Early Voting has started!!! Make sure you get out there and vote!!! Heres my official 2014 Citizen Chuck Pinellas County Voter’s Guide. Explanations to follow the list. Not all will apply to your ballot. Here are my picks: US Congress District13 – Lucas Overby (L) Governor – Charlie Crist (D) Attorney General – George Sheldon (D) Chief Financial Officer – William Rankin (D) Commissioner of Agriculture – Thaddeus Hamilton (D) State Senate District 20 – Jack Latvala (R) State Senate District 22 – Judithanne McLauchlan (D) State Representative District 64 – Steinberg (R) State Representative District 65 – Carl Zimmerman (D) State Representative District 66 – Lorena Grizzle (D) State Representative District 67 – Steve Sarnoff (D) State Representative District 68 – Dwight Dudley (D) State Representative District 69 – Scott Orsini (D) State Representative District 70 – Darryl Rouson (D) County Commissioner District 2 – Patricia Gerard (D) County Commissioner District 4 – Mark Weinkrantz (D) Judge Chris W. Altenbernd – YES to retain him. Judge Morris Silberman – YES to retain him. Judge Daniel H. Sleet – NO to retain him. School Board Member District 4 – Beverly Billiris School Board Member District 7 – Rene Flowers/Write in: Irene Olive Cates Lealman Special Fire District Seat 4 – Rebecca Harriman No. 1 FL Constitutional Amendment (Conservation Amendment) – YES No. 2 FL Constitutional Amendment (Medical Marijuana Amendment) – YES No. 3 FL Constitutional Amendment (Appoint Judges) – NO County Referendum Question (Greenlight Pinellas) – YES, for the 1% sales surtax St. Petersburg Referendum Question – YES I have a BA in Political Science and I’ve been actively involved in politics and community organizing for years. The basic idea I use when it comes to voting is this: we are either gaining ground, holding ground or losing ground towards objectives that most match our values. So, my preference is to gain the most ground as possible towards objectives I see as valuable for our society. And if gaining or holding ground towards those objectives are not possible, then losing the least amount of ground is preferable. This analogy works because there is a war of objectives and values going on. US Congress District 13 – Lucas Overby(L) This was a tough one. Overby gets my vote because I feel he would work more towards objectives I value than David Jolly would. I’m pretty sure Jolly will win this though but he should be put on notice that he will not win easily and therefore he has to work in the people’s best interest or risk losing the next election. Governor – Charlie Crist (D) Crist gets my vote because I know he will work towards objectives I value. Rick Scott has done numerous things to damage this state and actively harm people… stopping the high-speed rail project,denying Medicaid expansion (which results in 6 deaths per day in FL), working for Duke Energy, limiting access to voting, lying profusely as his company committed the largest Medicare fraud in history, and refusing to answer direct questions on numerous occasions. He’s way too shady for the Sunshine State. Crist seems to have had an awakening and looks like he will be an even better governor than he was previously. He may not be the progressive champion that I would prefer but we can pressure him to do the right thing. With Scott, we’re screwed. Attorney General – George Sheldon (D) Pam Bondi has made so many bad decisions, it’s hard to decide where to start. But let’s just look at her deciding to pursue prosecution for Melissa Alexander who fired a warning shot at an abusive ex while at the same time not pursuing charges against others who actually shot and killed people. She selectively applies the Stand Your Ground Law and she actively works against equality for LBGT people. Sheldon, seems like he’ll be a breath of fresh air compared to her. Chief Financial Officer – William Rankin(D) William Rankin seems like he will speak truth to power. Other than that, I have little to offer on him. I do that Jeff Atwater has not proven to be on path of working for the people. He says there is no money for to pay for state employee pensions and has shifted that once paid benefit onto the employees. This has resulted in a net loss of 3% from their pay. Commissioner of Agriculture – Thaddeus Hamilton(D) Its time to unite the citizens, agriculture and environment to ensure that Florida is a sustainable state, says Hamilton. It is time to put the needs, wishes and concerns of the citizens in the state of Florida first. Jobs and economic development, education, consumer protection,environment and agriculture must be our top priorities. He’s sold me. State Senate District 20 – Jack Latvala (R) Latvala is not the candidate I would prefer but he is moderate compared to his opposition Republican (Tea Party) Tony Caso. Caso opposes the Florida Forever conservation program and he is narrow and/or backwards in his views on other issues as well. A vote for Latvala in this case would be a vote to keep ground or lose less ground on issues I find to be important than a vote for Caso. State Senate District 22 – Judithanne McLauchlan(D) I know Judithanne McLauchlan personally and she is sharp, knowledgeable,progressive, and will work hard towards objectives I find valuable. She has declared that the first bill she introduces will be to repeal the Duke Energy nuclear tax and refund our money to us that Duke has taken for nuclear plants they will never build. $3.2billion has been taken from us so far. Jeff Brandes has voted to keep that tax (fee) on us and has taken money from Duke and refuses to return it. He also has lied in TV and print advertisements about Judithanne saying she supports a state income tax. He knows this to be a lie and still perpetuates it. He’s of questionable character and needs to be voted out and I can’t think of a better candidate than Judithanne. State Representative District 64 –Steinberg (R) Steinberg “styles herself a moderate Republican and an “independent thinker,”supporting expanding Medicaid and investing in renewable energy.” While her opposition Jamie Grant (R) “I promised to file bills that limited the scope of government when it exceeded its necessary function,” he said. “I think I have a track record of standing up for a limited government.” Nuff said. Steinberg seems the best bet to gain ground or hold ground in this race. State Representative District 65 – Carl Zimmerman (D) While Zimmerman’s campaign hasn’t been ideal he is a “high school teacher, is opposed to expanding school vouchers which give public school students the ability to use public funds to attend private schools. He’s also critical of charter schools arguing they lack oversight and are a way to funnel taxpayer dollars into privately run, for-profit public schools.” His opponent Chris Sprowls has said, “You might be physically better off not to have insurance than Medicaid.” which he quickly walked back by saying, “I don’t know if I believe that.” This is not an outright apology or retraction and I find that view to be divorced from reality. Zimmerman is the better choice for sure. State Representative District 66 –Lorena Grizzle (D) I went to a meeting once where Larry Ahern as a Representative of ours in the FL government said he wasn’t a part of the government. Lol. He’s a tool. He uses the Tea Party platform of being anti-government even to the point of failing to recognize that he is an essential part of the government.Just ridiculous. I’m pretty sure Lorena Grizzle recognizes that as a state representative she plays an important role in government… you know… making laws. State Representative District 67 – SteveSarnoff (D) I’ve met Steve on a couple of occasions and he is solid. He is knowledgeable and will work hard towards issues of importance for working people over the corporations and ultra-wealthy. His opponent is the son of Jack Latvala,Chris Latvala who appears to be further to the right than his father. A vote for Sarnoff is a vote to move forward towards more equitable and sustainable policies in our state. State Representative District 68 –Dwight Dudley (D) I know Dwight and he has worked hard for the people on the Duke Energy issue to get us refunded the money Duke has been defrauding us of for 8 years so far($3.2 Billion). Dwight is a solid champion of progressive values and is willing to get in the fray and move our state forward. His opponent Bill Young (R) is the son of former Congressman Bill Young who by all measures to have any desire to represent working class people over the corporate interests. The choice is clear here, Dwight Dudley has my vote. State Representative District 69 – ScottOrsini (D) Kathleen Peters voted against Medicaid expansion and this results in an average of 6 deaths per day. This is all I would need to know but she also voted for school vouchers which drain money away from public schools without accountability. Scott Orsini is intelligent and appears to have a lot of passion for serving his community. A vote for Orsini is a vote to gain ground. State Representative District 70 –Darryl Rouson (D) Darryl Rouson is not a candidate that I find myself in agreement with on a lot of things but voting for him looks to be a vote towards holding some ground and I’m thinking voting for his opponent would be a vote for losing ground. His opponent Philip Garrett has some good talking points but I’ve not see any details on how he hopes to accomplish his talking points. Garrett has also been endorsed by the Libertarian Party of Pinellas County. That throws up a lot red flags for me. For instance, the Koch brothers are big funders of libertarian causes and those causes almost always put the interests of the wealthy and businesses above the rest of the people. I’m not really convinced either way on this one but I’m leaning towards Rouson. County Commissioner District 2 –Patricia Gerard (D) Gerard is for the Greenlight Pinellas plan and her opponent Ed Hooper is against it. That’s actually enough for me. We need forward thinking representatives who will advocate for the necessary infrastructure to move us forward. Hooper also has had what appears to be some shady dealings in regards to the Clearwater Aquarium. County Commissioner District 4 – Mark Weinkrantz (D) Weinkrantz is in favor of red light cameras and I am not but he seems like a solid candidate. His opponent, Dave Eggers (R) is as moderate republican and could be a good commissioner. Both seem like they would be good at building consensus around issues but my concern is that Eggers could sway more in line with the state Republican party if he wants to aim for higher office. With the information I have, this is a tough one to come to a decision on but I’ll comedown on the side of Weingrantz since I find myself most aligned with the objectives of the Democratic party verses the Republican party and I see a vote for him as less of a risk in losing ground. Judge Chris W. Altenbernd – YES to retain him I looked for a while, and I couldn’t find much to support him or not. He is a Republican that was appointed by Republican Governor Bob Martinez. The FL Bar’s poll of its members showed that 95% of them recommended he be retained.So, I’m defaulting to a YES on this one because I wasn’t able to find a reason for a NO. Judge Morris Silberman – YES to retain him I looked for a while, and I couldnt find much to support him or not either. He is a Republican that was appointed by Republican Governor Jeb Bush. The FL Bar’s poll of its members showed that 94% of them recommended he be retained. So, I’m defaulting to a YES on this one because I wasnt able to find a reason for a NO. Judge Daniel H. Sleet – NO to retain him Judge Sleet is a Republican that was appointed by Republican Governor Rick Scott. So, I originally suggested differently but it has come to my attention that this Judge has been particularly harsh in sentencing in at least one case (sentenced someone to several years). He decision was overruled on appeal and the sentencing was significantly reduced, which goes to show this judges judgment may not be up to par. Thats not much to go on, but its enough for me to vote NO to retain him. School Board Member District 4 – Beverly Billiris Beverly Billiris is a teacher and seems have both experience and facts on her side. Her opponent Ken Peluso has stated, I think creationism and evolution should be taught side by side and I dont care what classroom. He tried to walk that back but it’s clear what his thoughts are. We don’t need any anti-intellectuals making decisions on school policies. Billiris is the clear choice here. School Board Member District 7 – ReneFlowers/Write in: Irene Olive Cates This is a tough one. Rene Flowers has experience in government and as far I was able to tell is very knowledgeable about her job. But Irene Cates has a lot of good ideas and what she lacks in experience, she makes up with enthusiasm. Both had great answers on the League of Women Voters questionnaire. I’m not sure on this one. The safer bet would appear to be Flowers but I’ve had some great conversations about improving our schools with Cates. Lealman Special Fire District Seat 4 –Rebecca Harriman Rebecca Harriman has some good experience and had the best answers in the League of Women Voters questionnaire. Her opponent Jorge Mercado didn’t even answer a couple of important questions on the questionnaire which seems to indicate he doesnt have knowledge about the issues related to this position. No. 1 FL Constitutional Amendment (the Water and Land Conservation Amendment) – YES “Amendment 1 gives Florida voters a direct opportunity to keep drinking water clean, protect our rivers, lakes, and springs, restore natural treasures like the Everglades, and protect our beaches and shores. Amendment 1 is our best opportunity to address threats to our water quality and keep pollution out of our waters—without any increase in taxes.” Sounds great to me! I enthusiastically support this amendment! No. 2 FL Constitutional Amendment (Medical Marijuana Amendment) – YES The FL legislature passed a limited law to allow medical marijuana but with politicians deciding what this medicine would be allowed to treat. I believe that decision is best left made without government interference and should be made between a doctor and their patient. New research is showing that medical marijuana is an effective treatment against numerous diseases and maladies. I enthusiastically support this amendment! No. 3 FL Constitutional Amendment (Appoint Judges) – NO This amendment would allow for too much power to appoint judges. That concern alone is enough for me to vote NO on this. The fact that this was added by the Republican controlled state legislature which has shown itself to be corrupt just seals that NO vote for me. Its an attempt to legally insert into the constitution partisan overreach, Pafford said. It was done largely because Republicans understand they have a dangerous governor … and they want to make sure their bad policies have life in the form of a Supreme Court which will approve a lot of the unconstitutional things the Legislature has put forth. County Referendum Question (Greenlight Pinellas) – YES, for the 1% sales surtax I’ve been all around this world to many areas similar in size and density as Pinellas County and all have quality public transportation. Greenlight Pinellas will vastly improve public transportation by first improving the bus services (65% more bus service) and then adding a light rail component later on. In the 28 areas that have light rail in our country 27 have voted to expand them. It’s obvious that the people feel it was a great investment. As a region we are in competition with those regions to bring in quality businesses that pay well. They look for quality public transportation in their decision making process. This would be paid by increasing our sales tax by 1% from 7% to 8% with exemptions on food and other items. Also only the first $5000 of any sale would be taxed with the extra 1%. The current property tax that pays for this will be removed as it is replaced with the sales tax. 1/3rd of the plan will be paid for by tourists. US19 has been under construction for decades and we can’t widen it any more. More people will keep moving to FL and Pinellas County. It’s well past time we build this infrastructure. There is massive support for this plan from various organizations and representatives. I enthusiastically support this plan! St. Petersburg Referendum Question – YES This would change the St. Petersburg City Charter to allow for City Council Members to voice their opinions on who is hired by the city. Right now the city charter prevents this. I’m all for more freedom of speech.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 16:01:05 +0000
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