Welcome to Perspectives online and of Welcome to Perspectives online and of course on air from WFSU Public Media I'm course on air from WFSU Public Media I'm Tom Flanigan Tom Flanigan this program using the ubiquitous Zoom this program using the ubiquitous Zoom platform platform was pre-recorded on Tuesday September was pre-recorded on Tuesday September 22nd for playback 22nd for playback on Thursday September 24th and the show on Thursday September 24th and the show will appear on both wfs ufm will appear on both WFSU FM and the WFSU Public Media facebook page and the WFSU Public Media facebook page now this program is the the second in now this program is the the second in our series of political Perspectives our series of political Perspectives in the run-up to the November third in the run-up to the November third general election general election we'll be talking with candidates vying we'll be talking with candidates vying for several offices for several offices in the course of the next week and a in the course of the next week and a half uh half uh that includes uh two Leon County that includes uh two Leon County Commission contests one Tallahassee Commission contests one Tallahassee city Commission race and also a local city Commission race and also a local referendum on a proposed referendum on a proposed children's council for Leon County and i children's council for Leon County and i bet you we're gonna wade into that bet you we're gonna wade into that particular topic particular topic in the course of this particular program in the course of this particular program too too today's political Perspectives features today's political Perspectives features the three candidates the three candidates for the Leon County board of County for the Leon County board of County Commissioners Commissioners at large seat one now this seat opened at large seat one now this seat opened up when the up when the current occupant mary ann lindley current occupant mary ann lindley decided not to seek another term decided not to seek another term and out of a very large initial field and out of a very large initial field and I mean a total field because we had and I mean a total field because we had the screen the screen covered with candidates at that point covered with candidates at that point going into the august primary we are now going into the august primary we are now down to the two largest down to the two largest vote getters in that election Carolyn vote getters in that election Carolyn Cummings and Kelly Otte plus Cummings and Kelly Otte plus a write-in candidate Melissa dillard and a write-in candidate Melissa dillard and we're going to start off with giving we're going to start off with giving each candidate each candidate a few moments excuse me to introduce a few moments excuse me to introduce themselves themselves they're also going to talk about their they're also going to talk about their background and will be background and will be telling us what they consider to be the telling us what they consider to be the unique qualities that make unique qualities that make each of them the preferred person to do each of them the preferred person to do the job after that we'll get into some the job after that we'll get into some specific issues pertinent to Leon County specific issues pertinent to Leon County government government and although we don't follow the strict and although we don't follow the strict time limits on statements as so many of time limits on statements as so many of these forums and debates do these forums and debates do um i'll kind of jump in if any response um i'll kind of jump in if any response goes on for more than say a couple three goes on for more than say a couple three minutes so minutes so we can talk about more topics in the we can talk about more topics in the course of the program so please course of the program so please uh we'll ask the folks to keep their uh we'll ask the folks to keep their comments brief and on point and that comments brief and on point and that includes me includes me in advance of the program we did hold a in advance of the program we did hold a drawing just to see who started off and drawing just to see who started off and then we'll mix it up as we go then we'll mix it up as we go the name that came up first was Carolyn the name that came up first was Carolyn Cummings so Cummings so Miss Cummings welcome back it is so good Miss Cummings welcome back it is so good to see you and if you could to see you and if you could give us again a little introduction give us again a little introduction about yourself and about yourself and what you consider the top qualities that what you consider the top qualities that would qualify you would qualify you for the office of Leon County Commission for the office of Leon County Commission yes sir thank yes sir thank you Mr.. Flanigan and I appreciate WFSU you Mr.. Flanigan and I appreciate WFSU and you all allow me the opportunity to and you all allow me the opportunity to speak about my candidacy i speak about my candidacy i am Carolyn Cummings as you said I'm a am Carolyn Cummings as you said I'm a candidate for Leon County Commission at candidate for Leon County Commission at large large uh c3 I have been a resident uh c3 I have been a resident and a practicing attorney in Leon County and a practicing attorney in Leon County for over for over 37 years I've worked in the public 37 years I've worked in the public sector I've worked in the private sector sector I've worked in the private sector i purchased property as part of the i purchased property as part of the princetown revitalization princetown revitalization movement and my law firm is located here movement and my law firm is located here in Frenchtown it has been here for about in Frenchtown it has been here for about 20 20 over 20 years I believe I have my over 20 years I believe I have my my ears to the pulse of the individuals my ears to the pulse of the individuals in Leon in Leon County I have volunteered non-legal County I have volunteered non-legal services services to many segments of the community uh and to many segments of the community uh and organizations organizations that advocate for youth and for seniors that advocate for youth and for seniors and just for all citizens and just for all citizens in the County I have been recognized by in the County I have been recognized by the florida supreme court for the florida supreme court for all of the free legal services that i all of the free legal services that i have provided over the years to have provided over the years to citizens in Leon County I believe citizens in Leon County I believe that I am the best person for the job that I am the best person for the job because I know how to think outside of because I know how to think outside of the box the box i am a business owner I know what it is i am a business owner I know what it is to make payroll to make payroll i am a mother I represent i am a mother I represent clients who for the most part clients who for the most part don't have a lot of money they're not don't have a lot of money they're not wealthy but I've wealthy but I've had to find ways to advocate for them had to find ways to advocate for them successfully successfully i will take that same advocacy i will take that same advocacy to the Leon County Commission and to the Leon County Commission and advocate for all citizens advocate for all citizens of Leon County I am concerned about jump of Leon County I am concerned about jump starting starting our economy I'm concerned our economy I'm concerned about affordable housing affordable about affordable housing affordable health care health care equitable rate wages and also equitable rate wages and also lowering the crime rate and lowering the crime rate and social justice and equality social justice and equality affordable housing health care equitable affordable housing health care equitable wages is what wages is what we want to do to make Leon County we want to do to make Leon County a viable place to live for everybody a viable place to live for everybody addressing the crime rate is about addressing the crime rate is about making sure we are maintaining law and making sure we are maintaining law and order in our County order in our County and in our streets and of course and in our streets and of course addressing social justice of criminal addressing social justice of criminal justice reform justice reform is just simply about fairness for is just simply about fairness for everybody and especially uh since we've everybody and especially uh since we've had a study here had a study here in lyon County where most of the in lyon County where most of the citizens majority of the citizens citizens majority of the citizens believe we need to look believe we need to look at equity and we need to look at at equity and we need to look at the inequities and we need to be the inequities and we need to be concerned about concerned about equal justice for all so I believe equal justice for all so I believe this is the time and place where we need this is the time and place where we need to to tackle those issues I am the individual tackle those issues I am the individual that we need at the table to make sure that we need at the table to make sure our economy our economy is jump started in the face of COVID 19 is jump started in the face of COVID 19 and I believe we have to marriage and I believe we have to marriage business and industry and make sure business and industry and make sure that the concerns of the community as that the concerns of the community as far as far as about the environment our natural about the environment our natural resources resources are holistically addressed we can all are holistically addressed we can all work together work together to make sure we jump start the economy to make sure we jump start the economy and I'm the person to be and I'm the person to be at the table to do that Mr.

Flanigan at the table to do that Mr.

Flanigan thank you thank you thank you thank you very much uh miss thank you thank you very much uh miss Carolyn Cummings next uh we Carolyn Cummings next uh we have a self introduction and have a self introduction and qualifications overview from qualifications overview from kalayati go ahead ma'am oh better take off from you there Kelly oh better take off from you there Kelly of course it was going to be me thank of course it was going to be me thank you so much for having us you so much for having us on uh the show Tom it's really a on uh the show Tom it's really a pleasure to be here pleasure to be here I'm running for the Leon County I'm running for the Leon County Commission at large seat one position Commission at large seat one position because I love Leon County I've been because I love Leon County I've been incredibly lucky incredibly lucky to have raised two children in this to have raised two children in this beautiful community beautiful community and I saw all of the possibilities that and I saw all of the possibilities that were available to them were available to them I've also spent the last 25 years I've also spent the last 25 years working in the community in the working in the community in the nonprofit sector predominantly nonprofit sector predominantly and I've experienced the fact that that and I've experienced the fact that that is not the same circumstances for a lot is not the same circumstances for a lot of people in this community of people in this community the people that I've been working with the people that I've been working with for the last 25 years for the last 25 years are people who are scared every single are people who are scared every single day whether or not they're gonna have a day whether or not they're gonna have a safe place to sleep safe place to sleep tonight and also whether or not they're tonight and also whether or not they're gonna have food for their children gonna have food for their children and so I'm running for them I'm running and so I'm running for them I'm running because my father because my father couldn't access affordable quality care couldn't access affordable quality care here in Leon County when he got sick here in Leon County when he got sick three years ago three years ago and he died while we were trying to find and he died while we were trying to find an economical assisted living facility an economical assisted living facility for him for him so I'm running for people like my father so I'm running for people like my father who cannot afford to access who cannot afford to access affordable assisted living I'm running affordable assisted living I'm running because because i know that the people of Leon County i know that the people of Leon County have the solutions to these problems and have the solutions to these problems and many other problems many other problems the thing that I believe that I am good the thing that I believe that I am good at and that I've been doing for 25 years at and that I've been doing for 25 years here here is pulling people together to work is pulling people together to work collaboratively collaboratively and in to look at big issues and try to and in to look at big issues and try to come up with big solutions and so some come up with big solutions and so some of the things I've been able to of the things I've been able to accomplish accomplish working in groups and leading groups to working in groups and leading groups to get that done are things like creating get that done are things like creating the first forensic sexual assault nurse the first forensic sexual assault nurse examiner program examiner program here in Leon County I expanded their here in Leon County I expanded their domestic violence center here from a domestic violence center here from a three-bedroom house to an 11 000 square three-bedroom house to an 11 000 square foot facility foot facility and was able to add a child care quality and was able to add a child care quality child care center to that child care center to that i worked with then Commissioner keanock i worked with then Commissioner keanock and yemi to create the Commission on the and yemi to create the Commission on the status of women and girls status of women and girls i also participated in starting the i also participated in starting the united partners for human services which united partners for human services which was the very first was the very first association for human service association for human service organizations in the community organizations in the community and was part of starting the institute and was part of starting the institute on nonprofit innovation and excellence on nonprofit innovation and excellence which is the very first which is the very first management support organization for the management support organization for the nonprofit sector nonprofit sector i have 25 years working directly with i have 25 years working directly with the people in this County from the people in this County from every walk of life either every walk of life either collaboratively because we've been doing collaboratively because we've been doing the work that needed to get done or the work that needed to get done or working in neighborhoods to find out working in neighborhoods to find out what they needed and how we could help what they needed and how we could help do it do it in addition to my nonprofit experience i in addition to my nonprofit experience i worked in commercial real estate worked in commercial real estate I've worked with the bureau of land I've worked with the bureau of land management which is the federal management which is the federal government and I've also worked for government and I've also worked for chris craft boats which is chris craft boats which is international a manufacturing company international a manufacturing company i think even people who butted heads i think even people who butted heads with me will tell you that the thing with me will tell you that the thing about me is that I am not afraid to about me is that I am not afraid to speak the truth and I'm not afraid to speak the truth and I'm not afraid to ask hard questions ask hard questions and i'd like to do that as your next and i'd like to do that as your next Leon County Commissioner thank you very Leon County Commissioner thank you very much much thank you Kellyarti now Carolyn and thank you Kellyarti now Carolyn and Kelly have both been on this program Kelly have both been on this program in the pre-primary political in the pre-primary political Perspectives Perspectives we Welcome a new face and voice we Welcome a new face and voice to the discussion though because she is to the discussion though because she is the write-in candidate for this the write-in candidate for this particular office particular office in the Leon County Commission and that in the Leon County Commission and that is is Melissa Villar and let's go ahead tell Melissa Villar and let's go ahead tell us a bit about yourself us a bit about yourself by way of background and also what you by way of background and also what you consider to be some of your prime consider to be some of your prime qualifications for the job qualifications for the job all right well thank you very much thank all right well thank you very much thank you WFSU Public Media you WFSU Public Media Tom and kimberly for holding the forum Tom and kimberly for holding the forum today um today um first I do want to give my condolences first I do want to give my condolences to to our families that have lost lives um due our families that have lost lives um due to to COVIDed public health disaster and to to COVIDed public health disaster and to to violence to crime violence to crime um in Leon County and the united states um in Leon County and the united states um um and the globe um you know I am I want to and the globe um you know I am I want to give give my sincere condolences to all the my sincere condolences to all the families that have lost lives families that have lost lives first and foremost um and I do first and foremost um and I do also um so my background um also um so my background um i am originally from texas and I moved i am originally from texas and I moved to Tallahassee to Tallahassee in 2000 early 2000s um in 2000 early 2000s um and I worked for a fortune 500 and I worked for a fortune 500 telecommunications firm which telecommunications firm which enabled me with the livable wage to enabled me with the livable wage to relocate my family to Tallahassee relocate my family to Tallahassee and um because I have family here and and um because I have family here and um I um while um I um while working full-time you know I i was an working full-time you know I i was an independent independent distributor for scholastic um distributor for scholastic um contracting um you know having book contracting um you know having book sales with child development centers sales with child development centers with department of juvenile justice with department of juvenile justice um and to you know our various child um and to you know our various child care centers in care centers in the region and the panhandle in south the region and the panhandle in south georgia georgia um so I am I'm familiar with communities um so I am I'm familiar with communities i am familiar with the people i am familiar with the people um and and you know because i um and and you know because i and I also worked for the Leon County and I also worked for the Leon County school system um school system um at gretchen everhart with um special at gretchen everhart with um special needs children needs children and um you know because of the and um you know because of the the inability to uh provide for my the inability to uh provide for my children children with one stable job and and health with one stable job and and health insurance insurance i began working for the florida house of i began working for the florida house of representatives um in representatives um in in a few years after I moved here and so in a few years after I moved here and so with that I earned um working full-time with that I earned um working full-time being a full-time mother being a full-time mother um obviously raising children and so my um obviously raising children and so my kudos to families that are doing virtual kudos to families that are doing virtual school because I would come home school because I would come home and um you know studying I went back to and um you know studying I went back to i went back to higher education i went back to higher education um earned my bachelor um from um earned my bachelor um from embry-riddle and aeronautics and embry-riddle and aeronautics and security and intelligence security and intelligence and my master of public administration and my master of public administration from the ask you school of public from the ask you school of public administration and policy administration and policy and also focused on emergency management and also focused on emergency management um um so in 2015 I resigned from the florida so in 2015 I resigned from the florida house of representatives because house of representatives because of my um of my of my values of of my um of my of my values of what I represented and as ruth gator what I represented and as ruth gator ginsburg you know leadership if you ginsburg you know leadership if you others will join um so that that is others will join um so that that is what I did I resigned and I formed the what I did I resigned and I formed the um um because I felt that communities were because I felt that communities were being underrepresented being underrepresented so I formed the holistic cannabis so I formed the holistic cannabis community in normal Tallahassee community in normal Tallahassee and my philosophy is equal access equal and my philosophy is equal access equal justice justice so in four short years um because of our so in four short years um because of our perseverance um because of the perseverance um because of the inequities that exist inequities that exist in florida um based on medical marijuana in florida um based on medical marijuana um and the inequities in cannabis um and um and the inequities in cannabis um and the pay-to-play scheme if you if you the pay-to-play scheme if you if you could not afford the could not afford the we are the top three most expensive um we are the top three most expensive um patient to patient access medical patient to patient access medical marijuana one of three most expensive marijuana one of three most expensive for patient and business entrance for patient and business entrance um so if you could not afford to be a um so if you could not afford to be a patient then if you were arrested patient then if you were arrested and if you didn't have a medical and if you didn't have a medical marijuana id card then you would be marijuana id card then you would be subject to arrest and I had subject to arrest and I had um you know young individual you know um you know young individual you know driving and being followed and being driving and being followed and being stopped in their own driveway with one stopped in their own driveway with one marijuana joint for their mother because marijuana joint for their mother because they had cancer they had cancer so these are the types of issues that i so these are the types of issues that i fight for I fight for equity I fight for fight for I fight for equity I fight for our hemp programs so in four short years our hemp programs so in four short years we were able to we were able to um lower crime in the state in Leon um lower crime in the state in Leon County County by 32 percent that was through our by 32 percent that was through our perseverance perseverance through our evidence evidence-based through our evidence evidence-based everything I do was evidence-based everything I do was evidence-based um and so with by our perseverance we um and so with by our perseverance we were able to were able to halt the arrest and prosecutions for halt the arrest and prosecutions for cannabis possession cannabis possession we were able to bring equity to the we were able to bring equity to the cannabis industry by by having a free cannabis industry by by having a free hemp cultivation permit fee hemp cultivation permit fee so I do represent the 75 of Leon County so I do represent the 75 of Leon County voters who voted in favor of medical voters who voted in favor of medical marijuana marijuana and it doesn't represent the number of and it doesn't represent the number of patients that we have in Leon County and patients that we have in Leon County and 72 percent of floridians voted in favor 72 percent of floridians voted in favor of medical marijuana of medical marijuana um so right now um you know um so right now um you know i I do represent the people not um i I do represent the people not um you know unfortunately there are you know unfortunately there are organizations that are are organizations that are are are collaborated with in Leon County are collaborated with in Leon County that that are against our voters and and it's are against our voters and and it's important to understand that important to understand that and that is what I bring to the table i and that is what I bring to the table i i speak the truth when we're at i speak the truth when we're at forums for medical marijuana it's like forums for medical marijuana it's like okay I understand okay I understand that you know educational institutions that you know educational institutions are concerned are concerned for their students and for for their students and for but they need to know the truth they but they need to know the truth they need to understand what the subject need to understand what the subject matters are matters are and hemp is no longer a controlled and hemp is no longer a controlled substance the more act would deschedule substance the more act would deschedule marijuana which was marijuana which was up for a vote um we should have a vote up for a vote um we should have a vote coming up um coming up um this month or in the next few months this month or in the next few months which would deschedule marijuana which which would deschedule marijuana which also also you know I have my neighbor is a you know I have my neighbor is a firefighter in firefighter in ems technicians and you know we are ems technicians and you know we are really really it would expand it would end the it would expand it would end the strategy to divide because what we have strategy to divide because what we have is a 1970s controlled substances act is a 1970s controlled substances act which was which the you know the which was which the you know the schaefer Commission schaefer Commission recommended against um scheduling recommended against um scheduling marijuana marijuana and the nixon administration richard and the nixon administration richard nixon who was the only president to nixon who was the only president to resign resign um was against that and the strategy the um was against that and the strategy the southern strategy to divide southern strategy to divide our nation prevailed and it didn't does our nation prevailed and it didn't does today today so by a president that resigned so so by a president that resigned so these are these are the issues that I i these are these are the issues that I i focus on focus on and it's not only that but the and it's not only that but the environmental issues it's our emergency environmental issues it's our emergency management issues it's our affordable management issues it's our affordable housing housing because we do have affiliates that are because we do have affiliates that are working on working on tiny house houses in panama city tiny house houses in panama city um we focus on earn to learn programs um we focus on earn to learn programs with our community carpentry usa um so with our community carpentry usa um so there are many many aspects I'm quite there are many many aspects I'm quite diverse diverse um and I'm focused on inclusion um and I'm focused on inclusion so thank you very good we'll get into so thank you very good we'll get into some more of those in just a little bit some more of those in just a little bit but one but one thing that I think everyone had thing that I think everyone had mentioned in the course of these mentioned in the course of these introductory comments introductory comments was or at least had referenced it was was or at least had referenced it was the ongoing income disparity and the the ongoing income disparity and the stratification stratification economically within this community which economically within this community which so many uh news sources so many uh news sources and public policy experts have and public policy experts have referenced referenced just in the past five years something just in the past five years something that seems to now be increasing that seems to now be increasing in the wake of the COVIDed crisis which in the wake of the COVIDed crisis which has caused has caused an increase in unemployment and a an increase in unemployment and a further gap between the haves and the further gap between the haves and the have-nots in the community have-nots in the community so again very very quickly folks if we so again very very quickly folks if we could get a couple could get a couple minutes from each of you on what you minutes from each of you on what you would do specifically would do specifically especially in the realm of jobs especially in the realm of jobs which would indeed reduce such things as which would indeed reduce such things as youthful crime youthful crime um other problems within the community um other problems within the community let's focus on that and we'll kind of let's focus on that and we'll kind of reverse the order here reverse the order here uh starting with you ms delar what would uh starting with you ms delar what would you do about jobs particularly you do about jobs particularly in the parts of the community and in the parts of the community and in uh communities of color where those in uh communities of color where those jobs are jobs are really hard to find right now absolutely really hard to find right now absolutely um you know it is about opportunity and um you know it is about opportunity and one of the things that our team also is one of the things that our team also is focused on focused on is um you know working with the Leon is um you know working with the Leon County schools to County schools to um actually have um trade um actually have um trade um you know shop programs available um you know shop programs available again in in high schools again in in high schools um you know that is something and with um you know that is something and with the earn to learn programs because the earn to learn programs because you know with the nonprofits we need to you know with the nonprofits we need to be able to have be able to have a revenue stream for our our young a revenue stream for our our young people people which is not fixed on which is not fixed on the illicit market um you know there is the illicit market um you know there is a huge wealth disparity problem there is a huge wealth disparity problem there is a huge human trafficking escort issue in a huge human trafficking escort issue in this town this town which is is unfortunately um which is is unfortunately um used by our our elected officials that used by our our elected officials that come to Tallahassee at the capitol come to Tallahassee at the capitol so unfortunately this is happening in so unfortunately this is happening in our town and I have our town and I have um provided much information um um provided much information um and to to combat against the abuses that and to to combat against the abuses that are are are are using our sexual exploitation of our using our sexual exploitation of our youth youth so the huge wealth disparities in our in so the huge wealth disparities in our in our town our town um impact negatively impact um um impact negatively impact um the the option so we need to have we the the option so we need to have we need to have shop programs we need to need to have shop programs we need to have earn to learn programs have earn to learn programs um and it's important to understand you um and it's important to understand you know you've got know you've got you have um the florida chamber of you have um the florida chamber of commerce which is opposed commerce which is opposed has um the supreme court briefs they are has um the supreme court briefs they are they are opposed they are opposed to the legalization of marijuana um to the legalization of marijuana um you know there are trade federations who you know there are trade federations who are are um and you can look at the amicus bri um and you can look at the amicus bri you can look at the briefs um through you can look at the briefs um through the florida supreme court make it legal the florida supreme court make it legal florida and regulate marijuana florida and regulate marijuana like alcohol sensible florida um which like alcohol sensible florida um which they are opposed they are opposed and these are so they are opposed to the and these are so they are opposed to the majority of our voters majority of our voters um so when we are collaborating and um so when we are collaborating and discussing about business opportunities discussing about business opportunities um and I don't believe when you have um and I don't believe when you have um I don't believe the chamber and um I don't believe the chamber and that's why we have so many different that's why we have so many different sections and so many different factions sections and so many different factions and and and because they they did not represent and because they they did not represent the majority the majority of the community or left out it was not of the community or left out it was not diversified so that's why you have so diversified so that's why you have so many many various offshoots now um so it's really various offshoots now um so it's really important important um and education you know professional um and education you know professional technical resource centers we need technical resource centers we need technical resource centers because it's technical resource centers because it's not about you know I have not about you know I have formed these organizations and we have formed these organizations and we have been 100 percent been 100 percent um volunteer based so you know to um volunteer based so you know to be able to offer um be able to offer um an opportunity which is is it's an opportunity which is is it's these are the beginnings this is just these are the beginnings this is just the beginning and I feel like I am the beginning and I feel like I am the the person to lead in the 21st the the person to lead in the 21st century to lead century to lead Leon County in the first 21st century Leon County in the first 21st century that is also that is also concerned about our natural resources so concerned about our natural resources so when we are when we are you know development everything that you know development everything that we're doing for job creation we're doing for job creation has to be sustainable environmentally has to be sustainable environmentally friendly um friendly um and you know for our future generations and you know for our future generations thank you thank you very good uh Kelly otti your thoughts very good uh Kelly otti your thoughts again on income disparity job creation again on income disparity job creation economic development those things economic development those things so um I really believe the way that so um I really believe the way that we're gonna we're gonna address poverty is really through address poverty is really through collective impact one of the things collective impact one of the things that's pretty apparent to me is that the that's pretty apparent to me is that the way we're approaching poverty is what i way we're approaching poverty is what i would through what I call would through what I call popcorn policy means that uh something popcorn policy means that uh something pops up over here and it's a good idea pops up over here and it's a good idea and we and we and we're trying to do it or it pops up and we're trying to do it or it pops up over there and we try to do it over there and we try to do it what we do not have is a poop a what we do not have is a poop a blueprint for economic segregation and blueprint for economic segregation and what i'd like to see is a strategic plan what i'd like to see is a strategic plan on how over the next 20 years we could on how over the next 20 years we could make a meaningful difference make a meaningful difference with the almost 50 percent of Leon with the almost 50 percent of Leon County residents who can't afford to County residents who can't afford to live in this community live in this community and so um there are a couple different and so um there are a couple different ways that i'd like to see us talking ways that i'd like to see us talking about that about that one is that we really have we're focused one is that we really have we're focused on bringing in jobs to the community but on bringing in jobs to the community but we have to be careful about that we have to be careful about that we have to bring in jobs that pla pay a we have to bring in jobs that pla pay a living wage living wage so that we can actually afford to pay so that we can actually afford to pay people a wage that will bring them out people a wage that will bring them out of poverty and allow them to support of poverty and allow them to support their families their families i believe that we need to increase the i believe that we need to increase the minimum pay minimum pay across the board to 15 an hour I'm across the board to 15 an hour I'm supportive of the way they're graduating supportive of the way they're graduating it in it in through the constitutional amendment i through the constitutional amendment i do recognize that it's going to be a do recognize that it's going to be a hard hard lift for some businesses I did it in the lift for some businesses I did it in the last organization that I worked for last organization that I worked for and it definitely impacts your botTom and it definitely impacts your botTom line but it's necessary line but it's necessary because otherwise I'm not sure that because otherwise I'm not sure that businesses understand businesses understand that when you're underpaying people that when you're underpaying people you're helping with your botTom line but you're helping with your botTom line but you're forcing people to you're forcing people to live in circumstances where they can't live in circumstances where they can't afford afford to feed their families in an appropriate to feed their families in an appropriate way and I i don't believe people really way and I i don't believe people really want to do that um I think we need to want to do that um I think we need to support more black and women-owned support more black and women-owned startup businesses startup businesses i'd like to see a lot of emphasis on i'd like to see a lot of emphasis on growing talent here i growing talent here i understand that there are specific areas understand that there are specific areas of expertise where we need to go of expertise where we need to go outside of the County and recruit people outside of the County and recruit people or to try to keep them so they don't or to try to keep them so they don't leave our universities I 100 understand leave our universities I 100 understand that that but I also think we need to spend a lot but I also think we need to spend a lot of time and attention on actually of time and attention on actually growing um growing um local citizens into opening the kind of local citizens into opening the kind of businesses that we need in the community businesses that we need in the community i really want to see the County i really want to see the County contracting with locally owned contracting with locally owned businesses businesses for everything unless there's an for everything unless there's an extraordinary reason that they can extraordinary reason that they can meaning that it is just a service that meaning that it is just a service that there is nobody in Leon County that can there is nobody in Leon County that can provide provide one of the examples somebody gave me was one of the examples somebody gave me was there are development there are development um there's development opportunities um there's development opportunities that the companies here are not big that the companies here are not big enough to be able to handle enough to be able to handle then I think we had to grow them into then I think we had to grow them into being able to handle it so that locally being able to handle it so that locally owned owned businesses are actually doing our businesses are actually doing our locally owned work and that the money is locally owned work and that the money is staying here staying here my values in looking at economic my values in looking at economic segregation are I grew up poor segregation are I grew up poor i was uh my dad was a self-employed i was uh my dad was a self-employed plumber plumber my mother was a stay-at-home mom until i my mother was a stay-at-home mom until i was in was in middle school for a period when I was middle school for a period when I was in middle school we were homeless and in middle school we were homeless and lived in actually lived in a lived in actually lived in a field with a converted mobile home rv field with a converted mobile home rv for a summer so I know that that didn't for a summer so I know that that didn't have any impact on how I was loved it have any impact on how I was loved it had no had no impact on whether or not I had food and impact on whether or not I had food and whether I was well taken care of whether I was well taken care of so I think the other thing we need to do so I think the other thing we need to do is educate the part of the community is educate the part of the community that is the haves that is the haves that the have-nots are hurting and that that the have-nots are hurting and that they're not okay with their situation they're not okay with their situation and so we have to do something to help and so we have to do something to help them help their families them help their families thank you thank you very much Carolyn thank you thank you very much Carolyn Cummings we'll wind up with you there Cummings we'll wind up with you there what would you do to what would you do to address some of those issues where there address some of those issues where there are folks who have a lot and some folks are folks who have a lot and some folks who don't have who don't have much in a big gap in between oh thank much in a big gap in between oh thank you you Mr.

Flanigan I think clearly there Mr.

Flanigan I think clearly there is income disparity here in Leon County is income disparity here in Leon County and I think perhaps and I think perhaps we might need to take a two-pronged we might need to take a two-pronged approach to that approach to that we have businesses that are established we have businesses that are established here we have here we have women in minority-owned businesses and women in minority-owned businesses and then we have majority-owned businesses then we have majority-owned businesses as well as well and it's interesting that I took part in and it's interesting that I took part in a forum this weekend a forum this weekend that was um that was um put on by two chambers the put on by two chambers the big bend minority chamber and the big bend minority chamber and the capital city chamber capital city chamber their people were in attendance and we their people were in attendance and we talked about this very issue and talked about this very issue and the first thing I believe that we need the first thing I believe that we need to do to do to jump start the economy and to jump start the economy and try to deal with that income divide try to deal with that income divide is bring the industries together bring is bring the industries together bring the businesses the businesses together and as a Leon together and as a Leon County or city government County or city government we can incentivize our major businesses we can incentivize our major businesses to to include small and minority businesses include small and minority businesses in their proposals in their response to in their proposals in their response to requests for proposals we have to requests for proposals we have to provide a reason to include provide a reason to include small and minority owned businesses in small and minority owned businesses in the procurement the procurement process um one of the things that the process um one of the things that the forum this weekend forum this weekend also did is they brought the chief also did is they brought the chief um procurement officer from atlanta um procurement officer from atlanta to speak to the group and he talked to speak to the group and he talked about about how the development of we know that how the development of we know that major airport the busiest airport in the major airport the busiest airport in the world in atlanta world in atlanta how the procurement process was how the procurement process was able to uh invest and was able to uh invest and was in as a result created in as a result created millionaires in atlanta who were millionaires in atlanta who were minority-owned women-owned businesses minority-owned women-owned businesses so I think it's going to take us so I think it's going to take us incentivizing incentivizing uh the inclusion of all uh the inclusion of all businesses especially for work businesses especially for work that is bid by our government by our that is bid by our government by our city and our County and then we have to city and our County and then we have to follow that and make sure follow that and make sure that that process works we have to make that that process works we have to make sure that the majority sure that the majority and the minority um developers and the minority um developers are working together to to make it are working together to to make it happen happen and that that's the first step and i and that that's the first step and i think that's something that we can do think that's something that we can do immediately and that would help immediately and that would help jumpstart the economy jumpstart the economy but second I believe we need to educate but second I believe we need to educate our citizenry we need to educate our citizenry we need to educate our workforce everybody our workforce everybody is not designed nor does everybody want is not designed nor does everybody want to attend college but there is something to attend college but there is something for everybody to do everybody can for everybody to do everybody can contribute contribute to the society and that that's what to the society and that that's what makes makes communities and cities rich uh it's communities and cities rich uh it's interesting that I was talking to interesting that I was talking to Mr.

rudy roh who is the owner of rogue Mr.

rudy roh who is the owner of rogue roofing the other day and he has some roofing the other day and he has some great ideas great ideas and I think what we have to do as a and I think what we have to do as a government is bring government is bring all parties together we have business all parties together we have business owners that have owners that have great ideas about how to jump start this great ideas about how to jump start this economy economy and one of the things we talked about and one of the things we talked about was education was education uh strengthening the vote vocational uh strengthening the vote vocational technical schools that we have here technical schools that we have here locally locally maybe even creating vocational technical maybe even creating vocational technical colleges that will attract individuals colleges that will attract individuals from all over the southern the southern from all over the southern the southern part of alabama georgia and here part of alabama georgia and here uh in florida and educate our people to uh in florida and educate our people to these various professions so that they these various professions so that they can make can make livable ways take care of their families livable ways take care of their families they they can have affordable health care can have affordable health care they can purchase housing and all of they can purchase housing and all of that collectively that collectively will bolster the economy will increase will bolster the economy will increase the tax the tax rate the tax base and it will make our rate the tax base and it will make our County County a better place to live so I think we a better place to live so I think we have that two-approach have that two-approach two-pronged approach to addressing that two-pronged approach to addressing that problem problem thank you Carolyn Cummings the three thank you Carolyn Cummings the three candidates for candidates for Leon County board of County Leon County board of County Commissioners the at-large Commissioners the at-large seat being vacated by mary and lindley seat being vacated by mary and lindley who decided not to seek another term we who decided not to seek another term we have have Carolyn Cummings Kelly ottie and Melissa Carolyn Cummings Kelly ottie and Melissa Villar here with us Villar here with us on political Perspectives from WFSU on political Perspectives from WFSU Public Media Public Media some dates to keep in mind for the some dates to keep in mind for the upcoming general election upcoming general election in Leon County vote by mail ballots in Leon County vote by mail ballots being shipped out by being shipped out by mark earley I think he's going to carry mark earley I think he's going to carry them all in the them all in the the back of his suv to the post office the back of his suv to the post office himself that's what I heard himself that's what I heard coming out September 24th the mailings coming out September 24th the mailings begin there to the voters begin there to the voters who have requested mail and ballots the who have requested mail and ballots the deadline for voter registration deadline for voter registration october 5th early voting starting on october 5th early voting starting on october 19th october 19th early voting locations of course posted early voting locations of course posted on the supervisor of elections website on the supervisor of elections website and then and then the general election day is tuesday the general election day is tuesday November 3rd November 3rd not only will you folks be uh facing not only will you folks be uh facing balloting on that day but there is also balloting on that day but there is also a referendum here in Leon a referendum here in Leon County for the children's council and if County for the children's council and if we can we can go around the uh the screen real quick go around the uh the screen real quick and find out and find out from each of you whether you support the from each of you whether you support the council or not council or not why and why not Kellyatti let's start why and why not Kellyatti let's start with you on that what do you think of with you on that what do you think of the children's council the children's council i absolutely do support it I was part of i absolutely do support it I was part of the group in 2007 that tried to get it the group in 2007 that tried to get it going uh going uh way back when and we just didn't have way back when and we just didn't have the ability to move it as a non-profit the ability to move it as a non-profit sector sector i was really pleased that this time it i was really pleased that this time it started as a grassroots movement started as a grassroots movement and that it started from the business and that it started from the business community which I think is incredible community which I think is incredible uh we absolutely have to have it because uh we absolutely have to have it because what we're talking about what we're talking about are children living in poverty a mile are children living in poverty a mile from where the Leon County Commission from where the Leon County Commission meets meets and a mile from the capital of one of and a mile from the capital of one of the largest states in the nation the largest states in the nation where children are often piled 10 and 11 where children are often piled 10 and 11 into two-bedroom houses while their into two-bedroom houses while their parents are trying to figure out how to parents are trying to figure out how to support them support them the only way that we're a it's all the only way that we're a it's all attached attached the poverty is attached crime rate is the poverty is attached crime rate is attached attached and the fact that children are living and the fact that children are living under dying dire circumstances under dying dire circumstances is all attached and so what we have to is all attached and so what we have to do is as early do is as early intervention as we possibly can with the intervention as we possibly can with the children and that's even children and that's even recognized by the florida chamber of recognized by the florida chamber of commerce as one of the best commerce as one of the best steps to take with children we have to steps to take with children we have to have have more prevention and intervention more prevention and intervention programs that can really work with programs that can really work with children children zero to five and above but zero to five zero to five and above but zero to five in particular in particular to help them see that there are to help them see that there are alternatives to intergenerational alternatives to intergenerational poverty and that there is a way for them poverty and that there is a way for them a trajectory away a trajectory away from the criminal system and into from the criminal system and into sort of whatever they want the world to sort of whatever they want the world to be which I really think is what we be which I really think is what we all expect for our children the all expect for our children the children's services council children's services council is a local tax which is also something is a local tax which is also something people really need to think about it's people really need to think about it's not money that we bring in and then not money that we bring in and then send out it's money that will stay right send out it's money that will stay right here to provide the services here to provide the services um they did a great job of putting that um they did a great job of putting that council together council together looking at the um the needs in the looking at the um the needs in the community community trying to make decisions as best they trying to make decisions as best they could about the priorities because even could about the priorities because even though though they can't decide it for at this point they can't decide it for at this point before the referendums even passed they before the referendums even passed they had some really good ideas had some really good ideas but I wholeheartedly wholeheartedly but I wholeheartedly wholeheartedly support it support it thank you Carolyn Cummings again your thank you Carolyn Cummings again your thoughts on the children's council thoughts on the children's council proposal proposal yes sir thank you I support yes sir thank you I support the children council proposal that will the children council proposal that will be on the ballot be on the ballot in November I went further and actually in November I went further and actually read the statue that allows read the statue that allows Leon County to place it on the Leon County to place it on the referendum referendum um and and I looked at the other um and and I looked at the other requirements as far as the requirements as far as the studies that that go into supporting studies that that go into supporting it being on the ballot and I also looked it being on the ballot and I also looked at at uh what the ultimate results would be uh what the ultimate results would be and how that would affect and how that would affect our children here in Leon County I feel our children here in Leon County I feel good about the makeup good about the makeup if it passes I feel good about the if it passes I feel good about the makeup makeup of the council which would include our of the council which would include our superintendent of schools superintendent of schools clearly uh includes someone from the clearly uh includes someone from the department of children and families department of children and families it would include one of our local it would include one of our local circuit judges circuit judges uh someone from from the Leon County uh someone from from the Leon County Commission Commission and four individuals appointed by the and four individuals appointed by the governor governor as well just to name a few but I'm as well just to name a few but I'm certain that those certain that those individuals would have our children at individuals would have our children at heart heart they would be able to in my opinion they would be able to in my opinion have some processes and procedures and have some processes and procedures and rules to determine where those funds rules to determine where those funds should go should go to best help our children to best help our children one of the things that impressed me one of the things that impressed me about the legislation is that about the legislation is that it does not allow supplantation so it does not allow supplantation so whatever is being provided whatever is being provided locally by our Leon County locally by our Leon County school board will continue to be school board will continue to be provided provided this will be a supplement and it will this will be a supplement and it will target of course target of course they indicated three target areas but they indicated three target areas but one of the areas that I'm very concerned one of the areas that I'm very concerned about and impressed about is about and impressed about is our children going to school from first our children going to school from first through third grade which the studies through third grade which the studies indicate that indicate that by third grade if you test the children by third grade if you test the children and look at the statistics you can and look at the statistics you can pretty much determine pretty much determine um the success achievement that child um the success achievement that child will enjoy in life so I believe giving will enjoy in life so I believe giving our children our children an early start it's a benefit it's just an early start it's a benefit it's just a a it's an investment in our children and it's an investment in our children and even though it requires um even though it requires um levying some taxes if it passes i levying some taxes if it passes i believe believe that tax is a good investment in our that tax is a good investment in our children children and it will go a long ways in making and it will go a long ways in making sure that they are successful in life sure that they are successful in life thank you we wind up our children's thank you we wind up our children's council analysis with Melissa Villar council analysis with Melissa Villar what do you think what do you think okay I i'd like to say why I do repre okay I i'd like to say why I do repre i do support the the children's services i do support the the children's services council council um you know the the because um you know the the because again you know you're going to to tax again you know you're going to to tax the Leon County residents and the Leon County residents and the children's services council will the children's services council will then dole out the the funds to the then dole out the the funds to the nonprofits nonprofits um and this will enable um and this will enable additional nonprofits to grow that are additional nonprofits to grow that are focused focused not only on the current um you know the not only on the current um you know the current current list of nonprofits that we have here list of nonprofits that we have here locally but locally but also on you know growing um also on you know growing um for um individuals for um individuals that not don't necessarily want to be that not don't necessarily want to be connected to faith-based organizations connected to faith-based organizations or to um it's an opportunity to grow for or to um it's an opportunity to grow for family planning for family planning for for um you know child learning for for um you know child learning for um lgbtq um um lgbtq um for you know this is an opportunity to for you know this is an opportunity to uh to really in instead of the current uh to really in instead of the current because some of the opponents because some of the opponents have said why don't we umbrella under have said why don't we umbrella under the community-based care the community-based care well the community based care funding is well the community based care funding is real is real is is based on the fact that you enter the is based on the fact that you enter the department of children and families department of children and families or services or the djj services and or services or the djj services and that's what we want to avoid we want to that's what we want to avoid we want to avoid avoid our families having to go through the our families having to go through the court system and having issues so we court system and having issues so we want to want to impact positively impact our families impact positively impact our families early early you know this is this is what needs to you know this is this is what needs to be stressed about the children services be stressed about the children services council even though there are only a few council even though there are only a few um counties in you know less than less um counties in you know less than less than 10 than 10 um in the entire state this is what um in the entire state this is what needs to be needs to be focused on is the fact that it's an focused on is the fact that it's an opportunity to grow our nonprofits to opportunity to grow our nonprofits to to grow the diversification of the to grow the diversification of the nonprofits um to nonprofits um to impact our children early um so impact our children early um so families are not having to go through um families are not having to go through um the community-based care organizations the community-based care organizations and be and be negatively impacted by the court system negatively impacted by the court system so this is something that written so this is something that written it's it's um you know to positively it's it's um you know to positively impact families early impact families early and to to offer opportunities for and to to offer opportunities for non-profits to grow non-profits to grow um and diversify here in Leon County um and diversify here in Leon County thank you we only have a few more thank you we only have a few more minutes left folks but one thing i minutes left folks but one thing i wanted to address wanted to address because I have seen so much activity because I have seen so much activity relative to this topic relative to this topic on social media particularly over the on social media particularly over the past 72 hours past 72 hours people remarking that in all of their people remarking that in all of their life in our area they have never seen life in our area they have never seen the tone of civil or civic the tone of civil or civic discourse fall to the level that it discourse fall to the level that it is right now and I i don't want to name is right now and I i don't want to name check anyone here unless any of you want check anyone here unless any of you want to bring it up but to bring it up but as a Leon County Commissioner what do as a Leon County Commissioner what do you think you think you could do personally to maybe turn you could do personally to maybe turn this situation around where this situation around where we have people of disparate political or we have people of disparate political or other views other views actually being able to maybe speak to actually being able to maybe speak to each other each other once again without shrieking or throwing once again without shrieking or throwing things things uh Melissa as long as we're in your uh Melissa as long as we're in your neighborhood what do you do how do you neighborhood what do you do how do you turn that around turn that around well I think it's very important um well I think it's very important um to understand so so some of my to understand so so some of my colleagues that I work with colleagues that I work with um are from the caribbean and in the um are from the caribbean and in the hemp world hemp world um and they've never experienced um um and they've never experienced um systemic racism systemic racism until um they moved here um and you know and and they moved here um and you know and and you know being called names um racial you know being called names um racial slurs slurs as my children had to have to endure um as my children had to have to endure um unfortunately um all the way through unfortunately um all the way through high school high school um it's um um it's um unfortunately systemic racism exists um unfortunately systemic racism exists um unfortunately we are unfortunately we are in a in a County in a state um and a in a in a County in a state um and a segregate that was segregated that had segregate that was segregated that had um you know jim crow laws um and um you know jim crow laws um and uh intel civil rights movement um uh intel civil rights movement um so but fortunately we have leaders that so but fortunately we have leaders that are willing to work and come to the are willing to work and come to the table and be together table and be together and to um and if that means that we need and to um and if that means that we need to to to protect first amendment rights um to to protect first amendment rights um to have an ordinance that allows for have an ordinance that allows for peacefully peacefully you know peacefully assembles um you know peacefully assembles um peacefully assembling and then that's peacefully assembling and then that's what we what we what is necessary um if we need to what is necessary um if we need to understand I also want to explain too understand I also want to explain too one of the you know when you're one of the you know when you're the law enforcement agencies are are the law enforcement agencies are are pulling funds federally pulling funds federally and you know like like um the executive and you know like like um the executive order that was put out order that was put out you know the depart the drug enforcement you know the depart the drug enforcement administration um because marijuana is administration um because marijuana is being legalized across the nation being legalized across the nation are pivoting their are pivoting their their role so the executive order by the their role so the executive order by the white house would put out to white house would put out to survey you know dea now house survey you know dea now house surveillance over protesters surveillance over protesters um authority um and um authority um and so these are these are issues that are so these are these are issues that are are real are real that are that are happening in our area that are that are happening in our area and and what we want to do is come together and what we want to do is come together and we want to be able to we want to be able to have and and understand each other on have and and understand each other on all sides because all sides because you know the stand your ground laws um you know the stand your ground laws um are an issue and I mean this is why I i are an issue and I mean this is why I i focus on legalization as well because focus on legalization as well because when you legalize something you take when you legalize something you take away the criminalization deschedule away the criminalization deschedule you it decriminalizes and if that means you it decriminalizes and if that means that and I'm not in that and I'm not in any way a gun rights advocate or a any way a gun rights advocate or a second amendment second amendment however if you encourage people to however if you encourage people to actually go through the process and actually go through the process and become a a concealed carry permit become a a concealed carry permit then you take away that felony from them then you take away that felony from them um you know um you know these are these are real this is this is these are these are real this is this is about education this is about about education this is about you know bringing people to the table you know bringing people to the table and understanding your rights and and understanding your rights and responsibilities responsibilities as a as a resident as a as a as a resident as a Leon County voter on all sides you know Leon County voter on all sides you know we have a responsibility to our we have a responsibility to our community community for public safety public safety is my for public safety public safety is my number one concern which is why Leon number one concern which is why Leon County is no no longer has the highest County is no no longer has the highest crime rate in the state crime rate in the state because it that's what has always been because it that's what has always been important to me important to me because growing up in texas you have you because growing up in texas you have you know know cartels were prevalent and so and cartels were prevalent and so and you know they would use mules each our you know they would use mules each our children as mules so children as mules so two pounds is a misdemeanor carrying two two pounds is a misdemeanor carrying two pounds of cannabis is a misdemeanor pounds of cannabis is a misdemeanor so public safety has always been my so public safety has always been my number one concern number one concern and the the less we criminalize our our and the the less we criminalize our our community community the safer it will be thank you thank you the safer it will be thank you thank you very much very much Kelly ottie I saw you smile there you've Kelly ottie I saw you smile there you've had some uh should we say firsthand had some uh should we say firsthand experience here how do you experience here how do you how do we address this so um I think i how do we address this so um I think i found my line so I a found my line so I a few weeks ago said something on facebook few weeks ago said something on facebook that got blown up as a headline on that got blown up as a headline on a website and I had hundreds of people a website and I had hundreds of people calling me names and yelling at me on calling me names and yelling at me on certain facebook sites certain facebook sites and I that didn't bother me so much some and I that didn't bother me so much some of it was just of it was just stupid and silly and didn't make any stupid and silly and didn't make any sense some of the arguments they were sense some of the arguments they were making making but they were arguing against something but they were arguing against something that I had said so I think that was a that I had said so I think that was a good lesson and what happens when you're good lesson and what happens when you're when people are hearing what you have to when people are hearing what you have to say but what happened this last week say but what happened this last week where where somebody went online and posted um somebody went online and posted um about the appearances of um about the appearances of um one of the one of my opponents and I and one of the one of my opponents and I and which one of us was prettier and who which one of us was prettier and who should win should win that was a line for me because that was that was a line for me because that was just blatant sexism that was something just blatant sexism that was something that i that i have definitely figured out is a line i have definitely figured out is a line i feel the same way about racism feel the same way about racism i will tolerate people um i will tolerate people um being angry thinking that I'm not the being angry thinking that I'm not the right person for something or that i right person for something or that i made the wrong decision and that they made the wrong decision and that they say it say it heatedly and passionately as long as I'm heatedly and passionately as long as I'm not being cursed at and screamed at but not being cursed at and screamed at but i i will not tolerate when people are are will not tolerate when people are are literally um hurting someone because of literally um hurting someone because of our gender or because of our race our gender or because of our race or sexual orientation or abilities so i or sexual orientation or abilities so i found my line so I think in that sense found my line so I think in that sense that was a really good thing that was a really good thing i was super pleased that the number of i was super pleased that the number of people that have spoken up against what people that have spoken up against what was said was said i was very disappointed that neither one i was very disappointed that neither one of my opponents did of my opponents did but I was very grateful for the people but I was very grateful for the people in the community there have been in the community there have been hundreds of them that have spoken up hundreds of them that have spoken up against what was said against what was said so I'm grateful for that I think that so I'm grateful for that I think that there is something really wrong at a there is something really wrong at a national level that has national level that has prompted all of us to believe that we prompted all of us to believe that we can act with hostility can act with hostility and not civility towards each other and and not civility towards each other and i will do everything I can i will do everything I can to model the way that it should be done to model the way that it should be done to be respectful to see the good in to be respectful to see the good in people people and still disagree with what they have and still disagree with what they have to say i to say i i think one of the things that I have i think one of the things that I have been good at for 25 years been good at for 25 years is standing up for what I believe in a is standing up for what I believe in a very strong and fierce way very strong and fierce way but that but by not painting people with but that but by not painting people with a large a large brush that they no longer um brush that they no longer um are good or or honorable people in some are good or or honorable people in some other way but other way but i I found my line thanks to the campaign i I found my line thanks to the campaign and and uh I will work to model and promote uh I will work to model and promote civility civility thank you ma'am Carolyn Cummings your thank you ma'am Carolyn Cummings your thoughts on this please man thoughts on this please man uh yes sir I'm sorry I'm trying to reset uh yes sir I'm sorry I'm trying to reset my stopwatch here my stopwatch here so I won't go over okay thank you for that question um we okay thank you for that question um we have certainly witnessed here the last have certainly witnessed here the last few months few months a heightened polarization within the a heightened polarization within the country country and right here in Leon County and right here in Leon County uh the black lives matter movement uh the black lives matter movement is a peaceful movement of individuals is a peaceful movement of individuals who are protesting against social who are protesting against social justice justice and many of us have taken part in and many of us have taken part in peaceful marches uh in favor of peaceful marches uh in favor of equality for everyone so equality for everyone so i certainly um advocate i certainly um advocate and applaud for citizens to be able to and applaud for citizens to be able to engage engage in peaceful protest I do not support i in peaceful protest I do not support i do not do not advocate writing activities advocate writing activities and I think for the most part what we've and I think for the most part what we've seen is outside agitators seen is outside agitators coming into some of the peaceful coming into some of the peaceful marches that we have observed across the marches that we have observed across the country and maybe even here country and maybe even here in neon County but I also in neon County but I also believe in the first amendment right of believe in the first amendment right of individuals individuals to engage in peaceful protests against to engage in peaceful protests against injustice and I'm concerned that that injustice and I'm concerned that that ability ability to do that uh might be adversely to do that uh might be adversely affected affected or have a chilling effect or have a chilling effect on individuals expressing and exercising on individuals expressing and exercising their uh first amendment right their uh first amendment right to assemble I i am also concerned to assemble I i am also concerned on the other hand about law enforcement on the other hand about law enforcement enforcing laws I'm concerned enforcing laws I'm concerned about maintaining peace uh maintaining about maintaining peace uh maintaining heart heart harmony here in Leon County and so as a harmony here in Leon County and so as a Leon County Commissioner Leon County Commissioner looking at the polarization that we have looking at the polarization that we have i believe citizens i believe citizens want to express themselves one way of want to express themselves one way of expression expression is peaceful protest but another way of is peaceful protest but another way of expression is forums expression is forums speaking um speaking speaking um speaking in a in a forum with like-minded in a in a forum with like-minded individuals individuals meaning interested individuals with law meaning interested individuals with law enforcement was community leaders enforcement was community leaders with the faith-based community with with the faith-based community with everybody that has everybody that has a stake in the outcome of Leon County a stake in the outcome of Leon County being a peaceful place to live being a peaceful place to live and grow should be at the table and i and grow should be at the table and i agree with you agree with you we we are hurting we are suffering we we are hurting we are suffering and we don't want more polarization we and we don't want more polarization we do not need do not need more division in Leon County so we need more division in Leon County so we need to come together to come together and address the issue and I just firmly and address the issue and I just firmly believe believe uh people want to voice their opinion uh people want to voice their opinion people want to be heard and at the end people want to be heard and at the end of the day of the day if people are heard in their opinions of if people are heard in their opinions of voice I believe that we can move voice I believe that we can move forward with some positive concrete forward with some positive concrete action action so that we can end this divide whether so that we can end this divide whether it's racial divide it's racial divide community divide a recent survey showed community divide a recent survey showed that the majority of people in Leon that the majority of people in Leon County County black and white across um black and white across um social economic lines believe that there social economic lines believe that there is is in equity here in Leon County so in equity here in Leon County so we at a pivotal point where we can we at a pivotal point where we can address it we do not need to address it we do not need to allow this moment to escape us allow this moment to escape us we are in a defining moment and as a we are in a defining moment and as a Leon County Commissioner I would Leon County Commissioner I would advocate advocate for us to please come together and let's for us to please come together and let's breathe and let's breathe and let's enjoy peace and harmony enjoy peace and harmony by talking to each other not at each by talking to each other not at each other other thank you final question lightning round thank you final question lightning round 30 seconds Carolyn Cummings 30 seconds Carolyn Cummings you get elected you sit at your desk up you get elected you sit at your desk up there on the fifth floor of the there on the fifth floor of the courthouse what is the first thing courthouse what is the first thing that you will do go the first thing that I will do is I will the first thing that I will do is I will incorporate incorporate one day a week to speak to citizens I one day a week to speak to citizens I want to hear from the citizens want to hear from the citizens as County Commissioner we represent as County Commissioner we represent the citizens and I've got to know the the citizens and I've got to know the citizen's insight citizen's insight so one day a week my administrative so one day a week my administrative assistant will set aside times for me assistant will set aside times for me to talk to individuals if we're still to talk to individuals if we're still enduring the pandemic enduring the pandemic we will do it virtually but I will talk we will do it virtually but I will talk to to everybody it doesn't matter what zip everybody it doesn't matter what zip code you're from code you're from i want to be accessible to the citizen i want to be accessible to the citizen thank you Kellyatti same question go the thank you Kellyatti same question go the first thing I'm going to do is hold the first thing I'm going to do is hold the first of the listening sessions that first of the listening sessions that i'll be doing quarterly I'm going to i'll be doing quarterly I'm going to hold one listening session in every one hold one listening session in every one of the six districts of the six districts every quarter so I want to do that right every quarter so I want to do that right away and get a list of away and get a list of um priorities from each district um priorities from each district citizens thank you very much and you get citizens thank you very much and you get the last word Melissa Villar the last word Melissa Villar um yes um in order to um yes um in order to um we need to have forums we need to um we need to have forums we need to have discussions because we need to set have discussions because we need to set our legislative and local priorities our legislative and local priorities um you know one of the things that I i um you know one of the things that I i um it's not only about our natural um it's not only about our natural resources and our responsible and resources and our responsible and sustainable developed growth management sustainable developed growth management development development but it's also about um like for instance but it's also about um like for instance our our health insurance premiums when i our our health insurance premiums when i worked at the legislature I brought it worked at the legislature I brought it to the attention of to the attention of my staff saying um why why my staff saying um why why aren't we pushing for fixed rates on our aren't we pushing for fixed rates on our health insurance premiums because then health insurance premiums because then it would blow up like the airline it would blow up like the airline industry and it would be industry and it would be just a mess and it did um so just a mess and it did um so uh our priorities the meeting forums for uh our priorities the meeting forums for our priorities our priorities thank you thank you very much Melissa thank you thank you very much Melissa Villar Kelly audi and Carolyn Cummings Villar Kelly audi and Carolyn Cummings the three contenders the three contenders for Leon County board of County for Leon County board of County Commissioners the Commissioners the at-large seat one good luck to you all at-large seat one good luck to you all thank you for being on political thank you for being on political Perspectives and we'll probably be Perspectives and we'll probably be talking to you talking to you election night thanks for being a part election night thanks for being a part of it um of it um thank you enjoy it Perspectives produced thank you enjoy it Perspectives produced by WFSU Public by WFSU Public Media in Tallahassee Taylor Cox Paul Dam Media in Tallahassee Taylor Cox Paul Dam Amy Diaz de Villegas, Trisha Moynihan and Amy Diaz de Villegas, Trisha Moynihan and Lydell Rawls Lydell Rawls along with our director of content Kim along with our director of content Kim Kelling putting all of this together we Kelling putting all of this together we thank you so much thank you so much I'm Tom Flanigan our next Political I'm Tom Flanigan our next Political Perspectives on Tuesday September 29th Perspectives on Tuesday September 29th will focus on the Leon County Commission will focus on the Leon County Commission District 4 contest District 4 contest we invite you to join us then for we invite you to join us then for another Political Perspectives another Political Perspectives from WFSU Public Media