County Candidates: The Questions We Wanted To Know

First and foremost we would like to thank the County candidate that responded and participated. While 850CapitalTea does hold our own bias we feel it would be a disservice to our audience to not allow all candidates an opportunity to answer the same questions and have the attention of our viewers. It takes courage to run in an election and it takes greater courage to answer tough questions posed by the community.

Our Procedure

We surveyed our audience regarding what they wanted to know about our local candidates. After going through all the questions we complied the ones that were most frequently asked by our audience. First, we sent an initial email to all the candidates asking them if they would like to participate in the Community Questions.

Once they confirmed that they would like to participate, we responded with ten questions curated for the seat they are running for.

Due to one candidate’s response going to our “junk” folder we extended the deadline for all candidates to participate to ensure they all had a fair opportunity to answer with a reasonable amount of time. The order in which they appear in each section was decided by when the questions were returned to us.

Questions For Our County Commissioner Candidates

There are five Candidates running for County Commission seats. The Seats that are open for election are the At Large Seat 1, District Seat 2, and District Seat 4. The neighbors who can vote for the County Commission seats are the voters who live in those districts (County or within City limits) with the exception of the “At Large Seat 1” which any registered voter (County or within City limits) can vote for.

The candidates running for At Large Group 1 are Carolyn Cummings and David Hawkins. The candidates running for District Seat 2 is Christion Caban running uncontested. The candidates running for District Seat 4 is Isaac Montilla and Brian Welch.

Question One: What is a topic or issue that you feel the community should know more about?

David Hawkins (County Commission At Large Group 1):

I remember back in the Day, that radio announcer Paul Harvey always signed off saying, “Now, you know, the rest of the story”.  To many times, the Commissioners didn’t tell us, “The rest of the Story”.  I want to make sure the People of Leon County knows the whole story, not just the Good.

Question Two: The county commission regularly has agenda items involving Funding and Grants. Projects have been approved that the community is disgruntled with. What does financial stewardship mean to you and what will you do to help achieve good financial stewardship?

David Hawkins:

One of the subjects of my Platform is, Reeling in Wasteful Spending.  Just because you have a Multi $million Dollar Budget, doesn’t mean you have to spend it all.  Too many times I have noticed where Local Governments have Over Designed and Over Spent on Projects that they didn’t need to.

Question Three: How do you plan to represent the constituents in your district while also considering neighbors in other districts?

David Hawkins:

I am running At Large so the Whole County is my District.  If I win the Election, being a County Commissioner will be my full time Job.  I will be working for the People of Leon County, I will listen to them and do what is Right for the People of Leon County.  I have lived here for over 55 Years, and I don’t plan on changing that.

Question Four: What do you see as the contributing factors to homelessness and what will you do to help this vulnerable population in our community while also considering the needs of the neighborhoods you represent?

David Hawkins:

I feel the contributing factor to homelessness is the Economy.  I have heard for a few Decades the saying, “you are only a few Paychecks away from being Homeless”, I think now, it is closer to 1 or 2 Paychecks away for many people.  Over the Years, the City and the County have spent  many $MILLIONS of dollars on Homeless Agendas with nothing really to show for it.  I would like to see a Community created on a 20 acre parcel on Tram Road between Capital Circle and South Monroe, using Quonset Huts set up like the Military Boot Camps.  It will give the Homeless a place to live and improve and an Address to collect their Social Security and Retirement Checks and soon, hopefully be able to find Jobs.  I have expanded on this on my Web Site, www.Hawkins2024.com.

Question Five: What are your top three priorities for Leon County government and what would you like to see accomplished during your term?

David Hawkins:

Lowering the Crime Rate, Reeling in Wasteful Spending and Improving our Local Economy.  What I would like to see accomplished during my term is, less Crime, people should feel safe in their own Communities.  Less Wasteful Spending, a better Economy where we see more Mom and Pop Businesses opening up and I would like to see more open discussions with the People of Leon County.

Question Six: What does Ethical leadership look like to you and how will you help promote an ethical culture in Leon County government?

David Hawkins:

To me, being an Ethical Commissioner is being Open and Honest with the People.  The People have a right to know what the people they elected are doing.  If you don’t have Ethics, how will you convince the People that you are Honest?  I plan to promote Ethics by example.

Question Seven: 850CapitalTea believes that we are better together, how do you plan to collaborate with the community and the city government to ensure all voices are considered in decisions?

David Hawkins:

Working together is always better, especially if everyone is Open and Honest about what is needing done.  I will listen to the People, taking their Thoughts, Suggestions and Ideas into consideration.  I would like to see Town Hall Gatherings, at least 4 per Year where both, the County and City Commissioners are the Hosts so the People can come and Voice their Thoughts and Opinions and give suggestions on what they would like to see happen in the future.

Question Eight: Many people have expressed to 850CapitalTea that there is a mistrust in our local governments, why do you believe that is and how do you plan to heal that?

David Hawkins:

Without naming Names, there have been too many Un-Ethical issues on the Commissions over the last 10 Years and the People see it, and that is causing the Trust issues.  Un-Ethical issues are usually caused by one (or more) of three things, Not thinking before doing, Ego or Greed.  I take great pride in the Jobs that I do, my Family Name means everything to me and I will not tarnish it.  Working for the people of Leon Count will be a great Honor to me.  I plan to help heal the Trust issue by example, by being Open and Honest with the People and working Hard to make Leon County a better place to Live and Raise your Family.

Question Nine: Leon County residents value the natural beauty of our community, what ways will you protect the existing natural beauty?

David Hawkins:

I will take steps to Improve our Lakes to make them safe for Swimming, Fishing and Recreation.  We have had too many Raw Sewage Spills over the last 5 Years where Millions of Gallons of Raw Sewage spilled and Overflowed into Lakes and Ditches, Numbers that are too great NOT to do something about.  We need to get in front of the problem and put together a plan to combat the issues NOW before the next big spill.

Question Ten: Is there any information about yourself that you would like the community to know that they may not be able to find online?

David Hawkins:

I have lived in Leon County for over 55 Years, it is my Home and I love it here.  I am a huge Car Guy, mostly Mustangs even though I have owned a Few Camaro’s in the past.  One thing you will notice about me is, I speak plainly and to the point, I hope to improve on that.  If you check, at this time, I am the only one who is Self Financing their Campaign, I would rather have the Peoples Endorsement and Vote than their Money.  Please visit my Web Site to see my extensive Platform on what I hope to accomplish as your next County Commissioner, www.Hawkins2024.com.