Joey White is running for the District 2 seat on the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners.
1. Why are you running for this office?
I am running for office because I believe this County is a great county and can continue to be a great place to raise a family or retire here, but we need some change if we are to make this an affordable place to do that. We need to reduce spending, provide economic development but balance it with protecting our natural resources.
When I entered this race, I believed people wanted change. They wanted the incumbent out of office. I also believed that my current opponent was the strongest challenger to the incumbent and his 16 year record resembles the current incumbents so if either won the primary there would be no change. There is an old saying that you cannot fix a problem with the same people who created it.
As my opponent is a career politician of 16 years, I believe he has helped create our problems and is part of the reason we are where we are. 16 years is enough. Just ask yourself this question: during his 16 years of leadership has the City of Crystal River set the example of where we want this county to go? Is the City of Crystal River the pinnacle of the County after 16 years of his leadership? If the answer is no, then you have to vote for Joey White.
2. Why do you think you are the best qualified candidate for the office?
So why am I the best candidate? As an Army Veteran, Eagle Scout, and former business owner I believe I have the experience, education, and leadership skills to facilitate what we all want and need from our government: we need lower tax rates, less government, we need economic development but we need to balance it with protecting the environment in order to make this not only an affordable place to live but one where our quality of life is not overrun by destroying our natural resources.
I believe we need an independent thinker on the board. One that isn’t tied to any “good ole Boy” network or special interest. I am not aligned with either side of the current board. I am totally independent….and I ask you to vote for me, Joey White to represent you on the BOCC.
3. If you are elected, what will be your top priorities?
The top priority is to reduce spending. The current board has taken on too many large projects that need to either be canceled or slowed down. Additionally the board spends way too much revenue on lobbyists, consultants, and outside attorneys.
Another priority that needs to be addressed that will also help reduce spending is repairing broken bridges that have been broken. The current board has no relationship with our Representatives in Tallahassee and that needs to change. Improved relationships will enable us to gain more access to grants and eliminate the need for a $50k a year lobbyist.
We need to repair our relationships with our Cities. Gained efficiencies and eliminating redundant work with them would save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
We need to improve our relationship with our charities. We just hired 4 people to pick up litter at $86k a year without consulting Keep Citrus Beautiful for more efficient ways. We have increased the budget at the animal shelter exponentially, while conditions continue to degrade, without asking for advice from any of the 5 charities that provide services to our animals.
We need to repair the broken trust with our constituents by bringing them to the table and truly listening to their input. I am positive that by listening to them we can put Citrus County on a better road to the future so that we all can enjoy this beautiful County.