Readers comment on candidates for School Board, mayor and City Commission

Making a difference

Having read Andrew Caplan’s piece regarding the rent that Kay Abbitt is paid annually, he must be under the wrong impression that the property was turnkey ready. It definitely wasn’t. It needed hours and hours of just cleaning it out and cleaning it. It needed major construction work .

None of this was mentioned by Caplan. The wrong impression that was left with his readers is lamentable. The $140,000 purchase price was just the beginning of the costs associated with creating a school.  

Those of us who saw the Boulware property when it was first purchased were quite skeptical. How could this be turned into a school? It needed so very much work! However, Kay had a vision. She saw the potential the property held, and turned it into Boulware Springs Charter School — the same way she sees the potential in children, and turns them into successful students.

I have an “Elect Kay Abbitt” sign in my front yard. When asked why, I tell them, “Because Kay can.” Kay has made a difference through Boulware Springs and she can make a difference when elected to the School Board. Please remember to vote for Kay on Aug. 23.

Pat Lopez, Gainesville

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Readers comment on the School Board, GRU bills and more

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Skilled candidates

Two School Board candidates have shown master skills in areas sorely needed on the board and should get your vote to improve Alachua County Public Schools and protect the future of public education. As current co-chair of the ACPS District Advisory Council and having known each of them for several years, I fully support:

• Tina Certain, who exhibited financial leadership consistently her first term. Her fight against the land purchase is classic Tina. A tight-fisted accountant, she fights for every district dollar to ensure every child and school receives the most resources possible rather than wasting tax dollars, despite constant pushback from the board majority.

• Prescott Cowles, who has exceptional logistics, planning and research skills. His insight gained applying those skills throughout the district during the pandemic are invaluable in understanding how the district does — and does not — work. Prescott’s energy and next-generation perspective are a much-needed boost to a board in need of a new leaf. He brings a balance of analysis, energy, holistic understanding of district logistics and an excellent research background used during COVID to protect students and staff.

Vote Tina Certain and Prescott Cowles!

Julie Crosby, Gainesville

Pragmatic solutions

Alachua County Public Schools have been significantly challenged to deliver equitable educational outcomes. Diyonne McGraw has a plan to address this: focus early on reading, comprehension and phonetics; deliver holistic services to families; and keep kids busy after school and in the summer.

Alachua County needs jobs. McGraw has a plan for this too: create a world-class workforce development program within the public school system that delivers exceptional talent to the county, state and nation.

We have a trust problem in Alachua County: a public school system that does not educate everyone equally, a public school system that overpays for land and a state government that meddles. McGraw also has a plan for this: operate transparently, share information openly and communicate clearly. McGraw has a plan.

McGraw offers pragmatic solutions to fundamental challenges. McGraw is a leader. Gainesville can trust Diyonne … Gainesville can count on Diyonne. On Aug. 23, vote Diyonne McGraw for School Board, District 2

Jeffrey N. King, Gainesville 

Natural leader

Gary Gordon is a natural leader. In grade school he consistently asked intelligent questions and astutely commented on current events and political nuances. He accompanied his father to City Commission meetings and developed keen insight onto the workings of local government. I learned much from Gary's brilliant class participation.

Gary has published books, plays, screenplays and newspaper columns. Playing inspiring music on stage, his political satire was also enlightening. As Gainesville city commissioner and mayor in the '80s, he led the effort for recycling. He served to keep utility rates, cable costs and local taxes down; prevent state intrusion on local government; and support communication workers, firefighters, police and the bus system. He worked to protect the environment.  

It is a mistake to think his political career was over. As executive director of the Small Business Association in Santa Monica, Calif., Gary was involved with City Hall personnel, neighborhood groups and the Chamber of Commerce.    

Gary Gordon is fiscally conservative and abundant in critical thinking. He pays attention. He is honest, sensible, realistic and discerning. Gary has the experience, problem-solving skills and personal investment in his hometown necessary to guide the stable and congenial growth of Gainesville.

Jacqueline Fellers Pace, Gainesville 

Standout candidates

With so many candidates running for local office, two stand out to me as people we need right now: Harvey Ward for mayor and Bryan Eastman for District 4, both progressives with a track record of getting things done.

Harvey Ward deserved The Sun’s endorsement for mayor with his proven track record of getting things done. He holds no axes to grind nor does he pine for turning back the clock. Harvey knows where our community has been and will champion practical solutions so our community can meet the future.

Bryan Eastman embodies leadership qualities much needed in the new generation of public servants. He is level-headed, whip smart and has a clear understanding of policy and how city government functions. Bryan and I worked closely together in 2018 to defeat Keith Perry’s and Chuck Clemons’ Gainesville Regional Utilities privatization scheme. The organizational and implementation skills I observed in him were exceptional and will serve him well in office.

Susan Bottcher, Gainesville 

Unique blend

I have known Christian Newman directly as a neighbor and indirectly by reputation as a "boss" in the several successful environmental businesses he has started, managed and sold. He is a solid family man who likes to gut and refinish bathrooms on his own and make his own limoncello from the trees he grows in his backyard.

Christian has the business and management experience, leadership skills, and professional and personal networks that will allow him to develop bipartisan solutions to our city's problems and to chart a locally driven path to the future. Since he was born, bred and educated in Gainesville and currently lives adjacent to the University of Florida, he has an appreciation and understanding of our unique "culture" of distinct neighborhoods.

His unique blend of business smarts, good humor, experience and burnished ethical core suits him for the strategic dances we need moving forward.

Della McMillan Wilson, Gainesville

Election pieces online

The deadline has passed for submitting letters endorsing candidates in the upcoming election. For links to previous letters, opinion columns from the candidates, The Sun’s endorsements and videos of candidate interviews, visit bit.ly/august22electioncolumns.

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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters on candidates for School Board, mayor and City Commission