Candidate: David D. Osteen

It has been a great honor and a privilege to serve you, the citizens of Dixie County the last 3 ½ years. As election time approaches, I humbly ask for your support in my Re-Election of Dixie County Commissioner District 5. Over the last 3 ½ years I have remained true to my word and worked diligently to build a better community for our citizens. During my time in service to our community I have been very proactive in my support for the betterment of our county, both personally and professionally. Here are some of the changes I have had a direct impact on:

• I have personally sent out county information to over 70 businesses to bring jobs to Dixie County.

               o   Tractor Supply – turned down an offer to build in Dixie County.

               o   Volkswagen- needed an active storage warehouse in Dixie.  Due to other commitments,  Dixie     County was unable to provide that at the time.

               o   Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen – this was a combined effort with other county and city officials, the franchise ultimately backed out.

•   Shortly after being elected, I met with three County Administrative employees to join a teleconference call with a developer from Mississippi, Mr. Joe Higgins, to recruit businesses to our community. Mr. Higgins has a successful reputation for building up small communities without hurting the small businesses. Mr. Higgins helped secure Yokohama Tire Factory for a small community in Mississippi that had been recently devastated by the closing of a meat packing plant. However, He is currently under contract in Mississippi for 5 years, once that contract is over in the next couple of years, we will make every effort to secure him for our community.
• I am actively working on pursuing two different auto dealerships to come to Dixie, both have connections to some of our own residents, this could be potential business growth for our county.
•  I introduced the Australian Technique for growing/harvesting oysters in Dixie County and these efforts have received positive feedback from our community. There are currently six oyster farmers in our Coastal communities using this technique and all report back they are thriving and doing well.
• I lead the efforts to update “DTRAC” located in Jena, bringing activities for our children to our community.

               o   I had the playground equipment rebuilt/fixed and then repainted.

               o   I had the Jena Library and the pavilion repainted.

               o   I have personally met with several business owners and received support to hold festivals and other community events at DTRAC where all the proceeds would go toward building a splash pad for our community children.

• I am also not supportive of a $0.06 increase to our gas tax, I have voted “No” twice on this initiative and will continue to do so.

If given the opportunity to continue to work for you, I will resume all efforts to bring jobs and improvements to our community. I love Dixie County. I am a lifelong resident of the Jena and Steinhatchee area. Most of you may know me from my 33 years as a waiter at Roy’s Restaurant in Steinhatchee. I know firsthand what it is like to work hard for what you have. I am currently in my 17th year of employment with the Florida Department of Corrections and my 10th year of employment with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s office. Not only do I work hard for my community, I work hard for my family. I serve and protect for my wife Sherri Poore Downing Osteen and our children and grandchildren. Together, Sherri and I have 3 children, David (wife Jada) Osteen, Tyler (fiancé Cassandra) Osteen and Shelbi (husband John) Blakely and 5 beautiful grandchildren.

I am the proud son of the late Carol Osteen, who served our great nation in the US Coast Guard for 24 years and Mrs. Millie Ann Malcom Osteen White. My stepfather is Mr. Johnnie White of Steinhatchee, who retired from Buckeye after serving many years there as a crane operator. My paternal grandparents were Dewitt and Pocahontas Osteen, who were lifelong farmers and residents of Levy County. My maternal grandparents were Dave and Millie Malcom and they were lifelong residents of Steinhatchee where Dave worked as a commercial fisherman.

I am a 1982 graduate of Dixie County High School. I have also completed various trainings over my career and during my tenure as your county commissioner:

·         Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Academy

·         Crossover Correctional to CMS Law Enforcement

·         Specialized Bailiff Training

·         Completed Basic Locksmith Training through the Florida Department of Corrections

·         Completed Advanced Locksmith Training through the Florida Department of Corrections

·         I have been recognized four times by the Florida Department of Corrections as “Officer of the Month.”

·         I have almost completed a comprehensive study program and will receive my Certified County Commissioner (CCC) designation, once the Covid-19 restrictions allow for my training to resume. This program has so far allowed me to further my education in providing the best quality services to the residents and business owners in Dixie County. I have been able to further my knowledge of best practices in dealing with issues all county governments face, ethics and Sunshine Law, county government roles and responsibilities, county government structure and authority, financial management, growth management, negotiation skills, economic development, and effective communication skills. Completing this program will allow me to better serve the citizens of Dixie County. with issues all county governments face, ethics and Sunshine Law, county government roles and responsibilities, county government structure and authority, financial management, growth management, negotiation skills, economic development, and effective communication skills. Completing this program will allow me to better serve the citizens of Dixie County. with issues all county governments face: ethics, county government roles and responsibilities, county government structure and authority, financial management, and growth management. Completing this program will allow me to continue to better serve the citizens of Dixie County.

I send my thanks to all who have continuously supported me during my time as County Commissioner. I kindly ask that on November 3rd, you show your support for me again. If I did not have your support in the last election, I ask that you give me a chance to speak with you individually and hear your questions or concerns for Dixie County; in every decision I make with the Board of County Commissioners, the Citizens of Dixie County will always be my priority.  If at any time you need to contact me, please feel free to do so.

A special “thank you” goes to those individuals that have served or are presently serving in the military.  Your sacrifice has helped to keep our freedom; your service to our county and country is greatly appreciated! 

Allow me to keep working for you!

David D. Osteen

Dixie County Commissioner District 5

(352) 356-0405