor of our County Commission’s action to strengthen local gun laws beyond that provided for in the new state law — including a longer waiting period and universal background checks on gun sales in the county. Because roughly 60 percent of gun-related deaths are from suicide, these steps can have a real impact on gun violence in our community. In addition, I would support local policy and budgeting to enforce the universal background checks (which are in place in about half the state but rarely enforced), and make aggressive use the new state provisions to take and keep guns out of the hands of persons likely to pose a risk to themselves or others.
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 is a disaster and should be scrapped. This is especially true since the state legislature made it even more insidious last year, by flipping the burden of proof to the prosecution in hearings prior to trial. The law encourages the use of deadly force when other, safer, and better options are available — and has created multiple situations when unjustified killings have gone unpunished.
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 believe UF erred in two respects. First, they should have allowed a court to determine if their initial decision to bar him could be sustained. This would have given additional time for the local community to be involved in the decision. Second, once a decision was made to allow him to speak (which would likely have been required by the First Amendment), the enormous state and local public safety presence should have been used to create a positive, safe space for the community to demonstrate the opposition to his hate mongering.
Share your thoughts on the results of the lawsuit against the sheriff’s office regarding budgeting for deputies’ raises.
The court settled the matter about the sheriff’s discretion on moving funding around within her budget. However, the county commission remains responsible for overall budget making — and should evaluate all ways that public safety can be achieved more cost effectively. Particularly as significant areas annex into the city of Gainesville, patrol duties for the sheriff are reduced.
Do you support legalizing marijuana for recreational use and why?
I do support legalizing marijuana for recreational use (which would require a change in state law). Treating marijuana use as a public health matter, rather than a criminal matter, will help eliminate the violence associated with drug markets; reduce racial discrimination that is currently reflected in drug arrest and conviction rates for minorities (especially young men); and produce tax revenue that can be used for positive social and youth programs.
Do you support a $15 minimum wage and why?
I do support a $15 minimum wage, as a significant step toward addressing massive income inequality in our community and our country.
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?
As a candidate and former elected official, I see this as a serious issue for our community as well as campus. I believe elected officials have a role in sending a clear message of zero tolerance for sexual harassment and assault. Having served on the Equal Opportunity committee while on the City Commission, I strongly supported a robust discrimination complaint process. I would do the same as a county commissioner.
How do you hope to address North Central Florida’s economy and growth?
I believe Alachua County is well positioned to become as well known for economic opportunity as we are for environmental protection. If elected, I will work to have Alachua County be a lead advocate for an Opportunity Agenda based on the following 5 points: 1) Increasing access to job skills by aiming to create 1,000 certified paid apprenticeships across both public and private employers; 2) Supporting full funding for a living wage for all employees and contracted employees in Alachua County, and calling for all major employers in our community to follow suit; 3) Having Alachua County join the Gainesville Homegrown Businesses initiative that I helped create (in partnership with the UF business school and the city of Gainesville, that has provided training and mentoring for 70 new, low-income business startups in the last two years; 4) Having Alachua County join the city-UF partnership to drive innovation and job creation with community-based research; 5) Investing $1 million annually (funds currently budgeted to be returned by the city to the county beginning Oct. 1) to encourage development where public infrastructure (roads and water systems) already exists and public services can be provided efficiently — most especially in east Gainesville and the core areas of our small municipalities.
This Opportunity Agenda will both address significant racial and economic disparities in our community, while helping protect our environment and quality of life.
How would you gauge threats to the environment and what do you hope to do about them?
I would gauge threats to Alachua County’s local environment by three metrics: protection of groundwater and drinking water; protection of natural lands and rural working lands; and correcting the impact of human development on the natural systems. I strongly support Alachua County’s wetlands protections and water conservation measures. I strongly support continued public and private efforts to conserve more land (Alachua County is about 30th in the state at present) — in part by encouraging development where infrastructure already exists. We must also work with neighboring counties to stop phosphate mining from polluting our rivers and aquifer. Finally, Alachua County should do its part in addressing climate change by encouraging more efficient and clean energy use, and by reducing waste (especially plastics) sent to landfills. I support the vision for a Zero Waste Alachua County.
Gainesville Regional Utilities may have new management. What changes would you suggest making in how the utility operates?
I am opposed to the proposed GRU authority referendum. This referendum will do nothing to improve management of GRU, while handing significant local control of our publicly-owned utility to the state legislature. It’s passage could also result in higher local taxes and/or cuts in services. The single greatest improvement in how the utility operates (and how efficiently the city provides services) would be for more of the service area of the utility to annex into the city. This brings significant savings to county ratepayers, and allows for more efficient delivery of public safety and other city services.
What is an example of a policy or issue you have changed your view on in the last 20 Years?
20 years ago, I was more confident that overall economic prosperity would benefit everyone. It has become increasingly clear that instead we are seeing enormous skewing of incomes and wealth toward a small portion of the population. This fact must be a central policy focus for local government.
Do you support voting on college campuses?
Absolutely yes. I was honored to represent the bulk of the UF campus during two terms on the city commission, and have long advocated for more voting opportunities on campus. This will benefit both students and the wider community, given how many residents are employed on or near campus
The campaign
Is there anything you want us to know about your opponent(s)?
That she is a good and honorable candidate, and that I will support her should she prevail in the primary.
Why should voters vote for you?
I have a track record of providing positive leadership that brings people together to create smart, cost-effective solutions to our community’s biggest challenges. The best examples are my leadership: 1) Establishing Grace Marketplace as a center of empowerment for life and job skills that has helped hundreds out of homelessness; 2) Working with Protect Gainesville Citizens, Inc. to stop Koppers poisoning our drinking water and make them cleanup the adjoining neighborhood; 3) Creating a center of jobs and a community park in east Gainesville at the old US Army Reserve Center; 4) and Designating Gainesville the first Welcoming City in Florida to embrace the tremendous value that immigrants bring to our community.
Miscellaneous
What type of student were you in college?
I had solid, but not spectacular grades, worked part-time and during the summer to help pay for school, and was very active with student government and student groups (including creating the Middle East Peace Coalition). I also volunteered with multiple political campaigns.
What is the last music concert you saw?
Jazzy Sunday at Star Center Theater
Who is your political hero? Why?
Joseph P. Riley, former mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. Over a period of 40 years, Mayor Riley became a legend for his work in making Charleston a very livable, more just, and beautiful city. His “livability court” was the specific inspiration for my work creating the Special Magistrate for codes enforcement while a Gainesville city commissioner.
What is the best advice you have ever gotten?
To “take the crooked path” in life — to allow yourself to take chances, to try new things, and not be too worried to follow a specific and pre-planned career path
