YOUR VOTE — 2016: Q&A with District 1 Manatee County Commission candidates

Three Republican candidates are vying for the Manatee County Commission District 1 seat being vacated by Commissioner Larry Bustle, who is retiring. Because there are no Democrats running, the Aug. 30 primary  election will decide the race. The district encompasses much of northern Manatee County, covering most territory north of the Manatee River and east of Ellenton-Gillette Road, as well as properties on the north side of State Road 64 and east of Interstate 75.

Here, the candidates share their thoughts on local issues.

Corie Holmes
Age: 39
Hometown: Palmetto
Family: Single
Occupation: Manatee County Public Schools trainer/safety officer
About: Corie Holmes grew up in Manatee County and started his career here volunteering as an explorer cadet at age 14 with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. He became a full-fledged deputy in 1995. After 10 years with the sheriff’s office, he became a criminal investigator. Since 2010, he has worked for the school district.

Why are you running for office?
I’m running for office because I care about our county and the people in it.

What do you believe will be the biggest issues that will arise due to expected growth?
The management of the county budget, how we pay for infrastructure and services and how growth impacts the quality of life of citizens will continue to be the most major issues for the foreseeable future.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your district?
Preservation of people’s quality of life, small business development and environmental concerns related to phosphate mining.

What are the biggest opportunities within your district?
People are really motivated now to want change because they know the status quo has not been working for them. I look forward to working with the people of my district to effect the change we need to make their lives better.

What road project, not currently being constructed, do you believe is important for residents?
The maintenance of Desoto Bridge, and how are we logistically going to coordinate the traffic during this operation. The county continues to be reactive to these important safety issues.

How do you feel about a water park on State Road 64?
I believe the most appropriate course of action about the water park proposal is to survey the surrounding community first in order to assess their concerns such as impact to existing neighborhoods, the environment and existing business. Of course, I am always skeptical when the county relies on developers’ surveys and impact statements when big projects like these come up.

Do you think our fire and police are staffed well enough to meet the need?
No. I have been most vocal concerning this issue, even speaking out with Sheriff Brad Steube regarding having the adequate number of deputies to serve our growing county. As a former deputy, I will support providing for more units to protect all our citizens of Manatee County.

Could you please talk about three issues you deem most important that you already haven't addressed in the questions above?
For the sake of our budget and the greater good, we need to reassess the tenure of County Administrator Ed Hunzeker. Every year, he gets glowing marks from the majority BOCC, yet under his leadership, what has he done? Bankrupt the Indigent Care Fund and bring the Emergency Reserve Fund to a condition of near bankruptcy vis-à-vis his “Kicking the Can Down the Road” way of budget management. Heaven help us if we have a disaster like a hurricane or a man-made one from phosphate mining, or another real estate bubble burst. Our county will go bankrupt.

What separates you from the other candidates?
I would have to say that it’s my gut-level honesty about the budget and why it is in such a state of crisis that distinguishes me from the rest.

Ron Reagan
Age: 62
Hometown: Parrish
Family: Wife, Lynn; three children and seven grandchildren
Occupation: Insurance agent
About: Ron Reagan and his family moved to Manatee County in 1973. He and his children are all graduates of the University of South Florida. Reagan has worked in the insurance industry for more than 30 years.

Why are you running for office?
I am running for this office so that I can work to improve our quality of life and make Manatee County an even better place to live. Also, I hope to help diversify our economy.

What do you believe will be the biggest issues that will arise due to expected growth?
The biggest issue that will arise do to our expected growth is the needs for roads. In addition, we need to be conscience of the need for additional public safety and schools.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your district?
The biggest challenges to this district will be properly planning our growth, the need for additional roads, and working with the school board for additional schools.

What are the biggest opportunities within your district?
The biggest opportunities in the district is having the district grow so that residents can live, work and play without having to get in their car and drive. In addition, we have a great opportunity to expand and grow Port Manatee to help grow and diversify our economy.

What road project, not currently being constructed, do you believe is important for residents?
We will continue to need additional roads as we grow. Within the district, we will need to look at the expansion of Moccasin Wallow road, as well as other east-west roads.

How do you feel about a water park on State Road 64?
I generally support public/private partnerships, but I am not sure a water park at the Tom Bennett Park makes sense.

Do you think our fire and police are staffed well enough to meet the need?
I believe we need to continue to give the tools needed by our sheriff's department to do its job. Public safety must be a priority and it must be a part of our properly planned growth.

Could you please talk about three issues you deem most important that you already haven't addressed in the questions above?
Other issues that are important include: finding a way to take care of medical costs for lower income and working families, to find a way to improve our aging infrastructure, and find a way to help provide attainable and affordable housing for working residents.

What separates you from the other candidates?
My background as a former state legislator and the people I have met while a legislator will help me as a commissioner. As commissioner for District 1, I will work to diversify our economy by working to help Port Manatee grow. We can work with groups such as the Manatee Chamber, to encourage economic growth and create new jobs.

Priscilla Whisenant Trace
Age: 59
Hometown: Parrish
Family: Husband Craig; son, Blake
Occupation: Tree farmer
About: Priscilla Trace grew up in District 1, graduating from Palmetto High School. She later graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture. She and her husband, Craig, started Ellenton Nursery, a business they’ve had for 30 years.

Why are you running for office?
I love this county and now that my son is taking over the business, I have the time to better serve. I have always volunteered by helping the kids at the county fair, little league, the local library and other civic and church activities. We need good leadership. With my intimate knowledge of the area and business background, I feel that I can help lead this county forward.

What do you believe will be the biggest issues that will arise due to expected growth?
Traffic is already a huge problem. We need to start focusing on getting ahead of the problems instead of reacting. With impact fees at 100%, we need to spend the money on new infrastructure.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your district?
Growth. We have to keep our communities compatible. I will fight to keep high density out of District 1. For 30 years, I have been in business managing the land and our natural resources. I will continue to do so.

What are the biggest opportunities within your district?
I want to work with the residents in the district on a one-on-one basis. I want to help Rubonia achieve sidewalks, for Parrish to start a historic district and for Duette to reclaim the one-room school house as a community center. I will work with the city of Palmetto to achieve its goals.

What road project, not currently being constructed, do you believe is important for residents?
A big project I would love to see accomplished is rerouting 301 off the Desoto Bridge. Somewhere between Ellenton Gillette and Canal Road, a new bridge would have to be built. It is hard to believe three major roads use the Desoto bridge, which has reached its life span.

How do you feel about a water park on State Road 64?
I oppose the water park for many reasons. Bennett Park is supposed to be a passive park. It is in a water sensitive area. There is only one way in. But the biggest reason is the county should not be in the attraction business. If it is a good deal, let a business finance it and go through the proper channels.

Do you think our fire and police are staffed well enough to meet the need?
No. We have to find more funding for our first responders and emergency personnel. We are losing good people to surrounding areas due to our low pay scale.

Could you please talk about three issues you deem most important that you already haven't addressed in the questions above?
Improve communication between county, state and local municipalities. We need to work together. Prioritizing projects. Projects must be prioritized by need and safety. I would like to work with the state to have more flexibility to use tourist tax within the county.

What separates you from the other candidates?
I am a well-respected, businesswoman and agriculturist. I understand managing our land use and natural resources. Since I have decided to run, I have received letters from people thanking me for running. They say my integrity and honesty is what this county needs. I am humbled by this and inspired to work diligently for my community, friends and family.