Live Oak — Our endorsements in the Aug. 24 school board and county commission races, as well as the Florida House District 11 Republican primary, follow. Please also see candidates’ responses to our questionnaires, Pages 10-12A of Friday’s print edition, along with a note explaining the role these responses played in our choices here. Finally, don’t forget that early voting starts Monday. Call the Supervisor of Elections office at 386-362-2616 for details.



Florida House of Representatives, District 11 Republican primary

The Democrat recommends: Elizabeth Porter



Porter, who nearly unseated incumbent Debbie Boyd last time around, is smart, politically savvy and, should she survive here and win in November, capable of getting things done in Tallahassee.

While sure to hold true to her conservative principles, she strikes us as prudent and practical -- traits critical to the success of every public servant.

We look forward to a rematch of 2008.



Suwannee County Commission, District 2

The Democrat recommends: Douglas Udell



Whatever you think of Doug Udell, there’s likely no public official in these parts who advocates more effectively for his constituents.

His views aren’t always popular outside District 2. The Lake Louise land deal, for example, gives plenty of folks pause, us included. (Our concerns, as noted previously in this column, focus mostly on costs.) Regardless, Udell sticks to his guns and gets things done.

And says what he thinks: Udell is often the lone voice of dissent on an otherwise unified board. We see that as a good thing, especially when the issue at hand is one that deserves further scrutiny.



Suwannee County Commission, District 4

The Democrat recommends: Billy Maxwell



We haven’t always been Mr. Maxwell’s strongest supporter. We wish he were more decisive at times and less willing to defer to popular sentiment -- especially when that sentiment is sure to bring us into conflict with federal law. That was the case with the countywide voting fiasco of 2006, when local officials, knowing full well that a federal court order required keeping intact our current 5-district system for electing commissioners, generally stood by without comment as a referendum on the matter was held, then predictably overturned by the commission itself.

Mr. Maxwell said he believed the will of the people, as evidenced by popular vote, should win out. Fine. But when you know full well you’re going to have to end up voiding that vote, a little more political courage might be in order.

Having said all that, we believe Mr. Maxwell to be an honorable man who wants what’s best for our county and is willing to work hard to get it. He understands the tricky complexities of the issues that come before him, and knows well that some proposals, however appealing at first blush, can only lead to disaster. Mr. Maxwell, having generally served us well for two terms, deserves another.

(Note: Of the contests discussed in today’s column, this is the only partisan race that pits a Democrat against a Republican. It will be held Nov. 2.)



Suwannee County School Board, District 4

The Democrat recommends: Ed daSilva



The incumbent in this race, James Cooper, is a well-respected member of the educational community, and with good reason. He’s served the district well during his four years in office.

Times are changing, however, and fast. The public has begun to demand greater accountability from our schools, which continue to falter in relation to those of other developed nations. Sentiment is growing rapidly in favor of reform, and public officials are responding. No Child Left Behind, President George W. Bush’s reform plan, has given way to Barack Obama’s Race to the Top, an even more ambitious effort to hold schools, teachers and administrators accountable for student achievement. 

We believe the challenger in this race, Ed daSilva, is well-suited to help usher in a new era of accountability and success. He understands what’s at stake, and knows well that finger-pointing won’t solve anything. His aim is a win-win solution that will benefit all involved. We’d like Ed daSilva to have a shot at one of our most pressing, and persistent, problems.





Suwannee County School Board, District 5

The Democrat recommends: J.M. Holtzclaw



For the record, we have considerable respect for the challenger, Paul Haas, a man willing to speak his mind whatever the cost. He called to our attention possible fire code violations at Branford Elementary School, and took considerable heat in his hometown for doing so. We applauded him then, and now, for having the courage to speak up. (Repairs were made soon after we published a front page story on the matter.)

However, we see no compelling reason to unseat the incumbent in this race, especially considering the continued success of south county schools. No, Mr. Holtzclaw doesn’t get all the credit for Branford schools’ high performance. Branford High and Elementary are the academic bright spots of the county, however, and Holtzclaw, however one chooses to frame his role, has earned another term, in our view.