Bill’s General Election Votes
President- Donald Trump & JD Vance- the country is in economic turmoil. The country was in a much better place with Donald Trump in the White House than it is today. Trump’s plans for the economy, the border, repatriating jobs, international relations and just about any other metric you can think of are far superior to those of the party that is actually destroying democracy. Donald Trump has done this job, done it well and the country needs that leadership again.
US Senator- Rick Scott is not my favorite politician. He was not a great governor and he signed the horrible Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act into law. He believes the infringements of our rights was necessary in that situation. He doesn’t understand what rights are or who grants them. But he is the better choice here. We should have done better when he left the Governor’s Mansion.
US Representative- Mike Haridopolos is capable of doing this job. The question is: just what will he do? Ill-considered endorsements in the primary cause me to question his commitment to do what’s right for the people at every turn. By failing to acknowledge the clear legal and ethical lapses of his endorsed candidate for Supervisor of Elections, or worse accepting them as reasonable for someone in that position, Mike’s judgement will have to be scrutinized with each vote. He says he’s team Trump. We’ll need that if we expect the country to turn around.
State Senator- Randy Fine is again, not my favorite politician, but very capable of handling this job. While he spent a year trying to get me fired over a political difference of opinion (falsely claiming I was an anti-Semite) he has met with me, apologized and acknowledged his assertion was wrong. He and I also know we will not agree on all issues. He’s the only choice in this race.
State Representative D-31- Tyler Sirois. Tyler is a good man. We have disagreed amicably on some things. You can have a discussion with him and he respects it. Tyler listens to constituents, responds to their issues and credits the WMMB audience for directing him on some issues. His opponent articulated her positions quite well. Still, her philosophy is far from where I am politically and Tyler will do what he believes is best in this position.
State Representative D-33- Monique Miller is a close personal friend. She’d be my choice in this race if she wasn’t. She’s a strong conservative who stands on principle while understanding the politics of Tallahassee. She brings the kind of representation we need to a body that is not nearly as conservative as it would like to consider itself. Monique will serve well here.
Sheriff- I’ll cast no vote in this race. Wayne Ivey lost my confidence in his judgment and motives, not to mention his commitment to law and order, in his support of Johnus Disgustus Tobia for Supervisor of Elections. Wayne better than doubled down on this support even when confronted with evidence of Tobia’s misdeeds. There is a line in law enforcement. Friendship and politics stop when criminality is in play. Wayne let this line blur and was uncaring about it. Wayne will be reelected, no doubt, and his opponent is not credible in handling this job. Wayne made it crystal clear that his priorities are political as opposed to professional and the needs of Brevard citizens have taken a back seat to political concerns. That, to me, is intolerable.
County Commission D-1- Katie Delaney was very close to earning my vote in the Primary. I have no doubt she will serve Brevard well in this role. Brevard desperately needs a change in this commission and with three current commissioners leaving, this will be a good start.
County Commission D-3- Kim Adkinson was my Primary vote and that won’t change in the General.
County Commission D-5- This race is a tough call for me. I like both candidates personally. Politically, I have differences with both. Thad Altman brings statesmanship to this commission that it desperately needs. Vinnie Taranto, although a Democrat, brings an energy and common sense philosophy to the position I have not seen in some time. Both care for this community and have been involved in service to it a long time. Vinnie also brings respect and a debate to this commission that it needs. The commission needs a shake up and fresh ideas. For those reasons, Vinnie Taranto has earned my vote here.
School Board D-4- Matt Susin, the incumbent, has been on the right side of many issues on this board. I’m concerned his opponent would not be. Matt knows this job and with a conservative leaning board, is in a position to keep the district aimed in the right direction. There are many positives that have transpired in Matt’s years on the board and they are underpublicized. This vote ensures the district continues in a positive direction.
Constitutional Amendments
1-Making School Board Elections Partisan- Yes. There are no non-partisan races in any election anymore. This measure only makes sense when knowing as much as we can about candidates is paramount to voters making good decisions.
2-Making Fishing & Hunting Public Rights- Yes. We are not the agrarian society we once were, but preserving our hunting and fishing traditions will cause no harm.
3-Legalizing Recreational Marijuana- No. The Big Pot producers have funded this amendment and stand to make huge profits from it. The former drug cop in me won’t buy the lies about making pot safer. Yes, the state will reap billions of dollars in taxes from this bad idea, but to claim safety and that it protects kids is nonsense. This is a legislative issue, not a constitutional one.
4-Enshrining Abortion in the FL Constitution- No. Like Amendment 3, this one is also a legislative issue. It is poorly worded with key terms undefined and nonspecific. Such ambiguity will lead this one into the courts to be decided should it pass. Then, the courts would be making law as opposed to our duly elected legislature. Even abortion advocates should be afraid of this amendment and what it would bring to our state.
5-Allowing Cost Adjustments for Certain Homestead Exemptions- Yes. As it stands today, home values go up and taxes increase with the homeowner stuck with the increased taxes that go with it. This recognizes the inflationary impact of those increases and provides some relief to the homeowner.
6-Repeal of Public Financing for Political Campaigns- Yes. While campaigning for office is expensive, it should not be up to taxpayers to fund campaigns with welfare for politicians. Viable candidates for statewide office will have the ability to fundraise or self-fund campaigns without the taxpayers footing the bill for them.
County Charter Amendment and Referenda
Charter Amendment re: County Commissioner Salaries- No. While I am not opposed to a raise for commissioners, this amendment would nearly double the current salary in one fell swoop. Integral raises over a period of time make sense. This amendment does not.
Referendum to Continue Allowing the EDC to Offer Tax Breaks to Incentivize Business Development- Yes. It’s up to the county commission to properly manage this tool and hold the EDC accountable for proper use and management.