This election season is about Clay County and about the trends that are deteriorating our unique community. It is not about money or appeasing special interest.
Quality of Life – In the past Clay County residents enjoyed a high quality of life. However, in more than 30 years of living in Clay County I’ve seen unrestrained development and short-term economic fixes threaten our way of life. Traffic congestion, poor land use (commercial and residential), questionable ethics by government officials and short-sighted development have become commonplace in Clay County. I’d like my nine grandchildren to enjoy Clay County as I have – the river, the open spaces, the easy access to recreational and entertainment opportunities. As an Orange Park town councilman, one of my proudest achievements was establishing Clarke Park – a recreational space for families on Kingsley Avenue. I am running because our some of our elected officials are clearly more concerned about appeasing special interests than maintaining and increasing residents’ quality of life.
Economic Development – Having been in the manufacturing industry for more than 40 years, and currently as vice president of a multi-national manufacturing company, I believe that Clay County can be made more attractive to light industry and manufacturing. Turning Orange Park into just another congested, drive-through city – with endless strip malls, housing developments and asphalt – is detrimental to our goals. We do not need to rely on property taxes to do this either, we can achieve positive economic development through creativity, responsibility and pro-activity. Clay County citizens cannot afford another “growth at any cost” member of the County Commission.
County Commission as Policymaker – I believe that the County Commission should set policy and allow the County Manager do just that – manage. There is no need for the County Commission to micromanage county business. Oversight is appropriate, but having cozy relationships with county personnel is futile and a waste of the county's professional resources.
Conflict of Interest/Ethics – It has been clear that developers and special interests have had unfair influence with some County Commissioners in the past. As a County Commissioner, I would call for all Commissioners to declare any financial interests that relates to any action the Commission is taking – including campaign contributors who would be affected by the action. I think Clay County should have the state's toughest ethics law, one that requires documenting all contact with lobbyists and details the issues they discuss with County Commissioners. This sort of transparency is, in my opinion, central to good government. A majority of the negative publicity that Clay County has received in the past decade has focused on improprieties by elected officials. This ultimately impacts the taxpayers, who I believe would like the county resources more honestly managed.
Traffic – The county transportation plans must drive development, not the other way around. We must also ensure that FDOT has a transportation plan for Northeast Florida that does not put added pressure on US-17 and Blanding Blvd. As energy prices rise, we must also ensure that Clay County is pedestrian friendly and convenient for mass transit and bicycle traffic.
County Budget – There is no reason the county budget cannot be balanced, and as a commissioner I will analyze the budget and make recommendations to the county manager including cuts in spending. We do not need to raise taxes; we need to raise accountability by county departments and employees.
Gambling – As many of you know, I absolutely abhorred the Orange Park Town Council's decision to allow Orange Park Kennel Club to open a poker room. While I strongly believe in a free market and personal liberties, I do not believe in introducing high-stakes gambling into neighborhoods, especially under the guise of “economic development.” Protecting our community against the negative consequences of legalized gambling will undoubtedly tax our resources, and in the meantime our county will move farther away from being a “family-friendly” destination and workplace.
Community Involvement - Clay County has a growing and talented population, yet the County Commission relies on many of the same people to serve on its various advisory committees. As a member of the Commission, I will seek the involvement of new people to serve as official advisors. Clay County needs new perspectives, not the same group of developer-friendly people with more of the same bad advice
Thats my view whats yours ?
Ron Raymond
Independent (NPA )for District 3
www.VoteRonRaymond.com