OILF Endorsements

As I peruse my ballot and see familiar names, both good and bad, it occurs to me again that I'm so happy to be home.

Now let's kick some ass.

President and Vice-President: Barack Obama and Joe Biden
Okay, so you were right. A few of my friends have talked me into volunteering for the campaign so I guess I gotta vote for them. I do wish Obama's policies were more progressive which only furthers my belief that the day after the election, the real work begins.

Congress District 9: Bill Mitchell
Mitchell is an educated man who appears thoughtful, well-read, and wise. So not Bilirakis. Mitchell believes in a timely withdrawal in Iraq, opposes offshore oil drilling, and supports a woman's right to choose.

State Representative District 60: Ed Homan
Homan is a physician and lawmaker whose years of experience seem to make him a thoughtful and measured legislator. He's against offshore oil drilling and wants more children in our pre-kindergarten programs.

Property Appraiser: Rob Turner
Turner doesn't seem as off the wall as his opponent. He also promises "to cut costs and improve service during what looks to be tight times ahead."

Tax Collector: Doug Belden
Belden has developed a web site, started electronic payments, decreased customer wait times, and increased the percentage of calls answered within 20 seconds. This year, he became the first tax collector in the state to win the Governor’s Sterling Award.

Supervisor of Elections: Phyllis Busansky
I've been a huge fan of hers since she was a County Commissioner in the late 1980s. Everything she's done, she's made better. It'd be good to have her back.

Board of County Commissioners District 2: Ken Hagan
Seems to work well with others and has had a few successes with traffic issues and child safey laws. Has no opponent.

Board of County Commissioners District 6: Kevin Beckner
Because Brian Blair is batshit crazy. 'Nuff said.

Justice of the Supreme Court Charles T. Wells: Should he be retained? Yes.
Wells was appointed by Lawton Chiles. In 2008, the lawyers who appear before him recommended he continue. Good enough for me.

District Court of Appeals: Should all judges be retained? Yes.
A good majority of all lawyers who appear before them voted for retention.

School Board Member District 7: Stephen Gorham
Kurdell has been there a long time and our schools aren't getting any better. Gorham is married to a teacher and would do better for our educators and students.

Soil and Water Conservation District Group 2: Undecided
Jeffrey Garbus is a Libertarian and Betty Jo Tompkins seems like a country gal who loves W. I have no clue which is worse.

Amendment 1: Yes.
This deletes language which allows the Legislature to create laws to prevent aliens ineligible for citizenship from owning property. Our Constitution shouldn't include discriminatory language dating back to the 1920s. We're better than that.

Amendment 2: No
This would define marriage in the state Constitution as between one man and one woman. Again - we're better than that. This could also prevent public employers from providing domestic partner benefits to employees who are part of a same-sex couple.

Amendment 3: Yes
Owners of homes and other residential property would receive small property tax breaks for improvements in energy efficiency and hurricane protection, such as permanent shutters. The tax breaks would be minimal, but it could lead to lower insurance and utility payments. Plus it's good for the environment.

Amendment 4: Yes
This has widespread support among environmental groups. If a landowner signs a conservation easement on their land to restrict its use “in perpetuity”, then they don't have to pay property taxes.

Amendment 6: Yes
Marinas, commercial fishing facilities and other “working waterfront” businesses could receive a property tax break because the property would be assessed according to current use rather than potential use. Seems fair to me.

Amendment 8: Yes
Community colleges should be better funded and a local referendum would put that decision directly in the community's hands.

Providing County Mayor with Veto Powers: No.

Continue Financing Environmental Lands: Yes.

Keep in mind, folks, that I'm voting this way because I think it's the right route to take. Not because I think all these picks will win. (RedSoxcoughRedSox)

And if you think I'm wrong, please let me know. I haven't voted yet.