ELECTION 2010: GreyHawk Landing CDD Seat 5

In the weeks leading up to the general election, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, The East County Observer will profile contested races pertinent to East County residents.

Twelve GreyHawk Landing residents are lobbying for the opportunity to represent the community as it transitions from developer-controlled to resident-controlled. Anthony “Tony” Francis and Scott Ziegler are challenging incumbent Sandy McDonald for Seat 5.

CDD Seat 5
Anthony “Tony” Francis
Age: 68
Family: Married with three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Hometown: Baldwin, N.Y.
Education: Aviation High School, New York City, N.Y.
Career: Retired as an operating engineer

Why are you running for a CDD seat?
I decided to become a candidate for the CDD board because of my dissatisfaction with the practices and policies of the current board member.

What is your experience as a community leader?
I served as treasurer of the homeowner’s association in the community where I previously lived in Baldwin, N.Y.

What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
The biggest challenge currently is having all the concerns of all the residents being equally considered and addressed by the CDD board.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have a positive influence on your service as a board member?
I was employed as field manager for GreyHawk Landing, and this experience gave me a broad understanding of the needs of the community.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
I would strive to implement policies that represented the best interests and security of all the residents of GreyHawk Landing and do so in a fiscally responsible manner with the utmost transparency.

Sandy McDonald
Age: (Not given)
Family: Married with three children
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Education: college
Career: research administration, grants and contracts

Why are you running for a CDD seat? 
GreyHawk Landing is a wonderful community that offers a small-town feel. I have a strong belief in our operating as a community — for the collective good of the community verses operating as a collection of individuals pursuing individual interests.

What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I was elected to the GreyHawk Board of Supervisors in June 2007. I have held the positions of assistant secretary, vice chair and chair.

What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
Finances: foreclosures, vacant homes, potential loss of assessment income and depreciating home values. Security: Any community, regardless of the price of the homes, is subject to crime. Institutional Memory: For the first time, our board will not contain members from our development company, Sam Rodgers and Co. We are losing a tremendous amount of knowledge.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have a positive influence on your service as a board member?
My background in contract negotiations and administration provides me with a sound understanding of contractual obligations and Florida statute, which governs our CDD.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
Closing the remaining four entrance gates and finally getting the security cameras operational at all gates; paying off ahead of schedule the purchase of our streetlights; improving contractual services without an increase in rates; and establishing our next set of long-range goals.

Scott D. Ziegler
Age: 34
Family: Married with two children.
Hometown: Hattiesburg, Miss.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Mississippi State University; bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Northwestern State University
Career: 11 years in cement and concrete manufacturing management

Why are you running for a CDD seat? 
I want to ensure the focus of the CDD is safety and security, enhancing the standard of living in the community and rein in fiscal irresponsibility of the budget and expenses.
 
What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I have held no prior elected office but have been active in community volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross Relief and coastal cleanup after Hurricane Katrina.
 
What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
There are two: No. 1, community safety and security. No. 2, fiscal management during budgeting process and expenditures.
 
What life or business experiences do you have that would have a positive influence on your service as a board member?
I have worked with people from diverse backgrounds on difficult projects and have responsibilities for creating, implementing and improving budgets with multi-million dollar companies.
 
As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
To re-focus our CDD on the people and property that make GreyHawk Landing the best place to live in East Manatee, as well as for continual improvements to our clubhouse, recreational fields and trails and all common areas. I want to produce a workable, realistic budget for our community.