Live Oak — Here are The Suwannee Democrat Editorial Board’s picks for local office. Local offices include: Representative in congress District 3, state attorney, sheriff, property appraiser, superintendent of schools, county commission District 1, 3 and 5, school board District 2 and circuit judge Group 5. We spent the last week interviewing each candidate, save for three, one on one to get to know them better before we made our picks. How we would vote on the amendments are also listed.



Representative in congress - District 3





We pick - Ted Yoho (Rep.)


The reasons we pick Ted are because he knows the issues and knows them well. He doesn’t see the district as individual counties or boundary lines. He views the district as a whole and we believe he truly wants to represent each of us in Washington. Yoho believes in smaller government, lower taxes and creating more jobs in rural areas such as ours while helping the small business owner and gets passionate when he talks about how to get it done. One way he speaks of is deregulation. He says government places too many regulations, stifling small businesses. Let’s put Ted to work. 



State attorney



We pick - Bill Brannon (Dem.)


We chose Bill over his Republican opponent, Jeff Siegmeister, due to the fact that Bill knows the Third Circuit State Attorney’s Office. Bill has extensive knowledge in law through his work in the private and public sector. Bill is the executive director of the Third Circuit State Attorney’s Office based in Live Oak. He knows the place well, and knows how to run it. He already has good relationships with the staff. Bill believes in following the law and seeking justice.



Sheriff





We pick - Tony Cameron (Dem., incumbent)


To put it simple, Tony has cleaned up the streets of Suwannee County. His tough stance on drugs is evident as he rounds up drug dealers and offenders constantly through the drug task force. Tony cares about this county and it shows. He is seen in the field with his deputies and investigators. If he is in his office, his door is always open. Stop by some time at the Suwannee County Courthouse and see. Let’s keep Tony doing what he does best, protecting our rights and freedoms and putting those behind bars who seek to take it from us.



Property appraiser



We pick - Lamar Jenkins (Dem., incumbent)


Lamar has been the property appraiser since 1973 and while the mood in the country right now is  get rid of all incumbents, it just doesn’t work that way. Lamar has the experience and expertise to get the job done. He is still the right fit for the job over his opponent. Lamar cares about his office and the people that work for him and those that he serves. Lamar knows the rules and regulations of the trade.



Superintendent of schools



We pick - Jerry Scarborough (Dem., incumbent)


Jerry is a proven leader who continues to give without regard to himself. We know that Jerry knows how to lead the school system and will continue to do what he thinks is right for the students and to protect the integrity of the classroom. Jerry is seen in classrooms, in all the schools, all the time giving pep talks and chatting with students. Jerry wants to continue working with our local vocational center as part of a retention process to keep students in school and to prepare them for the workforce. He wants to develop an early childhood education program and continue to help improve the quality of our educational institutions.





County commission - District 1





We pick - Jason Bashaw (Rep.)


If you ever had the pleasure of talking with Jason, candidly, you will understand why he is our pick. Jason is young, energetic, refreshing and is full of ideas. Jason sees the role of county commissioner as we do - as one fifth of a board of directors over a multi-million dollar corporation. Except in this case, the millions of dollars came from you, the taxpayer. He understands that. Jason wants to focus on local healthcare and see about a trauma center here so we can keep the helicopters from flying patients out, saving precious medical time as well as money for the patient. Jason has been following the county commission for awhile now and knows how it operates and more importantly, how to effectively get ideas heard.



County commission - District 3



We pick - Ricky Gamble Jr. (Rep.)


We believe Ricky will get the job done and look out for the best interests of all the citizens in the county. He too is young and energetic, but he knows how to relate to everyone. He has ideas such as looking at each department in the county, find wasteful spending and put an end to it. Ricky is a successful businessman who thinks the county should be run like a private business. We couldn’t agree more. If you don’t have it, don’t spend it. Save, and find ways to cut before raising taxes. Ricky gets that and is always willing to lend an ear.





County commission - District 5





We pick - Wesley Wainwright (Rep., incumbent)


Wesley has been a proven leader, in our view. He listens to ideas of others and looks for ways to help. He is open to good debates with fellow commissioners. He believes that government should be open to the people with open forums and open dialogue. We trust his abilities and know that he can continue to lead District 5. He too believes in smaller government and knows what fuels county government - tax dollars. He would be a good commissioner to continue to serve his district.



School board - District 2



We pick - Muriel Owens (Incumbent)


Muriel has the experience on the Suwannee County School Board to continue to represent the people of District 2. She first took office in 2000 and has proven she can handle the job. She listens, cares and values the importance of a good, solid education. As one of five board members, she knows the importance of getting her thoughts across and sharing ideas.



Circuit judge - Group 5



We pick - Wes Douglas


Some say that he is too young to be a circuit judge. We say nonsense. He has the experience and, again, that passion we seek from the candidate. Douglas has practiced law for seven years. He opened his own private firm shortly after graduation and has gathered a client list he can be proud of. His eagerness to seek justice and his passion for the field is paramount. What we really like about Wes is that he has integrity and will ensure integrity to those he sees in the courtroom. He knows that law is law and will separate his beliefs when the robe is on.



                                                                            

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Proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution



We will start by saying the following list will be short because we believe that the Florida Constitution, like any constitution in our republic, is sacred and shouldn’t be messed with often. Legislatures can impose certain measures, and judges can cite case law that can be debated or changed. Amendments to the Florida Constitution are hard to take back. We agree some are worth passing, however. 





Amendment 1


Health Care Services


If passed, this would tell the federal government that Florida will attempt to prohibit the federal government from requiring individuals to purchase health insurance. 
We would vote YES on this amendment. We don’t want the government forcing anything on us and telling us that we must have health care insurance. It is your choice to decide if you want it or not.



Amendment 2


Veterans Disabled Due to Combat Injury; Homestead Property Tax Discount


This would allow certain veterans, who are disabled, to qualify for a discount on their property taxes, if they were not Florida residents prior to entering military service. 


We have no position on this amendment.



Amendment 3


State Government Revenue Limitation 


This amendment would set a state revenue limit each year based on a formula that considers population growth and inflation instead of using the current method of calculating the revenue limit based on personal income.


We have no position on this amendment. 





Amendment 4


Property Tax Limitations; Property Value Decline; Reduction For Nonhomestead Assessment Increases; Delay of Scheduled Repeal


This would reduce the maximum annual increase in taxable value of non-homestead properties from 10 percent to five percent; provide an extra homestead exemption for first-time home buyers; allow lawmakers to prohibit assessment increases for properties with decreasing market values.


We would vote YES on this amendment.



Amendment 5


State Courts


This measure would provide for Senate confirmation of Supreme Court justices; give lawmakers control over changes to the rules governing the court system; and direct the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates judicial misconduct complaints, to make its files available to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.


We have no position on this amendment.  



Amendment 6


Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions; Construction of Abortion Rights


This amendment would make the existing federal ban on public funding for most abortions part of the state constitution. It would narrow the scope of a state privacy law that is sometimes used in Florida to challenge abortion laws.


We would vote YES on this amendment.



Amendment 8


Religious Freedom


This amendment would remove the prohibition in Florida’s Constitution that prevents religious institutions from receiving taxpayer funding.


We would vote NO on this amendment. If this is passed, it would repeal a 126-year-old provision in the state Constitution that prohibits taxpayer funding of religious institutions. We think it wise to maintain the separation of church and state as provided by the state Constitution since 1885.





Amendment 9


Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder


This would grant a full property tax exemption to the surviving spouses of military veterans who die while on active duty and to the surviving spouses of first responders who die in the line of duty.


We have no position on this amendment.



Amendment 10


Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption


This amendment would double the tangible personal property tax exemption and allow local governments to increase the exemption.


We would vote YES on this amendment.



Amendment 11


Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value


This amendment would give an additional property tax exemption to low-income seniors who have lived in their home for more than 25 years.


We have no position on this amendment.



Amendment 12


Appointment of Student Body President to Board of Governors of the State University System


This amendment would change the way the state selects the student representative on the state university system’s Board of Governors, which oversees the university system.


We have no position on this amendment.