Reply to "Republican"
Republican: You recently asked on your blog what were "the differences between me and my opponents.?" And I am happy to provide the following answers to your query. A review of two websites will reveal stark differences betwen me and my two opponents, realtor Wendell Davis and Jacksonville fireman David McCall. The websites are [a] the Clay County Supervisor of Elections and [b] the American Family Forum websites. The SOE website paints a great difference between me and Wendell Davis. Mr. Davis has been generously endowed by the lobbyist for Advance Waste Disposal and the other lobbyist for the Florida gambling industry, along with elected representatives who have amassed a financial fortune while service in Tallahassee and peddling their influence - for a fee. He's also funded by the families who have run the county government for nearly a century through the candidates they support, along with industries which have set up PACs to promote candidates who will ensure their industries' ability to continue to "feed at the public trough." In contrast to Mr. Davis, 91% of my donors are retirees (58%) and non-real estate businesses (33%). I have received no contributions from lobbyists or PACs. The American Family Forum website presents a surprising difference between me and fireman David McCall. The differences here are visibly political. Mr. McCall's answers to questions posted on the website concerning abortion, affirmative action, environment, personal property rights and expansionof local government for mroe gun control are positions commonly held by members of the national Democratic party, whereas mine are consistent with the conservative wing of the Republican party. Before listing what I will do when elected to office, perhaps it is useful to look at what I have done in the past in my efforts to protect the taxpayer from the lobbyists' efforts to continue to subsidize their clients with tax dollars. Here's what I have been doing: 1. I was an integral part of the SUCCESSFUL lawsuit against Clay County to force it to stop taxing lands already owned and paid for by the taxpayers - we won in the trial court, then in the appeals court, and more recently, in the state supreme court in Tallahassee! That lawsuit set a state-wide precedent of protecting taxpayers from abusive taxes. Neither of my current opponents took a public stand in support of this issue. 2. I was the only candidate who spoke out publicly against the utility tax proposed by the land lobby in Clay county as being UNNECESSARY - arguing instead that the county should reduce expenses to the level of revenues coming in - and I was proven right by the new sheriff who returned a million dollars a year for the next two years. Neither of my opponents took a public stand in opposition to this issue. 3. I was the only candidate who challenged the appointment by Mrs. Fitzgerald of an unqualified person to the Director of Public Works position. I said that he had already cost the county $90k in an out-of-court settlement, and I was UNFORTUNATELY proven right by his $9 million mistake he left the taxpayers to pay. Neither of my current opponents spoke out against the appointment because they BOTH backed Mrs. Fitzgerald in her relection. 4. I led a group of taxpayers in a SUCCESSFUL fight against Reinhold Corporations efforts to run the Big Dig Tollway through taxpayer-owned conservation land. I was fortunately proven right because the state DOT agreed with us saying it was too expensive. Neither of my opponents spoke out against this route as being too expensive. 5. I led a group of taxpayers to oppose at a public hearing held by the state agency misnamed the Clay County Utility Authority where they approved expenditure of $25k of taxpayer money to buy dinners for developers, update the private Chamber of Commerce's software, and other private functions that should have been paid for by private interests. Neither of my current opponents spoke out against this expenditure. 6. I asked hard but fair questions that couldn't be answered by the developer-appointed Transportation Advisory Committee, which proposed to create another uncontrollable state agency with unlimited powers. Wendell Davis widely advertises his membership in this committee, while David McCall has avoided any position on this issue. 7. I publicly supported the impact fees so strongly opposed by the land lobby in Clay county - something their lobbyists want to push back on the citizens. As our professional county manager has publcly state, if we had had impact fees 20 years ago, they wouldn't need to be so high today, nor would we be so far behind in roads and schools. Those problems lie clearly at the feet of the land lobby in Clay county. Both of my current opponents have stated their opposition to impact fees. Now that I've told you what I've done in the past, let me tell you what I'd like to do in the future: If elected, I will: support impact fees and planned, orderly growth oppose conflicts of interest when appointing people to boards and commissions - we don't need boards composed of builders and contractors voting where to spend money to extend water and sewer lines as we have now recommend that paid lobbyists be required to register with our county government, just like they do in Orange county Let me close by repeating that NEITHER OF MY OPPONENTS have spoken out on a single issue that I took public positions on - except their opposition to impact fees. I hope this helps shed light on the differences between me and my two opponents! If you find yourself in agreement with my public positions on these issues, I hope you will vote for me on August 26 (or earlier) and ask others to do the same. Political advertisement paid for and approved by Tom Platt, Republican candidate for District One County Commissioner. Submitted by wright1950 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 10:35am.
It appears that you negelcted to list another difference between you and your two opponents. You are the only one who has been cited for illegal dumping in a contractor's dumpster. Submitted by clevercaper on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:25am.
Wright 1950 It would be interesting to see the actual documentation showing Mr. Platt was caught and prosecuted for illegally dumping into a contractors dumpster. Clay County does not need another County Commissioner with a dumping scandal in their background.
Submitted by tomplatt08 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:30am.
Clevercaper: See my reply to wright1950. "Winners walk out laughing; losers cry, 'Deal again!'" - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Tom Platt, Republican, for County Commission, District 1. Submitted by wright1950 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:31am.
The case was opened on 5/19/03. He was eventually cleared because he came back and cleaned it up after he was cited. If he had not gotten caught he would not have cleaned it up. This case was handled through the Zoning Department (Case #2003-0811)
Submitted by tomplatt08 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:32am.
Yep! Mea culpa! You are absolutely right: I was cited (with no penalty or fine) approximately 5 years or so ago for taking some scrap building materials from my own newly constructed house down three or four empty lots to the west of my lot to a homebuilder's dumptster on an empty lot in which scrap lumber, and remnants of various construction materials was being disposed (as were many of my brand new neighbors also moving in). I did not know that this was not permitted, and erroneously assumed that because my new neighbors were doing it that it was permissible. But when I was informed by a county employee that putting scrap building material in a container designed for that purpose placed on another lot was not permissible, I went back that same day and removed each item and carried it back to my house and disposed of it from my own lot. When I discussed this with the county employee, I was informed that the matter was closed. I will save you and my two opponents some time in trying to dig up more "dirt" on me by confessing publicly - here and now on the blogs - that if you check with the Sheriff and/or the Highway Patrol you will also find that I have received a few speeding tickets over the past decade in Florida, including Clay County. "Winners walk out laughing; losers cry, 'Deal again!'" - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Tom Platt, Republican, for County Commission, District 1.
Submitted by tomplatt08 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:38am.
No - I removed the materials later in the same day that I taken them to the container. "Winners walk out laughing; losers cry, 'Deal again!'" - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Tom Platt, Republican, for County Commission, District 1. Submitted by wright1950 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:40am.
Don't forget to tell them about your Real Estate background. It appears on the resume your friends have been emailing around. You are not as different as you say.
Submitted by finder on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:56am.
Tom you criminal you! You mean that when they are building multiple homes on a street and you carry an empty box over to the builders dumpster on another lot it is illegal? Holy trash can Batman. They better come and lock up at least 90% of new home owners in EH and FIP. I'd bet this blogger isn't voting for you. What do you think? They must not read very well either. I thought you covered your Real Estate background quite well in another blog. You must be doing pretty well if this is the best they can do. What a crock. Mike Heemer
Submitted by tomplatt08 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 12:05pm.
I'd be glad to honor your request since I hope you will be one of my constituents if I'm lucky enough to be elected. But you failed to tell me which "them" I should tell about my brief career in real estate; and if my brief (less than a year) experiment as a real estate agent upon my retirement from a 24 year career in the apparel industry is being circulated in an e-mail by my friends, then I'm confused as to how I might be "hiding" it? Arthur - oh, excuse me - wright1950, you are truly a tautological terror today, aren't you! "Winners walk out laughing; losers cry, 'Deal again!'" - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Tom Platt, Republican, for County Commission, District 1.
Submitted by tomplatt08 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 12:11pm.
Yep! Political dirt defines desperation.....let's see, now how these things compare: One person causes a $9 million fine paid by taxpayers for illegal dumping of illegal substances on sites not approved for receiving them VERSUS Tom Platt - $0 fine for depositing an armful of construction scraps in a container approved for that purpose on a neighboring construction site where the same materials are being disposed of by the contractor on that site - and then removed the same day by Tom Platt Yeah, I'd say that somebody feels threatened! "Winners walk out laughing; losers cry, 'Deal again!'" - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Tom Platt, Republican, for County Commission, District 1. Submitted by wright1950 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 12:24pm.
Yes you did. Three hours after you were cited.
Submitted by tomplatt08 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 12:36pm.
Mike, as you are also possibly experiencing, one won't know as a candidate how one is doing until the voters tell us on election day! I can only hope that I will do well, and wish you the same good fortune. This exchange with wright 1950 and friend brings to mind how four years ago a nice gentleman in the construction business who supported my opponent came up to me and shook his head, saying, "I can't believe you did what you did." I asked him what he meant, and he said, "I can't believe you beat [your opponent] in her own district and got the majority of Republican votes [countywide]." I then told him thank you, that I felt pretty good about what I had done with as little money as I had - since he and the homebuilders, lobbyists and development community had given so heavily to my opponent. He then said, "Everybody I talked to said you wouldn't be a blip on anybody's radar, and just to ignore you." I ended the friendly exchange by telling him, that I guess we just talk to different audiences. It would appear that they are not ignoring me this time, given their vast resources and contacts in the county building department. I'm also reminded of the warning four years ago from a long-time observer of Clay county politics, who said "Tom, they will dig up any dirt they can to discredit you; and don't worry, if they can't find any they'll just make some up at the last minute after they do the polls to find out where their candidate stands against you." "Winners walk out laughing; losers cry, 'Deal again!'" - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Tom Platt, Republican, for County Commission, District 1. Submitted by ByronM on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 7:22pm.
Finder, I just read you're passionate response to nobackup about his disrespect for the law for parking in the wrong location. You were quite disturbed about people feeling they were above the law. I was wondering where that sentiment was in this case, which honestly seems a bit more aggregrious than parking in front of an ATM. This was no more than somebody who lives in a well-off neighborhood with new houses being built all around who decided that he was entitled to have somebody else (a neighbor's builder) pay to dispose of his garbage. Where is your indignation? Where is your outrage? I'm guesing that such outrage doesn't exist when its your buddy. This kind of reminds me of the fact that Platt recruited a write-in candidate so that nobody but republicans could vote in the primary. Purely tactical to get a leg up. Tactics like that are just plain garbage.
Submitted by finder on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 7:36pm.
I must have left it all with the idiot that parked in a fire lane and called the PSA a bonehead. I hardly think 'scrap building materials' constitutes garbage. But hey, you guys are doing a fine job all by yourselves. You don't need my help. As for recruiting the write-in, I heard that was one of the other candidate's buddy. Mike Heemer Submitted by clayvoter on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 7:52pm.
Finder, Have youever attended a Fleming Island Republican meeting?. The write candidate and Mr. Platt are friends, he even took over after Mr Platt as the FI president. When Fleming Island cancelled the Sherrif debate, the email I got said Mr Platt and Mr. Nelson conferred and decided together to cancell. The write in's wife has been a HUGE, outspoken supporter of Mr. Platt as well. So, my guess is that the other two candiates did not recruit the write in. As far as "talkin' trash" , What adult walks several lots down and gets rid of their own construction debris? I would never go two doors over and deposit my kitchen trash, no matter how many of my neighbors I saw doing it. Submitted by ByronM on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 8:05pm.
Finder, I hardly think 'scrap building materials constitutes garbage. Gee, you must be new to the county, but I would bet that public works would say otherwise these days. Just so I understand, you think its ok for people who are building their homes to dispose of scrap building materials in any dumpster they want because its not garbage. I haven't heard that platform before. As for the write-in, what looks like a duck and quacks like a duck is a duck. Charles Nelson is an officer in Tom's FI Rep. Club, and Tom Platt is quick to remind people the he got the majority of the republican vote in the election he lost. Sounds to me like he's hoping to do so again this time around. I have no idea where you got your info and I don't doubt that is what you were told. We can agree to disagree on that one. I just couldn't resist replying after I read your scathing reply to someone who momentarily parked in the caution lane. That reply was just moments after patting Tom on the head and telling him that he was the victim. To each their own.
Submitted by finder on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 8:16pm.
This was no more than somebody who lives in a well-off neighborhood with new houses being built all around One can only assume that you have never lived in one of these neighborhoods. In any new construction area you see this all the time. I have yet to hear of one builder that ever complained about it. I saw the builders using other builder's dumpsters for the same purpose. One week X has a dumpster with room in it, next week Y has a dumpster with room in it. I guess those Sid guys that used Rosewood's dumpsters in my neighborhood should have been arrested and fined. But then they would have had to arrest and fine the Rosewood guys for using Sid's dumpsters. Hey you got something to pin on Tom to make him a non starter in the running of the race fine. But this is just plain foolishness. Darn what a criminal. Mike Heemer
Submitted by finder on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 8:28pm.
I saw that info on this blog site. It was a while back. I didn't think much of it then and still don't. I'd say the only two people that know for sure are Charles Nelson and the person that recruited him if such actually took place. Which we don't know for sure happened. With my being a write-in candidate I can see where someone might want to do such. I did. Again, I hardly see where taking scrap lumber to a builder's dumpster a few doors down to dispose of it constitutes going to any dumpster he wants but that is your prerogative to think so. I disagree with that but that's my prerogative also. I just can't see how you could elevate this to some issue that would influence a vote. I'd certainly classify this way below the CF deal and she's back on the board after having been found not guilty 3 times. And we still haven't managed to get Ivy in front of a jury. Mike Heemer Submitted by Amie on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 9:18pm.
Has anyone heard anything about when he is going to be in front of a judge? It's been quite awhile since I've heard anyone even bring his name up. Just curious.
Submitted by Baxley on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 9:56pm.
Mike - Now I know why our dumpsters were filling up so fast!!! Glad we could help. Obviously - just kidding. I will confess it is frustrating to pay a couple hundred bucks per pick-up plus $45+/- per ton to get rid of peoples' old sofas, TV's etc. But hey - we're just builders who are getting rich left & right, so we can afford to pay to haul away other peoples' garbage. I'm sure others can do even better justifying this practice. Now back to the real business at hand. I think Dist. 1 voters have a very good cross section of candidates to choose from. And I am glad bloggers get to learn about the candidates on a whole different level via this site. The live Blogs were ok, but reading ongoing comments and debating issues helps paint a better picture of the candidate as a person. In the long run, I don't know if it is good or bad to get involved here as a candidate - some have obviously stayed out of it - but as a fellow blogger I appreciate any candidate (or anyone for that matter) being willing to expose themselves to a process they really can't spin. PS - dumping trash in a builder's dumpster is a rite of passage in most subdivisions. I agree with Tom - it's about like getting a speeding ticket. I've never even heard of anyone being cited. I usually dig for some identifying clue (mail, delivery tag) and take the unauthorized stuff and put it on the driveway. I just wish I could have been there when they came home to find all of their new electronic equipment boxes back in their drive. Bill. Submitted by wright1950 on Tue, 08/19/2008 - 11:33am.
Then why does Nelson have a Tom Platt sign in his yard? People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
Recent comments |
Sounds good to me. I'm ready to vote for Tom Platt.