Candidate: Penny Taylor

I have been grateful for your support through my tenure as your commission representative from District 4. And now, I am throwing my hat in the ring and asking for your vote August 28 for another four- year term. I was elected chair of the Board of Collier County Commissioners, in 2017, the year that Hurricane Irma wrapped her arms around the State of Florida, making landfall in our County. The size of this hurricane was unprecedented (sixty-one out of sixty-seven Florida counties were affected by this storm) and my position as the chair gave me the opportunity to work closely with staff, first responder leadership and many individuals countywide. I assure you that our County is in good hands and the compassion, strength and work ethic in the individuals I met as I traveled throughout our County in the weeks following September 10 was extraordinary. As a member of the commission, I have initiated the following: Re-establishment of the original Ethics Ordinance created in 1996 but watered down over the years. A program following Hurricane Irma to announce statewide and nationally that, ”Naples is open for Business” resulting in a downtown Naples concert raising approximately $82,000 for housing in Everglades City A process establishing formal input from, and ongoing communications with, Native American tribal interests, as a chairman of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The proposed Community of Faith organization to address the need for volunteers during county-wide emergencies such as hurricanes, forest fires and flooding. Ironically, Hurricane Irma delayed the first meeting which is was re-scheduled for January 24th. The annual solidarity walk during annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades in which community leaders of all faiths and ethnicity walk together The annual Mock Commission Meetings event for middle school civics class students. The Against All Odds award program to recognize outstanding individuals who have achieved their goals against overwhelming odds. Preliminary discussions with Rice family in 2016 resulting in the acquisition of 61 acres for the construction of a 3,000-seat sports complex east of Collier Blvd. Re-established the Summer Intern Program for high school students, requested by the NAACP Growth does not pay for growth. And state law does not allow us to down zone any land … in other words, the zoning that was set by commissions of many years past cannot be made ‘less dense’ to limit the number of rooftops to be built in Collier County. Infrastructure to support this new growth is government’s responsibility and the majority of the cost will fall to you, the taxpayer, unless we broaden our tax base through diverse economic development. Of course, if we don’t build to the ‘Collier County standard’, we may save some money upfront, but the ultimate cost will be to our property values. We must plan for our future and the future of our children by diversifying our economy. As we grow, our County’s economic future will depend on strategic and experienced leadership supporting the building of infrastructure that will attract 21st Century industry to Collier County. Our work together is not finished…. as we grow, neighborhoods must be protected to safeguard our high quality of life. Our beaches must not only be re-nourished but be built wider with dunes to increase their resiliency against storms and protect property values and our valuable tourist industry. I am excited about tomorrow in Collier County and look forward to working with you, listening to your concerns and input. Together we will make a difference. Penny Taylor Caring for Our Community, Working for You …. it’s about Our Quality of Life