Questionnaire: David Williams Jr., candidate for Florida House, District 102

Editor’s note: We’ve edited candidate questionnaires to remove answers that could be used for identity theft. However, we’ve kept address information in races where it legally matters where you live.

Name: David Williams Jr.

Age: 66

Family status: Divorced with Three Children

Address: 17640 NW 18 Ave Miami Gardens, Fl. 33056

Please tell us about your education and the highest degree you attained.

2002, Internal Medicine Endocrinology – Longevity Center of South Florida

William A. Abelove M.D. – F.A.C.P.

Preceptorship: Obesity and Weight Management

2001, Clinical Professor of Medicine

Elliott G. Levy M.D. – F.A.C.P.

University of Miami School of Medicine

Preceptorship: Cardiovascular Disease

1998, Duke University

Duke Diet and Fitness Center

Preceptorship: Diet and Fitness

1990, Barry University

Miami, Florida

Master of Science / Human Resources Development and Administration

1975, Veterans Hospital

Tuskegee, Alabama

Clinical Training and Certification in Corrective Therapy

1975, Florida A & M University

Tallahassee, Florida

Bachelor of Science in Health

Please outline your work history for the past 15 years.

2017 – 2019 Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) – Carol City Senior High School, Science Interventionist

2005 – 2018 Informed Families / The Florida Family Partnership

Florida Director of Community Relation

1997 – 2005 Abbott Laboratories / Knoll Pharmaceuticals

Territory Manager – Cardiology Specialty Group 2005

Territory Manager – Endocrine Metabolic Specialist – Abbott Laboratories 2003 – 2004

Business Team Leader – Abbott Laboratories 1999 – 2001

Sr. Prof. Specialty Representative – Endocrine Metabolic Unit (Knoll Pharmaceuticals) 1997

1978 – 1997 Warner Lambert Company

Territory Manager, Consumer Health Product Group Marketing Training

Trainer Southeast Region 1998 – 1999

Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime? Have you ever received a “withheld adjudication” or had a matter sealed or expunged? If yes, please explain. (We have had a number of candidates answer yes and still get our endorsement.)

No

Have you ever been a plaintiff or a defendant in a civil action, including bankruptcy or foreclosure, or had a restraining order issued against you? If so, please explain. (Same as above.)

No.

Are you a member of any civic groups? If so, please name them.

No, due to my At Large Position with the City of Miami Gardens, over the last two years I stepped down from being directly involved in civic engagements due to possible conflicts while serving as a City of Miami Gardens Official. However, I previously was active with the following civic organizations:

The Children’s Trust Governing Board – 2008 – 2011 Governor Charlie Crist Appointee

South Florida Family Medical Foundation, Chairman, Board of Directors 2007 – 2018.

American Cancer Society, Board Member

Alliance for Aging, Board Member 1999

State of Florida Health and Human Services Board District 11a, Chairman 1996- 1998

MECA / MDCPS Founding Member of the Board of Directors 1991 – 1997

Informed Families, Chairman – Board of Directors 1995 – 1997

State of Florida Committee of Practitioners of Vocational Education – Appointment by Education Secretary 1991 -1993

North Dade Youth and Family Coalition – Chairman – Board of Directors 2010 – 2018

Children’s Trust – Executive Committee Member 2009 – 2011

MDCPS Wellness Advisory Committee 2007 – 2010

Jessie Trice Community Health Center Inc. – Board of Directors 2006 – 2018

MDCPS -Superintendent Family and Community Involvement Advisory Committee 2006 – 2009

Early Learning Coalition – Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Board of Directors 2001 – 2015

North Dade Community Federal Credit Union – Board of Directors, Chairman and Vice Chairman 2001 – 2015

Guardian Ad Litem – Miami-Dade County 1999 – 2001

The Kellogg Family Foundation Project Advisory Board Committee 1995 -1997

Health and Human Services Board of Directors, Vice Chairman 1994 – 1996

Florida DCF District 11A Legislative / Finance Committee 1994 – 1995

County Commissioner District 1, Community Liaison 1993 – 1996

Parkway Elementary School PTA President 1984 – 1994

Have you ever run for office before? If so, where and when?

I have been an elected official for the past 10 years. I was first appointed in 2010 and have won two consecutive four-year terms terming out this year.

Why are you running for this office?

I am running because I want to continue to make a difference in the everyday lives of all people. I believe that I have built a solid record of accomplishments in the City of Miami Gardens and in many other cities around the country. I would like an opportunity to expand on the programs that I implemented in Miami Gardens. I am proud to have started the Elementary Science and Engineering Fair and competition 10 years ago the only one of it kind by a municipality to this date in the country. I am also proud to have started eight years ago another one of its kind to our knowledge to this date by a municipality a Fruit based Botanical garden. I have been able to import lifesaving fruit trees from around the world that have benefited our residents and prolonged their lives in some cases.

Why should voters vote for you?

Because I have proven that I can make a difference in the lives of the residents of Miami Gardens and my accomplishments are a matter of public record. I believe that I am the best candidate in this race and the one that can advance the interests of the residents of District 102.

What grade would you give the Florida Legislature for how it works? Why?

I would give the legislature a Grade of B because I believe that the political imbalance at the legislature creates a drag on its ability to be the beneficiary of an A grade.

Top issues: In your view, what are the top three issues facing Florida?

1.Teacher Pay

2. Budget short fall

3.Protecting the water supply from the effects of contamination as a result of toxic materials being discharged into our state waterways.

Coronavirus: How would you assess state government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and is there anything you would have done or would do differently?

The State response to the pandemic has been mediocre at best. The state lagged in imposing restrictions and reopened to soon. The state should have tested everyone Look at what is happening currently with the increasing numbers of positive cases, deaths and hospitalization.

Criminal justice: In response to the killing of George Floyd and ensuing social unrest, what changes are needed, if any, to the laws that govern criminal justice in Florida?

Reformation within Criminal Justice system, removal of the no knock policy , the choke hold practice , revision of the psychological testing policies that restrict the number of minority entrants ,a statewide investigative agency for law enforcement and updated and upgraded training practices..

Gov. DeSantis: How would you assess the performance of Gov. Ron DeSantis?

I would say that the governor has done a fair job overall.

Unemployment: What, if any, changes are needed to Florida’s unemployment compensation system?

Modernization so that the deficiencies that have been exposed by the Pandemic could be corrected once and for all.

State budget: Given the impact of the coronavirus on the state’s general revenues, how would you approach the tough budget choices ahead?

Acceptance of the Federal Medicaid assistance and better choices in appropriations.

Explore other funding sources for ex. Collecting sales on out of state sellers

Reopening schools: Are you confident the state’s public schools can reopen safety? What procedures do you favor?

Given the current situation I support the reopening of schools under strict protocols and a combination of smaller classes mixed with virtual school, alternating days and a day for cleaning.

Mail-in voting: Do you support widespread use of mail-in voting? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I support mail in voting because it is proven to be reliable and it will avoid putting citizens at risk during this Pandemic and there should be a cost savings.

School safety: It’s been a little over two years since the nation’s worst high school shooting happened in Parkland. How would you assess the progress in making schools safe, and what more should be done?

400,000.00 million dollars were appropriated in the first year with additional resources made available in the second. The progress has been fair but given the resources made available at the expense of other critical needs, there should be greater accountability and reporting on the progress made to date.

Amendment 4: Do you support the governor’s continued appeal of this case? Why or why not?

I do not support that appeal because the voters have spoken and the Law should now be respected like all existing laws.

Short-term rentals: Should short-term vacation rentals be regulated uniformly statewide or regulated at the local level? Why?

They should be regulated because they are revenue generated instruments and there is revenue to be garnered from their use.

Climate change: What should Tallahassee be doing, if anything, to address climate change?

Reduce the greenhouse gas footprint, pesticide runoff and more solar energy plants.

Gun safety: Do you believe background checks should be conducted on all gun sales, including firearm purchases made privately, online and at gun shows? Yes. What changes, if any, do you believe are needed on gun laws? Limits on the number of guns purchased

Marijuana: Do you support the full legalization of marijuana in Florida? Why or why not?

Yes.

Full legalization of marijuana could be the answer to the potential budgetary problems of the state. I support legalization that will generate tax revenue in the millions.

School funding: In 2019, the Legislature passed HB 7123, which requires that all future local tax increases for education be shared with charter schools. Do you support or oppose this, and why or why not?

I support the laws of the State. I would not support this law given the opportunity. When all schools are required to follow the same rules, I would consider supporting.

Abortion: Do you believe reforms are needed around the issue of abortion?

Roe vs Wade is the law of the land and it should be followed. Medical coverage should be available.

How much money have you raised so far? Please include today’s date.

As of today’s date I have raised $ 40,000.00

Have you received any other endorsements? If so, which ones?

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, Lauderdale Lakes Commissioner Beverly Williams

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