Candidate: William (Bill) M Martin

Dear Fellow Citizens of Gilchrist County: My name is Bill Martin and it is an honor to introduce myself as a candidate for County Commissioner District 2. My family has resided in Gilchrist County for 3 generations. My Grandfather was a farmer here in Gilchrist County. My father was in the United States Air Force for twenty three years and as a child I was able to live in many areas of the United States, but upon retirement we came back and settled in Gilchrist County. I have been married to my lovely wife, Kim Martin, for 32 years and have three daughters Lindsey, Kaitlin and Kristi that have all graduated from Bell High School. My two oldest children have moved back to the community and are planning to raise their families here. I consider this great county my home. I am a Christian Conservative Republican and I value those principles that keep this great county and country flourishing. I am a graduate of the Bell High School class of 1980. After my graduation, I went on to complete my AA from Lake City Community College and my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture from The University of Florida. Upon receiving my degree from UF, I began my teaching career in the Florida Public School system. After several years of teaching I furthered my education and received my Masters in Educational Leadership from Nova University. I have continued to grow personally and professionally through my thirty three years of teaching Agriculture, and leading FFA Chapters, 26 of those years in Gilchrist County. For 25 years I have been a member of the Trenton Community Church of the Nazarene where I serve as a board member and the acting Treasurer. I am a proud member of the Florida Farm Bureau, Gilchrist County Cattlemen Association, Suwannee River Fair Association, Bell FFA Alumni, Florida FFA Alumni, and my professional group Florida Association of Career and Technical Education. I plan and participate in many community activities and fundraisers. I embrace this community and the many events it promotes. If elected, I would like to continue working with my fellow commissioners to keep Gilchrist County moving in a successful direction. The following are a few of the areas I would like to work diligently to continue and bring necessary change. First, I would work to promote clean and environmentally safe businesses and industries within the community. I would also strive to bring in the funds and grants needed to improve Gilchrist County’s current infrastructure to create an environment that fosters economic growth. Next, I would work to help secure funding for a new jail, which would create jobs and better utilize our funds within our community. Creating jobs within the community will help Gilchrist County to ensure that we can secure a prosperous future for ourselves and the generations to come. Lastly, I would work to ensure that we protect and maintain our agricultural heritage that has brought so many of us to love and call Gilchrist County our home. Contact information 7699 SW Cr 334-A Trenton 352-463-7439 Cell 352 221-0716 Email: martinb.071761@yahoo.com