Leon County Commission, Seat 5: A voter's guide to the 2022 general election
Type of race: Non-partisan
Who can vote: All registered voters in District 5
What's next: The winner will take office Nov. 22.
How much does this position pay: $90,577
Campaign coverage
Leon District 5 forum recap: DeBoles-Johnson touts experience; O'Keefe promises new voice
David O'Keefe, Paula DeBoles-Johnson bring differing visions to county District 5 run-off
From the primary: Going for the vacant seat: Candidates debate future for Leon County Commission District 5
ELECTION CENTRAL: Your HQ for everything election related
Candidates
Paula DeBoles-Johnson
Age: 53
Profession: Leon County Government, Employee Engagement and
Performance Manager. Founder/Executive Director of the Capital City Youth
Development Corporation
Qualifications: Longtime resident with extensive experience in administration, program and community development; including managing grants, people, programs, and budgets in excess of $30 million dollars.
Website: ImWithPaula.com
Column from the candidate: Why I’m the right leader for Leon County Commission, District 5 | Paula DeBoles-Johnson
From the primary: I’m not a newcomer. I’m here for the challenge. | Paula DeBoles-Johnson
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be (be specific)?
A: With the right leaders in place, Leon County is positioned to reimagine the way we want to live going forward. The leaders of this county, as decision makers, have the fortuity to move away from the status quo to make positive changes for our neighbors and position us as a beacon and example for the rest of the state and country to follow. I am the right leader. The one thing I want to accomplish would be ensuring that Leon County is properly positioned to make the positive changes most necessary for our sustainability and smart growth as a county.
Q: District 5 is being primed for future expansion of the community. How do you plan to manage the need for housing with smart growth that protects the varying character of the district?
A: Where we live can influence our health, economic potential, and the future of our children. No matter the age, race, ability, or income level, everyone deserves to have the opportunity to live somewhere that is affordable, clean, safe, and convenient. Development decisions affect the things that touch our everyday lives. We can't just allow development without a purposeful plan. We must embrace the concepts of smart growth to ensure that Leon County can be an economically prosperous, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable place to live, helping everyone to flourish.
►► The ultimate Leon County, Tallahassee voter's guide to the 2022 general election
David O'Keefe
Age: 37
Profession: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer for WFSU Public Media.
Qualifications: Fifteen years overseeing the finances of public nonprofits and government organizations, with a proven track record of ensuring resources are used in the public interest.
Website: davidforleon.com
Column from the candidate: Longstanding challenges call for a new direction | David O’Keefe
From the primary: Want to know what a candidate stands for? Follow the money | David O’Keefe
Q: If you can accomplish just one thing in office what would it be?
A: My main objective is to increase the supply of affordable housing. In Leon County, some 29,000 households are spending more than 30% of their income on rent. That’s an unacceptable trend. While this is an issue across the country, we need to do everything we can locally to ensure renters and homebuyers can afford housing amid these trends. By addressing the crisis of affordable housing, we can chip away at many of the other issues we are facing. Families who can afford their housing can better afford childcare, pursue business opportunities, and advocate for their neighborhoods.
Q: District 5 is being primed for future expansion of the community. How do you plan to manage the need for housing with smart growth that protects the varying character of the district?
A: We will allow and encourage housing to be built where it is needed, desired, and feasible. When we are considering infill, we will make sure that new development fits the density and features of the existing neighborhood. For growth on the outskirts of the city, careful consideration must be given to the benefits of a project for the community versus the cost of new infrastructure outside of our urban core. Our comprehensive plan provides us with guidance on how our county will grow. We need to start following through with the rules we have already put in place for ourselves.
►► The ultimate Leon County, Tallahassee voter's guide to the 2022 general election
Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Election 2022: Leon County Commission, Seat 5: A voter's guide
