♪ >> WELCOME TO THE FIRST OF OUR POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 8 GENERAL ELECTION.THE COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEGAL FOR WOMEN'S OF TALLAHASSEE.
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND THREE FSU PUBLIC MEDIA.
CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR THE LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER AT LARGE GROUP 12.
I'M JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD FROM THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND DANIELLE IRWIN FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.WILL QUESTION THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS.
LET'S GET AN OVERVIEW OF THE GROUND RULES AND MEET THE CANDIDATES.
>> THE CANDIDATES FOR LEON COMMISSION AT LARGE GROUP TWO OUR JOSH JOHNSON AND INCUMBENT NICK MADDOX.
A REMINDER FOR THOSE WATCHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP YOUR FRIENDS SEE TODAY'S DISCUSSION AS WELL.
HERE'S HOW THE FORMS WILL WORK.
WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE IS TO ANSWER FIRST.
WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO WE ASKED TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS BRI .
BRIEF.WE WILL GIVE YOU A TIMEFRAME WITH EACH QUESTION AND KEEP TIME AND WHEN WE HIT THE TIME YOU WILL HEAR THIS -- COME TO A STOP AND MOVE ON.
WE'LL HAVE A LIGHTNING ROUND AND ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ONE SENTENCE.
AT THE END HE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO MAKE THE CASE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS AND SHARE THE WEBSITE OR IMPORTANT INFORMA .
INFORMATION.>> IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND HAVE A QUESTION FOR CANDIDATES, TYPE THEM IN THE COMMENTS AND GET TO AS MANY AS WE CAN TIME IS LIMITED.
YOU CAN APPROVE CHANCES OF QUESTIONS ASKED IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF AND POLITE AND MAKE THE QUESTION APPLICABLE TO ALL CANDIDATES.YOU HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN?
FIRST QUESTION IS WITH ME.
CANDIDATES -- WILL START WITH NICK MADDOX.
WHAT MAKES YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE?
>> I AM NEW YORK COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT LARGE AND RUNNING FOR REELECTION.
WHAT MAKES ME RIGHT IS MY PAST PROVEN LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS RELIABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS UNITY OF WORK ON THINGS EVERYTHING FROM HELPING OUT PUBLIC HOUSING REDEVELOP TO LOOK HOW WE BRING AMAZON IN AN ECONOMIC CRIME ISSUES AS WELL.
WHAT WE NEED IS EXPERIENCE THAT KNOWS HOW TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS COMMUNITY AND MOVING US FORWARD SO I'VE DONE THAT IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE YOU AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT LARGE.
[BELL RINGING] >> JOSH JOHNSON, WORKS MAKES YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE?
>> AS A LOCAL EDUCATOR I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS SEEKING SOMETHING NEW.
AS WE DEAL WITH AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS EXACERBATED THELAST 12 YEARS, HIGH CRIME RATES, PORTS OF QUOTE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN 32304, I THINK PEOPLE ARE TIRED AND WHAT I HEAR KNOCKING DOOR AFTER DOOR AFTER DOOR IS IT'S TIME FOR NEW LEADERSHIP AND I THINK HAVE PROVEN TO BE THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN THIS CAMPAIGN IS PEOPLE DRIVEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PEOPLE FOCUSED.
>> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, JOSH, START WITH YOU.
WHAT'S YOUR OPPONENTS BIGGEST LIABILITY IN THIS RACE?
>> WELL, THE ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM AND THE BIGGEST LIABILITY IS THE EROSION OF PUBLIC TRUST.
AFTER HEADLINES MAKING CANDLE, AUTHORIZED ENDORSEMENTS FROM FOR THOSE OF A PERSONAL SHORT.
MOVING FORWARD LEON COUNTY NEEDS A COMMISSION THAT NOT ONLY THEY CAN TRUST BUT TRUST TO DO A GOOD JOB.
I THINK I'VE BEEN RIGHT ON THE ISSUES AND I THINK I AM RIGHT ON THE PERSONAL RANKS AS WELL.
>> NICK MADDOX.
WHAT'S YOUR OPPONENTS BIGGEST LIABILITY IN THE RACE?
>> I THINK MY OPPONENTS BIGGEST LIABILITY IS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS MISUNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK TOGETHER COOPERATIVELY WITH ALL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
I BELIEVE HIS VIEWS CAN BE POLARIZING WITHOUT HEARING WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON AND HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT IT.
WHAT WE NEED IS A LEADER WILL WORK TO BRING US TOGETHER UNDERSTANDING ALL SIDES, NOT ONE TO WORK TO PULL US APART.
>> ONE MORE FOLLOW-UP.
NICK, THE COUNTY COMMISSION JOB AS A FULL-TIME JOB WITH A SALARY OF $83945 AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE.
TELL US YOUR DAY JOB CURRENTLY AND WHETHER YOU WILL CONTINUE IF ELECTED OR WILL YOU PURSUE FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT ELSEWHERE?>> RIGHT NOW I AM COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND THAT'S WHAT I DO FULL-TIME.
I LOOK TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND THE BEST WAY I CAN.
BUT I ALSO BELIEVE IS THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY OR WORK IN ANOTHER ARENA SO I MAY SEEK OTHER EMPLOYMENT AS WELL JUST SO I CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD MY SELF OUT AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTING BOTH WAYS SO I PLAN TO BE THE BEST COMMISSIONER I CAN BUT THERE MAY BE THE POSSIBILITY SEEKING FURTHER EMPLOYMENT AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU.
SAME QUESTION TO JOSH JOHNSON.
>> I'M A PUBLIC EDUCATOR, PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND THAT'S WHAT I DO.
I WAS JUST RECENTLY NAMED EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR.
I TAKE THOSE PROFESSIONS SERIOUSLY INTO AT THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION I WILL NOT LEAVE MY CLASSROOM, I WILL STAY AND TEACH MY STUDENTS.
>> LET'S MOVE TO SOMETHING OF CONTROVERSY IN THE COMMUNITY, THE BLUEPRINT IN HER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY AND ACTIVITIES.
MR. JOHNSON, 45 SECONDS FOR A RESPONSE.NOW THAT THE DUST SETTLED ON THAT STADIUM IMPROVEMENT DEAL, WHAT WAS YOUR PERSONAL BIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM THE EXPERIENCE AND/OR IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH HAD BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY?
>> YOU START THAT QUESTION BY SAYING THE DUST IS SETTLED AND I THINK IT'S OBVIOUS THE DUST SETTLED ON THE HEADS AND SHOULDERS OF THE TAX PAYERS.
WHEN WE TOOK THE $20 MILLION INVESTMENT, WHICH WAS ANOTHER 7 MILLION WHICH WAS A BONDING AGENT, INNATE ADMISSION WE COULDN'T AFFORD THE ORIGINAL 20 MILLION, I THINK PEOPLE SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR.
THERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENTS DID NOT HEAR THEM AND MY OPPONENT WAS AT THE HELM OF THAT DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AS CHAIR OF THE BLUE PRINT GOVERNMENTAL BOARD SO I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE HANDLED IT DIFFERENT.
I THINK THE $27 MILLION IS THE MOST DIVISIVE ISSUE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS AND LOCAL POLICY.
>> SECOND QUESTION, WHAT'S YOU YOUR -- WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE DIFFERENT DO YOU THINK?
>> APPRECIATE THE QUESTION AND I WAS CHAIRMAN OF BLUEPRINT DURING THE CONVERSATION BUT I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON ON THE BOARD SUPPORT IT.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN DIFFERENT IS OUR COMMUNITY HAVE A MORE PRODUCTIVE CONSISTENT, COLLEGIAL CONVERSATIONAL AROUND IT.
THE WAY THE CONVERSATIONS HAVEN'T WAS NOT INDICATIVE OF THE TYPE OF COMMUNITY WE ARE.
I KNOW WE CAN GET PAST ISSUES BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS COMING TO THE TABLE UNDERSTANDING WE ARE ALL TRYING TO BUILD THE BEST COUNTY WE POSSIBLY CAN.
HE SAID THE DUST IS SETTLED, THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, AS A COMMUNITY, HOW CAN WE NOT JUST RECRUIT OR REGAIN.
[BELL RINGING] HOW DO WE ALSO DO IT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FSU?
>> THIRTY SECONDS FOLLOW-UP.
THE BUSINESS OF THE BLUEPRINT INTERGOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MADE UP OF THE CITY MANAGER AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ISN'T CURRENTLY CONDUCTED IN THE SUNSHINE AND MEETING MINUTES ARE NOT KEPT.
SHOULD THIS CHANGE?
>> I THINK IT'S A PERCEPTION ISSUE.
YOU THINK ABOUT THE COMMITTEE, IT'S A MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND DURING THE MEETING, I MADE THAT STATEMENT THAT THEY DON'T MEET.
WHAT THEY DO IS MANAGE THE FOLKS UNDER THEM SO DECISIONS, DOCUMENTS ARE SENT TO SIGN JUST LIKE YOU MANAGE STAFF UNDER YOU, YOU DON'T MEET WITH ANYBODY TO DO THAT, YOU MANAGE THEM SO I THINK IT'S A PERCEPTION ISSUE AND I WISH THE CONVERSATION WERE STRUCTURED AROUND THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T MEET TOGETHER TO MAKE DECISIONS LIKE THAT, THEY ARE IN SEPARATE OFFICES.
>> MR. JOHNSON, SAME.
>> UNEQUIVOCALLY THE IMC SHOULD BE UNDER SUNSHINE.
WE ARE DEALING WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
THEY DESERVE TO KNOW EVERY FACET OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS GOING INTO IT.
IT'S INEXCUSABLE WHEN THAT QUESTION WAS BROUGHT UP DURING THE HEARING, IT WAS MY OPPONENT WHO ADJOURNED THE MEETING OF THE COURT NEAR QUESTIONING.
I BELIEVE IT IS INEXCUSABLE AND IMC MUST BE UNDER SUNSHINE SAME WITH BLUEPRINT INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
[BELL RINGING] >> ANOTHER 30 SECONDS FOLLOW-UP.
MR. JOHNSON, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE LEVEL OF ETHICS OVERSIGHT OF THE BLUEPRINT BOARD?
IF NOT, WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO REPLACE IT?
>> I'M NOT.
I THINK OVERSIGHT HAS TO BE MADE MORE BLESSED.
IT HAS TO OCCUR BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
WHEN THE TAXPAYERS IN 2014 VOTED TO REINITIATE BLUEPRINT SALES TAX, I DO NOT THINK ANYBODY MAKING THAT DECISION WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE FUNDS WOULD GO SOMEWHERE MANAGED BY A PRIVATE COMMITTEE OUTSIDE OF THE SUNSHINE WITH LOW STANDARDS OF OVERSIGHT.
>> AND MR. MADDOX.
>> BEFORE I GO THERE, WE HAVE TO BE HONEST WHERE WE ARE.
WHEN THE MEETING HAPPENED, IT WAS A MOTION MADE FROM THE CHAIR THAT HAD TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THE VOTE WAS TAKEN WHEN THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED BY A VOTE, NOT MY GAVEL AS CHAIR.
AS FAR AS GOVERNANCE, I BELIEVE WHERE THE STRUCTURE IS RIGHT NOW, IT WORKS BUT IF THERE ARE MORE THINGS, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT.
OPEN TO LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF OVERSIGHT BUT RIGHT NOW THE BOARD OVERSEES EVERYBODY SO I THINK WHERE WE ARE IS A GOOD PLACE BUT THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.>> THANK YOU.
>> NICK MADDOX, WAS AMAZON A GOOD DEAL FOR THE CITY?
AS THEY DIAL BACK EXPANSION PLANS, HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THEY STAND BY THEIR PART OF THE DEAL THAT EARNED THEM 2.5 MILLION?
>> AMAZON WAS A GREAT DEAL WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THEY BRING, NOT JUST JOBS AND 15 PLUS DOLLARS AN HOUR BUT ALSO OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER THEMSELVES AND BECOME MORE SKILLED IN THEIR LABOR, IT'S A SLAMDUNK FOR ALL OF US BUT WE CAN'T DO IS ALLOW THEM TO BACKPEDAL THEIR PROMISES TO US AS A COMMUNITY AND THAT'S ONE THING GOING TO FOCUS ON IS MAKING SURE THE THINGS THEY SAID THEY WOULD DELIVER WILL BE DELIVERED AS WELL AS WITH GOT TO GET PUBLIC TRANSIT, IT IS A MUST TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO BE WORKED OUT BUT WHAT WE NEED IS LEADERSHIP PROVEN AND RELIABLE TO GET THINGS LIKE THAT DONE AND PROBLEM SOLVE AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO DO IT.
>> JOSH JOHNSON, SAME QUESTION.
>> I DO THINK THE AMAZON DEAL WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES WE NEED HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, I DO THINK THERE ARE COMPONENTS OF IT INDICATIVE OF PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
WHEN WE EAT WE ARE FILTERING JOBS TO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE NEEDED THE MOST AND MOST VULNERABLE WITH PAY INCREASES -- PAYS AT $15 AN HOUR REALIZE PUBLIC TRANSIT DOESN'T EVEN RUN TO THAT AREA, IT SPEAKS TO POOR PLANNING AND NOT PRIORITIZING PEOPLE SPEAKS TO PRIORITIZING THE PROJECTS.IF THE PROJECTS ARE DONE WITH PEOPLE IN MIND, WHAT GOOD ARE THE PROJECTS?YES, IT IS A GOOD PROJECT AND WILL SERVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY BUT WE HAVE TO DO THESE THINGS BETTER.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MOVING ON TO ENDORSEMENT SEGMENT.WHAT'S YOUR MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT OTHER THAN CONSTITUENTS, FAMILY, ETC.?
>> IS THE MOST ENDORSED CANDIDATE IN THE RACE, I CANNOT GIVE YOU ONE BUT I WILL TELL YOU WE JUST LEFT A PRESS CONFERENCE OF ALL WOMEN, MAJOR WOMEN ENDORSEMENTS AND LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY STANDING BEHIND ME FROM DONNA CARDARELLI TO DEBBIE TO JACK FOR SO BAD OF ALL MY ENDORSEMENTS.
>> FIFTEEN SECONDS, MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT.
>> ALL MY ENDORSEMENTS ARE PRIZED IN MY OPINION.
IF YOU EVER SEE ONE OF THEM FROM OF THE KID YOU WILL NEVER HEAR ABOUT TO THE MOST PROMINENT MEMBER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE ONE I'M MOST PROUD OF WOULD BE CONGRESSMAN AL OLSON WHO'S BEEN A CHAMPION FOR THE COMMUNITY AT MANY LEVELS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU.
JOSH, THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION YOU POSTED A TRIBUTE TO RUDY FERGUSON, A LOCAL LEGEND.
THEN THE MAN YOU HELD WHO'S A GIANT AND SHAKEN THE COMMUNITY POSITIVE, DID YOU SEEK HIS ENDORSEMENT AND WHY DO YOU THINK HE CHOSE YOUR OPPONENT?
>> ABSOLUTELY SALTY ENDORSEMENT, THAT'S WHAT I WAS DOING THE ENTIRE PRIMARY WITH THESE ISSUES, NOT JUST HIS ENDORSEMENT BUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF EVERYBODY SO I DO THINK PASTOR FERGUSON IS AN EXTREME FIGURE IN THE COMMUNITY.
I DO THINK THE ENDORSEMENT SEEMS ODD WITH THE SCANDAL AT PLAY.
IT SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF BACKPEDALING ON SOME THINGS, I CAN'T GET INTO IT BECAUSE IT'S LEFT OPAQUE AND PERIPHERAL, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS WITH HIS RESIGNATION FROM A PUBLIC SERVICE JOB SO I DON'T KNOW, IT IS STRANGE TO ME IF I'M HONEST.
>> GOT A SPECIFIC QUESTION FOR YOU AFTER YOU RESPOND TO THAT.
>> I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY I HAD TO BE ENDORSED AND THE ENDORSEMENT OF PASTOR RUDY FERGUSON, A CHAMPION IN THE COMMUNITY AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND REPRESENTS HIMSELF EXTREMELY WELL.
>> THANK YOU.
THE QUESTION IS DIRECTLY FOR YOU NICK MADDOX, A MAILER GOING OUT REPORT ENDORSEMENT REPRESENTED, SHE TOLD THE DEMOCRATS SHE WASN'T MAKING AN ENDORSEMENT AND THE MAILER WERE NOT APPROVED.
YOUR CAMPAIGN CALLED IT MISCOMMUNICATION AND HUMANERROR.YOUR OPPONENT CALLS IT AN ENORMOUS LIVE, FABRICATING AND CLAIMING ENDORSEMENT YOU DID NOT EARN.
IS IT A FAIR ASSESSMENT AND HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT.WHAT I BELIEVE IS WHAT HAPPENED, THERE'S MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEAMS.REPRESENTATIVE IS A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE AND I RESPECT HER TREMENDOUSLY AND SHE TOLD ME SHE WILL WORK WITH ME ON A MAILER AND JUST NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO APPROVE IT BEFORE IT WENT OUT.
MY CAMPAIGN TEAM AND I THINK FULL RESPONSE VOTED FOR THIS, DID NOT SEND HER NOR MYSELF, THE MAILER GOING OUT BEFORE IT WENT OUT AND THAT'S WHERE THE BALL WAS DROPPED AND I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT BUT TO INSINUATE THAT SHE DID NOT SAY SHE'D WORK WITH ME AT ALL OR SHE WAS NOT WILLING TO WORK ON A MAILER, THAT IS NOT TRUE BUT I RESPECT REPRESENTATIVE AND I THINK OF HER AS A GREAT FRIEND AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER IN THE FUTURE.
>> 152nd REPLY.
>> I DIDN'T INSINUATE ANYTHING.
THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT REPORTED SHE DID NOT AUTHORIZE THE PICTURE, MAILER OR THE QUOTE.
I LITERALLY AM QUOTING MY LOCAL NEWS SOURCE AND THAT'S WHERE IT GETS SHADY, ANYBODY CAN ESCAPE BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO TELL THE TRUTH EVENTUALLY.>> THANK YOU.
>> WE MOVE ON TO THE PRIME QUESTION LOOTED TO.
FORTY-FIVE SECONDS FOR A RESPONSE.
ACCORDING TO THE CAPS ON TALLAHASSEE.COM, THANK YOU, 15 PEOPLE HAVE DIED, AT LEAST 63 INJURED FROM A TOTAL OF 89 SHOOTING INCIDENTS SO FAR THIS YEAR.
WHAT'S ONE THING YOU PLEDGE TO DO TO STOP THIS?
>> THE PAST 12 YEARS LEON COUNTY HAS LED THE STATE IN VIOLENT CRIME FOR FIVE OF THEM.
IN 2019 OR 2020 WHEN WE FINALLY REACHED SIX, WE APPLAUDED THAT AS AN ACHIEVEMENT JUST BEING OUTSIDE OF THE TOP FIVE.
AS A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER IN TITLE I SCHOOL, I BELIEVE IN THESE PARTNERSHIPS AND LIVEPARTNERSHIPS THAT PUT YOUNG MEN TO WORK AND I SAY YOUNG MEN BECAUSE THIS DISPROPORTIONATELY YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES ARE AFFECTED.
I SEE THEM AND WORK WITH THEM EVERYDAY.
WE HAVE TO ENGAGE NONPROFIT SECTORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HOLISTICALLY LOOK AT THIS.
IT IS A CRISIS IN THE FACT THAT IT'S BEEN ABLE TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL FOR THIS LONG IS A SHAME TO ME.
>> I GOT TO ADMIT ALL GREAT IDEAS BY MR. JOHNSON BUT THOSE THINGS ARE ALREADY HAPPENING.
WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN SO FAR IS WHAT WILL BE TREMENDOUS WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION DOING WORK TO ASSIST WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE ON COUNTY AND THE COUNCIL AND MEN AND BOYS WHO WE AGREED TO CITY, COUNTY AND SCHOOL BOARD TO HELP IS GOING TO PUSH THE BALL FORWARD AS WELL.
THEY'VE GOT GREAT PROGRAMS COMING OUT THEY WANT TO TRY.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN ALLOW TO CONTINUE TO GROW, WHO GOT TO NIP IT IN THE BUD AND DEAL BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING ANY ONE SOURCE CAN DO.
WE NEED HELP FROM OUR COMMUNITY -- THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITH JOBS AS WELL SO THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD.
>> THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SERVES PLEASURE AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION.VINCE HAS BEEN SERVING AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SINCE 2011.WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE TO HIM THIS YEAR END WHY?
WHAT HAS HE DONE WELL AND WHAT COULD HE DO BETTER?
>> AND A+.
HOW CAN YOU NOT GIVE A MAN A+ WHO'S BEEN RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY AS ONE OF THE BEST AT WHAT HE DOES?
IT'S NOT SOMETHING I'M SAYING, IT'S SOMETHING A GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL, HIS PEERS HAVE SAID AND WHAT THINGS DOES SO GREAT IS HE'S ABLE TO TAKE OUR VISION AS A BOARD AND IMPLEMENT IT INTO THE ORGANIZATION BEING PEOPLE FOCUSED AND PERFORMANCE DRIVEN AND OUTPUT THAT PUSHES OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD IN EVERY ISSUE WE TRIED TO PUSH FORWARD.
>> JOSH, 30 SECONDS.
GIVE A GRADE AND WHAT HE'S DONE WELL WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER.
>> I'VE ANSWERED THIS BEFORE.
I'VE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH HIM SO I COULD NOT HONESTLY AND FAIRLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION.THE ISSUES RUNNING ON ALL THE ISSUES I THINK AFFECT THE COUNTY AND THAT'S FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHICH MR. LONG HAS HANDED, HE HAS A HAND IN BUT I HAVEN'T WORKED WITH HIM OR FAIRLY GREAT HIM, IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR FOR ME TO DO SO.
>> A COUPLE OF MORE DIRECT QUESTIONS FOR EACH CANDIDATE.
NICK MADDOX.
YOUR OPPONENT IN RECENT E-MAIL BLAST SAID YOUR CANDIDACY IS MIRED IN PERSONAL POLITICAL SCANDALS.
IT LINKS TO A TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT STORY ABOUT YOUR DEPARTURE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS.WHAT YOU WANT VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT THAT AND HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO YOUR OPPONENTS CHARACTERIZATION OF YOUR EXIT?
>> I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW ABOUT THAT IS CHARACTERIZATION OF IS MISREPRESENTED.
I LEFT THE CLUB BECAUSE I WANT TO MOVE ON AS A PROFESSIONAL AND FOCUS ON MY CAMPAIGN.
ALSO WHAT I WANT VOTERS TO KNOW IS I HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON CAMPAIGN MOVING FORWARD AS A COUNTY COMMISSION AND I HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN DOING SO IN WHATEVER ISSUES I MAY HAVE OR CHALLENGES THAT HAVE COME BY WAY WHETHER IT BE CFC STATUS MEN AND BOYS OR ANY OTHER THING I'VE PUSH FOR COUNTY COMMISSION, PEOPLE CAN TAKE NICK MADDOX HAS LED HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD CONSENSUS TO MOVE THIS COMMUNITY FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU.
JOSH, YOUR CANDIDACY HAS BEEN CAST AS BEING PART OF A SLATE OF PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES LED BY JEREMY, WHOSE ENDORSED YOU IN A COLUMN A FEW MONTHS BACK HE SAID HE WAS GRAVELY CONCERNED BY THE TONE, TACTICS AND MOTIVATIONS OF WHITE LIBERALS MEDIC CRACKS.
WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE AND WHAT AN AREA YOU DISAGREE?
>> MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS AND PEOPLE ARE SLATED, THERE'S USUALLY SLATED CONTRIBUTION.
I'VE RAISED $45000 ON THE BACKS OF EVERYDAY WORKING CLASS MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY I'M FROM, THE COMMUNITY MY FAMILY IS FROM SEVEN GENERATION, THE ONLY PERSON SLATED IS A PERSON WHOSE STACKED DONATIONS FROM DEVELOPERS.I DON'T HAVE THOSE.
IF I HAVE A HAND BEHIND THE WHEEL CONTROLLING ME, I THINK WE WOULD SEE IT IN MY FANTASIES.
MY FINANCES HAVE COME ABOUT HONESTLY AND THAT'S MORE THAN I CAN SAY FOR SOME.
THE SECOND THING IS WHAT IS ONE THING I AGREE WITH THAT.
>> DISAGREE.
>> OH, DISAGREE, HAD TO SEE HIS FULL RECORD BUT I AM SURE THERE WOULD BE SEVERAL THINGS I DISAGREE BUT I DO RESPECT AND APPRECIATE HIS ENDORSEMENT AND I THINK IS A CIVIL SERVANT DOING A GREAT JOB.
>> YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS TO RESPOND HONESTLY WITH FUNDRAISING.
>> ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE.
I'VE TAKEN MONEY FROM DEVELOPERS AND THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
THERE'S A BALANCE AND IN MY OPINION, NOT EVEN MY OPINION, I WILL NOT BE SWAYED BY ANYTHING GIVEN TO ME IN THE CAMPAIGN.
I WILL MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> OKAY.
WE'VE BEEN ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS, WHAT ONE QUESTION WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR OPPONENT YOU GOT ONE MINUTE TO RESPOND YOU TO ASK THE QUESTION TO JOSH AND THEN VICE VERSA.
>> WHAT IS THE ISSUE YOU LOOK TO COMBAT THE MOST IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
PUBLIC INVESTMENT HUGE BECAUSE IT CONSOLIDATES SO MANY THINGS FOR ME.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CRIME, POVERTY, THE WAY WE USE LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE TIED INTO PUBLIC INVESTMENTS AND HOW WE USE THEM.
THE ENVIRONMENT, THE EFFECTS OUR ENVIRONMENT IS GOING TO THROUGH DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES.
I THINK WE HAVE TO STEER PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> JOSH JOHNSON, YOUR TURN.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK MADDOX?
>> WE HAVE HAD A CORDIAL CAMPAIGN, I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY BUT THIS IS THE QUESTION PERCOLATED IN MY MIND SINCE I GOT INTO THIS RACE.
WHY DO YOU VOTE CONSISTENTLY ONE WAY WHETHER BLUEPRINT, WHY DO YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE THE BACKS -- >> I DO BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE.
WHAT I ATTEMPT TO DO IS I ATTEMPT TO LOOK AT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW TO MOVE OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD.
WE BOTH TAKEN WHAT I BELIEVE IS CREATING A SENSE OF GROWTH IN OUR ECONOMY AND DIVERSITY IN OUR ECONOMY AS WELL AS IT HELPS US MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THINGS LIKE CRIME AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I ALSO BELIEVE WE LOOK AT THINGS I'VE DONE WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AT THE FAMILY AS WELL AND LOOKING AT HOW WE DEAL WITH AND WBE'S AND GO FROM SWD MY THOUGHT AGAINST THAT TO SUSTAINED WITH HIM WBE, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THE LAST 12 YEARS, THOUSANDS OF FOLKS, I HAVE BEEN AGAINST WHAT YOU CALL DEVELOPER INTEREST AND CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WAYS WE CAN GROW TOGETHER AND BUILD CONSENSUS HAVE BOTH SIDES REPRESENTED.
I DON'T BELIEVE ALL OUR VILLAINS, SOME WANT TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT.
ENVIRONMENTAL PIECE THE RESPECTS LEON COUNTY.
>> NOW WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THINGS UP AND DO A LIGHTNING ROUND.
THINGS ARE MOVING BRISKLY, WE ARE ON TIME AND DOING WELL.
THESE QUESTIONS ARE ONE SENTENCE ANSWERS, MOST ARE YES OR NO AND YOU SAY ONE SENTENCE.
YOU CAN YES OR BECAUSE ARE ALL ABOUT.
ARE THERE ANY LIMITS ON WHO YOU ACCEPT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM?IF SO, WHO?
>> I HAVE NOT ACCEPTED ANY DEVELOPER MONEY AND I AGREE DEVELOPERS ARE NOT DEALERS BUT I DO THINK THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE SHOULD SPEAK THE LOUDEST AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.>> NICK MADDOX.
>> I HAVE ACCEPTED DONATIONS FROM FAR AND WIDE.
I WILL CONTINUE WITH THOSE WHO LINE AND BELIEVE IN THE SAME AND I WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM THOSE FOLKS.
THOSE DON'T SUPPORT ME I WOULD IMAGINE WOULD NOT.
>> TALLAHASSEE LEON COUNTY IS A HIGH DEGREE OF FOOD INSECURITY.
WHAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN DO AS COMMISSIONERS TO HELP ON THAT?
>> INNOVATION LOOKING AT WHAT WE DID AND WILL DO FOOD WALKERS.
INNOVATION WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO HAVE A GOOD MEAL AT NIGHT AND WAKE UP IN THE MORNING SAID.
>> I THINK WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST NONPROFIT ECONOMIES IN THE STATE.
WE HAVE TO ENGAGE THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK EVERYDAY, BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THIS TYPE OF WORK IS BEING DONE.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO PARTNER WITH NONPROFIT SO WE CAN HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND ENGAGE IN PARTNERS.
>> WHAT IS ONE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SERVICE YOU LIKE TO SEE FUNDED BY LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT?>> ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE PUBLIC SERVICE.>> RIGHT.
>> I THINK WE COULD LOOK AT LONGER PATERNITY LEAVE, A FAMILY LEAVE PLAN AS THEY CALL IT IN SOME PLACES WHERE BOTH HE TIME OFF OR CHILDCARE COULD BE SEEN AS AFTER CONCERN FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE COUNTY.
>> I HAVE TO CHECK BUT I BELIEVE A FEW YEARS AGO I WILL CHECK ON THAT, DON'T HOLD ME TO IT -- I KNOW YOU WILL.
GOT TO DO MORE, WE ARE DOING SEVERAL MENTAL HEALTH BUT WE GOT TO DO MORE.
WE LOOK AT THE HOMELESS SITUATION AND OTHER THINGS, MENTAL HEALTH IS SOMETHING WHO GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONQUER HERE IN LEON COUNTY PUT RESOURCES TOWARD IT, WE GOT TO.
>> 2024 -- 25 OUR COMMUNITY WILL CELEBRATE BICENTENNIAL.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE YOU LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT TALLAHASSEE LEON COUNTY?
>> WE ARE ONE SEASON TALLAHASSEE.
GOT TO GOT HOW TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, HOW PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS THAT DON'T FOCUS ON FRANCE'S BUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO TOGETHER AND MEND OUR DIFFERENCES, WE'VE OUR DIFFERENCES TOGETHER TO CREATE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
ONE CITY, ONE COUNTY.
>> I'LL TAKE THE AFFIRMATIVE WHILE WE ARE ONE COUNTY, THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES IN THE COUNTY AND WE CAN BRING ALL EXPENSES TO A PRIORITY.
WE HAVE THE POOREST ZIP CODE IN FLORIDA.
IT'S AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR WHAT I THINK IS THE GREATEST COUNTY ON THE PLANET.
WE HAVE TO DO THINGS TO STOP JUST SAYING WE ARE ONE AND START BEING ONE.
>> AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, HE WILL WORK WITH COUNTERPARTS IN THE CITY COMMISSION.
WHO WOULD YOU ENDORSE FOR MAYOR OF TALLAHASSEE AND WHY?
>> I'M NOT GOING TO ADD TO THAT, I HAVE MY OWN RACE TO RUN.
I DO APPRECIATE THE QUESTION AS A VOTER I WILL CAST MY VOTE BUT I'M NOT PREPARED TO DO THAT, I HAVE TO FINISH MY RACE.
>> YOU TELL US WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR?
>> I HAVE TO FINISH MY WRIST.
>> WHAT HE SAID.
>> ALL RIGHT, I HAVE TO TRY.
GIVEN PRESIDENT BIDEN'S RECENT PARDON, SHOULD THE COUNTY PLAY A ROLE SUPPORTING DECRIMINALIZATION AND/ORLEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA?
THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A QUESTION PREOCCUPYING THE COMMISSION DURING MY TIME, I CAN THINK OF AT LEAST TWO OR THREE OTHER TIMES SO WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?
THE MET WITH HAD A CONVERSATION THE SHERIFF AS WELL AS THE ATTORNEY AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY WON'T FORCE WITH SOME LAWS OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL.
WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE JAIL FOR 20 GRAMS OR LESS.
COMMISSIONER AND I AND MORE COMMISSIONERS HAVE A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF AND STATE ATTORNEY.
IF IT BECOMES THE ISSUE WHERE WE HAVE MORE FOLKS IN THE JAIL WITH THOSE CHARGES THEY WILL BRING IT BACK FOR CONSIDERATION TO I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING IT?ABSOLUTELY BUT THEY DO HAVE THE ATTORNEY THE DISCRETION FOR CIVIL CITATION BUT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL PREEMPTED US FROM BEING ABLE TO HAVE THEM ENFORCED SO THEY COULD TO MAKE THE CHOICE SO LAST, DO I AGR AGREE -- NOT ONLY DECRIMINALIZATION, SOME SENSE OF DISCRETION AND LOOK AT NOT CRIMINALIZING THE LEVEL OF 20 GRAMS OR LESS, ABSOLUTELY I DO.
YOU CAN SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE, THEIR FUTURE SIMPLY BY GIVING CIVIL CITATION SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ATTORNEY DOES HAVE DISCRETION TO DO SO AND ARE DOING SO.
>> JOSH JOHNSON, SAME.
>> LET ME GIVE A CLEAR AND CONCISE QUESTION.
WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY LOOK AT DECRIMINALIZING CERTAIN AMOUNTOF MARIJUANA, UNDER 20 GRAMS SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED.I GOT AN E-MAIL ABOUT FOUR WEEKS AGO BECAUSE ONE OF MY STUDENTS A BRIGHT AND SHINING STAR AND DID MAKE A MISTAKE BUT THE 22 GRAMS COULD RUIN HIS LIFE, A LIFE WE CAN'T AFFORD NO LIFE TO LIFE TO AFFORD BUT ESPECIALLY OVER THESE TYPES OF THINGS.
ABSOLUTELY.
>> HOW YOU OVERCOME ENFORCING THE LAWS IN THE BOOK?
BOOK IN THE COUNTY COMMISSION DO?
>> IT FROM NOT MISTAKEN, COUNTY COMMISSION GIVE IT OWN SET OF ORDINANCES FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO USE THAT DISCRETION.
I KNOW IT WAS SAID DISCRETION BUT I THINK DISCRETION SHOULD BE WHAT IS ENFORCED IN THIS ISSUE.
THE DISCRETION UNDER 20 GRAMS SHOULD REALLY BE PUSHED TO BE CIVIL CITATION THESE.
>> LIGHTNING AND OF THESE THINGS.
WHAT PLANS WOULD MAKE TO VOTERS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IF ELECTED?
>> EVERYTHING I'VE SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SOMETHING I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO WITH ALL OF THE OTHER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND WILL NOT TAKE ME 12 YEARS TO DO IT.
>> IS THERE ANY ONE SINGLE PLEDGE YOU WOULD COMMIT TO?
>> THAT WASN'T A SINGLE PLEDGE?
I CAN GIVE -- >> SO YOU ARE SAYING EVERYTHING?
>> IT WILL NOT TAKE ME 12 YEARS AND I WILL TRY.
>> OKAY.
>> WE WILL MOVE THE NEEDLE WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CRIME AND WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH HERE IN LEON COUNTY.
>> NICK MADDOX, ONE SPECIFIC UNITY THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO ADDRESS THAT?
>> IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, COMMISSIONER HAS LED THE CHARGE ON MULTIPLE WORKSHOPS IN A COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN ASSIST MOVING THE BALL FORWARD ON THAT.
I COMMIT TO CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON THE EFFORT MAKING SURE OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS SHOW WE CARE AND ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND CONTINUE ABOUT 32304.
>> OKAY, SAME QUESTION.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COMMISSIONER PROCTOR ON THESE PROJECTS BUT I DO THINK WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP TO GUIDE THEM IN.
32304 IS UNDER DESPERATE CONCERNS AND HAS BEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND IT IS ONE THING TO SAY IT NEEDS IMMEDIATE CONCERN, IT HAS NEEDED IMMEDIATE CONCERN AND WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP TO ASSURE THAT NEW CONCERN AND.
>> LAST QUESTION.
IS THERE SOMETHING ON THE ABORTION FRONT COUNTY COMMISSIONSHOULD BE DOING OR IS THIS A STATE AND FEDERAL ISSUE?
>> IS THE PERSON WHO'S ENDORSED BY THE FLORIDA ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN, SO MANY WOMEN PARTNERS, USUALLY DEFERRED THAT NARRATIVE TO WOMEN.
HOWEVER, THIS QUESTION IS A QUESTION THAT PRICKS MY HEART BECAUSE WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT ALLOWS OUR VOTERS AND CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ON THEIR SIDE.
IN TERMS OF POLICY, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY WE CAN DO BUT WE COULD BE LEADERS ON THIS ISSUE, EVERY RALLY HELD, I'VE BEEN BACK.
I'VE NEVER SEEN MY OPPONENT.
I'VE TRIED TO THAT PEOPLE KNOW I'M ON THEIR SIDE BECAUSE THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS UNDER ATTACK ASSESSED NATION IS AT LARGE.
IT'S LEADERSHIP IN THIS PART OF THE STATE, WE HAVE TO STICK OUR CLAIMS ON THESE.
>> THERE SOMETHING SPECIFIC THE COUNTY SHOULD BE DOING ON THE ABORTION FRONT NEXT.
>> THAT SOUNDED GREAT.
WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CANNOT NECESSARILY AFFECT POLICY WISE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN PREEMPTED BY STATE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT CAN BUILD OUT OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THE WOMEN IN SITUATIONS OF PREGNANCY ARE TAKING CARE OF HAVE HEALTH PROVISIONS THEY NEED TO MAKE WHATEVER DECISIONS THEY NEED TO MAKE WEATHER HERE OR SOMEONE ELSE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEY HAVE TO BE MADE KNOWN THEY ARE SAFE AND WE ARE FIGHTING FOR THEM IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF SAFETY WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR HEALTH.>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
I HAVE TALKED WAY TOO MUCH.
THE QUESTION THAT REVOLVES AROUND A WORD WE'VE ALL REFERENCED AT ONE TIME, AT LEAST IN THIS DISCUSSION IS DEVELOPMENT SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GOOD WE WILL START OUT WITH 45 SECONDS RESPONSE STARTING WITH MR. MADDOX.
WHAT'S ONE DEVELOPMENT DOING IT RIGHT AS FAR AS YOU'RE CONCER .
CONCERNED?
WAS ONE DEVELOPMENT THAT MAY BE AS PROBLEMATIC AND LEAVE THAT OUT OF THE EQUATION.
>> WHAT I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT HIS NEW APARTMENTS.
LOOK AT THE WORST PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT'S COMING TO IT, THERE WAS OUT DATING HOUSING AND WHAT WILL COME IS MIXED INCOME DEVELOPMENT WILL CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THE COMMUNITY.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS TO MAKE SURE JUSTIFICATION DOES NOT COME WITH IT TO PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT ALSO BE EXCITED THE GROWTH IN THE WAY WE CONQUER AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO DO IS BE COGNIZANT AND HUNDREDS OF HOW WE ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM NOT JUST AN ISSUE OF REDEVELOPING WITHIN THE URBAN SERVICES AREA, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT STRATEGIC WAYS WE CAN LOOK OUTSIDE.
[BELL RINGING] EXTEND THE BOUNDARY A LITTLE BIT AS WELL AS DEVELOP HOUSING THAT CAN BE CHEAPER THAN REDEVELOPING IN TIME.
>> CAN YOU KEY IN ON ONE DEVELOPMENT NOT GOING WELL?
>> I WON'T SAY THERE'S A DEVELOPMENT NOT GOING WELL.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE PLACES WHERE WE HAVE STRATEGICALLY EXTENDED URBAN SERVICE AREA TO MAKE SURE THE DEVELOP THEIR KEEPS THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND CELEBRATES WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY AND DOES NOT CHANGE WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUN .
COMMUNITY.>> MR. JOHNSON, A DEVELOPMENT DOING PRETTY GOOD AND ONE NOT SO GOOD.
>> COMING ON THE HEELS OF AN ANSWER FOR I SAID MY OPPONENT HAS VOTED FOR DEVELOPMENT OVER PEOPLE TIME AND TIME AGAIN, HE COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER TO ONE DEVELOPMENT AND WE LOOK AT WHAT EAST GATEWAY PROJECTS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SEPTIC TO SEWER.
MALONEY JUMPED THE LINE AND NOBODY EVEN LIVES THERE YET, $80 MILLION INVESTMENT, PEOPLE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN HAVE BEEN WAITING AND PAYING TAXES FOR YEARS AND YEARS IN MY OPPONENT CANNOT THINK OF ANY DEVELOPMENT IN THE FABRIC OF THE CITY WHILE AT THE HOME OF LEADERSHIP IN THE COUNTY?
I THINK THAT SPEAKS LOUDER THAN ANYTHING I CAN SAY IT.
>> CAN YOU IDENTIFY ONE DEVELOPMENT -- >> YEAH, A SUBDIVISION, BLACKSTONE FOREST HOW IT WAS BUILT AND CARVED BROTHER TREES MAINTAINING INTEGRITY OF PRECIOUS TREE CANOPY AND STILL GETTING YOUR GOOD LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT CAN BE DONE, IT'S BEEN PROVEN IT CAN BE DONE BUT IT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT WHO WE PRIORITIZE BY LITTERING IT.
>> FOLLOW-UP, 30 SECONDS IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING IN LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
>> I DON'T LIKE, I'VE BEEN CALLING IT TROJAN HORSE AFFECT, UNLIKE THAT DEVELOPERS CAN BUY RESIDENTIAL AND REZONED IT THOSE HAVE TO BE MORE STRINGENT AND TIGHT THAN ANYBODY CAN BUY ANYTHING AND I'VE ALWAYS SEEN THAT CALL OUT NEGATIVELY.
>> HOW LONG DO I HAVE?
>> THIRTY SECONDS.
I WILL CHANGE ONE THING, TOP OF MIND THE NEXT LOOK AT HOW YOU LOOK AT COMMUNITIES LIKE FORT BRADEN AS WELL AS BRADFORD FEEL AND WOULD FILL IN COMMUNITIES, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CHARACTER.
WE NEED TO ALLOW THOSE COMMUNITIES TO BUILD WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE THEIR CHARACTER.LOOKING AT HOW WE IMPLEMENT A TOWN OR VILLAGE CONCEPT THAT CAN GO TO THE AREAS TO BETTER HAVE OWNERSHIP OVER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN THOSE AREAS AS THEY CONTINUE TO GROW.
>> A FOLLOW-UP, 45 SECONDS.
TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE PARTICULARLY IN A COMMUNITY WE HAVE NOT PRACTICED TOP 20 AS FAR AS POVERTY?
>> INCLUSIONARY HOUSING IS SOMETHING WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW MUCH IT'S COSTING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO COME ONLINE.
HOW DO WE MAKE IT -- THAT CAUSE IS PUSHED ONTO THE HOME OWNER BUT IF WE CAN GET ABLE TO COMMIT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HENRY REGULAR BUSINESS WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO BUILD SOMETHING FOR OUR COMMUNITY BUT KEEP PRICES LOW?
IN THE BEGINNING WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE APPLICATIONS THROUGH AND MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT PUTTING SO MUCH COST IN HAVE TO RAISE THE COST PAST AFFORDABLE.
>> HOW YOU MOTIVATE DEVELOPERS TO GET AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUT THERE?
>> THAT'S NOT HOW ANY OF THAT WORKS.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY.
PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ARE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND WE SAID WE CAN'T SAY THEY ARE ALL THAT AND THEY ALSO HAVE LICENSE TO THE FREE MARKET BUT WHAT WE CAN DO ON OUR END IS EXPAND DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, CRAWLING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN PEOPLE ARE SO VULNERABLE IF WE CAN USE $27 MILLION TO CATER TO ONE THING, MAYBE WE CAN LOOK AT CATERING TO OTHER THINGS LIKE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, LOOKING AT PUBLIC OR PORTABLE HOUSING TRUST WE CAN PAY INTO, USING FUNDS AND RESOURCES AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, THIS IS WHAT I AM ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT WHEN I SAY LOCAL GOVERNANCE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS APPARATUS.GOVERNANCE IS THE DECISION-MAKING, THE DECISIONSHAVE BEEN DELETERIOUS.
>> MAY I REBUT?
>> YES.
>> A LOT OF THINGS WE ARE NOT DOING.
WHEN IT COMES TO LAND TRUST DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, I'M ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE AND WE JUST HAD WORKSHOP WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOOLS WE HAVE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING IS COMING COMES TO THE TABLE AND THEY DO OVER THE HOUSING PROJECT WE PRIORITIZE AND MOVE IT THROUGH THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY ARE DEALING WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO THERE'S A FAST TRACK FOR THAT AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AND WE ALSO LOOK AT COST THE TIME AND COST WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE PRIORITIZING VERBAL HOUSING, THIS IS SOMETHING THE CROWN FROM THE COMMITTEE TRAINING STATEW .
STATEWIDE.>> FINAL WORD.
>> WORKSHOPS WHY, FORMS LINE, NUMBERS DON'T.
THE NUMBERS ARE WE HAVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS, WORKSHOP HERSELF TO DEATH ON THIS ISSUE.
WE HAVE TO START ACTING AND THAT'S MY PROMISE TO THE PEOPLE OF LEON COUNTY.
WORKSHOPS IN ACTION.
>> HOMELESSNESS, SHIFTING GEARS HERE.
HOMELESSNESS HAS BEEN MORE VISIBLE IN THE COUNTY, WHERE ARE WE MISSING THE MARK ON ATTACKING THIS COMPLEX ISSUE?
JOSH JOHNSON, 45 SECONDS.
>> INVESTMENTS.
IF HOMELESSNESS IS A PROBLEM WE SEE AND THINK IT IS, WE HAVE TO INVEST THAT WAY.
ONE THING WE HAVE TO START INVESTING IN HIS MENTAL HEALTH AND THE THINGS THAT ORBIT MENTAL HEALTH AND THE THING THAT ORBIT POVERTY.
HOMELESSNESS IS A DIRECT RESULT, USUALLY DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN OR PERSON LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND COULDN'T CATCH THE LAST PAYCHECK.
BOTH OF THOSE SOMETHING LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE REAL RESPONSIBILITY TO TALK TO AND NOT JUST TALK ABOUT, DO SOMETHING SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE INVEST IN SMALL BUSINESSES AND EMPLOY CITIZENS AND LOOK AT MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
>> NICK MADDOX.
>> WORK WITH PARTNERS WHO WORK IN DAN AND DAY OUT AND JOHNSON WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO INTO BETTERING THEMSELVES BUT WHAT I HEAR IS LARGE PART OF OUR HOMELESS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH MENTAL HEALTH BUT HOW DO WE DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WHETHER MEDICINE OR COUNSELING OR WHATEVER, THE NEEDS ARE THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION, HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THAT PEACE?
THOSE WHO WANT TO BETTER THEMSELVES, I'VE HAD SOME REACH OUT TO ME WHO HAVE SAID I WOULD LIKE TO PUT MYSELF IN A BETTER SITUATION, CAN YOU SHOW ME THIS PROGRAM?
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEM THEMSELVES OUT OF A HOMELESS SITUATION BUT THE MENTAL HEALTH PEOPLE ARE FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH, THE OTHER PIECE OF THE HOUSE OF WE NEED TO FOCUS ON WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS.
>> NICK MADDOX, SHOULD LEON COUNTY DIVERSIFY TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY?
HOW?
>> PLAN COUNTY, ESPECIALLY -- WE NEED MORE ROBUST TRANSIT SYSTEM WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS, I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
INSIDE CITY LIMITS, I THINK THEY DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB.
A SET OF THE COUNTER BECAUSE OF IT BEING THE CITY SERVICE, IT'S NOT AS ROBUST BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE AMAZON FULFILLMENT CENTER AND THE FACT THAT WE NEED A ROUTE OUT THERE, IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN TALK WITH THE CITY ON BUT AS GAS PRICES GO UP, WITH GOT TO THE HOW WE MOVE PEOPLE AROUND TOWN AND MET JOSH JOHNSON, SAME QUESTION.
>> TO MAJOR REASONS, ONE IS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT CLOSE TO THE COAST, WE ARE GOING TO START SEEING EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE -- EXCUSE ME, WE ARE SEEING EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE KNOW DIVERSE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
MOREOVER, IF WE CAN EXPAND URBAN SERVICES AREA TO ACCOMMODATE A FEW PEOPLE WITH EVERYBODY'S TAX MONEY, MAYBE WE CAN EXPAND LOCAL TRANSIT SYSTEMS TO HELP EVERYBODY BUT WE GOT TO KNOW OUR PRIORITIES.
>> JOSH JOHNSON, THANK YOU FOR OPENING THE DOOR TO THIS QUESTION.WHAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE BETTER PREPARED FOR AND RESPONSIVE TO CLIMATE -RELATED EVENTS?
>> WE ARE FORTUNATE HERE WE HAVE A PRECIOUS CANOPY.
WE HAVE GOT TO START DEVELOPMENT THAT BUILDS UP.
THE SPRAWL WE'VE BEEN SEEING WITH THESE EXPANSIONS, PIECE MAIL EXPANSIONS IS NOT HEALTHY.
OUR OWN PLAN GIVES US A FORMULA HOW TO GROW AND WE ARE NOT EVEN FOLLOWING OUR OWN PLAN WITH THESE PROJECTS.WE HAVE TO GROW UP.
IT INCENTIVIZES A HEAVIER DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT.
>> NICK MADDOX.
>> ONE MORE TIME.
>> WAS ONE WAY WE CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITY'S INFRASTRUCTUREBETTER PREPARED FOR AND RESPONSIVE TO CLIMATE -RELATED EVENTS?>> CONTINUING INFRASTRUCTURE WISE, WORKING ON MULTI MODAL STRUCTURE OF TRANSPORTATION AROUND TOWN WITH FOCUS ON AT CRT BA.
MAKING SURE AS YOU TALKED ABOUT WHEN WE LOOK AT EXTENDING URBAN SERVICE AREA AND FULFILLMENT CENTER, THINKING ABOUT HOW WE GET PEOPLE BACK INTO TOWN WE NEED TO GET INTO TOWN FOR WORK WHETHER THROUGH BUS OR WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO, HAVE THE CONVERSATION AROUND THAT, WE HAVE TO TAKE PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES IT A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.
>> YOU ALL MADE IT.
DO CLOSING UNITS AND BECAUSE YOU ARE SO BRISK, WE CAN GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN SHARE A WEBSITE OR OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.
JOSH JOHNSON.
>> IS A LOCAL EDUCATOR, IS A PERSON BORN IN THIS COUNTY, A PERSON WHO COMES FROM SEVENTH GENERATION FAMILY IN THE COUNTY, I BELIEVE IN THIS PLACE.
I THINK MY CANDIDACY HAS OR THE FRUIT OF THAT BELIEF.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN RIGHT ON ALL OF THE ISSUES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO CRIME LARGE GOVERNMENT GIVEAWAYS AND WE HAVE DONE IT ALL WITH YOU, INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PEOPLE, ENDORSEMENTS FROM PEOPLE AUTHORIZED ENDORSEMENT FROM PEOPLE.
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE STOOD BEHIND THIS CAMPAIGN, INSTITUTIONAL ENDORSEMENTS.I BELIEVE IF YOU GIVE ME A CHANCE, I AND WE CAN MOVE BEYOND COUNTY FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
I HOPE YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CAMPAIGNS AND CANDIDATES AND I HOPE YOU COME TO A DECISION NOVEMBER 8 THAT WILL HELP US MOVE THIS COUNTY FORWARD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MADDOX, WESTWARD.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS FORM, THIS IS AMAZING.
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE WITH US AND HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
I START WITH I BELIEVE ABSOLUTELY CAN TOGETHER.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE WE AS A SENSE OF INDIVIDUALITY NOT CONSIDERATE OF EACH OTHER.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AND WHAT I COMMIT TO DOING AND WHAT I HAVE DONE AS COMMISSION ALL ALONG IS BUILD CONSENSUS AMONGST A COMMUNITY THAT'S GOING TO CONQUER OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM.
WHEN IT COMES TO HORRIBLE HOUSING, I HAVE BEEN THERE DOING THE JOB CONQUERING THAT PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME, I'VE BEEN THERE LEADING.
I WAS ON THE ISSUE PUSHING, TRYING TO GET US TO THE RIGHT PLACE WITH EVERYBODY'S OPINION INVOLVED PUSHING US UP THE HILL CONQUERING CRIME WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY, WORKING WITH PARTNERS, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WE DO IN THIS COUNTY CAN BE DONE ALONE.
WHAT I AM ASKING IS YOU GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING AND WORKING AS YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO BUILD CONSENSUS AND CONQUER PROBLEMS, OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS IN THE ON COUNTY NOVEMBER 8.
REMEMBER TOGETHER WE ABSOLUTELY CAN'T AND NICK MADDOX IS A LEADER WHO CAN PULL US TOGETHER AND YOU NEED TO WORK ON THESE ISSUES WE HAVE AND CONQUER EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
IT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS WE WILL DO IT.
>> THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATE, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, LEAGUE OF WINNING VOTERS THAT THE FSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND ALL OF OUR VIEWERS FOR JOINING US ON THIS PROGRAM.YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THE FORUM AND ALL OF THE OTHERS IN THIS SERIES UNDER YOUTUBE PAGES, TALLAHASSEE.COM AND WFSU.ORG.
REPORT BROADCAST AUDIO PORTION WILL BE TUESDAY OCTOBER 11 AND THAT WILL AIR 11:00 WFSU 88.9 .
FM.
>> OUR NEXT FORUM WILL BE FOR THE LEON COUNTY COMMISSIONS DISTRICT TO RACE AND IT WILL BE LATER TODAY, MONDAY 1:00 BETWEEN CHRISTIAN COMMAND AND HANNAH CROW.
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♪ 'S