Four candidates running for two seatsHIGH SPRINGS - On Nov. 8, voters will elect two commissioners to fill the expired seats of Mayor Larry Travis and Vice Mayor Byran Williams. There are four candidates running for the seats, including the incumbents. Here voters can find the candidates’ responses to a selection of Alachua County Today’s profile questions.
In alphabetical order:
BOB BARNAS
Basic overview
Age: 63
Family: Married to Shirley Mogensen, two sons, two daughters-in law and seven grandchildren
Education: Attended college for Police Science, Business and Marketing
Occupation: Realtor
Time in High Springs: Since Jan 1999
Political experience: Have been involved in local politics and issues since 2005.
Questions
What is the main issue that needs to be addressed in High Springs?
One word: the “debt” that is choking us. We must determine the acceptable level of debt a city our size should have. Do not take on more or uncontrolled debt service.
As a commissioner, what would be your short-term and long-term goals?
Short term would be to listen to voters, look at recent ordinances and revaluate the sewer project and its fee structure.
Long term would be to plan events out a year in advance, and to develop joint sewer/business plans with Alachua and Newberry with help from the county. We must work as a tri-city community.
Why are some residents unhappy with local government?
Residents are unhappy or happy, depending on your group. Some, because of spending money on artistic bike racks. Some, because alcohol laws were changed for one or two people over the objection of a large number of voters. Some, because they became friends, or not friends, with the recently lost chiefs and city manager. But understand that for all those people that are unhappy, there are others that are happy with the way the government is run.
What should High Springs do to gain strength economically?
Focus on eco-tourism now; we have the resources in rivers, parks, springs and Gulf Coast waters within an hour drive. They are ours to share with the world. We need to focus on growth on 441 in the next five years. Be ready for that.
What are your ideas about the budget for the city?
Look at each position we now have, and if they are needed in a city of 5,000. We need to see where we need less, and where we need more. Have staff look and question every bill the city gets. But most importantly, look at how much debt a city of 5,000 should have. There is a formula and common sense that says enough is enough.
How do you feel the fire department should be restructured?
No need for restructuring. We now have a qualified Captain in charge that has, is and will be perfectly fine as Captain. We must watch our call volume and be ready and willing to add staff if needed. But for now, we are good. Communication with the county is now back and great, and calls they are giving us are up.
What are your core political principles?
Less government rules, guidelines and regulations. Less taxing and sensible fees.
What made you run for city commissioner?
The unwillingness of the incumbent commissioners to listen to ideas and information given to them by taxpayers and business owners that would save tax dollars, reduce water, reduce sewer fees and reduce our choking debt service.
What would you bring to the commission that other candidates would not?
As previously said, I would bring the ability to listen. I would open meetings up to allow public comment on all subjects. This is not being done by our incumbents now.
What is something residents do not know about you?
I volunteer with Florida Wildlife Care along with my wife and rehab injured or abandoned native Florida wildlife for release back into the wild.
Is there an issue that these questions did not mention that you would like to address?
The police department. The police chief is gone. We now have an opportunity to rebuild not only the department staff, but the morale as well. We had, have and must continue to have a local police force. It would be my goal to build the best small town local police force in the state of Florida.
LINDA CLARK GESTRIN
Basic Overview
Family: Married to Dennis Gestrin
Education: Two years at Valencia Community College
Occupation: Appraisal business, nonprofit volunteer/ fundraiser
Time in High Springs: Since birth
Political Experience: Urban planning committees; attended more commission and workshop meetings than any current commissioners
Questions
What is the main issue that needs to be addressed in High Springs?
We need a correction of our direction. It’s time to re-evaluate all our commitments. For example, High Springs is $8.5 million in debt due to the sewer system and the current commission has voted to increase our debt approximately $5 million more, to expand phases 4 and 5 of our sewer system. To me, this increased debt is irresponsible.
As a commissioner, what would be your short-term and long-term goals?
Short-term, I will bring back civility and common sense to our city meetings. As commissioners, we must decide what we can afford and spend no more than that. We need to re-evaluate our sewer system immediately. Once those goals are accomplished, restoring our fund balance policy and rebuild reserve funds are critical over the long term.
Why are some residents unhappy with local government?
When issues arise, our residents need someone to talk to, and many times the city will not return their calls. High Springs residents want leaders who will listen with genuine concern. They want someone who will take action and make decisions with residents in mind. I will ensure they have that.
What should High Springs do to gain strength economically?
It’s very difficult to start a new business in High Springs today. I want that changed and use incentives to attract clean industries that are compatible with our town, such as tourism. I would revitalize our downtown to better serve our residents and business owners. Developing the 441 corridor will bring more commerce, leading to new jobs and revenues.
What are your ideas about the budget for the city?
We definitely need to spend no more than we are allotted – that’s a given. I would like to see an increase in the visibility with major decisions that have an impact on High Springs. Our citizens often find out after the fact without public review and input. We have wasted so much, and that needs to stop.
How do you feel the fire department should be restructured?
At this time, I believe our High Springs Fire Department is meeting our needs. Our captain and his team do a great job, and we have some of the best firefighters you could ever ask for.
What are your core political principles?
I believe strongly in sensible, fiscal conservatism at this time of economic instability. Bringing integrity and decency back to our political discourse is the only way we can achieve the goals our citizens elect us to accomplish. I believe we need leaders in High Springs who respect our town’s traditions. I bring that respect to this race.
What made you run for city commissioner?
We received a $390.01 water bill from the city. Normal during this time was $38. Through persistence, we resolved the situation. When I heard the words “pay this or your water will be cut off,” I became very concerned for our elderly citizens. Everyone needs someone to listen, to help and to stand up for them. I want to be that person.
What would you bring to the commission that other candidates would not?
I bring new insight and a citizen’s concern with an insider’s perspective of our community. I have deep family roots here, which gives me a long-term vision and a true commitment to High Springs. I believe we can do better, and I have the persistence to make that happen.
What is something residents do not know about you?
I have recently been working to complete a book on the life of my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. They lived in this area and had amazing stories. I’ve met with a movie director who is interested in filming their story in High Springs.
Is there an issue that these questions did not mention that you would like to address?
I’m concerned why we gave our dispatch services to the county without proper research. The costs could be greater than our local system. That’s unacceptable. In addition, I don’t care for the required address changes, which add more expense to residents, businesses and the city. Because the safety of our town is most important, I’ll be monitoring the new system’s cost and performance.
MAYOR LARRY TRAVIS
Basic Overview
Age: 70
Family: Married to Dorsey Travis for 50 years. Three children and four grandchildren
Education: Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from the University of Florida
Occupation: Retired
Time in High Springs: 11 years
Political Experience: Six years on city commission, two of those as Mayor
Questions:
What is the main issue that needs to be addressed in High Springs?
Continual loss of property values which is costing the city ad valorem tax revenue, and the number of empty houses which impacts our utility income. Another issue is the time it is taking to get our sewer system subscribers on line, which impacts our ability to pay for the system.
As a commissioner, what would be your short-term goals?
We need to hire a city manager. We must finish all the projects underway, including the old school and all of the approved paving. We have to finish and pass the Land Development codes to enable us to offer a more diverse plan to bring new growth to our city. Long range would be to finish all phases of the sewer system and to move forward with implementing our economic development plan.
Why are some residents unhappy with local government?
As you say in your question, some residents are unhappy and these are a small group of individuals who have their own agenda, which is contrary, I believe, to the majority of our citizens.
What should High Springs do to gain strength economically?
High Springs should continue to push for the goals of the economic development task force and be more pro-active in creating a positive environment for potential investors in our community.
What are your ideas about the budget for the city?
The city should continue to budget conservatively and monitor income to expense ratios.
How do you feel the fire department should be restructured?
I believe we were over-staffed in the command positions and feel we need to keep a chief and three lieutenants.
What are your core political principles?
I am pretty conservative, but believe very strongly that we do what is best for the majority of the people of High Springs, and make High Springs the very best community for all of our citizens.
What made you run for city government?
I ran for the commission the first time because I felt like I could bring someone who had administered multimillion dollar budgets for athletic departments and could move us forward into a budget that could be understood and controlled. I also felt we needed to move forward with economically with managed growth.
What would you bring to the commission that other candidates would not?
I bring experience and a record of positive changes to our city. Through the years, I have formed strong bonds with the leaders of the other Alachua County cities. This led to my election as president of the Alachua County League of Cities. This position gives me the insight to keep up with all of the changes in the Florida’s growth management and transportation concurrency legislation, so that I can make better decisions when it comes to how this legislation will affect my city.
What is something residents do not know about you?
When I retired, I knew I would settle close to the University of Florida, because the University gave a poor kid from Miami a chance to play football and get an education impossible otherwise. My brother found this wonderful land in High Springs, and I also fell in love with the city. As I got more involved, I wanted to serve in other ways to help us move forward. I did by getting involved with the Main Street Program.
Is there an issue that these questions did not mention that you would like to address?
I wish we could make everyone happy with the sewer system. This is an issue that was passed by the sitting commission in 2001, setting in motion a plan to build the system in five phases. The city is committed to this project by this action, and must secure the required number of customers to pay for it. If we don’t, those already on the system will have to pay a higher cost to cover what is already in the ground.
VICE MAYOR BYRAN WILLIAMS
Basic Overview
Age: 53
Family: Single, father of four, four grandchildren
Education: Currently enrolled in Emory International Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA; Florida League of Cities Institute for Community Housing; Advanced Institute for Elected Municipal Officials; Institute for Elected Municipal Officials; Santa Fe College
Occupation: Pastor of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, High Springs; Owner of Byran’s Car Wash & Wax
Time in High Springs: Life-long resident
Political Experience: High Springs City Commissioner (7 Years), Presently Vice Mayor, Member of the Florida Leagues of Cities, Member of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Former Mayor, Former Member of the Growth Management and Transportation Committee
What is the main issue that needs to be addressed in High Springs?
I would like to bring economic development to our city so that we can become more financially self-sufficient.
As commissioner, what would be your short-term and long-term goals?
In the short-term, I will concentrate on completing paving the streets that were previously approved for improvement. Also, I’d like to start recreation programs for our citizen’s seniors, adults, youth and children. For a long-term, my goals would be to bring economic stability to the city of High Springs by bring clean industry that provides high quality jobs.
Why are some residents unhappy with local government?
One area of concern would be the short line of communication concerning local government. Some residents are feeling left out. However, this problem can be solved by civic education. Civic education is the educating of citizens of civic affairs.
What should High Springs do to gain strength economically?
In addition to the above stated ideas, I would address the area of affordable housing, increasing tourism in the city, and encouraging cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations.
What are your ideas about the budget for the city?
Our 2011 – 2012 budget was passed, and we were able to keep the mileage rate at the current level of 6.15. This means that the citizens of High Springs will not have to endure any increase of taxes this coming year. We were also able to put money into Contingency Funds and Reserve Funds accounts.
How do you feel the fire department should be restructured?
With the passing of the final budget, we were able to successfully restructure the fire department by eliminating the captain’s position and retaining the chief’s position.
What are your core political principles?
My political principles are simple: I believe in fairness, honesty, listening, and open communication with all people.
What made you run for city commissioner?
I am seeking re-election because I am a life-long citizen of High Springs, and I am committed to the welfare and development of this city and its citizens. I love High Springs and I am totally invested in its economic development and expanding its capacity to be self-sufficient. I have served this community for two terms as Commissioner, Mayor, and presently, Vice Mayor.
What would you bring to the commission that other candidates would not?
I bring seven years of experience as a High Springs city commissioner and proven leadership skills. I am a member of the Student Advisory Council of both Santa Fe High School and High Springs Community School. I am a life-long resident of the area, having built relationships with various sectors of the community.
What is something residents don’t know about you?
I was in the Army, serving in Germany, Fort Campbell, KY, and was an instructor at West Point.
Is there an issue that these questions did not mention that you would like to address?
Not at this time.
High Springs City Commission candidate profiles
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