Election 2012: Collier County Commission District 3 preview

DISTRICT 3

Tom Henning

Election 2012: Tom Henning

Candidate for Collier County Commission.

Date of birth: April 25, 1958

How long you’ve lived in Collier County:39 years

Education: Lely High School and Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology

Family: I am blessed to have two sons who were both born and raised in Naples.

Political affiliation: Republican

Current position: County commissioner, Golden Gate Area Civic Association director and a member of the Tourist Development Council

What is the first thing you would do if elected?

Economic Development: Support new and expanding high wage jobs similar to Arthrex that export a product or service outside of Collier. Work with state legislators to provide reasonable Florida Building Code that focus on safety first and foremost. Reduce duplicate building reviews by local and state agencies. Drastically reduce County Debt by applying historical higher debt repayment, while providing alternative methods of capital improvements.

What would you do to make your community a better place to live?

Continue support of funding for public safety (Collier EMS and the Sheriff’s Office). Continue the fight for earlier beach re-nourishment versus waiting until September 2013 for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Continue working with constitutional officers ensuring your dollars are spent wisely. Maintaining the existing level of service to the residents. Protecting property rights without diluting the quality of life. Supportive of a viable economic plan based on facts and return on investment.

What makes you the most qualified for this position?

I know where to find information on complicated issues that come before the Commissioners. I have run a successful business prior selling it to become a full time county commissioner. I have good working relationship with other elected officials (state legislators and constitutional officers). My decisions are based on factual information and what’s best for the community, not based on popularity or the person sitting next to me.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?

I sold my business to serve our community. I have the historical knowledge of the political archives for our district and the county. I’m opposed to giving future development a free pass on the backs of existing taxpayers. I will not have the learning curve when decisions need to be made quickly. I recognize we have a premier community that distinguishes us from the rest of Florida. I paid my property taxes.

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Bill McDaniel

Election 2012: Bill McDaniel

Candidate for Collier County Commission.

Date of birthMarch 25, 1961

How long you’ve lived in Collier County: 30-plus years

Education: College, majoring in accounting, computer programming, with a minor in economics

Family: Daughter Kelley, age 16; and son William III, age 12

Political affiliation: Republican

Current position: President of Big Island Excavating

What is the first thing you would do if elected?

I will call a truce at the Board meetings. The drama there is an embarrassment to our community. After that, an enhancement of revenues through less government regulation for the job creators will correlate to more jobs, more jobs means thriving economy, thriving economy means value increase in real estate values, means more revenue, wider tax base, and discretionary revenue to pay down debt quicker and better support our way of life.

What would you do to make your community a better place to live?

I will focus our government energies on health, safety and welfare issues. I will promote Collier County as the most beautiful on earth to live, work, raise a family and retire. I will promote an environment that welcomes citizen participation. Diversification is a must to enhance our economy. Creation of a business friendly environment, incentivize not penalize.

I will actively seek companies to relocate to our community, and offer support for those already here.

What makes you the most qualified for this position?

My business background, my knowledge of our community and my knowledge our systems, which are dire need of adjustment.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?

Proactive leadership skills, my opponent speaks of positive things for our community then does little if anything to effectuate them. I am a doer not a sayer.