Readers offer their endorsements of candidates for City Commission, mayor, School Board
Collaborative leader
I am writing to support Christian Newman for Gainesville City Commission, District 4. Christian will work collaboratively with citizens and decision makers to support Gainesville in our effort to be a forward-thinking, equitable and environmentally thoughtful town.
I have confidence in what Christian will bring to Gainesville because I had the privilege of working with him for over 15 years as a project manager and vice president at the company he founded, Pandion Systems. He did what he said he would and was trusted by our team and our clients. We grew because of his leadership and were recognized as a innovators within the environmental sciences field.
I am often asked what inspired me to create a company like First Magnitude Brewing Company and what inspires us to focus on doing good things for our community. Working with Christian gave me the understanding of the innovative, impactful things a small business can do.
We have found success using many of the foundational principles Christian applied to his business. This gives me great confidence in his ability to take his experience and apply it to serving the people of Gainesville on our City Commission.
Christine Denny, president and co-founder, First Magnitude Brewing Company
Specialized talent
Elected to the School Board in 2018, Tina Certain has served with integrity, savvy and compassion during a tumultuous time, including the challenges of pandemic. As a Certified Management Accountant, she brings a specialized talent to the board as the vigilant unofficial watchdog of the people's money, mindful of the fiduciary duty to ensure wisdom and equity in the distribution of resources.
A lifelong resident of Alachua County, she exhibits a deep concern for all students, no matter where they live or what school thavailability to problem-solve about the concerns of residents of any district.ey attend. Although elected from District 1, there have been public testimonials about her
She has been deeply involved in Gainesville For All, the community group created to address the shocking disparities between resources and opportunities between the east and west sides of Alachua County. We will be well-served by her continued presence on the Alachua County School Board.
Susan Cary, Gainesville
Outstanding record
On Aug. 23, the voters in District 2 of the city of Gainesville will have an opportunity to vote for Ed Book. I first met Ed on the racquetball courts at Santa Fe College. Athletic competition reveals the best and worst in men. Ed is the best. He has an outstanding public service record as a professional police officer at the Gainesville Police Department and at Santa Fe College, and as an activist in community affairs.
Leadership, commitment and achievement best describes his diligent efforts to improve and maintain the community’s social fabric and its recreational facilities, and protect the integrity and safety of people and their property. Please go to bookforgnv.com to learn of his many accomplishments.
Those of us who do not live in the city are affected by the decisions of the City Commission. Read your electric bill, for one example! Thus, the quality and character of the City Commission is important. Ed Book is truly an open and valuable book to serve us. Vote for Ed Book.
Arthur Warner, Gainesville
Real representation
There is no time more important than now. We get to vote for the person who we choose to represent us.
I would vote for Jo Beaty as a city commissioner. Why? I know that she has already unofficially represented us at protests, in the media and at frequent City Commission meetings. She can be trusted, is knowledgeable of our needs and advocates for us. She is available for communication when other points of view are needed.
We need honest, available representatives. Do we want real representation on our City Commission, now? Vote for Jo Beaty.
Adele Franson, Gainesville
Experienced leader
I'm voting for Harvey Ward for Mayor and encourage my fellow neighbors and voters to do the same. Our city needs an experienced and wise political leader who will foster a stable administrative environment while providing an open ear for community input.
Harvey Ward is a Gainesville native and a family man whose three kids attend public schools. He will bring wealth of community and professional knowledge to the office and is the best person to fill this important leadership role!
Walt Barry, Gainesville
More letters endorsing candidates:
July 10: Includes letters endorsing Nikki Fried, Gary Gordon, Tom Wells, Danielle Hawk
July 31: Includes letters endorsing Christian Newman, Tina Certain
Uniquely qualified
I am writing to support Christian Newman for City Commissioner. Christian is the exact kind of leader and commissioner we need — smart, trustworthy, hard-working, research- and data-oriented, kind and compassionate.
I've known Christian for many many years — our kids have grown up together and I've worked with Christian during his years owning Pandion Systems. I trust him implicitly. He will be a good steward of our beloved city and help us overcome challenges and be future-facing, asking the right questions about what we want our city to be.
His experience as teacher with Teach for America and at Eastside High School, and as a coach, scientist, business owner and member of the City Plan Board uniquely qualify him for this office.
Join me in supporting Christian Newman for City Commission District 4.
Jamie McClave Baldwin, president, Infotech Consulting
Invaluable background
No matter where you live in Alachua County, in the upcoming Aug. 23 election, you are eligible to mark your ballot to re-elect Tina Certain to the Alachua County School Board.
Tina has worked non-stop during her first term to bring community members together to leverage resources for all students. Her background in accounting has been invaluable in advocating for the transparent use of our tax dollars. It was Tina who warned against that terrible land deal when other board members voted to overpay for land for a new school. And, at all times, Tina has worked to keep our students safe, from COVID and, more recently, in bringing a resolution to the board for safe gun storage.
Vote to give Tina another term to continue her efforts to strengthen public education for all our students. If you vote by mail, your ballot must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day for your vote for Tina to count. Vote early for Tina Certain from Aug. 13 to Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at early voting locations.
Dotty Faibisy, Gainesville
Positive qualities
Gainesville City Commission District 4 candidate Christian Newman has what it takes to be an excellent commissioner. He is at a point in his very accomplished life at which he can bring his unique professional background and positive personal qualities to the role of city commissioner.
Raised in Gainesville, he both graduated from (and years later) taught and coached for several years at Eastside High School. He also taught school in the impoverished Mississippi delta of Arkansas. He has advanced degrees in Wildlife Ecology and in Business Administration. He started and ran (and sold after 13 years) a successful environmental consulting firm in Gainesville. He currently works for an international, renewable energy consulting firm. He possesses scientific and business acumen that will serve us all.
I worked with Christian when he was a City Plan Board member and I was staff liaison. His even temperament, consistent preparation, thoughtful questions, and respectful demeanor toward the public and his fellow Plan Board members at long and sometimes controversial hearings, bode well for the city commissioner that he promises to be. Please join me in supporting him in District 4.
Dean Mimms, Gainesville
More letters endorsing candidates:
Aug. 9: Includes letter endorsing Brandon Peters
Aug. 10: Includes letter endorsing Sarah Rockwell, Tina Certain, Tom Wells
Practices what he preaches
I very strongly support Christian Newman for City Commission District 4. Christian understands Gainesville’s environmental/energy challenges and opportunities because he is a professional scientist with a graduate degree in wildlife ecology.
Christian understands the Gainesville business environment because he started small businesses here and has a graduate degree in business administration. Christian understands the needs of Gainesville’s schools because he began his professional life as a teacher, first in rural Mississippi and then here at Eastside High School. Christian understands how local government works because he served on the City Planning Commission for four years.
Christian grew up in Gainesville. He has raised a family here. Most importantly, Christian Newman recognizes that he does not know everything — that effective governance requires engaging citizens in the decision-making that affects them.
Pertinent to this race, he is professionally trained in public engagement and practices what he preaches. Those who know him speak admiringly of his vision and determination, but also of his humility and willingness to listen, even to those he disagrees with.
I wholeheartedly support Christian Newman because he has the practical, personal and professional experiences required to make the informed, reasoned, evidence-based decisions he is known for.
Jonathan Dain, Gainesville
Wide-ranging experience
The many roles that Christian Newman has filled in the Gainesville community admirably for him to fill more. His experience with many different groups gives him the perspective to make decisions wisely. Most of all his good heart will motivate him to do the best he can for all of us. Vote for Christian, please!
Diana Brantley, Gainesville
Election pieces online
The deadline has passed for submitting letters endorsing candidates in the upcoming election. For links to opinion columns from the candidates, The Sun’s endorsements and , visit bit.ly/august22electioncolumns.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Readers endorse candidates for City Commission, mayor, School Board
