♪ ♪ >> WELCOME TO THE FOURTH SERIES A POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST 23 PRIMARY ELECTION.

THIS FORUM IS A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU MEDIA.

OUR CANDIDATES TODAY ARE RUNNING FOR THE LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT LARGE GROUP TO SEE.

I AM SUZANNE SMITH FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA I'M JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD AND DANIEL EARL DANIEL ERWIN.

WE WILL BE QUESTIONING CANDIDATES ON TOPICS TODAY.

THAT'S GET A QUICK LOOK AT THE GROUND RULES AND BEAT THE CANDIDATE.

>> WELCOME EVERYBODY TO CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY COMMISSION AT LARGE GROUP TO OUR LEFT TO RIGHT COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX THE ENCAMPMENT YOU IS JOINING US VIA ZOOM TODAY.

COMMISSIONER CAN YOU TELL US WHY YOU ARE APPEARING VIRTUALLY TODAY.

>> I AM ACTUALLY TAKING THE BOARD OF AND HOW THEY ARE SOLVING THEIR PROBLEMS.

>> FROM THERE WE HAVE RUDY FERGUSON, JOSH JOHNSON AND DOMINIQUE DANIELLE ZUMBO.

FOR THOSE WATCHING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND LET ALL YOUR FRIENDS SEE THE DISCUSSION TODAY AS WELL.

HERE IS HOW THE FORUMS WILL WORK.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS BUT WE WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO 60 SECONDS AND SOMETIMES SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UP SPRAYED WE HAVE A COUPLE TO GO A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

WE WILL TELL YOU THE QUESTIONS OF HOW LONG YOU HAVE.

WE WILL KEEP TIME AND WE HAVE A HIGH-TECH WAY OF DOING THAT.

WE WILL DING A BELL WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP AND THIS IS WHAT IS GOING TO SOUND LIKE.

AT THAT POINT YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP RIGHT THEN BUT FINISH HER SENTENCE AND WE WILL MOVE ON.

IN THE MIDDLE OF A FORUM WE HAVE A LIGHTNING ROUND.

AND THAT WE ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ONE SENTENCE AND AT THE END OF THE FORUM WE WILL GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS TO MAKE THE CASE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS IN SHARE YOUR WEBSITE OR ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

>> IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM IN THE COMMENTS AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS VERY LIMITED YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF A QUESTION BEING ASKED IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF, POLITE AND APPLICABLE TO ALL CANDIDATES.

CANDIDATES DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN?

NO, EXCELLENT.

LET'S JUMP IN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> THE FIRST QUESTION WILL BE ONE MINUTE LONG AND IT IS WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE AFFECTING LEON COUNTY AND WHY?

MADDOX, YOU WILL BEGIN.

>> I THINK IT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR LEON COUNTY.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MINIMUM WAGE UP TO $15 AN HOUR LOOKING FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THAT ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THE STATE HAS MANDATE 25 I BELIEVE.

EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT $15 AN HOUR AND WITH THE PRICES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IT JUST DOESN'T LAND.

TRYING TO CREATE JOBS THAT ARE $15 AND ABOVE THAT CREATE A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVABLE WAGE AND SPEND LESS THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS.

INFLATION, WE TALK ABOUT PROBLEM, WE TALK ABOUT INFLATION AS A RESULT OF THE MONEY THAT THE FED GAVE OUT FOR COVID BELIEF.

WE HAD NO INVASION THAT WAS GOING TO COME AROUND BACK TO US.

RIGHT NOW WE SEE INFLATION AND ALSO INTEREST RATES.

OVERALL EVERY OTHER ISSUE WE DID TALK ABOUT CRIME AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE CREATIVE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

I BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN AND THAT AFFECTS ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES.

IT AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITIES, IT AFFECTS TUITION AND ARE MAJOR INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING AND A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS GUN VIOLENCE WHICH IS RAPIDLY INCREASED IN OUR COUNTY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THAT'S ASSIGNED TO TELL US THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS AFFECTED DIRECTLY BY GUN VIOLENCE WILL ALSO BE INDIRECTLY AFFECTED IN REGARDS TO OUR ECONOMY NOT JUST OUR ECONOMY THAT PLAYS A ROLE WITH HER POVERTY LEVELS.

WHEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH GUN VIOLENCE.

PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE COMING TO TALLAHASSEE ARE A LITTLE BIT HESITANT BECAUSE UNSURE OF THEIR SAFETY.

OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

SO THAT WE CAN BECOME A SAFE AND HEALTHY VIBRANT COUNTY.

I AM RUDY FERGUSON AND I APPROVE THAT MESSAGE.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> FOR ME IT IS VERY SIMPLE ANSWER.

THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS MAKING PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN EQUITABLE ENDEAVOR.

AND WHY THAT IS MY ANSWER IS BECAUSE THAT IS THE RIVER IN WHICH ALL THE OTHER TRIBUTARY ISSUES.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAN BE QUELLED WITH PUBLIC INVESTMENT.

CRIME CAN BE QUELLED WITH PUBLIC INVESTMENT.

SMALL BUSINESS AND UNDERGIRDING OUR SMALL BUSINESS WITH A WORKFORCE CAN BE MITIGATED WITH THE WAY THAT WE USE OUR PUBLIC INVESTMENTS SO WHEN WE LOOK AT PUBLIC INVESTMENTS THERE'S RESOURCES, FINANCIAL OR OTHER.

THE WAY THAT WE DISTRIBUTE THESE THINGS ARE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE CORNERSTONE AND THEN THE BACKBONE.

THE CORNERSTONE OF HOW WE CAN SOLVE THESE THINGS AND THEN THE BACKBONE OF THE SOLUTION.

THANK YOU.

>> NIKKI ZUMBA.

>> IT IS CREDIT AND ALL OF THOSE GIVING ANSWERS TO WHAT WE ARE FACING IN LEON COUNTY.

IN MY EXPERIENCE WE HAVE A LOT OF COST BURDEN RENTERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THEIR HOMES AS IS IN THEIR APARTMENT LEASES ARE ONLY GOING UP.

SO THE INFLATION WITHIN HOUSING HAS BECOME A DIRE CONCERN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS THAT DON'T WANT TO STAY HERE IN TALLAHASSEE AND THEY DON'T WHAT TO BRING ANYBODY ELSE HERE.

AS WELL AS DUE TO THE SKYROCKETING COST AND NOT ENOUGH HIGH WAGE JOBS THAT AFFORD THOSE HOUSING COST.

>> WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP FOR THAT QUESTION.

THIS RACE IS FOR AN AT LARGE THEY REPRESENTED THE ENTIRE COUNTY RATHER THAN JUST A SINGLE DISTRICT.

HOW WILL THAT AFFECT THE WAY THAT YOU GOVERN.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH RUDY FERGUSON AND YOU WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR THIS FOLLOW-UP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

REPRESENTATIVE, IT'S AN HONOR.

WITH A BEAUTIFUL CITY IN A BID FOR COUNTY AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND MAKE MAKEUPS.

WHEN YOU BEGIN TO LOOK AT EXACTLY OF WATER COUNTY IS MADE OF.

BIOCHEMICAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY ASPECT OF OUR COUNTY, CENTRAL SERVICES, FACILITIES, PARKS, EVERYONE IS ACCOMMODATED SO THEY CAN GO FORWARD.

I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE AS RUDY FERGUSON.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

RUNNING FOR AT LARGE IS AN INTRINSIC UNDERSTANDING BUT DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT RACES, DIFFERENT ORIENTATIONS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WAY THE WE GO ABOUT IT.

AS AN EDUCATOR, EVERY DAY IN MY CLASSROOM I SEE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE AND I MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME VOICE.

I MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO ME.

I MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE TAKING CARE OF OBJECTIVELY BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE THE AIM OF ANYBODY IN A POSITION OF POWER.

>> I REALLY THINK THAT THE CONSTITUENTS THAT LIVE FURTHER OUT FROM THE CENTRAL AREAS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO BRING BUSINESSES INTO THE MORE POPULATED AREAS TO FACILITATE MORE INCOME AND REVENUE FOR THEIR BUSINESSES.

SO REACHING OUT TO THOSE FOLKS, UNDERSTANDING HOW THEY OPERATE AND HOW THEY ENJOY THEIR DISTANCE LIVING FROM A CITY OR A TOWN AND HOW WE CAN UTILIZE THAT FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> I HAVE NEVER BEEN A DISTRICT COMMISSIONER.

I CAN'T JUST FOCUS ON ONE DISTRICT.

I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW THE VOTES AND THE POLICIES ARE IN PLACE FOR WHAT AFFECTS ALL DISTRICTS.

I THINK THAT MAKES FOR A PRETTY INTERESTING SITUATION SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION THAT IS NOT POPULAR ONE DISTRICT AND MAYBE POPULAR IN ANOTHER AND MAYBE NOT POPULATE ANOTHER.

JUST KEEPING A HOLISTIC VIEW, THE MAIN GOAL IS TRYING TO MAKE HER COUNTY BETTER AS A WHOLE.

SO EVERY DECISION NEEDS TO BE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOW WILL QUESTION THAT IS INSPIRED AND PROVIDED BY THE URBAN LEAGUE.

BUYER COUNT ON TALLAHASSEE.COM, 12 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AND 46 HAVE BEEN INJURED IN 71 SERIOUS SHOOTINGS THIS YEAR.

CAPITAL CITY AND COUNTY.

JUST RECENTLY TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED INTO DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS IN OUR PART.

AND FRIDAY TWO MEN WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING A PARTY OF A LARGE CROWD AT TOWN HALL.

THERE WAS A RECENT GUNFIGHT AT A RECENT MCDONALD'S.

WHAT SPECIFIC INITIATIVES WILL YOU TAKE TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM CRIME?

WE WILL START AT JOSH.

>> AS AN EDUCATOR, AT HIGH SCHOOL, THE YOUNG MAN I TEACH EVERY DAY ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SO AFFECTED BY THIS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN THAT IS HIGHLY NEEDED AS PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE DEMOGRAPHICS AFFECTED THE MOST THE STUDENTS.

IF WE HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDS AND RESOURCES THAT ALREADY EXISTED NONPROFITS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK.

WE HAVE TO ENGAGE THESE ENTITIES TO SAVE THESE LIVES.

THIS IS PERSONAL TO ME, THIS IS PROFESSIONAL TO ME AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING AS AN EDUCATOR IS JUST THIS.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY PROFESSIONAL ROLE INTO PROTECTING THE VERY BOYS.

WHEN I SAY BOYS, IT'S JUST BECAUSE DISPROPORTIONATELY IT IS YOUNG MEN.

DISPROPORTIONATELY YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN.

THE SAME YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN THAT I SEE EVERY DAY.

I TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

IT'S BEEN MY DUTY THEN AND IT WILL BE MY DUTY NOW.

>> THINK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NIKKI, YOU ARE UP NEXT.

>> I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO MENTION WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE CRIME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVE IN AN ERA WHERE THEY CAN'T AFFORD FOOD OR THEY CAN'T AFFORD HOUSING OR THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO SURVIVE.

THEREFORE THEY MAY COMMIT CRIMES THAT ULTIMATELY END THEM IN A SITUATION WHERE THAT COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED AHEAD OF TIME.

EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT IN THIS AREA BECAUSE WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE AFTERCARE'S.

WE NEED PLACES FOR KIDS TO GO AND GROW AND BECOMES PARTS OF SOCIETY THAT HELP US FLOURISH.

JOSH IS DEFINITELY SEEN A LOT OF THESE KIDS GO TO THE SYSTEM WHERE THEY MAY NOT BE INCLUDED IN CERTAIN THINGS.

THEY MAY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS AS EXEMPLIFYING THAT BEHAVIOR.

HOWEVER, GIVING KIDS A PLACE TO GO, GIVING PEOPLE SOMEONE TO TALK TO WHEN THEY ARE GOING THROUGH A CRISIS, BEFORE THESE THINGS HAPPEN, IT IS PREVENTION.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK WE HAVE TO DIG DEEP, SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE IN TOWN GET TO A LOT OF OUR CHILDREN BUT THEY GET TO THE ONES THAT NEED THOSE PROGRAMS MOST PRE-WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THOSE KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO THE NONPROFITS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

WE HAVE TO GET TO THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT WE REALLY HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR PERCEPTION OF WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE REALLY HAVE TO GIVE THEM A NEW VISION IN THE WAY OF LOOKING AT THINGS.

I THINK WE NEED TO BRING THEM CLOSER TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

NOT A WAY OF FEELING ATTACKED BUT IN A WAY OF FEELING LIKE PARTNERSHIPS.

A LOT OF THAT IS GOING TO TAKE THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER TO BRING THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT'S WHAT YOU TAKE THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER TO LET THOSE FOLKS KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER WAY OUT THERE BESIDES THE VIOLENCE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

AGAIN IS AROUND POVERTY AND WANTING RESPECT AND CIRCULATES AROUND WANTING TO LIVE A CERTAIN WAY.

HIS CIRCULATES AROUND THE CHANGE AND VIRTUE THAT YOU'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS OF WHAT ONE PEOPLE THINK IS POPULAR GOOD.

SO WE HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND TO CREATE SITUATIONS AND GET THEM TO LEON WORKS IN OTHER PROGRAMS.

HEY, YOU CAN MAKE $100,000 AS A WELDER, YOU CAN MAKE $100,000 AS A PLUMBER YOU HAVE TO LIVE ON THE STREET AND LIVE THIS LIFE EVERYTHING WILL THEY.

WE HAVE TO GO IN AND DRAW THOSE KIDS OUT THE ARM PARTICIPATED IN A PROGRAM AND BRING IT TO THOSE PROGRAMS AND SHOW THE WAY OF LIVING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

AS A INTERNMENT AS THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL.

I THINK WE HAVE GONE TO HOW DO WE BRIDGE THE GAP IN OUR MOST NOTABLE MEETINGS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HOW DO WE MAKE THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY A LITTLE BIT MORE AWARE OF INVESTING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS THE VILLAGE.

I THINK WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO WE HAD TO LISTEN TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

IN MY 50 YEARS OF LIVING, WORKING FOR THE TALLAHASSEE URBAN LEAGUE IN MY YOUNGER YEARS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT I HAVE DONE.

IT GOES BACK TO THE FUNDAMENTAL BASICS, WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

AS A COMMISSION, I WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH THE INITIATIVE THAT I BELIEVE WILL HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BE A PART OF THE COUNTY, BE A PART OF THE CITY, BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

OFTEN TIMES THEY ARE OVERLOOKED, LOOK AT LEON COUNTY, AND TALLAHASSEE AND IT'S NOT LIKE ORLANDO OR ANY OTHER PLACE THEY WOULD GO TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

WE NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME INVESTING.

MORE FUNDS INTO THE MOST NOTABLE COMMUNITIES SO THEY CAN HAVE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY WHERE THEY CAN FIND THE HOPE AND FIND A PLACE IN LIFE THAT THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL AND GET THE TRADE AND BECOME A POSITIVE PRODUCTIVE YOUNG CITIZEN.

I BELIEVE AS COMMISSIONER FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN TO MAKE SURE OUR CITIZENS, YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE AND A PLACEMENT IN TALLAHASSEE.

>> THANK YOU WE HAVE A THIRTY SECOND FOLLOW-UP ON THIS QUESTION.

NIKKI SOMEBODY YOU'RE GOING TO START OFF.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE CURRENT EFFECTIVENESS OF ALCS ONT PD IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THIRTY SECONDS.

>> I DON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO IMAGINE WHAT IT MUST BE LIKE TO STEP OUT OF YOUR HOUSE EVERY DAY KNOWING YOU MIGHT NOT RETURN TO YOUR FAMILY.

ESPECIALLY IN THE RECENT EVENTS IN TALLAHASSEE.

I HAVE MET QUITE A FEW OF THOSE OFFICERS.

I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR WHAT THEY DO IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW RESPONSIVE THEY HAVE BEEN.

I ALWAYS ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO BETTER.

BECAUSE THAT IS HOW YOU GROW AND THAT IS HOW YOU PARTNER WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

I WOULD GIVE THEM A B.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> WHAT I WILL SAY THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN'T ADDRESS THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH WHEN IT COMES TO GUN VIOLENCE.

I TALKED TO THE SHARE, I TALKED TO THE POLICE AND I KNOW THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ALL THE EFFORT THAT THEY CAN INTO IT.

I JUST THINK THEY NEED MORE PARTNERSHIP FROM US.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY ARE UNDERSTAFFED, THE SHERIFF IS DOING THE BEST HE CAN TO GET MORE STAFFING.

HE PUT $9 MILLION INTO IT.

I THINK DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN AND YOU GOTTA CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THEM AND PUSH FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

RUDY FERGUSON.

>> AGAIN AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TALLAHASSEE CHAIRMAN SECURITY ADVISOR.

I'VE WORKED CLOSELY WITH ALL OF THE OFFICERS AND COMMANDERS THERE AND I ALSO AM A MEMBER OF THE LEON COUNTY SHERIFF'S ADVISORY COUNCIL.

I SEE THEIR JOB, IT IS VERY HECTIC AND STRESSFUL JOB.

I COMMEND THEM FOR EFFORTS PUTTING ON THEIR UNIFORM AND BADGE AND GOING OUT TO PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

I SERVE ON BOTH OF THEM AND I KNOW THE DUTY VERY GOOD JOB BASED ON THE WAY THEY ARE AND BASED ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT IT'S UP TO US TO HELP THEM ALONG THE WAY.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> VERY SIMPLE HE PUT THERE HAS TO BE WERE DONE AND IT'S VERY HARD TO DIVORCE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH CROSS-POLLINATION.

BUT THIS QUESTION WAS STRUCTURED AND WHILE THIS IS NO INDICTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT I COME FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY AND I DO BELIEVE THEY HAVE TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

I ALSO DON'T THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO DO A BAD JOB.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

NICK MADDOX QUESTIONED ITS FIRST TO YOU.

WHAT IS THE FIRST SPECIFIC ACTION YOU WOULD PROPOSE TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING BEYOND WHAT IS ALREADY BEING DONE?

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS UNDERSTAND THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH IT COMES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE RENTAL MARKET.

WE HAVE ABOUT 50% -- 52% OF THE RENTAL MARKET RIGHT NOW IS SEVERELY BURDEN.

MILDLY TO SEVERELY BURDEN.

THERE HAS BEEN 31% OR MORE OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN LEON COU COUNTY, WE HAVE TRIED TO USE SHIP FUNDS TO INCENTIVIZE, REDEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING A RENTAL UNIT WITHIN DEVELOPMENT TO TRY TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE RENTERS OUT THERE.

WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN GENERAL AND THE OWNERS MARKET.

IT'S ABOUT 20% OF THE BURDEN.

THE RENTAL MARKET RIGHT NOW IS REALLY KILLING US WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO AFFORD.

CONTINUE TO WORK ON SOLUTIONS LIKE THE RENTAL BUILDING AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE THAT INCENTIVIZES AFFORDABLE RENTAL PROPERTIES.

ALSO CONTINUING TO LOOK AT HOW WE CONTROL HOW TO RENT INCREASES WOULD BE ANOTHER ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU NICK MADDOX.

WORKING TO MOVE ON TO RUDY FERGUSON.

WHAT FOR SPECIFIC ACTION WOULD YOU TAKE TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING BEYOND WHAT IS ALREADY BEEN DONE?

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE NOW.

HOPE HAS SOMEHOW DROPPED WHEN THEY FEEL THAT THE PROGRAM IS TOO HARD OR THERE'S NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION THAT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO THOSE OF LOW-INCOME AREAS WHO DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY REACH FOR THAT INFORMATION.

I DEFINITELY WANT TO, AS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WORK WITH OUR DEVELOPERS WHO ARE COMING TO TALLAHASSEE.

WHO HOPE TO BUILD HERE TREAT TO WORK WITH THEM SO THEY CAN HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLIES IN THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO BRING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ONE HUNDRED HOMES, ONLY 29 IN THE COUNTRY ARE AFFORDABLE HOMES.

THAT IS NOT A LOT.

WE NEED TO.

IF WE CAN GET MORE AFFORDABLE HOME SO PEOPLE CAN FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES, ENCOURAGE THEMSELVES AND UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY.

THE PROPERTIES ARE ADJACENT TO IT.

IT GIVES PEOPLE A SENSE OF PRIDE.

IT REDUCES CRIME IT ALSO REDUCES OVERCROWDING.

IF WE CAN GET A HANDLE ON THAT WORK WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN THE SHIP FUNDS, ENCOURAGE THEM AND BRING INCENTIVES TO THE TABLE.

I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THAT JOB DONE.

AS COMMISSIONER I WILL LOOK INTO TAKING A NONTRADITIONAL APPROACH TO SOME THINGS.

>> THANK YOU RUDY FERGUSON.

JOSH JOHNSON.

YOUR TURN AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHAT ONE SPECIFIC ACTION WOULD YOU PROPOSE BEYOND WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE?

>> WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH HOW WE EXPAND THE URBAN SERVICE AREA.

AS WE EXPAND THE URBAN SERVICE AREA, NOT ONLY IS THERE SO MANY THINGS THAT GO INTO IT.

WHAT WERE DOING IS FUNNELING RESOURCES TO PLACES THAT NEEDED THE LEAST.

THAT'S NOT AN INDICTMENT ON THOSE AREAS.

THERE BEAUTIFUL AND THEY DO NEED THE RESOURCES.

WHEN WE STRETCH THE BOUNDARY OF THE URBAN SERVICE AREA WE ARE ALSO STRETCHING THE NEED OF THE MOST VULNERABLE, EXACERBATING THINGS LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WHEN WE HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO QUAIL THESE THINGS.

WE ARE USUALLY PUTTING THEM IN OTHER AREAS.

THE MOST COSMETIC EXAMPLE OF THAT WITH THE $27 MILLION.

WHILE THAT WAS OED FUNDS, ECONOMIC VITALITY, THAT IS JUST A POINT THAT WE HAVE TO INVEST THESE RESOURCES AND THE PLACES THAT NEEDED THE MOST.

THE COMP PLAN GIVES US A FORMULA FOR HOW WE EXTEND THE URBAN SERVICE AREA.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NIKKI'S DUMBO, YOUR TURN.

>> THERE IS A LACK OF WANTED TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN TALLAHASSEE.

IF THERE IS A YOUNG PERSON WHO WANTS TO MOVE HERE, START A FAMILY, WORK A CAREER THEY ARE EXTREMELY DISENFRANCHISED TO HAVING ALL THE THINGS THEY MAY NEED TO FACILITATE THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A PLACE TO LIVE OR AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE THAT IS A ONE OR TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT.

ANOTHER COUNTY IS AWARE OF THIS.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO WORK WITH DEVELOPERS TO FACILITATE MORE OF THOSE APARTMENT COMMUNITIES IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE IN LEON COUNTY.

TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPTION TO START A HOME HERE AND GROW FROM THERE.

>> THANK YOU NIKKI'S ZUMBO.

>> NUMEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN TALLAHASSEE IN LEON COUNTY ARE STRUGGLING WITH POVERTY.

WHAT ROLE SHOULD LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPER EFFORTS AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES PLAY IN PROMOTING OR EQUITABLE PROSPERITY AND WHAT ONE SPECIFIC PLAN WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT TO MAKING MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN THIS GENERATIONAL CHALLENGE.

ONE MINUTE WE ARE STARTING WITH RUDY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

WORKING IN MY COMMUNITY AS I ENTERED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FRONT LINE PROJECT.

THAT IS OUR JOB TO WORK WITH THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS.

WORK WITH THOSE IN POVERTY, AND THOSE IN YOUTH.

THE THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS RAPID REHOUSING.

IT IS NOT A PERMITTED SOLUTION BUT IS SENDING A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO GET PEOPLE BACK ON THEIR SEAT AND A SENSE OF HOPE AND PRIDE.

WE CAN GARNER FUNDS AND SET ASIDE INITIATIVE THAT WOULD HELP THEM TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT OF THE WOODS, OUT OF THE TENTS, THE CARDBOARD BOXES AND GIVE THEM A SENSE OF HOME.

EVERYONE WANTS A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

I BELIEVE IF WE CAN GIVE THEM THAT AND THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT IN EMPLOYMENT, I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THIS.

LASTLY I WILL SAY WE HAVE A HOMELESS PROBLEM BECAUSE IN THE NINE COUNTY REGION, A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO TALLAHASSEE WHO ARE NOT TALLAHASSEE.

OTHER SOURCES IN THOSE COUNTIES DON'T PROVIDE WHAT WE PROVIDE.

SO THEY COME HERE LOOKING FOR THAT HOPE.

SINCE THEY ARE HERE, THE HOSPITALITY OF US ALL SHOULD WORK TOWARDS BRINGING NOTHING TO BEAR.

THAT IS MY MESSAGE AND I APPROVE IT.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> THERE ARE TWO ISSUES THAT WERE PROPERTY.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS EDUCATION.

THE OTHER ONE OF THOSE IS JOBS.

NOT JUST ANY JOB, LIVABLE JOBS, JOBS THAT PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY LIVE AND PAY THEIR BILLS ON.

WHEN WE HAVE ACCESS TO THINGS LIKE $27 MILLION, WE HAVE TO INVEST INTO THOSE COMMITTEES BECAUSE THAT IS ECONOMIC VITALITY.

CREATING JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY, CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO STAY AFTER THEY GRADUATE COLLEGE, EDUCATION IS ANOTHER BIG ISSUE.

WE ARE NOT MAKING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE TRADE WAR TOWARDS COLLEGES.

WHEN THOSE COLLEGES ARE GIVEN THAT MONEY MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE INCENTIVES THAT THEY PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS OR COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO BRING PEOPLE IN.

WE CANNOT AFFORD ANY LONGER TO WASTE OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES.

HOWEVER, IF WE DON'T SEE PEOPLE AS ARE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE EXACT SAME THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE.

>> ME NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THE LOCAL BUSINESSES IN AND AROUND TOWN TO SUBSIDIZE MOVING COST FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.

GIVE SOMEBODY A JOB BUT THEY STOP TO GET READY FOR WORK.

SO MAKING SURE THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE TAKING CARE OF WHEN THEY CLOCK OUT AND BEFORE THEY CLOCK IN AND HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE ALONG WITH THEIR INCOME IS ALSO CRUCIAL.

I THINK THAT WOULD INCENTIVIZE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR DIRECTION OR A PATH TO GET BACK IN THE JOB FORCE OR RE-CREATE A LIFESTYLE THAT IS HEALTHIER FOR THEM.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> I WANT TO USE A LITTLE BIT OF MY TIME TO MENTION ONE THING THAT I DIDN'T MENTION LAST TIME.

INCLUSIONARY HOUSING IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY ARE LOOKING AT.

THAT ALLOWS FOR FOLKS -- WHEN DEVELOPERS COME IN 10% OR MORE OF THEIR HOMES HAVE TO BE AFFORDABLE.

BUT SHIFTING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPING QUESTION, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AND WE DONE IN THE PAST NEED A BETTER JOB OF IS WORKING WITH CAREER SOURCE TO GET PEOPLE CERTIFIED.

WHAT YOU HAVE $15 MINIMUM WAGE THAT WERE MOVING UP TO BUT IN ORDER TO MOVE FROM THAT SPACE YOU NEED CERTIFICATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT I TALKED TO A YOUNG LADY THE SENATE MAKING $15 AN HOUR.

I WANT TO DO BETTER BUT EVERY JOB I FILE FOR ANITA CERTIFICATION.

CAREER SOURCE HAS PROGRAMS THAT I POSTED THAT WE CAN GET FOLKS INVOLVED AND THAT WILL GET THAT CERTIFICATION AND GET THEM ON THEIR NEXT LEVEL TO EARN MORE MONEY.

THE PROPERTY COMES TO YOUR EARNING POWER.

GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS WOULD HELP A LOT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

THIS IS A 452nd RESPONSE TIME.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CRITICIZED BY SOME CITIZENS AS BEING MORE RESPONSIVE TO BUSINESS AND THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY THAN ORDINARY SYSTEMS.

SOME HAVE TARGETED THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS AN INSIDER NETWORK THAT BENEFITS SPECIAL INTEREST.

IS THIS PERCEPTION FAIR, IF SO, WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT?

WE WILL BE STARTING WITH JOSH JOHNSON.

>> THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A FAIR CRITICISM.

THERE IS A DIFFERENT BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

LOCAL OPERA NET IS THE APPARATUS.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS THE DECISIONS.

A LOT OF THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE HAVE CAUSE PEOPLE OR ALLOWED PEOPLE THE PERCEPTION THAT CHAMBERS AND DEVELOPERS HAVE MORE SAY THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON.

IN THIS RACE I HAVE ALMOST 300 INDIVIDUAL DONORS.

THOSE ARE REAL PEOPLE GIVING REAL FUNDS.

THERE IS CAMPAIGN DONATIONS THAT ARE STACKED WITH DEVELOPER FUNDED CHECKS.

THAT DOES NOTHING FOR PUBLIC.

SO TO CRITIQUE OR ASK IS INVALID FOR PEOPLE TO QUESTION COMES AT IT FROM THE WRONG END.

I THINK WE HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

THANK YOU.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE QUESTION REPEATED PLEAS.

>> LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CRITICIZED BY SOME CITIZENS AS BEING MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY THAN TO ORDINARY CITIZENS.

SOME CANDIDATES HAVE EVEN TARGETED THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS THE INSIDERS NETWORK THAT IDENTIFY SPECIAL INTEREST.

IS THIS PERCEPTION FAIR AND IF SO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT?

>> I BELIEVE THE PERCEPTION TO BE FAIR.

HOWEVER, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT IS NOT GRANTED TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE CITIZENS THAT WOULD MAKE THEM THINK DIFFERENTLY OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST.

I HAVE WORKED WITH COMMERCIAL DEVELOPERS WHO DO THE BEST I CAN TO MAKE SURE THE RENTAL COST AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OR THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DOES THAT AS WELL.

SO TO SAY THAT IT IS UNFAIR IS MORE INACCURATE.

I AM NOT TAKING ANYBODY FROM MY CAMPAIGN I WORKED WITH THESE DEVELOPERS MAY HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT THEY GRANTED ME IN THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE BACKGROUND.

HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK THE SPECIAL INTEREST NEED TO BE FUNDED FOR ANYTHING OR ANYBODY.

THE JOB OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IS TO REPRESENT CONSTITUENTS AND VOTE BASED ON SUCH.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL APPROACHES FROM THE STANDPOINT.

I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF US ARE WORKING IN THE MOVE FOR THE COUNTY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WHETHER THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR THE CAPITAL CITY CHAMBER.

I SPOKE TO THEM PARTNER WITH ALL THREE OF THEM.

WHAT I BELIEVE THEY ALL THREE WANT THE SAME THING TO PROSPER.

I ALSO HEARD FOR ENTER THE COMMITTEE ON CERTAIN ISSUES.

WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING, WE WILL BUT WHAT I DON'T DO I DON'T ALLOW MYSELF TO BE INFLUENCED SOLELY OR BY ONE GROUP OR THE OTHER.

I TRY TO LISTEN TO WHAT EVERYBODY HAS TO SAY AND GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DIGEST AND MAKE A DECISION THAT IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY BASED ON THE INFORMATION OF WHAT WOULD HELP AT THE COMMUNITY THE MOST.

FAIR OR UNFAIR, I BELIEVE WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING AND THAT IS A PROSPEROUS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU.

RUDY FERGUSON.

>> THANK YOU.

I BELIEVE IT IS A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE SEVERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HERE IN TALLAHASSEE.

I BELIEVE THE ONLY ONE CAN SOLVE THE SOLUTION OR HELP ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES IN TALLAHASSEE.

I AM A PASTOR BECAUSE I'M A PASTOR I AM NOT A FIX ALL PASTOR AND NOT A FIX ALL CHURCH.

YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT COME INTO PLAY THAT HELP ALL OF US WERE LOOKING FOR ANYTHING PARTICULAR.

SOME BUSINESSES NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND OTHERS NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I THINK IT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT TO SAY IS THERE SOMETHING THERE, SPECIAL INTEREST THAT SOME CHAMBERS LOOK OUT FOR, CERTAIN PEOPLE IN CERTAIN BUSINESS MORE THAN OTHERS?

I WOULD SAY THAT IS A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER SHOULD.

DO THEY ACCEPT MONEY FROM CERTAIN ENTITIES LOOKING FOR THE FAMOUS TO BE CARRIED IN THE TENURE.

THAT IS SOMETHING I WANT TO ADD AS COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP FOR THIS.

THIS IS 30 SECONDS IN YOUR RESPONSE TIME.

THE TERM SMART GROWTH IS USED BROADLY TO DESCRIBE PLANNING FOR THE COUNTY'S FUTURE.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU AND IS THE COUNTY IN THE RIGHT POSITION TO ENSURE IT HAS THE SAY IN THE COMMITTEE'S EXPANSION?

WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN WITH NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> IN ORDER TO GROW UPWARD YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RESOURCES BEFORE THEY START GROWING.

EQUIPPING PEOPLE WITH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW TO RENTED APARTMENT, HOW TO VOTE, HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS.

HOW TO LIVE A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT GRADUATING.

THERE ARE GIFTS AND TOOLS AND THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GRADUATING THAT WE ARE NOT EQUIPPING THEM WITH BEFORE GRADUATING.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> I THINK SMART GROWTH EQUALS TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH WHICH INCLUDES NOT JUST A FISCAL SIDE OF IT BUT ALSO INCLUDES THE ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE OF IT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BALANCE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER WITH THE GROWTH OUT AND UP THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT MAKES THE COMMUNITY AFFORDABLE FOR ALL CITIZENS A GREAT QUALITY OF LIFE THAT IS AMAZING FOR ALL CITIZENS AS WELL.

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE WHEN I THINK ABOUT SMART GROWTH AND IS A INTEGRATE POSITION TO PROVIDE IT.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I BELIEVE WHEN WE START TO BUILD ANYTHING IN OUR CITY OR GROW, WE NEED TO TALK TO CITIZENS THEY LIVE HERE, THEY PAY TAXES AND THEY'VE INVESTED.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO CONSTITUENTS ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS WE DEVELOP A CONFERENCE AND PLAN READ AS WE LOOK AT THE FISCAL POLICIES HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SATISFIED.

WE WILL MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY BUT I BELIEVE ALL GRAY TOGETHER WHEN EVERYBODY'S LOOKING AT THIS FROM THE SAME PAGE.

I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO GROW BECAUSE WE ARE GROWING WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> ENVIRONMENTAL, FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH WORKING HAND-IN-HAND TO EVENTUALLY DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF GROWTH.

THAT'S WHAT SMART GROWTH SHOULD BE.

SMART GROWTH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE SEEM TO READ THE SECOND PART TO THAT QUESTION, HAS THE COUNTY PUT THEMSELVES IN THE POSITION TO RESPOND.

I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO.

CITIZENS TIME AND TIME AGAIN HAVE ASKED FOR RESOURCES NOT TO BE DUMPED INTO NORTHEAST GREAT WAY PROJECTS.

THANK YOU THE BELL GOT ME.

>> THIS NEXT ANSWER IS 452nd FOLLOW-UP.

HOMELESSNESS IS ALSO BECOMING A MORE VISIBLE PROBLEM IN LEON COUNTY.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP ON THAT FRONT.

AGAIN 452nd STREET NICK MADDOX PLEASE BEGIN.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HER HOME LISTENER MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM.

A LOT OF ARE HOMELESS FOLKS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO DIG INTO.

LOOKING AT THE STATE REGIONAL FACILITY AND SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND GET THEM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

I THINK THE CARNEY CENTER IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN TRYING TO QUELL SOME OF IT.

SOME OF THOSE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH WISE THEY NEED THOSE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO HELP THEM GET OVER THE HUMP.

LOOKING AT THAT CREATED THE SERVICES.

THE SHERIFF HAS CREATED A TASK FORCE OR POLICE OFFICERS THAT FOCUS SPECIFICALLY -- I THINK THAT HELPS TO BUT WE HAVE TO GET THE MENTAL THINGS DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

RUDY FERGUSON?

>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MAJOR CRISIS AND WE DO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG THE HOMELESS.

OF COURSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE HOMELESS EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF SOCIETY.

I BELIEVE IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US AS CITIZENS IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE COME TO OUR TOWN THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT SERVICES THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BECOME VIBRANT AND HEALTHY AND BE A PART OF IT.

I THINK IF WE LOOK PAST TOO OFTEN WE SEE A THEM PROBLEM NOT OUR PROBLEM.

THAT GIVES US A SENSE THE TALLAHASSEE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT COME HERE BECAUSE OF NOT PAYING TAXES AND NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE GROWTH.

THE FIRST THING WE AUDIT CREATE IS RAPID REHOUSING.

GIVE THEM A SENSE OF HOPE IN PLACE IN THE CITY IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE HERE.

I REALLY FERGUSON I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> AT ANY GIVEN TIME WE HAVE SOMEWHERE AROUND 800 HOMELESS PEOPLE IN OUR STREETS.

YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY ON WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT.

I ANSWER MY FIRST QUESTION BY SAYING PUBLIC INVESTMENTS MUST BE AN EQUITABLE ENDEAVOR.

AS AN ECONOMIST I UNDERSTAND THAT INVESTING OUR CASH RESOURCES IN THIS PROBLEM WILL HELP QUAIL CRIME, WOULD HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH THINGS.

THERE ARE DISPARITIES THAT CREATE HOMELESSNESS BUT THOSE DISPARITIES CAN ONLY BE SOLVED IN ONE WAY AND THAT IS WHERE WE PLACE THEIR RESOURCES.

IF THIS IS SUCH A CRISIS WE HAVE TO START SPENDING AND ACTING LIKE IT'S A CRISIS.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I TRULY BELIEVE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SOCIAL WORKERS IN TALLAHASSEE.

BRINGING THAT TALENT AND THOSE SKILLS AND THAT WORKFORCE HERE INTO TALLAHASSEE WOULD DEFINITELY PROVE BENEFICIAL TO THOSE THAT STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOMELESS.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE STRUGGLED FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

SOMETIMES, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING TO HELP THEM ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE.

WHICH IS PROVEN TIME AND AGAIN.

I BELIEVE IT IS TIME WE FIND NEW WAYS TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ENDING UP IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE HOMELESS.

ALSO REHABILITATING THEM TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY THROUGH INCENTIVIZED PROGRAMS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S MOVE ON AND TALK ABOUT BLUEPRINT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE FIT PENNY SALES TAX PROGRAM KNOWN AS BLUEPRINT ARE REQUIRED TO BE ALLOCATED INTO DIFFERENT POTS OF MONEY AND USED FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

MOST OF THE FUNDS THAT WILL BE SPENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS ROADS, SIDEWAYS IN PARKS.

12% OF THE FUNDS ARE TO BE SPENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPER PROJECTS HAVING THE GENERAL PUBLIC PURPOSE OF IMPROVING LOCAL ECONOMIES.

WHAT WAS YOUR POSITION ON THE RECENT ALLOCATION OF $27 MILLION TO RENOVATE CAMPBELL STADIUM FOR THE MONEY TO BE SPENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH REALLY FERGUSON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

OF COURSE I DID NOT APPROVE OF $27 MILLION GOING TO STADIUM UPGRADES WILL BE OF 70 DIFFERENT PRICES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LOW WAGES THAT IS NOT MATCHING INFLATION.

IT'S A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DO SOMETHING GREAT IN ENSURE THE CITIZENS OF TALLAHASSEE AND THAT WE CAN DO BETTER.

IF I WAS IN THAT SEAT AT THE TIME I WOULD'VE MADE SURE THAT THE FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN WHEN IT DEALT WITH THE THINGS THAT ARE CAUSING OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY TO GO UNDER.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE SPORTS ARENA AT THE LIFESTYLE THAT WE DIFFER IN TALLAHASSEE.

I BELIEVE WE COULD'VE DONE BETTER WE SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER.

I BELIEVE THE CITIZENS OF TALLAHASSEE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN THE DECISION.

BUT TO GET $27 MILLION TO A FOOTBALL ARENA RATHER THAN A COMMUNITY THAT'S IN DESPERATE NEED AND ARE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND BRING THE CITY BACK UP TO THE PLACE I CALLED IT THE ALL-AMERICAN CITY AT ONE POINT.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THAT.

THAT IS MY MESSAGE.

>> REALLY FERGUSON.

JOSH JOHNSON SAME THING TO YOU.

>> IT IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.

BEFORE THIS GOT OUT OF HAND I WAS AT THAT MEETING TELLING THAT COMMISSION PLEASE DON'T DO THIS AS AN ECONOMIST I TELL YOU THAT BLUEPRINT IS A SALES TAX AND SALES TAXES ARE REGRESSIVE.

THIS IS THE WORST INVESTMENT THAT WE COULD'VE MADE WITH THIS MONEY.

I WAS AGAINST IT.

PEOPLE GET CAUGHT UP ON THE 27 MILLION NOT REALIZING THAT SOMETIMES THE EXTRA SEVEN OR 6.5 MILLION WAS A BOND.

THAT BOND IS A MISSION THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE AFFORDED TO GIVE AWAY THE $20 MILLION THAT WE GAVE AWAY.

ON TOP OF THAT TO COMPOUND, THERE WAS LESS THAN 40 PERMANENT JOBS CREATED FROM THE PROJECTS ON ITS FACE, SIDE AND BACK WAS IRRESPONSIBLE.

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT.

I WOULD NOT OF DONE THAT AND IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.

>> THANK YOU JOSH JOHNSON.

NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THAT MONEY GOES INTO FIX WHAT.

I BELIEVE ANY BUILDING THERE IS MAINTENANCE AND IF INSTRUCTOR ISSUES THAT WILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

AND YES, THAT WILL COST MONEY TREE 27 MILLION I'M NOT SURE I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL BE THE TOTAL OUTCOME ON THE TOTAL BILL HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO USE THAT MONEY TO CREATE MORE JOBS AND HIRE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEARNING THOSE TRADES AND MAKE SURE THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE TAKING CARE OF AND THAT AMOUNT GOES TO EVERY GOOD USE THAT IT CAN.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU NIKKI ZUMBO.

NICK MADDOX YOU GET ONE MINUTE ON THIS ALSO.

>> I DID SUPPORT I SUPPORTED THE TOY THE 7 MILLION FOR FSU AND I SUPPORTED 10,000,010,000,000 FOR DCC.

WHAT I SEE EVERY SINGLE HOME GAME WE CAN I SEE PEOPLE IN THE STREETS SPENDING MONEY IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND BUSINESSES AND THEN GOING INTO RESPECTIVE STADIUMS AND PATRONIZING THOSE GAMES AND BEING ABLE TO WATCH A GOOD FOOTBALL GAME AND WHAT THAT DOES IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE IT'S 34 JOBS BUT IS $85 MILLION EVERY YEAR THAT WERE GETTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT COME IN TOWN FOR THE GAMES AND THE MORE PEOPLE THAT COME IN TOWN FOR THE CONCERTS ARE GOING TO FEED OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND OUR SALES TAX AS WELL.

YOU PEOPLE COMING IN FROM OUTSIDE SPENDING AT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, BUYING GAS AND SPENDING GAS TAX MONEY OR GIVING US GAS TAX THAT WE CAN USE ON ROADS AND OTHER SERVICES.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE CAN SQUARELY LOOK AT WHAT'S GENERATED SPECIFICALLY FROM SFU.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BENEFIT THAT IS GOING TO HAVE FOR ALL BUSINESSES AND ALL FOLKS.

>> THANK YOU NICK MADDOX.

>> WE DO HAVE A FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

WORKING TO STAY ON THIS TOPIC.

JOSH JOHNSON WAS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND IN WHY COULDN'T WE REJECT.

>> THERE IS A GREAT QUOTE THAT I'M REMINDED BY.

FAR OUTSIDE OF THE PLACES OF RIGHT-WING OR WRONGDOING THERE IS A SPACE AND I WANT TO MEET YOU THERE.

I SUPPOSE THERE COULD'VE BEEN A HEALTHY COMPROMISE BUT THAT'S WHERE THE INGENUITY AND THE IMAGINATION OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SET FORTH TO GOVERN US COMES IN AND THERE WAS NO VALUABLE COMPROMISE THAT WOULD HAVE NOT PUT US IN A BAD SITUATION.

IT IS A REGRESSIVE SALES TAX LUXURY STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS CANNOT TAKE PRECEDENT OVER THINGS LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WORKFORCE AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> THANK YOU.

JOSH JOHNSON, NIKKI 30 UP SECOND FOLLOW TO YOU.

WAS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND AND HOW CAN WE FIND A.

>> I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A MIDDLE GROUND IF GIVEN MORE INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION BEFORE THESE VOTES HAPPEN.

I HAVE BEEN TO THE STADIUM AND I WILL TELL YOU GUYS RIGHT NOW IF I WENT INTO THAT BATHROOM AT THE STADIUM AGAIN I WOULD NOT HAVE MY KIDS GO THERE.

IF ANYTHING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THEY ARE NOT WELL-MAINTAINED AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE SO OLD.

THEY NEED REPAIRS.

I DO BELIEVE THAT COULD'VE COST 27 BILLION.

WE COULD'VE SAVED SOME MONEY SOMEWHERE PROBABLY.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX, THE SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> I BELIEVE MAYBE IT COULD'VE BEEN A MAYBE IT COULD NOT OF BEEN.

I KNOW THAT WE GET THE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT OR PARTNERSHIP FROM FSU IN THE BACK IN THE VACATED INVESTMENT.

THAT'S MY EXPECTATION MOVING FORWARD.

>> OKAY, RUBY FERGUSON.

LAST WORD ON THAT.

WAS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND?

AND WHY COULDN'T WE FIND IT.

>> I DO BELIEVE THERE WAS A MIDDLE GROUND.

I'M A CONSENSUS BUILDER.

I BELIEVE IF THEY GOT 10 MILLION AND THE OTHER UNIVERSITY GOT IT MILLION.

I THINK WE COULD'VE FOUND SOME TYPE OF CONSENSUS BUILDING PROCESS.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS MORE SO THAT PEOPLE WERE METAPHORS THEY GOT MONEY.

I THINK IT WAS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO U DO THE UPGRADES.

AS A COMMISSIONER WE HAVE TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLES TO FIND THE COMMON GROUND THAT ADDRESSES ALL OF HER ISSUES AND HER ONE CITY.

I WOULD BELIEVE THERE WAS A GROUND IT WAS NEVER ENTERTAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

ONE FINAL QUESTION ON THIS ONE.

NICK MADDOX.

YOU ARE THE CHAIR BLUEPRINT I A.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS ON HOW THIS ALL PLAYED OUT?

>> I DO NOT.

I THINK WHEN I LOOK AT IT, THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION AMONGST THE COMMUNITY.

THERE WAS A DISCUSSION AMONGST US OF COMMISSIONERS.

WE SAW FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, IT WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME.

IF ANYTHING THE ONLY THING I WOULD'VE LIKED -- I THINK TOWARDS THE END WE WERE SOMEWHAT CIVIL IN THE WAY THAT WE DEALT WITH IT.

EVEN THE COMMUNITY WAS AS WELL.

IF ANYTHING I PROBABLY WOULD WANT TO SEE IN THEIR US HAVE A CONVERSATION THAT DID GET UNCIVIL AT TIMES AND NOT ABLE TO BE BY EACH OTHER SIDE WITHOUT INSULTS.

I THINK EVERYBODY DID THE BEST THEY COULD'VE MADE THE BEST DECISION THEY COULD.

I HAVE NO REGRETS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE GREATNESS OF THE SO COME FROM.

>> FOR OTHER CANDIDATES.

JOSH JOHNSON, FIRST TO YOU.

SHOULD HE HAVE ANY REGRETS?

>> THAT'S A HARD QUESTION TO PUT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MEASURE THE CONSCIENCE OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL.

BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU, LEARNING THINGS LIKE THE IMC WHICH IS THE GOVERNING BODY OF BLUEPRINT NOT BEEN UNDER SUNSHINE.

I THINK THAT IS A REGRET.

I THINK ADJOURNING MEETINGS EARLY WHEN QUESTIONS ARE BEING BROUGHT ABOUT THINGS.

I THINK THAT SHOULD BE A REGRET.

I THINK GOING TO GET THE CONSENSUS OF THE CITIZENS IN LEON COUNTY WHICH ALL LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATIONS WE CAN SAY IS ABOUT TWO THIRDS.

THAT SHOULD BE A REGRET.

WHILE I CANNOT WAY HIS CONSCIENCE I RETROACTIVELY SAY THEIR CULTURE TO BEEN TO REGRETS THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

NIKKI ZUMBO, SHOULD HE HAVE MORE REGRETS?

>> ETHICALLY I CANNOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

AS TO WHAT JOSH SAID, HE WILL HAVE HIS OWN REGRETS AND WHAT HE DOES IN HIS CAREER.

THE ONE REGRET THAT I THINK SHOULD BE LAID ON THE TABLE FOR ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY IN GENERAL.

DID WE INVEST OUR MONEY SOMEWHERE THAT IS AWKWARD TO PRODUCE THE PRODUCT OR THE RETURN THAT WE INTENDED.

WE ARE SCARED WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MONEY GOES TO IMPROVING THE ECONOMY.

WE CAN'T SEE THAT AS A PRECURSOR.

WE CAN ONLY HAVE IDEAS OF HOW THAT MIGHT LOOK.

>> I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD OF BEEN REGRETS BECAUSE OF WHAT THE COMMISSIONER SAID ON THE BACKEND FLORIDA STATE WILL LOOK AT TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND WORKING ALONG WITH THOSE COMMUNITIES.

THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN TO THE BACKEND, THE FOREFRONT OF THE DECISIONS THAT WAS MADE OF THE $27 MILLION.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND IF WE LOOK CLOSELY AT WHAT WE HAPPENED TO THE PEOPLE DID NOT TAKE TO HEART, THE CITIZENS THE MORAL OF THE DEBT AND THE POSSIBILITY OF WHAT THEIR SPONSORS HAVE DONE.

I APPROVE THAT MESSAGE RIGHT THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE GOING TO STAY WITH BLUEPRINT FOR A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS.

THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT REVEALED THE TEXT MESSAGES FROM TO AND FROM COMMISSIONERS INCLUDING POLITICAL NAME-CALLING IN THE POLITICAL CONSULTANT.

PERSONALLY INSULTING COMMISSIONER MADDOX.

COMMISSIONER MADDOX YOU WROTE A COLUMN SAYING THE MESSAGES RAC RACES.

HE POINTS TO A TROUBLING BIGGER PICTURE IN A LOCAL POLITICS.

CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT TROUBLING PICTURE AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING ABOUT IT?

>> COMMISSIONER MADDOX.

>> WOULD BECOME FURTHER AND FURTHER APART AS A COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T ALL HAVE THE SAME OPINIONS AND WE DON'T ALL HAVE THE SAME THOUGHT PROCESS.

YOU HAVE TO RESPECT TO THE GROUP YOUR PROCESS AND OPINIONS.

I WOULD NEVER INSULT OR THINK BADLY OF THE CANDIDATES.

BECAUSE THEY MADE A DECISION OR HAD AN OPINION THAT WAS DIFFERENT THAN MINE.

THEIR MIND WORKS DIFFERENTLY.

IT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RESURGENCE OF RESPECT FOR MY THOUGHTS IN YOUR THOUGHTS AS INDIVIDUALS IN UNDERSTANDING MY BACKGROUND AND WHO I AM AND VICE VERSA ON YOURS.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN HAVE POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND BECOME CIVIL DISCOURSE AND COME TOGETHER WITHOUT SO MUCH CONFLICT, WE CAN'T HAVE THAT WE CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT THE CONFLICT.

THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> FOR THE REST OF THE CANDIDATES, WHAT IS YOUR PICTURE IN OUR LOCAL POLITICS AND AT THE COMMISSIONER MADDOX WAS REFERRING TO A STABILITY ISSUE.

RUBY FERGUSON YOU ARE NEXT.

>> WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE OUR DISTA DIFFERENCF OPINION MAY NOT LINE UP WITH WHAT EVERYONE THINKS WITH NO TIME BEING DISREGARD OF A DISRESPECT THIS IS A BLATANT DISRESPECTFUL THING TO SAY TO CURRENT COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX TO CALL HIM THE DEAL BE.

I WANT SAY FOR THE SAKE OF THE TELEVISION BUT TO CAUSE SOMEONE THAT NATURE AND I TAKE A VERY PERSONAL BECAUSE I HAVE A BLACK MAN TO HAVE 70 CALL ME THAT, THAT DISREGARD TO BE THINK THAT I CAN DO FOR THEM.

THAT WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND HOW THE INDIVIDUAL FELT IT AS FAR AS OTHER COMMISSIONERS, THEY SHOULD BE IN FRONT OF INTEGRITY, HONESTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

TEXT MESSAGING DOING A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION THEIR PHONES, LIKE A STAPLER PHONES UP THERE PHONE SHOULD'VE BEEN UP AS WELL.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> I CONCUR WITH SOME OF THE SENTIMENT.

I DISAGREE WITH OTHERS.

NAME-CALLING AND DISRESPECT HAS NO PLACE IN ANY ARENA, ESPECIALLY IN AN ARENA WHERE THERE IS PUBLIC DIALOGUE AND PUBLIC INTEREST THAT HAS BEEN DELEGATED.

HOWEVER, I THINK IT'S LOST THE REASON THAT WE KNOW ABOUT THESE TEXT MESSAGES IS BECAUSE OF TRANSPARENCY.

WHILE I THINK THESE CONVERSATIONS WERE HORRIBLE.

THEY WERE VERY SPECIFIC COMMISSIONERS THAT WERE TRANSPARENT AND LET US KNOW WHAT WAS BEING SAID AND OTHERS THAT DIDN'T.

TRANSPARENCY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT OF ANY OF THIS STUFF BECAUSE IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING WE DON'T KNOW THE OVERALL SENTIMENTS.

AT LEAST THAT WAS EXPOSED AND IT WAS HORRIBLE I WOULD NEVER SAID ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT THERE WAS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY THAT DIDN'T LET US DEAL A LOT OF THOSE TEXT MESSAGES FROM HER GOVERNING OFFICIALS.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE GENTLEMAN WHO HAD BEEN SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR MANY YEARS AND DOING THINGS UNDER THE RADAR THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF BUT KNOW THAT THEY ARE IMPACTFUL IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS A WHOLE.

I THINK WE JUST NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE REPRESENT PEOPLE AND BY ATTACKING OR JUDGING OR DEFAMING ONE'S CHARACTER IS HURTFUL TO THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS THAT PERSON OR MAY HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS THAN OTHERS.

JUST MAKING SURE THAT WERE RESPECTFUL TO EVERYONE'S REASONS FOR BEING HERE AND WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.

THANK YOU.

>> BUILDING ON THIS THEME OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

PLEASE DISCUSS WHETHER YOU FEEL CURRENT ETHICS CODES FOR LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND FOR BLUEPRINT INTO GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY ARE ADEQUATE.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ETHICS OVERSIGHT OF EITHER OR BOTH.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE RUBY FERGUSON WE WILL START WITH YOU.

ACCOUNTABILITY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

TRANSPARENCY, INTEGRITY AND DECISIONS THAT WE MADE AND I BELIEVE I WILL SUPPORT ALL EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY AND HONESTY IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF ALL OF THE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.

THE PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON US AS COMMISSIONERS AND LEADERS THAT THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACE AND LOBBYIST ON THE OTHER HANDS THAT IS ON THE TABLE THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED IF WE ELECTED THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY COMMISSIONERS TO REPRESENT US.

NOT LOBBYIST AND OTHER FOLKS WERE TRYING TO GET PAID OUT OF THE DEAL.

I THINK THAT SO IMPORTANT.

ACCOUNTABILITY, INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY THAT WILL BRING THEM IN OVERSIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING STAYS IN PLACE.

>> THANK YOU RUBY FERGUSON.

JOSH JOHNSON.

ARE THE CURRENT ETHICS ADEQUATE AND WOULD YOU SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ETHICS OVERSIGHT OF BLUEPRINT AND LEON COUNTY.

>> AND FROM A SEVEN GENERATION LEON COUNTY.

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN PAYING TAXES IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 100 YEARS WHEN THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED ON THAT SALES TAX VOTED ON IT, FIRST OF ALL I DON'T THINK THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WITH THE SEND INTO WHAT IT DID.

EVEN IF SO THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD OCCUR WITH WITHOUT ADEQUATE OVERSIGHT.

I DON'T THINK THE ROBUST IS ENOUGH THE LOBBYING JURISDICTION SHOULD BE DISCUSSED.

I THINK THE IMC SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A PART OF SUNSHINE.

IF THE GOVERNING BODY OF BLUEPRINT IS NOT UNDER SUNSHINE AND SUNSHINE IS OBVIOUS IN MAKING EVERYTHING A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

IF THESE THINGS HAVE A REASON TO BE PRIVATE WHAT COULD THOSE JUSTIFICATIONS BE.

IF THERE ARE JUSTIFICATIONS, THEN YOU BETTER MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE PEOPLE I CANNOT THINK OF ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT HAVING THE GOVERNING BOARD OF MY TAX DOLLARS THAT GO TO PROJECTS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

I'M NOT GOING TO LIE HE HAS A POINT.

IF WE CAN HAVE A SAY INTO HOW WERE MOVING THINGS ALONG IN LEGISLATION.

WHO IS TO SAY.

I DO SUPPORT EXTRA PROTECTIONS THERE.

HOWEVER, I WANT THEM TO BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN THE ENDEAVOR RATHER THAN A NEGATIVE ONE.

ALMOST LIKE AN OPENING OF A DOOR TO A WORLD UNSEEN RATHER THAN YOU DID THIS AND YOU DID THAT SO WE CAN GROW.

THAT WOULD FACILITATE GROWTH THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX RHONDA SOFT.

THE CURRENT CODES ADEQUATE AND WOULD YOU SUPPORT OVERSIGHT OF THE COUNTY AND BLUEPRINT?

>> I DO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ETHICS OVERSIGHT BUT WE ALREADY HAVE IT.

FOR THE COUNTY REPORT TO THE STATE WITH THE SUBDIVISION IN THE STATE.

THE STATE OFFICES WHO WE REPORT TO.

WE HAVE IT AT THE COUNTY LEVEL AND WE HAVE TO REPORT EVERYTHING GO YEAR.

FROM THAT STANDPOINT YES.

THE OTHER PART OF THE QUESTION I'M WILLING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MORE OVERSIGHT I'M ALL FOR IT AND TRANSPARENCY IS TO MAKE A SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS ETHICAL OFFICIALS AND WERE PERFORMING IN AN ETHICAL WAY AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

AS FAR AS THE COUNTY IS CONCERNED WE ARE GOVERNED BY THE STATEWIDE ETHICS COMMISSION.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

ROOTING BACK TO YOU WITH THE FOLLOW-UP.

OBVIOUSLY YOU ALL DID NOT SIT ON THE CITY COMMISSION BUT YOU WORK HAND-IN-HAND WITH MATTERS OF GROWTH IN ADMINISTERING THE BLUEPRINT SALES TAX DOLLARS.

LAST WEEK WE SAW A FORM OF CITY COMMISSIONER INDICTED.

WHAT IMMEDIATELY WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS AND SHOULD THE COUNTY BE DOING ANYTHING AND RESPONSE?

FORTY-FIVE SECONDS.

>> I WAS DISHEARTENED I WAS BROKENHEARTED BECAUSE I SAW HIM TO BE A GREAT MAYOR IN MY EYES AND HE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S DISHEARTENING I AM PRAYING FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN THIS REGARD.

I BELIEVE THE SECOND PART OF THAT QUESTION -- >> TO THE COUNTY DO ANYTHING IN RESPONSE.

>> THE COUNTY, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A COUNTY ROLE IN REGARDS TO THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OFFERS POSSIBILITIES IN THE THINGS THAT WE ARE OVERSEEING IN PLACE AND KEEP INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR DECISIONS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU RUDY.

JOSH JOHNSON, SAME THING TO YOU.

>> IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.

THE DAY I FOUND OUT I WENT TO MY SOCIAL MEDIA TO LET THE PEOPLE FOLLOWING ME KNOW THAT I WAS SO DISHEARTENED HOW PUBLIC TRUST IS BEING BATTERED AND BRUISED.

THE SECOND PART OF THAT QUESTION DOES THE COUNTY PLAY A ROLE?

ABSOLUTELY THE COUNTY PLAYS A ROLE.

NOT ONLY FROM DECENT CITY BUT ALL LOT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL BOARDS THAT THE COUNTY IN THE CITY SHARE THERE IS CROSS-POLLINATION IN DOLLARS THERE IS CROSS-POLLINATION IN DECISION-MAKING AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE MAY BE BAD FOR THE GANDER.

I PUT A LITTLE TWIST ON THAT WHILE THERE HAS BEEN NO VISIBLE CORRUPTION ON THE COUNTY WE CANNOT SEE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DON'T HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN CORRECTING IT.

>> THANK YOU NIKKI.

NIKKI'S ON BOWE.

>> I DON'T DEAL WITH PROBLEMS I DEAL WITH SOLUTIONS AND I BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION FOR THAT PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY SO THIS IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE IN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

WHAT JOSH SAID THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE SOME INVOLVEMENT AS TO HOW MUCH ENOUGH SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN I'LL PUT THAT THERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU NIKKI ZUMBO.

NICK MADDOX WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEARD THE INDICTMENT NEWS AND SHOULD THE COUNTY DO ANYTHING IN RESPONSE?

>> THE FIRST THING WAS THE FAMILIES AFFECTED IN MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE GIVEN FAMILY IN THE LEHMAN HICKS FAMILY FOR WHATEVER THEY HAVE ON THEM.

SECONDLY WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON BUILDING THE PUBLIC TRUST.

WE TRY TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS WE CAN.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT MY THOUGHT WENT TO THE FAMILIES AND THE EMPATHY THAT I HAVE FOR WHAT THEY COULD BE GOING THROUGH AND WHAT THEY SHOULD BE GOING THROUGH MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THEM.

>> THINK YOU NICK MADDOX.

>> WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE UP THE PACE AND MOVE UP TO THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

THE WAY THAT WORKS I'M LOOKING FOR A ONE SENTENCE ANSWER.

MOST DIESEL BE A YES OR NO AND I'M INTERESTED IN THE SENTENCE EXPLAINING THAT.

THAT SENTENCE CAN HAVE AN AND OR BECAUSE BUT I THINK WE HAVE A TEACHER APPEAR AND WE KNOW RUN-ON SENTENCES ARE NO GOOD.

TRYING TO KEEP IT LIMITED TO ONE AND.

HERE WE GO WE BEGIN WITH HOW MANY COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS HAVE YOU ATTENDED AND HOW MANY HAVE YOU SPOKEN OUT.

WE'LL START WITH NICK MADDOX.

>> ALL OF THEM.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> IN NIGHTTIME I ATTENDED MORE THAN I CAN COUNT THE CITY HAS SPOKEN VARIOUS ISSUES SO THEY DATED BACK TO MAYOR JOHN MARX AND ALSO THE COUNTY COMMISSION I SPOKE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEM.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> ENOUGH TO BE EFFECTIVE NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE BIRD-DOG THE PROCESS.

A HAPPY MEDIUM.

>> TO KNOW WHAT TOPIC.

>> THE 27 MILLION IS THE MOST VISIBLE TOPIC OF THE DAY.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I'M NOT ATTENDED IN PERSON.

I FOUND QUITE THE ENJOYMENT WATCHING THEM ONLINE IN LEARNING ABOUT THE CROSS UNDER PROCESS.

I ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING IN THE SELECTION TO DO THE SAME.

>> WHAT DOES THE WORD PROGRESS FOR LEON COUNTY MEAN TO YOU?

AND WE START WITH RUDY FERGUSON.

>> IT MEANS TO ME KNOW WHEN IS LEFT BEHIND.

EVERYONE IS GOING FORWARD TOGETHER PARKS, FACILITIES, HOMES AND OVERALL LIFE, QUALITY OF LIFE HAS IMPROVED.

THAT IS PROGRESS TO ME.

ONCE OUT OF TOWN IS NOT BIGGER THAN THE OTHER OR GREATER THAN THE OTHER.

WERE ALL UNDER ONE ROOF.

>> WHAT DOES THE WORD PROGRESS MEAN TO YOU JOSH JOHNSON.

>> RUN-ON SENTENCES, JUST, MAKING HER TOMORROW'S BETTER THAN TODAY.

THERE IS WAYS THAT WE COULD DO IT.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> FOR TALLAHASSEE TO BE A PLACE THAT IS OPEN TO ALL INCLUSIVE AND ALL COMMUNITIES AND ONE THAT ARE HERE NOW AND BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME.

AND ONES THAT WANT TO RETURN AND BUILD A NEW HOME HERE.

>> PROSPERITY INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL PRE-BREEDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER THAT HAS BEEN DIVIDED IS WHAT PROGRESS LOOKS LIKE TO ME.

>> WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE LATE CALL SCHOOLHOUSE.

>> SPEND YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR PRIORITIES ARE.

IT SHOULD BE SAFE.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEE THAT PLACE BECOME A HISTORIC MUSEUM AND GRANT GRAVITY FOR THE COUNTY AND VISITORS SO WE CAN LEARN ABOUT OUR ORIGINS.

THANK YOU.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> TO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO SAVE IT, HOLD THE CITY, COUNTY AND THE STATE IN PARTNERSHIP TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO SAVE IT.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> IS HER HISTORY NOTHING EVERYTHING SHOULD BE DONE IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THAT HISTORY.

I THINK WE SHOULD SAVE IT.

YES.

>> THANIKKI ZUMBO NAME ONE SPECC COMMUNITY IN TALLAHASSEE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> DEFINITELY THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A FEW YEARS.

FINDING HOUSING THAT THEY CAN AFFORD AND RESOURCES THAT CONVINCE THEM THAT TALLAHASSEE IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVING FLORIDA.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> JENNA GRAPHICALLY?

>> ALL LEAVE IT TO YOUR DISCRETION OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> I'M GOING TO GO WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEY NEEDED US IN A WAY THAT THEY'VE NEVER NEEDED US BEFORE AND WE NEED TO TARGET THEM AND PULL THEM ALONG AND GIVE THEM A BETTER VIEW ON LIFE.

>> THANK YOU.

RUDY FERGUSON.

>> WE PRIORITIZE FOR THE 32402 AREA CODE TO BRING THAT UP.

THAT'S AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY AND DISENFRANCHISE COMMUNITY.

WE OUGHT TO SPEND SOME TIME THERE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE RESIDENTS FEEL A PART OF OUR PROCESS.

>> JOSH JOHNSON THAT QUESTION ANSWERS ITSELF.

32304 IS THE POOREST ZIP CODE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> NICK MADDOX WAS ONE PLEDGEE WOULD MAKE TO VOTERS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IF REELECTED.

>> JUST ONE.

>> JUST ONE.

>> IT'S THE ONE PLEDGEE YOU HAVE TO.

YOU WOULD MAKE THE VOTERS RIGHT NOW BUT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH.

>> WE WILL DEAL WITH OUR CRIME ISSUE AND PARTNERSHIP OF LEON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN TALLAHASSEE IN THE TPD.

WE ABSOLUTELY WILL.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> ONE THING I WILL ACCOMPLISH IS MAKING SURE THAT TALLAHASSEE IN LEON COUNTY IS SAFE, HEALTHY AND VIBRANT AND THAT IS ALL OF IT.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> THE ONE THING I WILL PROMISE IT WON'T TAKE ME 12 YEARS TO DO EVERYTHING THAT I TOLD YOU I WOULD DO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE EFFORTS AND FUNDS PUT INTO CHILDCARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES THAT ARE WORKING.

THANK YOU.

>> RUDY FERGUSON THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER WORKING WITH COUNTERPARTS IN THE CITY COMMISSION, WHO WOULD YOU ENDORSE FOR MAYOR OF TALLAHASSEE AND WHY.

>> I KNOW ALL OF THE CANDIDATES, THIS ONE IS A BIG ONE I DO PRAY FOR WHOEVER GETS IT BUT I'M NOT ENDORSING ANYONE AT THIS PARTICULAR RACE.

>> JOSH JOHNSON I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A BIG QUESTION.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I SUPPORT ALL WOMEN ON THE BALLOT HERE IN FLORIDA.

THANK YOU.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> WILLIAM HATFIELD, WHAT A QUESTION I HAVE MY OWN CAMPAIGN AROUND.

>> I HAD TO TRY.

>> IS THERE ANY LIMITS THAT YOU WILL ACCEPT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM?

>> HAVE MORE INDIVIDUAL DONORS WITH EVERYBODY COMBINED AND ANOTHER 114 TO SPARE AND OUR PEOPLE AND OUR BUSINESSES HAVE GONE TO AND THERE'S ONLY TWO BUSINESSES ON THERE.

ABSOLUTELY I WILL NOT ACCEPT DEVELOPER.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> AS MENTIONED BEFORE MY CAMPAIGN WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY CONTRIBUTIONS OR DONATIONS.

I BELIEVE THAT MONEY COULD BE BETTER SPENT IN A FAMILY SITUATION AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> THANK YOU I WILL TAKE MONEY HE WILL SUPPORT AND INFLUENCE ANY DECISION BE MOVING FORWARD IS COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> I'M NOT ACCEPTED ANY FUNDS FROM -- I DO THAT TO REPRESENT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY.

>> NIKKI'S ELBOW ASIDE FROM FAMILY WHO DO YOU VIEW AS YOUR LOCAL MENTOR IN LIFE AND PURSUING THE SEAT.

NOTE THAT ASIDE FROM FAMILY.

NIKKI'S ELBOW.

>> IT IS THE WOMEN IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT HAVE TAUGHT ME THINGS THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE LEARNED AND AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING.

HOW TO BE A BUSINESSWOMAN HOW TO BE ADMINISTRATIVE.

HOW TO FACILITATE GROWTH IN MY COMMUNITY.

I GIVE THAT TO ALL THE WOMEN WHO HAVE HELP ME SUCCEED THIS FAR.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX.

A LOT OF MENTORS OUT THERE I HAVE TO GIVE THIS ONE TO THE GOD.

MY INFLUENCE MY MOTIVATION, MY LEADER, MY PROTECTOR AND MY THOUGHTS.

GOD.

>> REALLY FOR FERGUSON.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO MY YOUNGER BEGINNINGS AT THE TALLAHASSEE URBAN LEAGUE.

I HAVE 70 FATHERS AND MOTHERS BUT IT STARTED IN THE URBAN LEAGUE AND I CREDIT THEM FOR WHO I AM TODAY.

>> THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT I SEE ON A DAILY BASIS.

MY STUDENTS IN THE CHILDREN AND THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY ARE MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX NAME ONE SPECIFIC THING THAT COUNTY IS NOT SPENDING ENOUGH MONEY ON IN ONE THINK THEY ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON.

>> ALSO WAS SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY BUT 47% OF OUR BUDGET GOES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN IT'S NOT TOO MUCH.

YOU THINK THE SHERIFF DOES AN ADEQUATE JOB.

I THINK WHAT THEY NEED TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON, OF COURSE AS MUCH MONEY THAT THEY PUSH UP FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS WOULD BE THE BEST THAT WE COULD DO RIGHT NOW PUSHING MY MONEY OUT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> THANK YOU.

RUDY FERGUSON YOU WERE UP NEXT.

>> I DON'T THINK WERE SPENDING ENOUGH MONEY UNDER USE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WERE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

WE HAVE TO REINVEST OUR PRIORITIES TO HELP THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE MOST FOLDABLE COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON FLORIDA STATE STADIUM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JOSH HUDSON I DON'T THINK WERE SPENDING ENOUGH MONEY ON THINGS THAT WILL PUT US IN MAKE US INDEPENDENT OF ENERGY, WE SHOULD BE SPENDING MORE MONEY ON THINGS THAT WILL HELP OUR ENVIRONMENT.

THEY WERE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY ON DEVELOPMENT HEAVY PROJECTS LIKE THE STADIUM IN THE NORTHEAST GATE AND THE EXPANSION OF AN URBAN SERVICE AREA.

>> AT A SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY IN THE WRONG KIND OF HOUSING.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS BUILT AND KEPT A VERY AFFORDABLE COST FOR CONSTITUENTS.

>> THE KEY.

COUNTY COMMISSION JOB IS CONSIDERED A FULL-TIME JOB.

IF ELECTED, WILL YOU CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT ELSEWHERE IN EITHER A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME CAPACITY?

AND WE START WITH RUDY FERGUSON.

>> I AM A FULL-TIME PASTOR WHICH MEANS I'M A FULL-TIME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

IF I AM ELECTED THAT WILL BE BY FULL-TIME JOB AS WELL AND I WILL DEFINITELY BE IN THE COURTHOUSE, BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

NOT A LOT OF MONEY THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAKE, THAT'S A FULL-TIME JOB.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> IF ELECTED I WOULD NOT LEAVE MY STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR THERE IS NO DOUBT I WOULD STAY IN MY CLASSROOM.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I WOULD FULLY ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES AS COMMISSIONER AND IMMERSE MYSELF IN THAT CAREER FIELD.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX.

>> IF I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK OTHER PROFESSIONAL POINT AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU.

JOSH JOHNSON.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST THING THAT YOU'VE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

THAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST.

>> AND I HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

I'VE DONE A LOT.

I WOULD THINK BEING A CONSENSUS BUILDER AND VERY VOCAL ON ISSUES HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST THING.

THERE IS TOO MANY TO COUNT.

A PRESIDENT OF 61 GALLERY IN A TEACHER IN THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER I JUST CAN'T PRIORITIZE OR CATALOG BUT I WILL SAY ALL OF MY WORK GOES INTO AIM OF FACILITATING GROWTH IN THIS COUNTY.

>> AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT I SPENT A LOT OF TIME MOVING IN RESIDENCE TO TALLAHASSEE TO DO OPPORTUNITIES AND NEW HOMES AS WELL AS THE DON'T LIVE HERE.

MY BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT HERE IN LEON COUNTY IS BEING A RESOURCE AS THE REASON TO COME TO TALLAHASSEE AND PROFIT AND LIFESTYLE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NICK MADDOX.

>> PERSONALLY I BELIEVE WORKING WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN LEON COUNTY TO LOOK AT WAYS WE CAN REDEVELOP OUR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

ORANGE AVENUE HAS HAD SOME ISSUES LATELY BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE FOLKS THAT NEED TO COME BACK IMMENSELY IS GOING TO CHANGE THE NATURE AND THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO WILL LIVE IN THOSE APARTMENTS.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> I WILL CERTAINLY SAY MANY THINGS THAT I'VE DONE WORK IN MY COMMUNITY, THE BIGGEST THING THAT MAKES ME PROUD IS JOHN G RALEIGH PARK.

IT WAS DONATED TO THE CITY.

I WENT TO THE CITY COMMISSION TO ASK THEM TO TURN THAT INTO A PARK WHERE PEOPLE CAN USE IT.

NOW WE HAVE A STAGE, POWER, PICNIC BENCHES, BARBECUE PITS.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT THAT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO LIFT UP THAT PARK AND LIFT UP THE COMMUNITY IN THE PROPERTY VALUE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

>> YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

NOW WERE GOING BACK TO A LONGER FORM.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE DEMOCRAT REPORTED THAT COMMISSIONER MADDOX HAD LEFT HIS JOB AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND MADE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS BY AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS RUDY FERGUSON'S CLOSE RELATIVE.

HE DECLINED TO DISCUSS ALLEGATIONS BUT IN THIS STATEMENT YOU SAID I WILL NOT ENGAGE IN THIS POLITIC OR PERSONAL ATTACK.

RUDY FERGUSON SAID HE DID NOT KNOW DETAILS OF THE COMPLAINT AND ONLY FOUND OUT SHORTLY AFTER HE ANNOUNCED HIS RUN FOR THE SEAT.

JOSH JOHNSON PUT OUT A STATEMENT CALLING THE ACCUSATIONS TROUBLING CONSIDERING THE THREE OF YOU ARE ALREADY ON THE RECORD IN THIS MATTER IS THIS A MATTER THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE FOR VOTERS IN THIS CAMPAIGN?

WE WILL START WITH YOU COMMISSIONER MADDOX.

>> OF THE VOTERS CAN FOCUS ON ISSUES RATED THE BIG ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN LEON COUNTY AND NOT THAT.

THAT'S WHAT I PLANTED DO WITH ISSUES IS FOCUS ON THEM AND NOT DO AVENUE.

THAT IS MY AIM, WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

I HOPE THE PERSON WHO WINS THIS RACE OR MOVES FORWARD AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

IT DOES SO BECAUSE OF THE PLAN MOVING FORWARD AND IT FOCUSES ON ISSUES.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> ALSO THIS IS PRIVATE IN THE TOUGH MOMENT BUT I'LL SAVE THIS FOR THE RECORD RUDY FERGUSON IN MY ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE STORY THAT WAS PRESENTED MY HEART GOES OUT TO MY RELATIVE IN MY LOVE FOR HER AND MY CONCERN FOR HER WHICH IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

THAT WILL NOT CLOUD MY JUDGMENT STATEMENT FOR THIS COUNTY.

>> AS I SAID I'M A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, NOT A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.

I TRY TO STAY OUT OF THE RUMOR MILL BUT I KNOW THE ALLEGATIONS ARE TROUBLING AND I DO THINK MAYBE THEY WILL SUEDE THINGS A BREATHERS MORE OF A LACK OF EXPLANATION.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WITH BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO STAY OUT OF THE RUMOR MILL THAT IS SALACIOUS IN A HIDEOUS STORY I WOULD RATHER NOT TOUCH IT.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> I BELIEVE THE CONSTITUENCY AND VOTERS ARE INFLUENCED.

THAT IS IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SERVES THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION, VINCE LONG HAS BEEN SERVING AS A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SINCE 2011 WHAT LATTER GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE TO VINCENT THIS YEAR END WHY.

>> HE IS FACILITATING OBLIGATION IN THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTY WITH THIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE PEOPLE IN THE STAFF.

I DO THINK THAT SOME THINGS ARE NOT QUITE CLEAR WHICH IS THE PROBLEM.

IF THOSE CAN BE CLEARED UP.

THEN MAYBE I COULD GIVE AN ACCURATE GRADE.

THERE IS STILL TOO MUCH I DON'T KNOW, SOMEBODY QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE.

WHAT SHOULD HAS HE AFFECTED THE DECISIONS OF THE LOCAL ENTER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES?

HAS HE AFFECTED THE DECISIONS OF STAFF.

HAS HE AFFECTED THE DECISIONS OF COUNTY COMMISSION.

THEY HAVE BEEN SO BOND ALLUDED BECAUSE IT'S ONLY QUESTION POSED.

I CAN'T GREET HIM.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

NIKKI ZUMBO SAME QUESTION TO Y YOU.

>> I HEARD HE GOT A B.

HOWEVER, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM HOW WE CAN ENTER THAT B- INTO AND A.

>> THANK YOU NIKKI ZUMBO.

NICK MADDOX.

>> I THINK HE STATIC TERRIFIC JOB AND I GIVE HIM IN A HE HAS LETTER COUNTY AND THEY'VE DONE AN AMAZING THANKS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH HIM.

>> WHAT DOES HE DONE WELL AND WHAT COULD HE DO BETTER.

>> HE HAS LED US HE ADVISED US, HE IMPLEMENTED THE PLANS THAT WE MOVE THAT WE GAVE HIM TO IMPLEMENT.

EVERYTHING WILL YOUR FEE LOOK AT THIS YEAR ALONE WE ARE USING LITTLE TO NO LOAN FOUND BALANCE.

AND THAT BY THE FORESIGHT LED BY VINCE LONG.

THE USER THE TERRIFIC JOB AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH HIM.

>> THANK YOU, NICK MADDOX.

RUDY RUINED US OUT.

>> I BELIEVE MS. LONG HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF TALKING TO HIM IN THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING HIM OPERATE IN THE CHAMBER ALONG WITH THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS.

THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB BUT ONCE THE COMMISSIONERS GIVE YOU DIRECTION AND THE STAFF DIRECTION TAKE THE INFORMATION TO MAKE IT APPLICABLE WHEN CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS BRING BACK SOMETHING TANGIBLE, I WOULD HAVE TO SEE FOR THE TIME THAT I'VE KNOWN HIM I WOULD GIVE HIM ANY.

>> THANK YOU RUDY JOHNSON.

>> WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING REGARDING OUT OF PORTION DOES THE COUNTY HAVE A PLACE IN THE PORTION OF DISCUSSION?

>> WE ARE GOING TO START WITH NIKKI.

MORE NOW THAN EVER WE ARE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE RELY ON LOCAL BUSINESSES AND CENTERS FOR WOMEN TO RECEIVE THE HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEED.

I WANT TO EMBOLDEN THOSE COMMUNITIES TO MAKE PARTNERSHIPS AND TO FACILITATE PROGRAMS FOR AT-RISK WOMEN AND PREGNANCY SO THEY CAN HAVE THE CARE THAT THEY ABSOLUTELY NEED AND REQUIRE.

AN ABORTION IS A VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC FOR WOMEN.

THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT MADE LIGHTLY, I WOULD ASSUME.

I WANT WEB AND TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS AND TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF ALL OF THEIR OPTIONS.

THANK YOU.

>> NICK MADDOX.

>> I THINK THE COUNTY NEEDS TO PROVIDE AS MUCH SUPPORT FOR THOSE WOMEN AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

ALL WOMEN ACTUALLY.

IF I COULD THINK ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT THAT WE CAN.

I BELIEVE THE WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK RIGHT NOW WHAT WE CAN DO IS A COUNTY IS PROVIDE SUPPORT IN ANY AND EVERY WAY THAT WE CAN TO HELP WOMEN THAT MAY BE GOING THROUGH HARD SITUATION.

>> RUDY FERGUSON.

>> GIVEN WHAT WE'VE COME FROM AND WHERE WOMEN HAVE COME FROM AND THEY'VE MOEZ LIMAYEM A WHOLE LOT OF SITUATION.

SCHOLASTICALLY WE SHOULD DO IS LEGISLATIVE ONE'S BODY.

WE ARE ALL HERE AND CAME FROM A WOMAN.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR BODY IS THEIR BODY AND NO MAN AND NOBODY ELSE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TELL A WOMAN HOW TO USE HER BODY AND HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT.

LEADERSHIP IS BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF THESE ISSUES INTO MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD THREE NOT ONLY THROUGH MY SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MY ACTIONS, THE VERY DAY I HEARD ABOUT IT.

THE VERY DAY AT A GATHERING AND LOCAL WOMAN IN ORGANIZATIONS AND MEN AT OUR FLORIDA CAPITAL I GAVE A VERY PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT SAID WE CANNOT LEGISLATE A WOMAN'S BODY AND EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE HER RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT THE COUNTY CAN DO ABOUT IT NOW IS THAT THE WOMEN OR THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY AND ARE COUNTY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OUR SUPPORT WE SHOULD WAIT AND SEE HOW THIS THING HAPPENS AND THEN WE SHOULD ATTACK IN EVERY WAY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO US TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN IN LEON COUNTY KNOW THAT WE ARE ON THEIR SIDE.

>> WE MADE IT WE COVERED ATTENTIVE TERRITORY.

IT IS CLOSING ARGUMENTS TIME.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS.

WHY SHOULD VOTERS VOTE FOR YOU.

WE'RE GONNA START WITH THE RUDY FERGUSON.

>> I'M RUBY FERGUSON I'VE BEEN RUNNING FOR LEON COUNTY FOR TALLAHASSEE SINCE MY YOUNGER YEARS AT THE TALLAHASSEE LEAGUE.

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST THINGS THEY GAVE ME THE INSIGHT TO BE ASSERTED IS THE SERVANT HEART EITHER PRIVILEGE OF WORKING FOR THE GOVERNOR AT THE AGE OF 23 AND I SERVED FOR 73.

THEY GAVE ME THE INSIGHT AND I'VE BEEN WORKING OTHER COMMUNITIES OF THE GRIFFIN HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD AT VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS.

MY MODEL IS SIMPLE RUN WITH RUDY HE'S BEEN RUNNING FOR YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I BELIEVE THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE FIRST AND FOREMOST.

ON AUGUST 23 VOTE RUBY FERGUSON TO BE AT LARGE SERVING THE PEOPLE'S INTEREST.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JOSH JOHNSON.

>> AS A MEMBER OF A SEVENTH GENERATION FAMILY.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, EDUCATOR, STEWARD AND PRESIDENT OF ONE OF TALLAHASSEE'S BRIGHTEST INSTITUTIONS IN THE 6212.

LET MY CLOSING STATEMENT BE A THANKS.

THANKS TO ALMOST A HUNDRED INDIVIDUAL DONORS, THE COUNTLESS ENDORSEMENT, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALLOWED US TO LEAD IN FUNDRAISING FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE I PROMISE YOU WHAT JOSH JOHNSON IS SAYING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS WHAT JOSH JOHNSON WILL DO FROM THE SEAT.

YOU'VE GIVEN ME YOUR TRUST.

YOU HAVE GIVEN ME YOUR ALL.

ONE THING (ON AUGUST 23 GIVE ME YOUR VOTE AND I PROMISE YOU YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

THANK YOU.

>> NIKKI ZUMBO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

THANK YOU FOR RESEARCHING AND INVESTING YOUR TIME IN THESE CANDIDATES.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT ABOUT.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING A FRIEND.

GET YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED.

THROW A VOTING PARTY IF YOU WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE MAKING A EDUCATED DECISIONS THAT DAY.

I WORKED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS I KNEW AT 18 YEARS OLD I WANTED TO REPRESENT PEOPLE AND I HAD DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER AND CAREER TO BE THE BEST REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE IN MY COUNTY THAT I CAN BE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> NICK MADDOX YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS FORUM.

IT'S BEEN AMAZING.

I WANT TO START BY SAYING TOGETHER WE CAN ENDED ENVIRONMENT INFLATION IS GOING CRAZY AND GAS PRICES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF, TOGETHER WE CAN, ENVIRONMENT WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TOGETHER WE CAN.

WHEN VIOLENT CRIME IS AN ISSUE, TOGETHER WE CAN.

THE ISSUE IS TOGETHER.

I COME FROM A TEAM BACKGROUND.

I WANT TO CONTINUE TO USE MY TIME TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

I'VE BEEN KNOWN FOR DOING IT AND SET THIS BUILDING I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

I HAVE A LOT MORE TO OFFER THE COUNTY AND A LOT MORE EXPERIENCE TO PULL US THROUGH SOME OF THE PRIME ISSUES AS WELL AS INFLATIONARY IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR CITY COMMISSIONER COUNTY COMMISSION, TPD AND THE COMMUNITY AND EVEN THE CANDIDATES APPEAR TODAY TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT LEON COUNTY AND THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES PERSPECTIVE RUDY FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN LEON COUNTY NOT JUST A FEW.

THE WAY THAT WE DO THAT, I'LL SAY ONE MORE TIME, I BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER WE CAN.

>> THANK YOU CANDIDATES FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU TO THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT.

THE LEAGUE OF TALLAHASSEE AND FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THIS FORUM ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGES TALLAHASSEE.COM AND WFSU.ORG.

THE REPORTING BROADCASTS WILL BE THIS TUESDAY JULY 5 AT 11:00 A.M. AT WFSU 88.9 FM.

OUR NEXT FORUM WILL BE WEDNESDAY JULY 6 AT 1:00 P.M. WITH THE FOUR CANDIDATES FOR TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION.

THIS IS THE MAYORAL SEAT.

THE CANDIDATES ARE JOHN DALY, KRISTEN DOZIER, MICHAEL ABRAHAM, AND LEAVE IN THE THIRD.

>> YOU CAN LOOK FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT WHICH WILL BE PRINTED AND INSERTED ON MONDAY AUGUST 7.

YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM US SHORTLY ON THAT.

FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED TODAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

KNOW THAT YOU CAN SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE COMING FORUM.

E-MAIL US.

WE HAVE BEEN USING THOSE QUESTIONS AND THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING.

THANK YOU CANDIDATES FOR ATTENDING.

HAVE AN EXCELLENT DAY.

♪