Primary Election Date: 08/14/2012
General Election Date: 11/06/2012

Who Am I?

Current Occupation: Special Education Teacher at Gulf Coast Academy in Spring Hill, FL

Prior Experience: Chief Human Resources Executive for 2500 employees. Negotiated labor contracts, resolved conflicts with OSHA & EEOC and managed budgets. Also owned and operated a consulting and employment agency.

Family: Wife, Sandy (married for 45+ years), plus all the children that I have taught or mentored.

Education: Certified FL Special Education Teacher, Mid-grades Integrated Curriculum, Certificate No. 1014896, valid until 06/30/2014
MBA, Cleveland State University (CSU), Cleveland, OH – 1973
BBA, CSU - 1971
AA, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH - 1968

Moved to FL in 2006

Born in Cleveland, OH

Military Service: US Army, SP5/E5, with Proficiency Pay, serving in the US &
Germany. Last assignment was with the 317th Engineer Battalion Combat, Hoechst Germany; Squad Leader & Equipment Operator (volunteered for 3 years of service

Why Am I Running?

The Democratic Party and democracy are under attack in FL and across the US. I am appalled at the way my opponent and the Governor are hurting schools, the young children, working class citizens, veteran, ex-fellons, the unemployed and the elderly of FL. They are trampling all over the civil rights of our citizens. I feel compelled to stand and fight against what I see as serious injustices.

Hold Me Accountable!

The first issue I would tackle in the State House is how do we create more jobs and start to turn this economy around. The governor is so anti-Washington that he turned down $2.4 billion to develop high speed rail. I would encourage our legislatures to look carefully at all Federal money and to take our share. If we would have taken the high speed rail project, our share would have only been $800 million, and that could have been paid by a private-public partnership. According to the St. Pete Times of 8/20/11, FL lost 22,100 jobs from June to July this year.

Second, I would strive to reverse the outsourcing of government jobs, the growth of vouchers for schools, and the attempt to privatize public education. The whole issue of privatization of public functions is repugnant to me. It is an attempt to deny responsibility. Second, it is designed to break union membership in State workers and teachers. Unfortunately, many people buy into the notion that private enterprise will set up competition that will make these institutions better. Schools and prisons should be treated like protected monopolies like public utilities. Unfortunately, Jeb Bush has a very powerful lobby on vouchers and private school ownership through his non-profit “Foundation for Excellence in Education.”

Thirdly, I would tackle the issue of income equality. I think it is grossly unfair that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. I would like to introduce legislation that increases minimum wages, unemployment compensation, welfare, Medicaid, and similar targeted programs at the same rate as average wages for all state employees go up, or salaries of the governor and the legislature, whichever is higher. No more taking care of the fat cats without moving the bottom end along at the same rate.

My DFA values:

Democracy in America is coming under greater control by corporations. Corporate interests and individual interests are different. If we allow this to continue, we will be a one party country, and democracy and the Democratic Party will be sidelined. I cannot sit on the sidelines and let this happen. I am a first-time candidate who feels so strongly that we are going in the wrong direction that I had to try and do the right thing by running for office. When I attended DFA training in Tampa earlier this year, I met 9 other challengers who feel the same way. We are trying to make a difference. And my Democratic constituents in FL H-43 finally feel like they have a candidate that can make a difference. Our former DEC Chair has come out of retirement to help me with my campaign & has endorsed my run.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

I have enlisted the two DEC's and the five Democratic Clubs in our district to help me with my run for FL House. I have spoken to one DEC and four clubs so far. I am on the agenda for another DEC and another club next month. My fellow Democrats are reaching out to other dissatisfied voter (with 2/3 negative approval, there are a lot who are dissatisfied) to have them sign my petitions to get on the ballet, and to help me with fund raising.

I have also started a church campaign. My former pastor has agreed to introduce me at coffee after church, and let me talk to the congregation about my run for FL House. I have appointed an aide to do the same thing at other churches throughout the District.

In addition, I am working with local unions, to gain their support and endorsements. I am going to a Labor Day rally on 9/5 in the local area.

I am using electronic media to get my word out. My website is almost complete. And, I have applied for a DFA scholarship to go to DC for more training.