It's Doug Pettit versus Jake Johansson in Volusia at-large County Council race
DAYTONA BEACH — Jake Johansson and Doug Pettit emerged as the top two vote-getters in the four-candidate Aug. 23 primary election race for the Volusia County Council at-large post.
Johansson finished on top with 33.88% of votes cast, and Pettit was second with 23.72% of votes in the battle to determine who will get a four-year term representing residents throughout the county.
Voters will determine Nov. 8 who will succeed current at-large County Councilman Ben Johnson, who decided not to seek re-election.
Here's a closer look at the candidates.
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Doug Pettit:
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired
Political experience: First time running for an elected position.
What are your top three priorities?
I would not be a supporter of any kind of tax increase, property or sales.
I will do everything possible to stop the rampant overdevelopment we are witnessing countywide.
I will support efforts to protect our water and our environment.
Why are you running?
I have been a resident of Volusia County for 15 years. In that time I have been continually dismayed at the arrogance of our elected officials and the influence the big-money growth industry has on this county. I'm running to give the residents of this county, who seem to have lost hope that they are being heard, a voice.
What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of county councilman you will be?
In 1990 I activated a Marine Reserve unit at Camp Pendleton in California with five days notice, moved 365 Marines to join up with another 300 Marines at Camp Lejuene in North Carolina, and took the combined unit to participate in Operation Desert Shield and eventually Desert Storm. This unit was a combination of male and female Marines of all backgrounds.
The logistic and command details of that experience was enormous, and that we successfully accomplished our mission and returned all of the Marines home was tremendously rewarding. The planning, judgement and decision making of that experience gives me an understanding of the effort that will be required of me on the council.
What is something about Volusia County you treasure and will fight to protect, and conversely, what is something you will fight to change?
The natural beauty of Volusia County is a treasure and needs to be protected, not only for the visual impacts but for the practical impacts of our critically important water issues.
The biggest change I would work for is to enhance the employment and business environment of the county as a means to reduce the burden on taxpayers for funding county operations. We need an improved commercial tax base with enhanced employment and pay opportunities. I would also like to see an increased emphasis on our arts and culture as an economic driver for the future.
Jake Johansson:
Age: 59
Occupation: Leadership consultant
Political experience: No previous elected service
What are your top three priorities?
Ensuring the citizens of our county are safe and have the quality of life they deserve.
Ensuring growth in our county considers the impacts to the environment, our infrastructure, economic development and affordable housing.
Ensuring we are being good stewards of the citizens' tax dollars and our budget is responsive to the needs of our citizens.
Why are you running?
I believe our elected officials should be individual thinkers who have not pledged allegiance to any special interest or person. We currently have a group of candidates that have pledged their allegiance to one person and an agenda that I am not sure represents the majority of the citizens of our county. I am running on a pledge to ALL CITIZENS to listen, cooperate, collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders as well as use common sense in proposing solutions.
What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of county councilman you will be?
I was awarded the Bronze Star for my leadership in battle as Commanding Officer of a 600-sailor Navy squadron flying out of Iraq supporting friendly ground forces. We also contributed to the medical needs of Iraqi citizens around Talil airbase.
We flew over 4,000 combat hours with no casualties while being responsible for the capture of five high-value enemies. I will have the same concern and care for our county’s safety and quality of life as I did my squadron, the local population and the forces on the ground in Iraq.
What is something about Volusia County you treasure and will fight to protect, and conversely, what is something you will fight to change?
I treasure the 30%-plus of preserved land that Volusia County has locked in to conservation. I will fight to protect the land and encourage our county to continue to look for opportunities to protect more using the available and any future funding opportunities. Volusia Forever and ECHO have been approved for the foreseeable future helping us execute that plan.
I will fight to change the “us versus them” attitude in many relationships we have in our county. We need to understand that there are differences of opinion, but we need to come up with some mutually agreeable options to move forward. I intend to be the voice of reason.
You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: The Volusia County Council at-large post race will be decided Nov. 8
