Capital Outlook Viewpoint

Our Recommendations

Governor: Rod Smith

During his telephone interview from Miami with the community editorial board, Smith said he was sitting outside a rally where he was preparing to be endorsed by the Haitian community for the Democratic nomination for governor.

He also expressed concern about how some members of the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees were selected and promised if elected governor he would make appointments of members with more courage and who better understand their roles as trustees.

He says he is committed to funding class-size reductions and increasing teachers' salaries in order to hire and retain high quality teachers.

Smith, who is locked in a tough battle with Jim Davis for the Democratic nomination,  says he has the strength and conviction Democrats need to win the governor's race in November.

As state senator, Smith helped pass legislation making it easier for single parents to collect the child support. And he sponsored the legislation creating Florida's Child Advocacy Trust Fund which provides help to children who have been victims of abuse.

Smith also was a powerful advocate for the Martin Lee Anderson bill which was named for the 14-year-old youth who died after being beaten by guards at a Bay County boot camp.

The bill replaces boot camps with more humane juvenile facilities.

Mayor – John Marks

Since his election as mayor in February 2003, John Marks has earned another opportunity to serve again.

Although some of the positions he has advocated, such as the proposed coal plant and Frenchtown storm water issues, have been controversial, Marks has done an outstanding job as lead salesman for the city of Tallahassee.

Because Tallahassee's city manager form of government does not require his participation in day-to-day operations, Marks' role as capital city ambassador is magnified.

A mere glance at the list of some of his mayoral-related memberships and affiliations shows he is well qualified for the task.

He serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Cities, the Tallahassee Economic Development Council, the Tallahassee/Leon County Civic Center Authority, the Sunshine State Governmental Financing Commission, and the Economic Club of Florida. As a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors he serves on the Energy and Arts & Culture Committees. He is a graduate of Class XX of Leadership Florida.

His smooth leadership style displayed during City Commission meetings also demonstrate his effectiveness as a city commissioner, which sometimes gets lost in the public's focus on him as mayor.

City Commission, Seat 3: Anthony Viegbesie

This endorsement required the most discussion and longest deliberation among our community editorial board. In the end Dr. Anthony Viegbesie got the nod by a 4-3 vote over incumbent Debbie Lightsey.

A first-generation American born in Nigeria, West Africa, Viegbesie is sincere in his appreciation for the opportunities afforded him and his obligation to give something back.

He makes a powerful case that his training in economics and public administration equip him to add valuable research and experience-based insight to the City Commission deliberations.

After graduating from secondary school he left Nigeria with a $3,864 travelers check and came to Tifton, Ga. to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He worked his way through school working alongside migrant workers on farms in the Tifton and South Georgia areas.

He says he is not afraid of hard work nor is he bothered by challenges, which he sees as opportunities.

He says he realizes that being an American is something he has to work every day to deserve. He also says he strongly believes that service to his community is honorable, noble and good.

Representing Seat 3, he says, would enable him to demonstrate his dedication to serving Tallahassee and help improve the quality of life for all.

City Commission, Seat 5: Allan Katz

Allan Katz, elected in February 2003 to City Commission Seat 5, is the best qualified of all the candidates an we recommend he be retained.

A practical thinker and man of courage, he stood alone in opposition to his City Commission colleagues against buying into the proposed coal-fired electricity generating plant in Taylor County.

The former chairman of the State of Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association, a medical malpractice no-fault compensation system, Katz is also a member of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, a constitutionally created entity charged with reviewing state tax and budget matters and proposing changes to the state constitution, Katz is environmentally sensitive.

Probably more than any other member of the City Commission, Katz gives equal consideration to environmental, and fiscal impacts of issues before taking a position. He has demonstrated that he can resist what is popular if he does not think it is in the best interest of the city or its residents.

Katz also deserves another term because he is direct and frank.

For example, he says the city manager form of government restricts what he can do as a commissioner to speed up the permitting process. Not many local politicians would admit that.

County Commission, District 1: Bill Proctor

Since 1996 Bill Proctor has been a force on the Leon County Commission whose style has made many uncomfortable, but whose effective work for his district is undeniable.

Our board is aware of and discussed fully the sentiment of many that Proctor's direct and sometimes confrontational style could be better. We acknowledge that his metaphors are often graphic and sometimes sensational. Yet, the eight members of our community editorial board voted 7-1 to recommend Proctor for another term.

A big concern of the board was whether the other District 1 candidates would be so eager to get along that they won't be tough enough to fight the good, but difficult fight to represent the county's historically most neglected district until Proctor was elected to the commission.

Proctor has literally taken to the streets, held town-hall meetings, news conferences and taken on the power brokers on behalf of the residents of District 1.

Surely, Proctor's style is a minus, but we recommend substance over style, because the roles he played in the widening of Crawfordville Highway, the B.L. Perry Library, the location of the new Bond Elementary School, the south-side health centers, among other things, greatly outweigh his propensity to get on some people's nerves.

County Commission, District 3: John Paul Bailey

Based on his record as a city commissioner, public servant and community activist, John Paul Bailey is the best candidate for the District 3 County Commission seat.He has demonstrated that his only motivation is to serve the people of Leon County and the residents of District 3 in particular.

Viewed as a candidate with appeal to the common people, Bailey was educated in the Leon County public education system and attended Tallahassee Community College.

After having been a Tallahassee police officer for 25 years, Bailey never lost his concern for all people.

As a city commissioner, he regularly visited with community leaders to keep abreast of the issues, and after being invited to a FAMU football game, initiated the effort that led to the renovation of the president's box at Bragg Stadium.

He was mayor pro-tem for two years during his two terms on the City Commission. He has served as chairman of the Blueprint 2000 Intergovernmental Agency, served on the board of directors of the Economic Development Council, Tourist Development Council and Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority.

County Commission, District 4: Bryan Desloge

“I am a candidate for the Leon County Commission because I love our community,” says Bryan Desloge, our recommendation for District 4. “As a commissioner, I will apply my experience and leadership skills to help our community become a better place to live, work, and raise our families.” 

He appears to be ready to take his 25 years of community service to the County Commission where he can be more effective in affecting public policy.

Desloge is a lifelong resident of Leon County, and has “worked hard to start and run a successful business.

He has spent many years involved in activities aimed at making meaningful improvements throughout the communities that make up Leon County.

He says he's a consensus builder and will work to bring civility back to the commission so commissioners can effectively solve major problems like health care for “our” uninsured, preserving neighborhoods and securing better paying jobs and career opportunities.

“As a community volunteer, I used my own resources to transform from an elementary school to a multigenerational senior center- only the second in Leon County's history,” Desloge says.

County Commission, District 5: Bob Rackleff

You can count on my strong voice and leadership to stand up for people - in your homes and neighborhoods, on the job, and in community life,” says District 5 incumbent Bob Rackleff.  “I will not be fainthearted or equivocal.”

Based on his record, the editorial board believes he remains committed to the fight to protect our neighborhoods from harmful developments; direct growth to our south-side areas with affordable housing, jobs and retail; support expanded health-care for uninsured working families and support Ion Sancho, supervisor of elections, to make every vote count.

Rackleff's direct approach has won admirers and detractors, but few can doubt his commitment to help to keep “our” Blueprint 2000 promises; solve stormwater and lake water quality problems; improve access to transit services, sidewalks and trails; and avoid any more dumb growth mistakes like Fallschase.

He says his political values include workplace, social and racial justice. 

“I proudly served President Jimmy Carter in the White House and have followed his brave example ever since,” Rackleff says.  “I will serve you bravely in the next four years.”

County Commission, At-Large: Cliff Thaell

As his at-large seat requires, Cliff Thaell has represented all of Leon County faurly, equally and effectively.

Among the countywide issues he has taken on during his tenure are regulating development and managing growth.

“Poorly planned development that was often environmentally harmful, incompatible with our cultural heritage, or both, sprung up all over Leon County,” he said. “Our way of life was at risk.”

Since that time Thaell has worked for a balance between encouraging development and growth while at the same time managing both.

“I have worked hard for a balanced approach to growth that promotes local business while protecting our shared quality of life,” he says. “I have fought for the kind of local government that protects our neighborhoods, our environment, and our community's values.”

What will Leon County look like 10 years from now?

“As your county commissioner for the next four years, I will continue to fight for growth that sustains itself and does not stick local taxpayers with the bill for expensive traffic mitigation, lake clean-up fees, and public school concurrency,” he says.

Thaell also has a record of supporting efforts to improve conditions in District 1.

The County Commission still needs the common-sense balance

Superintendent of Schools: Iris Wilson

As the candidate most involved with the successful administration of former Superintendent Bill Montford, Iris Wilson is the best qualified and most deserving of the opportunity to build on that success.

As Wilson says: “For the Leon County School District, these are transitional times. Population shifts are causing some schools to be under utilized while straining facilities at others. The onset of FCAT, Pre-K, class size reduction and other state and federal mandates require constant tuning and re-tuning of policies and programs to ensure that all schools can function effectively.”           

She says the transition was managed well under Montford. “However, the team leader has departed and a new chapter begins.”

She believes, as we do, that it is in the best interest of the district that someone within the leadership team steps up and assumes the role of leader. The critical nature of the times does not allow for on-the-job training.

“I have, as assistant superintendent, accepted that challenge,” Wilson says. “I am the only candidate seeking to fill the post with the requisite knowledge and experience to continue successfully addressing the needs of the school district.

Our recommendation of Iris Wilson is based on her strengths, not her opponents' weaknesses.

County Judge Group 3: Lisa Raleigh

“You should vote for me for Judge because I have the best combination of intelligence, experience and integrity for the bench,” says Lisa Raleigh.

We recommend her because in addition to her experience and other legal qualifications, Raleigh has an obvious commitment to fairness in matters of judicial discretion, yet is unwavering in her commitment to justice for all.

“Voters need to evaluate whether candidates are free to rule independently, or whether they may be influenced by special interest groups,” she says. “I would come to the bench and apply the law without bias or favoritism.

Judges are the last great generalists, she says, hearing cases ranging from DUI to landlord tenant actions to constitutional challenges.

“I'm the only candidate with the combination of a broad practice background and high case load management experience,” she says.

Raleigh's life experience has been as broad as her legal work.  She has lived in Tallahassee for 18 years, but was raised in Canada. She served in the U.S. Navy in Europe, and studied on a Rotary Scholarship at the University of the West Indies.

*****NOTE********

The candidates we do not endorse we invite to submit rebuttals to be run concurrently with our endorsements (See page 5 of our August 31 issue).

Our community editorial board wrestled with endorsements. Read Why.

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