Candidate: Janie Griffith

Janie Griffith

Committed to:

*Keeping our city on the right track

*Working toward balanced and thoughtful growth for our entire community

*Meeting our many serious infrastructure needs throughout the city

*Building on the various succewssful community events and activites which bring recognition to DeFuniak Springs on a wide scale

*Extending our natural appeal as a great place to visit and live

Campaign Statement

I am Janie Griffith, a lifeling resident of Walton County, a homeowner in the city, a thirty year employee of the Walton County School District and owner of Griffith Consulting.  I have been privileged to serve the citizens of DeFuniak Springs as your representative on the City Council, Seat 1, since 2015.

During the past four years, our city has faced many changes and significant challenges. I have served alongside three city managers, two interim city managers and three finance directors in this time. The roatating vacuum of leadership and necessary retraining process has left its mark on our govenment and has stymied community growth in some ways.

Despite that, we have moved ahead on many fronts including:

-Streamlining of city staff

-Updating financial procedures including upgraded computer software

-Completion of Hwy. 331 and avoiding the attempt to bypass the city

-Location of the Veterans Lodge within our community

-Participation in the national Main Street USA program

-Keeping propety taxes at 4.5 mils

-Establishing a skatyeboard park for our youth

-Creating a committee to update the City Charter

-Creating a CRA

-Bringing reserves into compliance and maintaining these appropriately.

Our present city manger and finance director have  brought specific expertise and experience which is already enabling the city council to fulfill its rightful role of setting policy and procedures, thus allowing staff to execute the day-to-day operation of the city under competent and professional leadership.

In seeking a second term as your representative on City Council, I will continue to maintain on-going communication with you, the citizen. I will continue to work tirelessly to be pro-active in city financial matters - keeping ahead of ever-changing priorities and needs - not constantly hiding behind "THE BUDGET". I will work to find creative ways to keep our city moving forward, meeting changing needs while working within esstablished financial boundaries. The budger is NOT God, it is a guideling - a tool through which we can know what we have and what we need. It is a framework which requires constant review and reworking in order to meet the opportunities we may otherwise miss while at the smae time maintaining the city's safe and secure financial base.

As citizens, you have had opportunity to observe my commitment and dedication to this city. Most of you know that I do my homework in preparation for every meeting and every issue. It is my nature to see a task through to completion.  I pledge to continue to serve you with professionalism peppered with kindness, respect and integrity.

Let's keep DeFuniak Springs on the RIGHT TRACK, Vote for me, Janie Griffith, on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.