Submitted Press Release
August 27, 2015 8:11 a.m.
Callahan, Florida. Today Joe Zimmerman filed for election to the Nassau County Commission, District 5 seat.
“Freedom is determined by the number of choices that people have. I believe that in order for Nassau County to move forward the taxpayers need to have greater choice; and that is one of the reasons I have decided to offer myself as a candidate for County Commissioner District 5.
As a conservative Republican I believe that the Board of County Commissioners has gotten off track. Taxpayers need a champion that will work to cut wasteful spending and hold the line on new taxes. I believe that a smaller government is the best way to protect our freedom and liberty; and that is why I have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge not to raise taxes,” said Zimmerman.
“Now is the time for a new generation of leadership with fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to the conservative values that define this county and help to make families strong. I will use my core values to be a leader and problem solver in addressing the challenges that face our county. I believe in less taxes, reducing the size of government, and rolling back the spending that drives the call for more money.”
“I plan to take a strong stand with the taxpayers and will commit myself to their cause of reducing taxes and eliminating wasteful spending within local government. Taxpayers need someone that will stand with them when the pressure from the special interests call for higher taxes and more money. I make my pledge today to stand with taxpayers and will refuse to raise taxes,” said Zimmerman.
Joe Zimmerman currently serves State Representative Janet Adkins’ office as a constituent liaison. Joe Zimmerman studied Arts at Pasco Hernando State College, before attending the University of Central Florida for Global Studies. Joe is a current precinct committeeman with the Nassau County Republican Executive Committee. Joe also interned in the office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis.
Joe is the Founding President of the Nassau County Next Generation Republican Club, past Chair of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Advisory Team in Yulee, a nominee to the American Council of Young Political Leaders, Board Member on Florida Parents for Accountability and Choice, and serves on the Board of Light-Up Amelia.
Joe Is an active member of many civic organizations and enjoys volunteering in the community. Joe attends church on weekends, spends his free time with his family and dogs, fishes and tracks trends in new technology.
I don’t care if you are a Republican or Democratic. I can tell you that Joe has always been a stand up guy and follows through with what he promise to do. Joe was very instrumental a while back with working to get information to the City with respect to working with he State on how the City might impose a surcharge on hotel rooms to fund beach re nourishment. Wishing him the best of luck
I’ve got to second Tony’s read on Joe. I’ve gotten to know Joe through our dealings with Rep. Adkins over the Port issues this last year. As a Liaison officer of the Fernandina Beach office, Joe’s door was always open, and inviting. He listened to our concerns and shared all with Rep. Adkins. She knew what was going on in our Community at all times. To a large part, because of Joe. Tony said “Republican or Democrat”I need to add Independent to that list. Joe’s a stand-up guy and he has got my Vote.
I don’t favor “oaths” – other than to the Constitution itself, when one assumes public responsibility. It’s about smart government, not just smaller government. We’ll see.
so against tax increase but in favor of increased hotel taxes re comment above…..
I will note for “full disclosure” that I actually like Joe. He has always been very nice when I see him. I’m interested in his take on canopy trees though…he didn’t say much about that. IMO it doesn’t seem like he was supporting, just providing info when asked.
Also from observer.. “When Crawford appeared before the FBCC the last time, he reported that Adkins advised that she could not proceed further with the matter unless it was brought to her by the City of Fernandina Beach. Following that meeting and with direction from the FBCC City Manager Joe Gerrity asked Adkins for advice.
Joseph Zimmerman, legislative aide to Adkins, spoke to the matter during the December 3, 2013 FBCC meeting. On behalf of Representative Adkins he presented commissioners with a packet of information that included instructions on how to file a local bill. Once drafted and approved by the FBCC, the city would next present the bill to the Nassau Legislative Delegation, consisting of Adkins and State Senator Aaron Bean. He advised that existing bed tax was set at 4% by Nassau County.”
IMO it doesn’t seem like he was supporting “a tax”, just providing info when asked.
I hope Joe is much more specific in his policies in the next few weeks. This reads like GOP talking points. With the county’s finances in fairly poor shape, how would you cut spending? What would you cut? What is small government? Let’s get local Joe. Where do you stand on the county shirking its responsibility for beach renourishment? Beach cleanup? Where do you stand on a better tree ordinance?
I am a fiscally conservative, and I am all for cutting wasteful spending, but I have never heard a politician who had ever declared to be for upping taxes — at least not before election. But, I do wonder how we can ever improve our roads, our beaches, and the entire standard of living if we do not invest in our infrastructure?
Furthermore, by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge the signer limits his ability to legislate effectively.
Gerhardt, Was the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, initiated and pushed by Grover Norquest? While reading Joe’s Bio, I skipped past that. Your right, it does look good on paper, but does tie his hands. Thanks for pointing that out.