Barry Leach for State Representative, District 24

Background:

I have been working with the Marion County Democratic Party for 2 years in various capacities and have brought prior political knowledge with me from participation as a 13-year precinct captain and as a Democratic activist and union organizer elsewhere. I am a 51-year old, newly retired Air Traffic Controller with 25 years service in the Federal Aviation Administration and have also honorably served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps. I live in Leeward Air Ranch in southeast Ocala with my wife of 30 years, Faye. We have 3 children, about whom we love to talk about. My hobbies are sport flying and golfing with my friends from the VFW, the American Legion and the Eagles Club.

Goals:

I'm running for State Representative to address and solve our many neglected community needs, utilizing my proven decision making and leadership skills, gained through a lifetime of public service.

Issues:

1. Enable legislation to establish a revenue stream for counties to create and maintain a Community Preservation Fund aimed at buying development rights to environmentally sensitive or historically significant property.

2. Co-author a New Florida GI Bill to enhance and expand the existing Montgomery GI Bill to provide for free college tuition to honorably discharged veterans at state funded colleges and to provide for special loan guarantees through state chartered banks for post-service home purchases.

3. We live in the Sunshine State. I will propose legislation to enhance state participation in individual home solar installations (through higher rebates) and require all state facilities to have some sort of solar water heating capacity.

Grassroots Support:

Without volunteers this campaign will not succeed. I will accept at every opportunity those who share my own sense of urgency to change the ways of our current legislature. People are our most important asset.

DFA Values:

Being a Progesssive is to listen to our people rather than be an extension of the corporate board room. To enable legislation for the sole purpose of being the right thing to do rather than sweetheart deals for high rolling donors should be part of the definition. I am that candidate. Fiscally responsible is different than fiscally conservative. I'm the former: to control costs and maximize benefits to all Floridians with a dedication to our responsible stewardship of Florida's environment.