Candidate: Mary Kay Engelking

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR ON THE JOB TRAINING... Putnam County became my home the day I moved here. I received a call from my daughter from college. She was off to a war. Her unit had been deployed for Desert Storm. I started a support group that grew throughout the months and found Putnam County to be a very warm and giving community. I organized a prayer vigil at the waterfront and we were the only county in the United States to have a United States Congressman as our main speaker. CNN and all local news media attended. For the next 22 years I have been community involved. I have started community programs and have been a team player for community programs. A Florida Certified Tax Collector Assistant (inactive) Working knowledge of county government including liaison with offices of the Property Appraiser, County Clerk, and County Attorney Working knowledge of State Legislation affecting rural counties, Professional communication with state legislators regarding current session bills that affect rural counties Only candidate for 22 years that has attended county commission meeting and workshops I know where Tallahassee is located. I go every year while our legislators are in session As your County Commissioner I will focus on Economic Development..JOBS, Building and Zoining, Protect one of our most precious assets: Water, Shipyard: Our two shipyards are being limited on the size of ships they can build. I will work with Tallahassee to try and convert the Shands Bridge to a drawbridge, more jobs can be created, larger ships can be built. Putnam County has a job deficit. I will work to create an environment that not only attracts, but Keeps new businesses that generates Jobs. We need constant jobs not jobs that will come and go I am fiscally conservative, believing that government should be run in the same manner as a business. Stop the borrow and spend habits of our county government on personal agendas. Tax payers keep bailing ourt county debt with higher taxes. Our Future depends on new ideas.There is always room for improvement. Eliminating our governmental raodblocks that are stifling our economic growth, eliminate redundant government functions, encourage cross training, protect our private property rights, work for a viable workforce, promote tourism Surround counties are taking our jobs because they are prepared for new businesses. We can change that. It can be done if we work together as a community Organized a Gulf War family support group. Received letter of recognition from President George Bush and US Armay General Schwarzkopf, and CNN. Kiwanis President organized Terrific Kids at E.H. Miller School Kiwanis President wrote a grant for playground equipment at the Ravine Gardens Kiwanis President started many bar-be-cues fund raising President Realtor Assoc. organized a bass tournament for Hospice Awarded NEFAR Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award, and recognized by the Times Union North East Florida Association of Realtors Legislative Committee March of Dimes Youth Chairman Many Putnam County Committees Lee Conlee Vice President first board Azalea Festival Parade Grand Marshall Christmas Parade Grand Marshall Palatka Main Street Blue Crab Festival Azalea Festival Committee Volunteer Putnam Community Hospital VA Clinic Blueberry Festival Pomona Park Yard Sale Committee Pomona Park Festival Enjoyed every minute of Volunteering and caring about my home. St Andrews Church food drive Rodeheaver Boys Ranch entertainment committee Enjoying every minute of volunteering and caring about my home...Putnam County Mother of a Veteran, Daughter of a Veteran, Granddaughter of a Veteran My Faith Leads Me Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society St Johns River Community College Associate Degree St Johns River Community College Working on my Bachelor Degree Licensed and active Florida Realtor,State of Florida DOR Certified Tax Collector Assistant(inactive) Daughter of a Mason, and Rainbow Girl Girl Scout