Editor’s Note: Last week, William “Bill” Kruse, a write in candidate for the Nassau County Board of Commission District 4 withdrew from the race. It was Kruse’s write-in candidacy that forced a showdown in the August primary between Incumbent George Spicer and Ford who narrowly defeated the incumbent with 51% of the vote.
Thomas Ford
Nassau County Board of Commission
District 4
October 8, 2018 10:00 a.m.
What is your highest priority for Nassau County?
My highest priority is to be able to establish and maintain sound fiscal management practices for now and the future. Additionally, I want to make sure the county continues to grow responsibly.
How would you work to create resource saving/ sharing opportunities for the county with the school district, ocean and port authority, and cities of Fernandina Beach, Callahan, and Hilliard?
I want to review and, if necessary, reestablish working relationships with each of the municipalities as well as the school district to reduce costs for everyone. I would suggest a bi-yearly meeting with all county governments to make sure we are all implementing the best management practices we can to save taxpayers money.
What are your suggestions for providing levels of public safety and infrastructure to both the east and west side of the county?
The recently proposed five-year plan should provide much-needed monies for infrastructure and public safety.
How should Nassau County approach providing recreation opportunities and facilities for our citizens?
I would like to take a closer look at the impact fees collected in the district where the recreation facilities are needed. I would also like to seek the possibility of grants from state and federal sources to lessen the burden on local taxpayers.
Ford was elected using nasty political maneuver that should be outlawed. Kruse never intended to run for office and put is name up just to close primary to half the population. Ford’s technique to oust Spicer, a good man who stood up to the power brokers, leaves Ford with little credibility.
Ghost write in candidates shouldn’t be allowed. They disenfranchise thousands of voters each election cycle. This is a Citizens for Better Nassau tactic led by the former District 5 Commissioner/ now “former” chairman of the group. He and Ford’s father served on the P&Z board together and when I ran for Commissioner in 2016 mysteriously were moved to Districts 1 & 3 on the east side of the county. Imagine that. Good ole boy politics you may ask? Nahhh, nothing to see here….
is there a way of controlling these kind of things happening? there should be an answer
I believe it needs an amendment to the Florida constitution.
Right a Wrong
George Spicer is a county commissioner who has distinguished himself with moderation and votes against uncontrolled development. Up for reelection, Spicer was narrowly defeated in the Republican primary due to subterfuge by his opponent Thomas Ford. A third person registered for the position without party identification, which required the primary be closed to only core Republicans. The third person did not attempt to run a campaign and dropped out after the primary. This means Ford is alone on the ballot. However, there is a space for a write-in. If Spicer’s supporters and the voters who were shut out in the primary would write in George Spicer, we might be able to defeat Ford and send a message to politicians who use this scam.