The time to tackle our big challenges is now | Jay Revell
Leon County is a special place. We’re blessed to live in an incredible community. We do, however, have some big challenges to tackle, and I believe the time to do that work is now.
I decided to run for the Leon County Commission because like many of our neighbors, I’m frustrated that our most pressing challenges don’t seem to be getting the attention they deserve. Behind each door that I’ve knocked on in this campaign is a conversation about housing affordability, violent crime, and the need to create better paying jobs in our community. The people I’ve met across District 5 all have a deep love for Leon County, but many are worried that these mounting challenges are beginning to affect our beloved quality of life.
I know we can build a bright future in Leon County, but to do so we must have a sharp focus on solving the problems that continue to plague us. With clear thinking, vast community engagement, and bold leadership, we can change our trajectory for the better. I’ve spent my whole career working to make our community an even better place to live and I’m ready to continue that work as your next Leon County Commissioner.
In my business, I strive to find ways to turn challenges into opportunities. I believe we can take that same approach here in Leon County. While the issues we face are pressing, we also have all the ingredients needed to create a safe, affordable, and thriving future.
Fortunately, there’s a ready-made opportunity for us to chart that course. In 2024, Tallahassee and Leon County both turn 200 years old. Our bicentennial is an important occasion to both reflect on our past and set a new course for the century ahead. After nine months of campaigning, it is clear to me that our community is ready to pursue a bold vision for the future.
To build that vision, we must be sure to address the concerns of our community at large. That includes building new, affordable neighborhoods that better reflect our character and preserve the beauty of our environment. It includes bringing better paying jobs to Leon County and making the business climate more friendly to small, local companies. It also means investing in strategies that strengthen our sense of community, intervene with our at-risk youth, and provide pathways for all our neighbors to build a more hopeful future. By putting those needs first, we can finally grow in a way that works for everyone.
No matter what part of Leon County you call home, you deserve to love where you live. I’ve listened to our neighbors in District 5 and am confident that we can work together to ease the frustrations felt across our community. Through hundreds of front porch conversations, multiple town hall meetings, and lots of grocery store aisle chats, I’ve heard your desire to feel good about where our community is headed.
If you trust me with your vote this August, I promise to spend my time on the Leon County Commission working to solve our problems and face our biggest challenges.
We can’t afford to kick the can down the road any longer. It’s time to come together, build consensus, and create a future we can all believe in.
Jay Revell is a candidate for the Leon County Commission in District 5. He is a local small business owner and lives in Woodland Drives neighborhood with his family. Candidates seeking office get the opportunity to publish one Opinion column before the primary and one column before the general election.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The time to tackle our big challenges is now | Jay Revell
