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Decision 2018

Teachers square off for Dist. 4 County Commission race

Chase Carle
Posted 7/25/18

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The race for the District 4 seat on the Clay County Commission pits two teachers against each other.

Current commissioner Gavin Rollins of Keystone Heights taught ESE …

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Decision 2018

Teachers square off for Dist. 4 County Commission race


Posted

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – The race for the District 4 seat on the Clay County Commission pits two teachers against each other.

Current commissioner Gavin Rollins of Keystone Heights taught ESE History under a three-year temporary certificate at Oakleaf High this past school but is moving on to the St. Johns Classical Academy to teach seventh- and eighth-grade history this fall. Rollins faces fellow Republican Smitty Huffman of Keystone Heights who teaches social studies, math and science at McRae Elementary north of Keystone Heights.

If elected, Rollins said he views a second term as a continuation of his service from the current term on office.

Rollins said he wants to help improve the quality of life for Clay County residents. He cited specific examples such as reopening the boat ramp in Keystone Heights.

“When I’m gone from the commission, I’d love for people to say ‘Gavin left his mark’ in regards to our parks and nature areas,” said Rollins.

Huffman says the biggest issue right now is a lack of communication between the commission and the residents of Clay County. He wants to change that.

“I would like to set up regular office hours at different companies or businesses in the district and have a schedule where the citizens could come and see me during those hours,” said Huffman.

But, Rollins counters that he helped usher in more transparency for residents during his tenure. He said he pushed for the implementation of Facebook Live for meetings as well as moving the meetings from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to allow more access by the public.

Rollins said that he also would like more educational materials and videos to help citizens understand why the commission does certain things.

Huffman also believes commissioners should return all phone calls within 24 to 48 hours. He wants to move the commission meeting times once again as well.

“It was a pseudo solution to change the time from 2 to 4,” said Huffman. “It looks good to say they’ll do it later, but it doesn’t actually help the citizens since most of them can’t make it by 4 either.”

Huffman said a 6 p.m. start would result in greater citizen participation.

Huffman believes that he can provide the necessary leadership to help government agencies work together more smoothly, however, he said more diplomacy is needed.

“I believe I have the ability to set aside my ego. At my age and experience I can do that easily because all of my decisions will be based on what’s best for the citizens rather than for me and my interests,” said Huffman. “That leadership doesn’t exist on the commission for this district currently.”

 The Sheriff’s Office $3 million budget increase

When asked their thoughts on the request by Sheriff Darryl Daniels for a $3 million budget increase for his department, despite crime statistics trending downward, both men had slightly different opinions.

Rollins said that he believes public safety is the most important thing in Clay County and that the police force is what helps keep citizens safe. He views the requested budget increase request as a proactive maneuver rather than potentially having to make a reactive maneuver if crime increases. Rollins said that the size of the sheriff’s office needs to grow in proportion to the population. However, he also said the CCSO budget would be looked at carefully.

“It’s not a blank check by any means,” said Rolins. “We’re going to scrutinize and make sure it’s in the best interest of the citizens, but we have to trust that the sheriff knows what he’s doing.”

Huffman said he would immediately want to review the request as well as other factors that would come into play. He said it’s a pretty straightforward process in his mind.

“What is that $3 million going to be used for is the first question I would ask. What is his current budget being used for,” said Huffman. “Every department would like a budget increase. The biggest problem is being able to take the existing budget and see where the money is being spent, what the priorities are and what the citizens want the priorities to be.”

 Growth Management

Both candidates have similar stances on handling projected future growth for Clay County. With some estimates project Clay County’s population could double in the next 20 years, which makes growth management a key issue.

“Growth is inevitable,” said Rollins. “What you have to do is manage it correctly.”

Rollins said that part of that management is setting aside conservation land. He wants to make sure that Clay County maintains its green spaces and nature areas even as it grows.

“We have to let growth happen at a sustainable rate,” said Rollins. “We can’t just let growth happen anytime, anywhere with no oversight.”

He also said that he wants to see more business growth so fewer Clay County residents have to commute out of the county for work.

Huffman’s views on growth or similar. He said growth needs to be controlled, with a long-term view that is well thought out and well planned.

“I think a lot of times decisions are made in the county that are short-term thinking. They are based sometimes on special interests and some of the political ‘powers that may be’,” said Huffman. “I think that long-term plans, well thought out plans are what’s needed. The citizens of the county need to come first.

Huffman also said that positives of the growth are the economic side as well as the improving school system. He said that the school district improvement will only aid the economic growth since good school districts help increase property values.

 Tourism

When it comes to tourism in Clay County, both Rollins and Huffman seem to feel that using and promoting what’s already available is the best course.

Rollins talked about the natural resources that are plentiful in Clay County such as Black Creek and the St. Johns River as well as the various parks. He also brought up the museums at Camp Blanding and in Green Cove Springs and areas with a rich history such as downtown Middleburg to bring in outside tourism.

Huffman also talked about the waterways and parks as attractions. He thinks highly of a yearly event that takes place in the county as well.

“We have, I still believe, one of the best county fairs in the Southeast, if not the nation,” said Huffman.

The emphasis seemed to be less on building or developing new tourist attractions and more on promoting existing things.

“We’re not going to compete with Orlando and things like Disney World,” said Huffman. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t advertise and improve on the things that we do have.”

 Use and allocation of available funds

Rollins and Huffman have ideas on how available funds can and should be used.

Rollins seemed more focused on how to save money while maintaining quality. He cited the commission’s decision to pull out of the Regional Planning Council after services the Council provided became something that the commission did in-house. Rollins said that leaving the council has saved $320,000 over the last four years.

“If we come up with a better way of doing it, we can provide the same level of service and we don’t have to raise taxes on citizens,” said Rollins.

Huffman focused more on infrastructure and recreational facilities for funds to be used on. Huffman said there are roughly 700 roads in Clay County and more than half of them are unpaved, especially in District 4. He believes that improving those roads and the drainage associated with them will go a long way to improving everyone’s quality of life.

Huffman also said improving the recreational facilities in the area will help improve quality of life as well. He believes enhanced recreational facilities and infrastructure would also help boost local tourism.

Huffman said whatever decisions are made, their needs to be more input from the citizens.

“That has to be decided, not by a group of commissioners on their own,” said Huffman. “That needs things like town hall meetings and citizen input.”

He also believes that more input would help citizens understand the decision-making process more.

“A lot of times the decisions aren’t necessarily bad, but they need to have ownership by the citizens, so they understand why those decisions are made and that’s not being done right now,” said Huffman.

 Their campaigns

Both Rollins and Huffman said their campaigns are going well although both said it was unfortunate that money had to play a such a large role in the process.

Rollins, who has amassed $27,975 in contributions and $8,870.80 in expenses, said his funds are being used to help spread the word about what he’s already accomplished as commissioner and what he plans to do if re-elected.

“I can do all kinds of things, but if people don’t know about them then they can’t use that to make a decision on whether to vote for me or not,” said Rollins. “If they don’t know what I stand for then they’re going in blind, and that’s what I use my funds for.”

Huffman, who currently has $6,691.72 in contributions and $5,109.13 in expenses, said he’s grateful for the contributions he’s received so far.

“All of my funding comes from individuals and blue-collar workers,” said Huffman. “I would refuse to take any campaign funding from any companies that do direct business with the county. It’s a conflict of interest.”

The race between Rollins and Huffman will be decided during the primary election on Aug. 28. The winner will run against Democratic candidate Cheryl Owen, also of Keystone Heights, on Nov. 6. Owen did not return calls prior to deadline.