Dear Friends,

My opponent, the incumbent politician has left us with a legacy which is not one to be proud of. Alachua County has the highest taxes in the State of Florida. The Gainesville Sun has reported that there is 380 Million dollars in backlogged road repairs in the county and the costs continue to escalate with each passing month. County Fire Services as well as the Sheriff’s Dept. are facing serious funding issues in spite of efforts to tighten belts within each organization. These situations, if not dealt with, will seriously compromise the safety of Alachua County residents. The County continues to take a combative posture with the Cities. Businesses around Alachua County are struggling, families are struggling, and unemployment in Florida is at record levels.

In the last 8 years the size of County Government has nearly doubled. The current Commission’s solution to any problem, it seems, is to create another government program. This approach is old and obsolete, and is simply unsustainable. Alachua County is rich in resources; organizations in the private sector, faith based organizations, the University of Florida, Santa Fe College, and other community partners, which in some if not all cases provide duplicate social services. We must start using a different approach to solving our problems. We must finally start working together.

Unlike the incumbent politician, who is more than adequately funded by special interest, I am beholding only to the voters of Alachua County. Policy makers should be able to look at each issue in an independent manner, to make decisions that benefit the interests of everyone, not just a few. I will give ideas fair and thorough consideration, there is too much at stake and failure is not an option.

With the current economic conditions, little has been done on the county level to ease the pain for our families and businesses. I, like you, feel the pain of trying to make ends meet. We are trying to raise our families, and keep our businesses afloat, all while contemplating an uncertain future. Economic growth and Job creation in Alachua County will occur when the environment is right, lower taxes and less regulation would be a good start. We can start by getting back to basics.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The two term incumbent politician will keep giving you what you’ve gotten. Are You Fed Up Yet?, I am. It’s Time for a different approach, I am asking for your vote on November 2.

Thank you,

Jim Gabriel