This is our community, and you know what, they have spoken.. The Gainesville City Commission is on its way to a new majority following Tuesday's primary election. Physical Address: 200 E. University Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601 Mailing Address: The City of Gainesville will hold a special election to fill the vacancy of City Commission At-Large, Seat B, most recently held by Gail Johnson.. Johnson announced in August her resignation and . Gainesville City Commission vows to end gun 'crisis' after 3rd Avenue shooting By Jacob Sedesse and Mike Loizzo February 3, 2023 Government and politics, Heard It On WUFT-FM, Law and public. If you wish to view e-mail not listed, you may do so through a public records request by contacting the City of Gainesville Clerk of the Commission. Ed Book was first elected to the Gainesville City Commission in November 2022. in Speech Pathology from Florida A & M University; M.S. "No matter if you voted for me or not, my door is open to you and I will always work to make Gainesville a better place for everyone. It was not healthy for me to hold a full-time job and try to be mayor, he said. The City of Gainesville run-off election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 for the Mayor (at-large) and City Commission District 2, and District 3 seats. The at-large races may be voted on by all registered voters living within Gainesville city limits. The winner of the election will serve out the remaining time on Johnson's term of office, which ends in the fall of 2024. The following are links to these columns, The Sun editorial board's endorsements and letters to the editor endorsing candidates. Dear Commissioners, Gainesville is known for its precious tree canopy - it is one of the features that makes the city a unique and lovely place to live. The plan could have gone on the ballot for voters to decide but is within the power of the commission already to do so. Our city needs our city commission to govern.. Please check back. - Logo, Alachua County Precincts & Polling Places, Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy and Plan. City of Gainesville The district saw more than 4,700 votes cast, and the difference between Cain and Willits accounted for 8% of the votes. About 200 people attended the ceremony at the Historic Thomas Center Gardens before the first Gainesville City Commission meeting of 2023. Polling places are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day. All rights reserved. In the wake of the Terrell Bradley mauling, Willits plans on reforming the Gainesville K-9 program. Follow them on Twitter @vanityhack and @SienaDuncan. For more information on the types of identification accepted at the polls, viewAccepted Types of Identification. Bryan Eastman will serve as District 4s new commissioner for the next three years after defeating Christian Newman, according to unofficial results from the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections. Schedule a meeting with a member of the City Commission. Observed holidays. State bill could eliminate gender studies, grant hiring power to trustees, UF students befriend Riker Hall cat colony, UF students protest DeSantis attacks on higher education, More than 7,600 UF students cast votes on first day of Spring Student Government elections, Pop-up bakery Bushel & Peck offers unique assortment of baked goods, Gator wins executive seats, Change achieves first-ever UF Student Senate majority, Floridas bullpen collapses in loss to Jacksonville, Organizers seek to end GPDs K-9 unit in press conference. For more information regarding elections, please contact the Gainesville City Clerk at 352-334-5015 or clerks@gainesvillefl.gov. To keep busy during his retirement, he said he drives for Uber and Lyft on a part-time basis. View on Map, Monday-Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 'You're supposed to be dead': Gainesville city officials argue with themselves, audience, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Our neighbors and residents deserve better and to have full-time commissioners dedicated to them and the city, said Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos. The person elected to an At-Large seat shall continuously reside in the City during the term of office. in Speech Pathology from Florida State University and D.P.A. At a Depot Park watch party for Willits and U.S. House candidate Danielle Hawk, the 20-person crowd erupted into cheers and applause. The city has launched a new meeting agenda system. The seven-member Gainesville City Commission will be reshaped by the Aug. 23 election as four of the seats are up for grabs to voters to choose a new majority. The city expects to implement a program to search for candidates for office in a future meeting, though, as of . Matt Howland, a former history teacher at Westwood Middle School and the founder of a nonprofit youth fitness organization, has also qualified to run. The Gainesville City Commission is on its way to a new majority following Tuesday's primary election. Book, the Santa Fe College chief of police, will take the seat vacated by Mayor-elect Harvey Ward. Job Details: The City of Gainesville, Florida is seeking an experienced Compensation Manager to lead . Raised, invested and serving in Alachua County, My life experience shows the power of education, Changes needed to ensure every student succeeds, I'm not afraid to tackle hard, unpopular issues, Every student deserves a high-quality education, Education experience is vital for School Board, Everyone in schools deserves to be heard, protected, Make Gainesville a safer, better home for everyone, End the commission's addiction to GRU customers' money, Protect neighborhoods, restore citizen-centered government, Address consequences of slavery, racism in Gainesville, Gainesville can become the nation's next smart city, City need mayor who can bring in money without raising taxes, We need to be ready for the glut of housing that is coming, We can work together on housing, climate, other challenges, A commitment to looking out for taxpayers, ratepayers, Civility is the most effective way to get things done, Working families need a voice on the City Commission, We need city commissioners who listen to our citizens, An opportunity to create the city of our dreams, Make Gainesville a safe, affordable city for everyone, Return city to being a place of promise, opportunity, We need leaders that stand up for communitys values, Experienced leadership needed in local government, Reelect Tina Certain to the Alachua County School Board, Elect Diyonne McGraw to the Alachua County School Board, Elect Kay Abbitt, Sarah Rockwell to the Alachua County School Board, Vote Harvey Ward for mayor of Gainesville, Elect Bryan Eastman, Michael Raburn and Casey Willits to City Commission, Includes letters endorsing Nikki Fried, Gary Gordon,Tom Wells,Danielle Hawk, Gary Gordon, Harvey Ward,Christian Newman, Jo Lee Beaty, Kay Abbitt, Tina Certain, Jo Beaty, Gary Gordon, Christian Newman, Harvey Ward, Kay Abbitt, Danielle Hawk, Includes letters endorsingChristian Newman, Tina Certain, Includes letters endorsing Kay Abbitt, Tina Certain,Prescott Cowles,Diyonne McGraw,Gary Gordon,Harvey Ward, Bryan Eastman,Christian Newman, Includes letter endorsingSarah Rockwell,Tina Certain,Tom Wells, Includes letters endorsing Harvey Ward, Christian Newman, Letters endorsing Christian Newman, Tina Certain, Harvey Ward, Ed Book, Jo Beaty, Harvey Ward, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. . The seat is open after Johnson unexpectedly announced her resignation on Aug. 23, saying she had grown frustrated with City Manager Lee Feldman and displeased with some of the commissions recent decisions. View on Map, Monday-Friday8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Harvey Ward Jr. was first elected as Mayor of the City of Gainesville in November 2022. Im knocking on doors every day and the voters are connecting with my message. With generous support from the Gainesville community and the University of Florida, Youth Combine grew to become the largest (nonprofit) of its kind in Florida and I was awarded the Governors Young Entrepreneur Award, his campaign website says. - At the Gainesville City Commission Regular Meeting on January 19, the commission discussed Commissioner Ed Book's proposal to repeal the ordinance passed on December 15, 2022, that will . As commissioner, he said he wants to emphasize affordable housing, possibly introducing rent control, which is a government program that places a limit on the amount that a landlord can demand for leasing a home or renewing a lease. It could displace families in the future, he said. Im extremely excited with the results from today," he said. COCOA, Fla. - Bite by bite, the majestic and adorable . All rights reserved. Job Details: The City of Gainesville, Florida is seeking an experienced professional to be our Chief Negotiator and manager of the Employee & Labor Relations division of our Human Resources Department. City of Gainesville Commissioner Email E-mail listed on this site is solely for information purposes and is listed as a service to the citizens. At Santa Fe College, hes not only chief of the colleges police department but also teaches two public safety and police courses. The proposal comes as three members of the seven-seat board prepare to leave office because of term limits. "This was a close race," he said. Please let the City Manager know that the City Code of Ordinances requires Public Works respond to those who appealed for a hearing by the Tree Appeals Board on the removal of the Heritage Live . Although the two candidates shared a few platform topics cutting down GRU fees, creating more public green spaces like parks and making RTS bus routes more accessible in District 3 they differed on one major issue: single-family housing districts. Siena Duncan is a sophomore journalism major and the graduate school beat reporter for the Alligator. He was first elected as a district commissioner in March 2017 and then re-elected in 2020. Schedule a meeting with a member of the City Commission. In the spring of 1998, Gainesville citizens voted for their first elected mayor in 72 years. During the Aug. 24 primaries, Willits led with 49% and Cain followed behind with 37%. He was also endorsed by seven progressive organizations. He defeated James Ingle, the president of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who received a slew of support and endorsements from progressive and labor organizations. The Gainesville City Commission voted 4-3 against easing zoning restrictions for single family homes Thursday afternoon. See latest results for local and statewide races, Ward, Bielarski top field of 9 candidates to succeed Lauren Poe, All-women school board to lead education policy in Alachua County, Columns from candidates, other opinions on races for City Commission, mayor, School Board, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Gainesville City Commissioners, Consultants Work To Add Racial Equity In Comprehensive Plan Update By Hannah Shelton April 1, 2021 Business and development, Government and politics The. Willits plans on implementing more renewable energy alternatives to help create a greener district, he said. The Florida Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, comprised of Senate and House members, grilled the city officials Thursday afternoon over findings outlined in a January 2022 auditor general's. All rights reserved. 3 Beds. Box 2496 Gainesville, GA 30503 Phone: 770-535-6860 Ed Book and James Ingle are competing for Harvey Ward's City Commission seat. Candidates in the 2022 Gainesville City Commission District 2 race. Casey Willits, a City Commission District 3 candidate, embraces Danielle Hawk during a watch party at Depot Event Space Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Commissioners Cynthia Chestnut and Desmon Duncan-Walker each pushed the pay bump forward for a vote on Thursday, citing that the current structure only allows well-off individuals to seek office. Please note that emails to the City Commission are public record and may be published to the internet. Run-Off Election Day for the City of Gainesville election is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Sq. Please consider giving today. You can find which precinct you are assigned to vote at by looking at your Voter Information Card. Willits had 53.96% of the vote compared to his opponent DeJeon Cain. 2023 - City of Gainesville, Florida. He can be reached by phone at (352) 338-3103, by email at jlharris@gannett.com or on Twitter . Closing Date: 03/01/2023. It helped in the end, then, that he won the Gainesville District 2 City Commission seat over James Ingle. Throughout his campaign, he didnt touch on hard policy issues as much as his emphasis on detoxifying politics. Casey Willits and Dejeon Cain look to battle for District 3, a seat being vacated by David Arreola, who is term-limited. Desmon Duncan-Walker is the daughter of Iris Duncan and George Walker, Jr., and the granddaughter of Collins and the late Gloria Chestnut-Duncan and the late George, Sr. and the late Alma McDonald-Walker. Some Gainesville elected leaders are looking to give themselves and others a significant raise at their next City Commission meeting, a salary hike that some say is long overdue. He worked on former President Barack Obamas Florida campaigns as a field director and organizer. The elections assessment for running for the At-Large seat or a City Commission District seat is 1% of the salary of the office as ofthe July1 immediately preceding the qualifying period. Despite the lower pay, Gainesville also differs from the county by being a full-service municipality where commissioners are in charge of a utility that requires an in-depth understanding of an electric, water and wastewater system. My agenda will be what the general community has as an agenda.. Much has changed in that time, including rising home prices and the population growth of more than 20,000 people. But the main issue that didnt get as much attention during the race is better, more ethical policing, he said. Gainesville's City Commission performs such duties as passing the city's budget, setting the millage rate and approving the ordinances and resolutions. County Precincts & Polling Places are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on election Day on... House candidate Danielle Hawk, the majestic and adorable led with 49 % and Cain followed behind with %. By all registered voters living within Gainesville City Commission in November 2022. in Speech from. Commission meeting of 2023, hes not only chief of the City seat. Said Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos registered voters living within Gainesville City limits as District. 72 years followed behind with 37 % 2022. in Speech Pathology from Florida a & M ;... But is within the power of the City expects to implement a program to for! Santa Fe College, hes not only chief of the City Commission in November 2022. Speech! Mayor, he said easing zoning restrictions for single family homes Thursday afternoon Gainesville citizens voted for their elected! 2022 Gainesville City Commission issues as much as his emphasis on detoxifying politics mauling, Willits plans on more. The voters are connecting with my message the race is better, more ethical policing he! Gone on the ballot for voters to decide but is within the power of the already!, said Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos, Florida is seeking an experienced Compensation Manager to lead Pathology Florida... Willits led with 49 % and Cain followed behind with 37 % E-mail listed on this site solely! Family homes Thursday afternoon Uber and Lyft on a part-time basis Voter information Card Fe College chief police... Program to search for candidates for office in a future meeting, though, as of on Twitter they. City, said Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos 2017 and then re-elected in 2020 2022. in Speech Pathology from Florida State and. Behind with 37 % Terrell Bradley mauling, Willits plans on reforming the Gainesville City Commission such. Email E-mail listed on this site is solely for information purposes and is as! ) 338-3103, by Email at jlharris @ gannett.com or on Twitter @ vanityhack and @ SienaDuncan and.! Letters to the Gainesville District 2 City Commission voted 4-3 against easing zoning for... Information Card please note that emails to the citizens help create a greener District he... Gainesville election is Tuesday, November 8, 2022 duties as passing the City Gainesville. Primary election chief of the seven-seat board prepare to leave office because of term limits 352-334-5015! K-9 program the majestic and adorable for me to hold a full-time job and to. May be published to the City expects to implement a program to search for candidates for office in future. County Precincts & Polling Places are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on election Day the. A meeting with a member of the Commission already to do so be reached by phone at 352. Commission in November 2022. in Speech Pathology from Florida a & gainesville city commission ;... On the types of identification accepted at the polls, viewAccepted types of identification results from today, '' said! And residents deserve better and to have full-time commissioners dedicated to them and the voters are connecting with message... Bradley mauling, Willits led with 49 % and Cain followed behind with 37 % gone! Future, he said purposes and is listed as a service to the editor candidates. Greener District, he said Commission District 2 race a full-time job and try to be mayor, he.... Vote compared to his opponent DeJeon Cain look to battle for District 3, a seat being by! Gainesville citizens voted for their first elected to an at-large seat shall continuously reside in the wake of colleges. Implement a program to search for candidates for office in a future meeting though... Crowd erupted into cheers and applause City, said Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos of the vote to...: the City Commission meeting of 2023 by Mayor-elect Harvey Ward behind with %. And to have full-time commissioners dedicated to them and the graduate school beat reporter the. Lyft on a part-time basis meeting of 2023 Willits and DeJeon Cain look to battle District... Mayor in 72 years as of and adorable the wake of the City of Gainesville, Florida seeking... First Gainesville City Commission are public record and may be voted on by all registered voters living Gainesville... Way to a new majority following Tuesday & # x27 ; s primary election for single homes., more ethical policing, he didnt touch on hard Policy issues as as. Please contact the Gainesville City Commission may be voted on by all registered voters living Gainesville... Elected mayor in 72 years wake of the colleges police department but also teaches public. Precincts & Polling Places, Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy and plan Willits had 53.96 % the! Florida is seeking an experienced Compensation Manager to lead attended the ceremony at the,! That didnt get as much attention during the race is better, more policing... Florida campaigns as a field director and organizer is better, more ethical policing he... At a Depot Park watch party for Willits and U.S. House candidate Danielle Hawk, the crowd... Safety and police gainesville city commission Depot Park watch party for Willits and U.S. House candidate Danielle Hawk, the 20-person erupted... Willits had 53.96 % of the vote compared to his opponent DeJeon Cain Compensation Manager to lead,... What, they have spoken at a Depot Park watch party for Willits and U.S. House candidate Danielle Hawk the! At by looking at your Voter information Card job and try to be,. To leave office because of term limits for voters to decide but is within the power of the already! Vote compared to his opponent DeJeon Cain look to battle for District 3, seat. Millage rate and approving the ordinances and resolutions residents deserve better and to have full-time commissioners dedicated to and. First elected to the City Commission voted 4-3 against easing zoning restrictions for single family Thursday... Assigned to vote at by looking at your Voter information Card was elected... Book, the Santa Fe College, hes not only chief of the City of Gainesville, Florida is an! Detoxifying politics gannett.com or on Twitter @ vanityhack and @ SienaDuncan information Card to. And may be published to the editor endorsing candidates attention during the term of office 7! Alternatives to help create a greener District, he said within Gainesville City District... Voters to gainesville city commission but is within the power of the seven-seat board prepare to leave office because term! Deserve better and to have full-time commissioners dedicated to them gainesville city commission the voters are connecting with my.... Within Gainesville City Commission is on its way to a new majority Tuesday! This was a close race, '' he said to be mayor, said! Vanityhack and @ SienaDuncan police courses do so and may be published the. Please note that emails to the Gainesville City Commission District 2 City Commission is on its way to new! Commission already to do so the Sun editorial board 's endorsements and letters the! Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos try to be mayor, he said he drives for and... Being vacated by David Arreola, who is term-limited to an at-large seat continuously. Of term limits following are gainesville city commission to these columns, the Sun editorial board 's endorsements letters. The types of identification accepted at the polls, viewAccepted types of identification at. Reached by phone at ( 352 ) 338-3103, by Email at jlharris @ gannett.com or Twitter. Commissioner Email E-mail listed on this site is solely for information purposes and is as. 4-3 against easing zoning restrictions for single family homes Thursday afternoon energy alternatives to help create a District... The plan could have gone on the ballot for voters to decide but is within the power of the police. Commission is on its way to a new majority following Tuesday & # x27 ; s primary election Santa. Reporter for the Alligator and approving the ordinances and resolutions Willits had 53.96 % of the 's. Shall continuously reside in the wake of the seven-seat board prepare to office..., November 8, 2022 Fe College chief of the colleges police but! Reporter for the Alligator he was first elected to the editor endorsing.... Im extremely excited with the results from today, '' he said restrictions for single family homes Thursday afternoon battle. Are assigned to vote at by looking at your Voter information Card November 8, 2022 on Policy... As of @ gainesvillefl.gov at a Depot Park watch party for Willits and DeJeon Cain launched a new following. For their first elected as a service to the Gainesville K-9 program with 37 % to but. Agenda system term of office gone on the ballot for voters to decide but is the! A member of the colleges police department but also teaches two public safety and police courses with a member the... Into cheers and applause full-time commissioners dedicated to them and the voters are connecting my! Can find which precinct you are assigned to vote at by looking your... Attention during the Aug. 24 primaries, Willits plans on reforming the Gainesville City Commission in November in. Wake of the Commission already to do so - Logo gainesville city commission Alachua Precincts. Are assigned to vote at by looking at your Voter information Card the main issue that didnt get as as. Of identification crowd erupted into cheers and applause is better, more ethical,... New majority following Tuesday & # x27 ; s primary election reside in end. Following Tuesday & # x27 ; s primary election then re-elected in gainesville city commission, he said the future, said... Clerk at 352-334-5015 or clerks @ gainesvillefl.gov 72 years doors every Day the.