Carol Ann Felts Runs For Manatee County Commission District 6 Seat

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — In the Aug. 23 primary election, Republican voters will choose between three candidates for the Republican nomination in the Manatee County Commission District 6 race.

The following Republican candidates are:

• Jason Bearden
• Carol Ann Felts
• Carol Whitmore

The top vote getter will go up against write-in candidates Robert Lesher and Manuel Antonio Llamas.

Patch has asked all candidates to complete a questionnaire about their campaign and their priorities.

Felts responded to our survey and her responses are posted below.

City or town of residence

Myakka City, Fl. 34251

Office sought

Manatee County Commissioner, District 6 at large

Education

Alabama State Community College, AA

Occupation

Retired from accounting

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

64

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Environmental Lands Management and Acquisitions Committee at-large citizen representative

Why are you seeking this office?

As an eight-generation native of Florida, 35-year resident of Manatee County and proactive participant as a citizen in local government for many years, the public needs a voice on the board that represents and understand their interests and priorities in how our communities are formed and how we are governed.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a long-term resident and have been actively involved in a variety of issues that affect our communities. My opponents are a commissioner that has been in office for many years, and a short-term resident that is unfamiliar and uninvolved in local issues. I have the knowledge of a native Floridian of the environment, our history and the political process that has evolved and dominated our county government. Citizen education, information and involvement in our local government has been the focus of my campaign, and which I will continue, whereas other candidates have focused on partisan politics and division versus solutions-oriented mindsets and uniting our communities.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

As a long-term commissioner, the incumbent has been part of the era of growth and has lost effectiveness in her influence on the board. An At Large Commissioner most also exercise involvement and familiarity with all areas of Manatee County and help support the district commissioners in representing their constituents. The incumbent also voted in favor of phosphate mining and contributed to the lack of resolution to the 20-year Piney Point issues.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Accountability, transparency and citizen involvement. The effective use of taxpayers’ dollars and a performance based budget.

Streamlining government for the public’s access, usability and prudent fiscal management.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been actively involved in local issues with government personnel, policies and procedures for many years. I have been successful in organizing and promoting citizen involvement to voice our concerns in land use, conservationism and fiscal responsibility. I have a background in accounting for a variety of industries as well as a stable personal financial background that denotes character and a mindset that provides the common sense and practicality needed on our board today.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

“If it is to be, it is up to me,” my Miami Senior High School band director, Mr. James Monroe, former military officer and graduate of Florida A&M University, and Teacher of the Year in Miami-Dade County, 1976.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am the only candidate that has not based my campaign on the money machine our political process has become. I represent average citizens that have been purposely kept out of the loop of local government once the elections are over with. I am the only candidate that has offered to do the job for half the $90,000 a year salary and donate half to charitable projects for homeless veterans of our Armed Forces, as a demonstration of my commitment, Patriotism to our nation, my passion for this county, and my obligation to the tax paying public for that privilege to serve them.