| |
|
<<Return to Candidate
List
District:
PANAMA CITY (PAN)
|
 |
Justin F. Andersson Candidate For:
PANAMA CITY COMMISSIONER WARD 3
Nonpartisan
Defeated
711 Florida Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: 850-381-0718
Email: JAnderssonFL@aol.com
http://www.Vote4Justin.com
|
|
|
|
Note: The candidate's statement is
supplied by the candidate and is not endorsed by the County Supervisor of
Elections! The statement must advance the candidacy of the candidate and
not attack the opponents or issues in the election.
| Comments : | I'm running for Panama City Commissioner of Ward III because I believe there is a need for a person who will stand uncompromisingly as a voice for the people and act responsibly with the duties given. In the last two years we've seen a dramatic increase in the amount of public involvement and participation in local government. Despite that increase the citizens always appear to be on the losing end when the battle involves developers or old political cronies. I want to win this election because I care about our residents and the future of our beautiful city. Never will I put a developer, individual, or special interest group before the will of YOU THE PEOPLE!!
MY PLATFORM ISSUES:
* DEVELOPMENT *
From my many door-to-door conversations with local citizens, there exists a great passion and concern with how High-rise construction in Panama City might effect both their wallets and the scenic views of our waterways. While I do not stand against all development, I do believe we need to stand back and take a better look at what we may be opening the door for. It is obvious to me that Panama City residents do not want a future where Beach Drive or downtown resembles Front Beach Road. Our local officials, despite professional commissioned reports, have turned a blind-eye warning against future High-rise proposals. This report explicitly states that neither the current nor near future housing market will support anymore High-rise projects. Another concern to the local citizens is why must they pay to defray the infrastructure costs Mr. Big Developer. Seems to me, that rather than cutting the taxes and putting the money back where it belongs - in the average citizens wallets - we are now in the business using tax dollars to make life easier for already rich developer's.
* TAXATION *
While wages haven't gone up the cost of property taxes have. Why couldn't we use the non-earmarked 1% gross receipts tax (which generates nearly $8 million annually) to compensate for another decrease in mileage rates? A tax should never be left on the books after it has lived out its original purpose. Rather than further padding our city coffers, I believe we need to either use this money to provide property tax relief to our citizens or rid ourselves of this odious encumbrance.
* PUBLIC PARTICIPATION *
Another important issue involves making the local government process inclusive to residents rather than exclusive. For too long local citizens have felt their voice doesn't matter. Unfortunately our city commission recently enforced that belief by imposing a limiting and ridiculous 3 minute rule when individuals wish to speak at city commission meetings. I am of the opinion that if a commissioner is going to be elected and then paid with taxpayers dollars, he or she should give anyone, both citizens and media, as much time as needed at a public meeting to address the board. Elected officials are meant to serve the people not dictate or restrict them.
All of these aforementioned issues are major points in my campaign platform. I swear to the people of our city, that if elected, I will uncompromisingly fight and struggle to keep high-rise development out of our city, create fair taxation, and open our city meetings to unrestricted audience participation.
YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!
|
|
|
|
As stated in section 106.011(14), F.S. the candidates running for State,
Multicounty, District or Judical office must file with the Department of State
Division of Elections, click here for a link to the Division of Elections.
|