EAST COUNTY Observer
YourObserver.com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012
perspectives on the role of government and on experience in the political arena. Let’s take them in reverse. Golden, 64, is a veteran of Manatee/Bradenton politics, having been elected to two four-year terms on the Bradenton City Council. Baugh, 54, is hoping to be elected for the first time to public office. Baugh has owned and operated an East Manatee retail jewelry business for the past 13 years; she’s wired to make decisions on financial and economic facts. Golden is a longtime Manatee lawyer and ordained Methodist minister. He’s smart; he started college at age Baugh 14. He credits much of his education to having access to government subsidies. Put the two of them side by side, and here’s what you would see: experience and wisdom (Golden) versus (political) inexperience and business instincts (Baugh). Here’s something else: With Golden, the Manatee County Commission would have one Democrat among the seven commissioners. With Baugh, seven Republicans. Golden says his different point of view would be valuable to Manatee taxpayers. One size does not fit all, he notes. Baugh says she may be Republican, but she doesn’t always agree with Republicans. “The County Commission should be non-partisan,” she says. “Get the politics out of it.” Truth is, Manatee taxpayers will not lose with either of these candidates. But at the core of our values is an unbending preference for candidates whose foundations are cemented in strictly limited government. On that score, Baugh has the edge. Recommendation: Baugh.
Manatee School Board
Dave “Watchdog” Miner-Robert Moates
For those who know these two candidates, this race is the most difficult choice on the ballot. Each is competent and qualified to serve Manatee taxpayers well on the troubled Manatee County School Board. If it were only possible, they both should be elected. Whoever loses should run again. The Manatee School Board needs Minor and Moates. Of course, saying all that doesn’t help voters decide which candidate is better. Let’s start with Moates. He’s “the local
VOTER
Moates gets it. But it’s not his time — yet. In this election, at this crucial time, when the Manatee School Board needs triage and leadership, now is the time for longtime candidate Dave “Watchdog” Miner. This is his time. It’s probably pretty safe to say there is not one non-elected public figure in Manatee County civics with more name recognition than “Watchdog” Miner, 66. For more two decades, that’s what he has done — served as a volunteer, unelected, interested citizen in “watchdogging” the Manatee School Board, in addition to practicing law and volunteering the community. Over the years, some of his critics have characterized him as something of a gadfly, but over time, more and more Manatee residents have recognized that Miner knows of what he speaks. It would be difficult to find anyone in the county who knows more about Manatee public school system financing, budgeting and operations than does Miner. And while some residents may think Miner is a “one-trick” zealot, please take a look at our Voter Guide and read the entry on Miner. Asked what attributes he would bring to the school board, Miner listed 15. Here are nine. As he wrote: “I am the only candidate who: “1) Has experience in hiring a chief operating officer of an organization; “2) Has experience hiring legal counsel; “3) Is a long-time (more than 12 years) challenger of the school board on FCAT, transparency, wasteful spending, fairness to employees and other issues; “4) For decades has successfully worked on community boards, making organizations better; “5) Is a leader in establishing Manatee County’s first child-abuse prevention program and creating METV; “6) Possesses many years of services as a Big Brother in the Big Brothers program; “7) Is a proud veteran (Marine Vietnam veteran); “8) Has been a successful business owner for more than 34 years; “9) Has authored assessment reform legislation and served as a witness for the Senate Education Committee.” Manatee residents, parents with children in Manatee public schools and taxpayers are well aware of the crisis in (lack of) confidence in the county’s public school system. It faces a huge challenge in finding the right superintendent to lead it and turn it around, and it needs, more than ever, smart, tough board members who are willing to make the
THE S: OBSERVER
GUIDE
2012
EAST COUNTY LONGBOAT SARASOTA N & PELICA PRESS
d manatee an where the the issues? ally know Do you re candidates stand on u choose. yo help Sarasota Guide will Our Voter
2 Oct. 18, 201
See the special 28-page section inside this week’s paper, complete with candidate profiles and responses to questions on the issues.
boy makes good.” A native of Manatee, Moates relates this “fun fact” about himself: He has spent about 15 of his 40 years of life in a portable classroom — at Oneco Elementary School in the fifth grade; at Manatee High School as a student; and for the past 10 years as an economics and advanced-placement American government teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School. That, of course, is not what qualifies him for the school board. He has other impressive Miner credentials for that. He has policy and political experience. Prior to becoming a teacher, Moates worked as an analyst on the Rules, Ethics and Elections Committee and chief aide to House members in the Legislature in Tallahassee. He also worked as an aide to former Congressman Dan Miller. Moates was on Miller’s staff at the time of 9/11, when Congressman Miller accompanied George W. Bush on his trip to Sarasota. With this experience — politics, policy and as a teacher — Moates would bring a relevant perspective. He says the board needs to set the vision for the school system, but that “we must free our schools and teachers to do what is best for our students and stop the administration and departments from trying to micromanage every class.”
EVERY CHILD CAN...
tough decisions to restore the public confidence. Dave “Watchdog” Miner is proof of the power of perseverance. This is his time. He’s the right candidate for school board. Recommendation: Miner.
County Commission, District 1
Larry Bustle-CorieHolmes
Incumbent Republican Larry Bustle is the epitome of steadiness and reason. While he never expected as a young cadet to be a longtime public servant (seven years as mayor of Palmetto, four on the County Commission), he has become as competent as politician as he was as an Air Force combat pilot. His opponent, 35-year-old Corie Holmes of Palmetto, deserves kudos for stepping up and getting involved in the political process. He should stay involved. Unfortunately, at this time, he cannot measure up to the wisdom of Bustle. Recommendation: Bustle
Supervisor of Elections
Mike Bennett-Charles Williams
This race is another mismatch of experience — retiring state Sen. Mike Bennett versus the Rev. Williams. Williams, 49, a Bradenton native, is a former manager at the boat makers, Wellcraft, Donzi and Chris Craft. But deciding to use his bachelor’s degree in theology from Emmaus Baptist College, the Rev. Williams founded the King of Kings Baptist Church. We couldn’t help but appreciate his earnestness when he told us he felt a calling to run for public office. As a minister, he obviously has the urge to serve. And kudos to him as well for getting involved. But longtime Manatee residents also know they have a solid, trustworthy candidate for this office in Bennett. To be sure, it caught many people by surprise when he decided to run for this position. It’s not exactly in the thick of political action and policy making, as he was when he was Senate President Protem in Tallahassee. Bennett easily could have bowed out of public, political life and gone back to being a businessman after reaching his term limit in the Florida Senate. Or he could have reached for the next step on the political ladder. What he found, after eight years in Tallahassee, was he missed the local level. Manatee voters should be confident that Bennett will be as competent as supervisor of election as his predecessor, Bob Sweat. Recommendation: Bennett
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