Candidate: Eddy Lavane Scott

Hi, my name is Eddy Scott and I have filed to run for Gilchrist County Commissioner, District 4. I am 62 years old and a long-time resident with deep roots in Gilchrist County.  I have been happily married to Cynthia (O’Steen) Scott for 39 years. We have two children, Amber Scott and Nicole Thomas, and two grandchildren, Emma and Addison Thomas. I have two siblings, Stacy (Rhonda) Scott and Amy Downing. My parents are Jean (Akins) Scott of Trenton, the late Vernon Lavane Scott, and stepmother Joanne Scott of Gainesville. My late maternal grandparents are Leonard and Kate “Mema" Akins. My wife’s parents are Arnold and Wanda O’Steen.

My hobbies include fishing, camping, gardening, and spending time with family, especially my granddaughters.

I attended Trenton and Bell High School, Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida.

I retired in 2017 from a 33-year career with the Florida Department of Transportation. My main experience is in design, plans review, and specifications. I supervised a small team responsible for the review of all FDOT projects in North Florida for 14 years.

My wife and I also owned and operated a mail order plant nursery, where we grew and shipped plants all over the country. It was a family business. My daughters worked, and we sought out and employed local youth through Bell High School. We wanted our children to have the opportunity to work and gain experience like we did in our youth.

Many of you know of the deep farming roots and the importance agriculture plays in our county. Gilchrist was the last county formed in Florida and was almost named “Melon” county, the name was changed to honor former Governor Gilchrist instead.

I am proud to say I worked for several farmers in the area loading watermelons and working in other crops throughout high school and college. I worked for Taylor’s Masonry and Akins Heating and Air Conditioning prior to my career at FDOT. I gained valuable experience and I now look back on much of those times with nostalgia.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call or text me.

Sincerely,
Eddy L. Scott
352-443-4917