Candidate: Jane Gentile-Youd

http://vote4jane.com    INTRODUCTION:

I am a  20 year Flagler County resident and homeowner in District #4  trying for the seond time for this Flagler County Commission seat.  I am running a NPA (Non-Party ) campaign because I am aware of the fact that local issues affecting Flagler County are all non partisan in nature; every decision made with our local tax dollars has  nothing to do with political parties..

SOME OF MY GOALS AS COMMISSIONER:

 We need a more responsible approach to county spending by limiting Consent Agenda requests for funding not to exceed $150,000 per item and putting a stop to the current one stroke $$$ millions of dollars approved without discussion.  More direct input needed from department heads and staff during ' Budget Workshops' not just presentations by County Administrator and Finance Director.  Combined workshops needed with all the cities in Flagler County not just county.

 I pledge to try for 2 more commissioner votes to restore 24/7 EMERGENCY HELICOPTER service which  was discontinued 9 years ago  ( Our county has almost doubled in population since 2013 but our one and only ( over 25 year old) helicopter is available only 8 hours a day..

 I will lobby the other commissioners to extend the current 3 minutes only allowed to citizens ( us taxpayers and voters) to speak on any issue  be extended to 5 minutes as many issues affect all Flagler County citizens. I will host citizen meetings after morning meetings and when requested.

I am  passionate about putting the brakes on the non-stop totally unnecessary residential density  increases in undeveloped ,and partially developed PUDs being passed, in addition to wanting to amend the outdated and irresponsible Commercial C-2 zoning approvals which are both causing a strain on municipal services and negatively the quality of life of current residents. I will stand firm in voting NO for any zoning change ,variance,or special exception not proven to me to be necessary, consistent, and compatible with the surrounding existing residential  community which change(s) I believe will negatively affect our  health, welfare, safety or our quality of life , incuding our reasonable expectations for choosing to live here.

 I am in favor of affordable housing, as long as it is affordable and built in accessible areas and not being promoted for the extraordinary tax breaks afforded to the builders with little or no supporting criteria for the locations chosen.   Adequate public transportation goes hand in hand with affordable housing which transportation is currently very far from adequate.

 The lack of proper drainage, Internet access as well as road issues in the western part of the county need lots more work which I put very high  on the list of must "dos". I believe that most delays have been based on the number of votes in the west NOT on the issues themselves. I hope the current funding sources will sort most of  these issues out.  Western Flagler County, including the City of Bunnell, ,sprinkled with farms and lakes is a much too long overlooked pearl  of Flagler County which areas are finally beginning to gain some attention.

Our school funding must be increased in order to provide proper quality PUBLIC edcuation to prepare our youth for the future.  The commissions failure to approve the necessary impact fees to help offset the rising cost of education; to provide for the necessary construction of expansion of existing schools ( where land permits)  and new construction is havin a negative effect on promoting families with children from re-locating to Flagler County.  This failure to adequately fund our efucation system has a negative effect on our ability to bring in qualified and skilled workers to the county in addition to creating a higher rate of graduates looking elsewhere for their chosen careers and available jobs.  I need to focus more than I have thus far on this very serious issue which can have a negative snowball effect on all of us if not 'fixed' in the immediate future.  

MY 20 YEAR ACTIVE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN COUNTY ISSUES include:

My involvement with Flagler County began in 2002 when I successfully lobbied the then Commission and The Florida Department of Transportation ( FDOT) to enhance, add guard rails, lighting and beautify the Old Dixie Highway bridge and I continue to work with FDOT to try to properly maintain I-95 in Flagler County;  I pushed  FDOT via phone calls and e-mails for several years until the resurfacing was completed and am now trying to stop trucks from parking on the I-95 on ramps which block motorists from a clear view of I-95 as well as leaving unsightly mud piles.

My ongoing efforts in person, from objecting to the purhase of the decrepit Plantation Bay Water facility in 2013 for more than double its worth;  the sloppy irresponsible way over priced purchase of the old hospital, the Sears Building fiasco, the idiotic  purchase of the barn out west which is useless for the intended fire station,  the current $21million dollar price tag  for the new Sheriff building, as well as the 3 year old Captains Barbeque lawsuit going nowhere and thousands of our tax dollars wasted.   I am working with local residents to insure the Old Dixie Hotel new owners will be sanctioned for not paying  the1/4 million dollar fine due back in August and why the current administration has allowed the unsanitary conditions continue to exist for over 10 years while paying outside attorneys well over $25,000 to 'sue' when the county should just tear it down.  The Building Department needs a big staff overhaul;  for giving permits to property owners being sued by the county for multiple code violations, for allowing phony signs and expired permit approvals. These 'irrgularities' have got to stop ! The many other issues I have been, and  am now inolved in , as a caring tax payer and citizen can be seen on Flagler County You tube of commission meetings from 2017 forward.

MY BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY:

I am  former Zoning Board and Community Council member from Miami Dade County, a recipient of many civic awards and procamations ( including JANE GENTILE-YOUD DAY, April 6, 2002 for 26 years of public service ) . I am a Florida Real Estate Realtor/ Broker for over 40 years : My outspoken efforts are well known, both in Miami-Dade and here in Flagler County for standing up against runaway development and my refusal  ( both as a Realtor and private citizen)  to participate in land deals I do not think will be beneficial to the community. .

Outrageous overspending and bad financial decisions by the county ,causing numerous costly lawsuits should be stopped, in addition to the over budgeting for the legal department, which I  have been opposing for years.  As a Commissioner I will have a real vote and with just 2 out of the other 4 commissioners agreeing with me, we can work to overhaul the current practices which are emptying the pockets of the citizens in my opinion.  My unending efforts, once again, in person at commission meetings, both under Community Outreach portions of the meetings as well as specific agenda items, can be seen on Flagler County You-tube. 

“Working Today for Your Tomorrow” is my mantra and has been my mantra for the 20 yearsI  have lived here. * I  garnered almost 40% of the vote in 2018 with a budget of 6% of that of my opponent , current county commissioner for District 4. I may be easily reached at "Janemay@aol.com and ‘Vote4Jane@aol,com' or (landline:) 386 586-JANE (5263) Thanks kindly for your time. I welcome your concerns.  Stay updated at my website: "VOTE4JANE.COM"