Collier voters return clerk, tax collector, property appraiser to office

Election 2012: Abe Skinner

Candidate for Collier Property Appraiser.

NAPLES — Collier voters decided to keep three incumbent constitutional officers for four more years.

Property Appraiser Abe Skinner, who was elected in 1991, won with 57 percent of the vote against opponent Kevin Lilly, who took 43 percent.

"I'm just very, very thankful the Lord gave this to us and (for) the good people of Collier County who had the confidence in me," said Skinner, who held a small victory party at his East Naples home with close friends and family.

Lilly said he was surprised by the result and felt prospective voters didn't take the time to get educated on the issues.

"I don't understand why more people don't try to get informed," Lilly said from his campaign party at Tavern on the Bay at Bayfront. "I felt it was time for a change. I know a lot of people felt I deserved a shot at the office. I felt we ran a great campaign."

Lilly worked in the Property Appraiser's Office under Skinner for 16 years, most recently as director of tax compliance and homestead exemption, before resigning to run.

During the campaign, Lilly said the office needed a top-to-bottom review to streamline staffing and to be more efficient. He also pledged to make better use of technology and upgrade the property appraiser's website.

Collier Clerk of Courts Dwight Brock Submitted

Clerk of Courts

Clerk of Courts Dwight Brock won with 66 percent of the vote against opponent John Barlow, a retired business executive, who collected 34 percent.

Brock, who has held the job for 19 years, missed his campaign party at Zookies Too in East Naples due to illness and was unavailable for comment.

Brock hadn't faced a challenge since 1996. Barlow had been backed by many in the business community and said the feuding between Brock and Collier commissioners was counterproductive and cost millions in legal fees.

Barlow said in a statement that defeat isn't the worst of failures.

"I chose to run this campaign because I found areas in our government that were not working," Barlow said. "With the constant bickering and the delayed payment of county bills, our residents and businesses were getting hurt."

Collier County Tax Collector Candidate Larry Ray Submitted

Tax collector re-elected

Larry Ray, first elected Collier tax collector in 2008, won with 70 percent of the vote against opponent Steve Wagner, who garnered 29 percent.

"People are happy with the service they get at the Tax Collector's Office. It's not about me," Ray said. "I'm proud to serve another four years."

Ray campaigned that providing top-notch customer service and improving communication with the public have been his top priorities since taking office.

Wagner worked for the tax collector's office for 15 years before resigning to run.

The three constitutional officers earn an annual salary of $133,346.

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Comments » 1

August 15, 2012
9:33 a.m.
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26yearsonmarco writes:

This news is a prime example of why we are in the situation where the Good Ole Boys rule the roost:

We the People had an opportunity to upgrade government services and reduce cost, but We the People Blew It.

"On and On it Goes, Where it Stops Nobody Knows".

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