Candidate: William 'Boots ' McCormick, Jr.

My name is William ‘Boots” McCormick, and I’m running for Freeport City Council Seat 4. While many of you have watched me grow up, I recognize that many new families now call our great little town home, and may not know me. I’m 56 years old and was born in Mobile Alabama, but was raised in Freeport, where my father was born and grew up. My Great grandfather was raised in the local Freeport area of Black Creek. I inherited the nickname “Boots” from my father, and have carried that alias my entire life. (side note: there are many legends as to how my dad got the name “Boots”, but I can’t confirm or deny which is true.) Matter of fact, many folks who have known me since grade school are just now recognizing that my real name is actually William Henry McCormick Jr. I graduated from Freeport High School in 1979, where I lettered in Football, Basketball, and Track. Sports were an incredible outlet for me, and I appreciate how important it is for our youth in Freeport to have access to extra curricular activities, and the best facilities we can provide. Shortly after graduation, at the old age of 18, I married my best friend, and life partner, Casandra “Sandy” Grace McCormick. Thankfully, God has blessed her with incredible love and amazing patience, as we are still married after 37 years. I have been working since I was 12 years old, and after High School, followed my father’s footsteps as a Merchant Mariner. An almost entire lifetime in the workforce has made me appreciate the value of a dollar. That’s why I desire for our city government to spend money on productive ventures like using the natural advantages within our city limits to promote positive growth that will benefit the economic structure of our town. At 29, I left the tug life to pursue my lifelong dream of being a Law Enforcement Officer. I served the citizens of Walton County for over 25 years as a Deputy Sheriff, doing everything from basic patrol, to SWAT team to criminal investigations. In Law Enforcement, I had to resolve countless tense issues with guts, common sense, and compassion, while staying within the realm of the legalities, and often times, having to think outside of the box. I will do the same for the great Citizens of Freeport, as a City Council representative. I’m still a reserve Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office, standing by for whenever my service is needed. Public Service is not a job to me...it is a calling, and another reason why I feel lead to be involved in the development, safety, and finances of our city. Mine and Sandy’s only child’s name is William Blake McCormick. He is 34, and was raised in Freeport. After serving in the Army, he became a Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office, and is also a freelance sports writer for the Defuniak Herald. He and his wife, Shara, have blessed me with a granddaughter and two grandsons who are involved in the Freeport Youth Sports Programs. While Freeport has been great to me and my child, I want to work hand in hand with other council members, and our citizens, to make it even better for my grandchildrens generation, and beyond. That means trying to provide them with more opportunities to work, and more nice places to live without having to leave town. I will end with this pledge. If I am given the opportunity to serve as your city representative, I will always keep the citizens of Freeport as the center of any decision I have to make. I stood between our families and harms way for many years and I will continue to proudly stand for you as your City Council Representative for Seat 4. Remember to vote on June 11th. William “Boots” McCormick.