BETTY REED: DISTRICT 61 Representative Betty Reed has come a long way from the freshman who had to learn the ropes in Tallahassee’s Legislative Hall to a seasoned veteran who chooses each word not only for emphasis, but for pinpoint clarity. Infinitely knowledgeable in an informal and conversational way, Betty Reed – who has made herself a voice to be reckoned with since 2006 – has put her stamp on such legislation as the Homeless Bill, Drug Prevention Bill, Prodigy Program, providing educational services to local youth, and Infant Mortality legislation by securing funding for research and intervention.
Says Ms. Reed, “I believe that government should take care of its own by being responsive to the needs of its citizens, by securing access to economic growth, and by ensuring that we have a world class educational system and quality, affordable healthcare.” We trust Representative Reed to continue to be a public servant not only for her specific community, but for the State of Florida. As such, we intend to vote in the Democratic primary for Representative Betty Reed to retain her post in House District 61. She deserves your vote as well.
THOMAS SCOTT, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Were it possible, you could set your watch by him. Thomas Scott carries an enviable 14-year public service track record, which includes membership on the Hillsborough County Commission where he served 3 times as chairman of that organization, membership on Tampa City Council (having served 3 times as chairman of that council), and membership on the Canvassing Board for the Supervisor of Elections.
Says Thomas Scott, “I am committed to protecting the integrity of the voting process; providing excellent customer and voter experience; and promoting education and outreach in all segments of the community.” Based on his previous expertise, we are proud to present Thomas Scott to our reader-voters as a man who deserves their vote and their trust.
VICTOR CRIST, COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2
Very few people in Tampa Bay have never heard the name Victor Crist. Indeed, to meet Victor Crist is to be treated to a monologue that soon turns into a travelogue of the myriad accomplishments this man has amassed. Most certainly, after the first fifteen minutes, one gets the impression that Victor Crist is not simply one person, but is two, or three, or maybe four people. For, how in the world can one person have held membership on the Aviation Authority, Council of Governments, Florida Association of Counties, Friendship Trailbridge, Public Transportation, Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Hillsborough County Legislative Subcommittee, Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, and was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, to mention only a few of his successes seemingly all at one time?
Nevertheless, it should come as no surprise that this Bay Area dynamo has set his public service sites on the seat of County Commission District 2. With a record, which brooks few defeats and with a vision that has helped build the Suncoast into the envy of a nation if not the world, Victor Crist is our choice for the seat of County Commission District 2. We are confident that Crist should be your choice, too.
JUDGE ANN OBER, COUNTY COURT JUDGE GROUP 3
When Judge Ann Ober makes the comment, “It’s an awesome responsibility. . .You are affecting someone’s life,” you get the feeling that she means what she says and has carried such opinion for the 16 years, which she has worn her judge’s robe. Before that time, Judge Ober was Attorney Ober, both as a prosecutor as well as a public defender. Consequently, when Judge Ober explains, “Judges must be particularly diligent about protecting citizens’ legal rights,” it’s as if one was listening to Judge Sandra Day O’ Connor, to Judge Sonia Sotomayor, or to the voice of the late Judge Constance Motley. Indeed, Judge Ober’s years of public service in jurisprudence as well as her willingness to present herself as an avid social activist and supportive citizen of the Tampa-Hillsborough Community continue to win our support as a judge who uses the law to exact justice and fairness for all who come before her bench. Therefore, we recommend you vote for Judge Ann Ober (Sitting Judge), County Court Judge Group 3.
BARBARA TWINE, COUNTY COURT JUDGE GROUP 4
To read Barbara Twine’s biography, which includes her apprenticeship with the renowned attorneys Delano Stewart and Arthenia Joyner, is extremely impressive. But to see her in person and to listen to her reasons for wanting to become County Judge bring back memories of such great judges as the late Constance Motley, George Edgecomb, and others. Running for the office of County Court Judge Group 4, Twine has earned endorsements from individuals such as Lansing C. Scriven, Former President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, who describes her as a person who has “prepared herself to assume the heightened responsibility of serving the legal profession as a member of the judiciary.” We agree with Attorney Scriven and others as we present to you the name of Barbara Twine and recommend her to you as a candidate who more than merits one of the most precious gifts you possess: your vote.
MATT LUCAS, COUNTY COURT JUDGE GROUP 12
Matt Lucas is no stranger to the rigors of the jurisprudence process. And for his efforts, he has earned the praise of such peers as State Attorney Mark Ober, who considers Lucas as “a man of the highest integrity.” Not only is Lucas endorsed by Mark Ober, but he has also earned high marks from celebrated public defender Julie Holt as well as abiding thanks from 10 Past Presidents of the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
However, not only is Matt Lucas a proven County Court judge, but his community activism and family roots portray him as a man of the people whom he serves. For these reasons, we are proud to endorse Matt Lucas as he endeavors to retain his post as Judge Incumbent County Court Group 12. We continue to need his fairness.
SUSAN L. VALDES, HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1
Susan L. Valdes’ election and rise in the realm of Hillsborough School Board reads like the preface for a success documentary. She was elected to the School Board (District 1) in 2004; was re-elected in 2008; served as School Board Vice-Chairperson in 2008, ascending to the post of Board Chairperson during the following year, and was one of seven colleagues responsible for managing a more than a $3 billion budget for America’s 8th largest school system. Moreover, like all good success stories, the narrative of Susan L. Valdes and her expertise as a member of Hillsborough County School Board seems endless if not exhausting. So, why would she wish to continue? Perhaps, her motto explains it all. Says Valdes, “An education can never be erased.” Neither can a commitment for the quality of such an education be erased. She possesses both the inspiration and the expertise to keep Hillsborough County Schools poised and progressive. Because of her ability, we support Susan L. Valdes as a person worthy of your vote for School Board District 1.
CINDY STUART, HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 3
What attracted us to Cindy Stuart was her understanding of what Hillsborough Public Schools may well have become and by her vision of what that school system may yet, be. We listened to Cindy Stuart as she listened to us, giving and taking questions across a wide mahogany desk. What we learned was Stuart, a mother of three children enrolled in Hillsborough County Schools, had also been PTA President and PTSA Treasurer. We learned that Stuart had committed herself not only to participating in the school environment where her children had been placed, but she embraced the opportunity of learning the dynamics and possibilities of a school system that did not always welcome prying eyes and meddling fingers. But it was when she said to us that she believed students and parents deserved a school board member who would stand and fight for their right to a quality education for all children that Cindy Stuart reminded us of the voices we grew up with and marched with during those dismal days of school segregation and brighter days of desegregation. We trust Cindy Stuart’s vision for a better school system, which guarantees an equal education for all. Therefore, we ask you to cast your vote for Cindy Stuart, Hillsborough School Board District 3.
DORETHA EDGECOMB, SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5
We believe if an incumbent has done well then that individual’s record more than argues for his or her continued place as a public servant. Such is our opinion of School Board District 6 Representative Doretha Edgecomb. Surely, her presence has been positively felt during her years of service, and for such service, we stand in line to give gratitude.
However, we must say Henry “Hank” Ballard, former Hillsborough County School executive and current candidate for the School Board District 6, has also merited not only our interest, but our sincere mention as a candidate who is not only highly knowledgeable, but whose sincerity of purpose and unwavering frankness would do exceedingly well were he to be given an opportunity to become a member of the Hillsborough County School Board.
Doretha Edgecomb would deserve your vote for Hillsborough County School Board District Six.
“JOE” JORDAN-ROBINSON, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTICT 7
He comes armed with folders of facts, observations, news articles, and documents that either have his name on them, or bear witness and support to his comments on their behalf.
However, when he begins to respond to interview questions regarding the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why” of school board business, long-time activist, engineer, and businessman “Joe” Jordan Robinson closes his folders, shuts his eyes, and becomes a living encyclopedia of a school system, which has much to commend itself, but also has much to do in order to be the best it can become.
Running for Hillsborough County School Board District 7, “Joe” Jordan-Robinson would no doubt, brings to that position the courage and clarity it has often needed (but not always possessed). We continue to be impressed by the mind of this man. And for that reason, we recommend that you vote for “Joe” Jordan-Robinson for Hillsborough County School Board District Seven. It’s about time we give him room to work on our children’s behalf.
