Candidate: Brett Philip Gormley

My name is Brett Gormley.  I am running for Franklin County commissioner for District 3.  I would call myself the, "none of the above candidate."

I'm the son of a US Navy diver.  I grew up in Franklin County, where my mother, Beverly Ryan, sister, Angela, and myself continue to live and where I raise my 7 year-old son.  

My family can be traced back five-generations in Franklin County.  As a local chef and restraunteur, I've been seen in both local and National TV demonstrating not only my skills as a chef but showcasing our community and all it has to offer.  Needless to say, I have been involved and understand the logistics behind business ownership and management.

While our home in Franklin County is most often noted for our incredible waterways, unspoiled beaches and pristine wilderness we, as locals, understand and want to correct the other side of our community--poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and drugs.  A bay once worked by over 400 oystermen down to a handful--with no anchor employer except the jail and the school system.  

We have all of the tools right here in our county to not only flourish but prosper.  My opponent has been trying for YEARS to correct or improve our community and it's at times like this you have to ask, "am I actually better off than I was four years ago?"

I want to help our community understand the vast opportunity and ability to develop our skills so that we aren't held hostage to one industry.  I would like to introduce a training center like Haney Technical in Panama City to demonstrate to our youth and young families the trade sets that will be needed to re-establish our community.  No one should feel as though their home isn't good enough to raise their family in.

Our senior citizens shouldn't feel neglected.  We are currently sharing resources with neighboring counties.  This practice needs reevaluating so that we receive all our citizens deserve and potentially create new jobs.

Our African American community has always been the backbone of Franklin County and should have their voices heard.  "The Hill," community deserves to have their needs heard and met.

I am running without a party affiliation so that I am accessible to all of our community members.  I am running for all of District #3.  I want to both grow and build our rural quality of life. We deserve better.