Well Shazzam!

I was at the debate and saw it a little differently. First, It was put on by Harold and moderated by a big supporter of his. The fact that he advertised it and according to him sent out 6k e-mails shows he has got little support. Robinson had more supporters ther the Rutlege and they all knew he was not going to attend. I counted maybe 10 non candidate people there. and less than 40 total. As an incunbent  Rutlege didn't appear any more knowlegeable than Dan.  For an incumbent to not have any more support than that it is not likely he will be re-elected.

Ex, I was going by the blue t shirts. I counted only six. I also agree that Rutledge is probably in trouble. I think there were more than 40 people. I don't understand why Robinson supporters would show up if their guy wouldn't show up to answer a free for all Q&A. To me that's big sign of arrogance and we don't need any more of that. That's what got us the Thrasher tax. Based on what I saw and your take I would pretty much figure Mr. W will be the new District 5 guy.  It won't be that long a wait.

I think Robinson knew it was a stacked deck and no one would be there. i'M guessing his loyal followers were there to intimidate Rutlege.  Mnany of Ronnies votes will be anti- Rutlege. Some people have speculated that Dan was in there to dilute that vote. I am not sure I buy that, but it is often done. Even so Dan was pretty impressive. Ronnies biggest plus is name recognition and will likely win on that. One plus for Ronnie may be I doubt he will be overly  controlled by special interest, at least  the money kind. If he gets elected I doubt it will be much different than now. Dan is the only hope for change but I doubt enough people know that

It was a bit sparse on attendence. I got the impression from the number of chairs set up that they expected a much larger turn out. It is unfortunate that there wasn't. It was a good 'open mic' affair.

I learned a few things last night that I did not know before. One was that for one of the people that happened to be a part of the approval process of the tollway Mr. Rutledge didn't really have a good grasp of how it was going to work.

I noticed he didn't only fumble the question about collecting tolls he never even touched the ball. I'm not real sure he even saw it as it went by.

Drun roll please. Here it is! 

If you don't already have a transponder, you will be warned before hand that you have to have one and you can stop and buy one before you get on the tollway. That may not be a verbatim quote but it is the essence of what he said.

That my friends is an even dumber and less workable idea than taking pictures of plates. In other words they only have one really viable solution to collecting tolls and that is with a transponder. Now I wonder who will have those? Me, I'm not going to buy one because I know they have maybe a 1 in a 1000 chance of tracking me down to collect from me.

And anyone that thinks a driver is going to get off I-10 to buy a transponder to travel a toll road has been smoking some really funny smelling stuff. I wouldn't want to have to pay their munchy bill.

But it sure will be nice when all those new jobs get here as promised by Governor's Park and a few other places. Of course you are going to have to pay a toll to get back and forth from work every day, but I'm sure the job will pay enough money for you to afford that.

But from what I understood last night, contray to what Mr. Rutledge said in the paper about the tollway having already brought in bussiness, this all contingent upon the tollway being built on the currently planned route and Governor's Park actually getting approved beyond the application stage.

Mike Heemer

Those who are against the beltway as it stands might want to vote no on Amendment 1. A few weeks ago someone pointed out that the passing of this amendment will assist foreign corporations in doing business here and there are foreign corporations that are/could be involved in the building of the beltway.  At least that is the impression I got last night at the debate.

http://www.ctlac.com/

Ex-officio,

Thanks for coming last night.  Seeing your face in the audience was a boost.

Now I need to set something straight regarding your post here.   You mentioned that some people may think  I am  in this race to split the vote.  Here are a fact that should change clear this up.  Go to www.clayelections.com and on the opening page just below  heading “Local Candidates” is a link in smaller type called “Qualifying Info” That will take you to a pdf document which shows the dates each of us filed to be a candidate.  By my name it shows I filed on April 11, 2008   Ronnie’s name it shows he filed on May 12, 2008.   That’s 1 full month after I entered the race.  If anyone is splitting the vote it is Mr Robinson’s campaign.  I am in this to win!  It is an up-hill battle, more so with Mr. Robinson in the race.  Meanwhile, I am in it to win!

The promised revelation:   I have a special interest group helping me.   I know that statement might come as a shock but I had to say it.   Who are these people you may ask?  It’s “Regular People”, the little guys if you will, the folks that have felt for years they had no real voice in government.   They know that while I may have only one vote on the BCC I will make sure their concerns are brought forward.

Thanks for the kind words from those of you that were there

JD

Pd. Pol. Adv. Paid for and approved by JD Weisenburger, Republican, for County Commission

JD  I noted last night that you basically supported NEFAR's position with respect to Impact Fees.  While your opponent took a more popular view.

I just received NEFAR's endorsement of candidates, they endorsed and recommended all members of NEFAR vote for your opponent. Odd since you supported their position and he did not.

As you know the payment of the PAC fee is voluntary, I do not believe in lobbyists or other influence peddlers, only the rights and benefits for the voters should be the guiding principle of how one votes,  so I hope if you did not before that you do in the future not pay for the PAC dues.

NEFAR (Northeast Florida Association of Realtors®) interviewed all 3 candidates and awarded their endorsement to Mr. Rutledge. They said they had endorsed him 4 years ago so they were sticking with a winner ( I paraphrase).

During my interview I told them the same as I said last night regarding impact fees, that I am against them. I also told them that I am against them because of how it impacts the price paid for a new home, pricing the home out of the reach of marginal buyers, especially first time home buyers. I also mentioned how it is a travesty to folks who bought a lot 20 years ago and have been waiting until they can afford to build but now must wait longer.

I will never tell people what they want to hear, I will always tell people what I believe.

I do reserve the right to change my mind provided there is sound reasoning behind my mind change and that I can defend my change.

If I ever did receive PAC funds it would have to be with the understanding that I am not selling my vote, but rather, I am going to do what I think is right for the people I represent. It is for that reason if ever I got some PAC funds I would be shocked!

If you look at your favorite site (said tounge-in-cheek) you will see my funds come to just a little over $1,000 . That's because it's just regular people contributing to me.

Thanks for coming last night and see ya soon

JD

Pd. Pol. Adv. Paid for and approved by JD Weisenburger, Republican, for County Commission