Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Donald Wiley to the Sumter County Board of County Comm
 

On June 10, 2022, in News Releases, by Staff

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis
announced the appointment of Donald Wiley to the Sumter
County Board of County Commissioners.

Donald Wiley
Wiley, of The Villages, is the Owner of Gold Wingnut
Productions, LLC. He previously served as the District
Supervisor of the Villages Community Development District

Wiley is a veteran of the United States Navy and was
honorably discharged after 20 years of service.

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Donald Wiley to the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners

Congrats to Don, on a well deserved appointment

Don is the perfect person for the role. He always bases any decisions on what is best for the people he serves. I have known him for the last couple of years and have witness his concern for others! He is a good man and a great appointee!

Nobody knows how the local and county government operates better than Don. I’m guessing this is an interim appointment and he’ll still have to win the upcoming election.

Congrats Don!

Congratulations!!!!!!

Congratulations! I don't know Don personally, and he doesn't know me at all, but I have always been impressed with his knowledge and good sense.
We are lucky to have him around.

Well done! Congratulations!

Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. I enjoy your drone videos and how you keep us informed.

Don will certainly have a better chance to win running as an incumbent. Hope he can continue his drone career but notice lately none posted here.

Don't know him, but he does seem to be knowledge of TV and a good person.

I'm sure Mr. Wiley will do a fine job for the county. However, I'm looking at the Florida Constitution, and the Sumter County website, and Resolution 2021 which refers to the Florida General Statutes section 124.011(1) which states:

"county commissioners shall be nominated and elected to office in accordance with the provisions of s. 124.01, or as otherwise provided by law, unless a proposition calling for single-member representation within the county commission districts is submitted to and approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on such proposition in the manner provided in this section..."

which means, in layman's terms, the Governor doesn't have the authority to appoint a commissioner in Sumter County.

I’m on my phone so I can’t read this very well but I think 104.4 might cover this. Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

114.04 Filling vacancies.—Except as otherwise provided in the State Constitution, the Governor shall fill by appointment any vacancy in a state, district, or county office, other than a member or officer of the Legislature, for the remainder of the term of an appointive officer and for the remainder of the term of an elective office, if there is less than 28 months remaining in the term; otherwise, until the first Tuesday after the first Monday following the next general election

Congrats, Don!

I've watched his videos for 2 years, and I've been nothing but impressed by his knowledge, clarity and ability to see both sides of an issue...

Congratulations, Don.

Not your usual board appointee.
Mr. Wiley is no place man, and actually knows what he is talking about!
Congratulations.

According to the Sumter County website, there was a vacancy in District 5 so I am assuming this is how he was appointed.

Diane Spencer was appointed to the position in March of this year but resigned about two weeks later because of medical issues.

Don is a great appointment. Hopefully he will win the primary and serve for many years. As others have stated he knows how the place works and gets the facts before deciding on an issue. He doesn’t have an agenda and only wants what is the best for everyone. Best of luck Don!

As members of this community, we are truely fortunate to have someone the caliber of Don step up to the plate and represent us.

Also unlikely the Governor would select him without agreement from the Developer so nice to see the approval of this highly intelligent, independent voice from that perspective.

Congrats, and he will serve us well !

Congratulations Don and Thank You!

Congratulations, Don!!

Congratulations, Don!!!

Congradulations Don!

I agree. The voters determine who represents them Not the governor, who removed the two previous commissioners on suspicious circumstances. Another autocratic move!

Why would he "appoint" this guy, when he doesn't have the authority? Doesn't seem to matter what the rules are because some people feel they have the power to do whatever they want.

Yes, Congrats to Don. I've been watching his videos as soon as I discovered them, he deserves the appointment.

The Governor has the authority. All Governors over the past 47 years I have lived here have appointed vacancies for County Commission Seats which are filled by that appointee until the next election.

Congratulations Don, excellent choice by the Governor. Don and I have our disagreements (mostly about drones) but I believe his knowledge and insight will be a great addition to the County Commission.

That covers it, yes! Thanks for finding that!

Since the local republican party and the sun likes him he is a shoe in for the seat. We could not ask for a more knowledgable representative

It’s about time we have a good guy! Don deserves it

Fantastic news- Congratulations Don!!

Congratulations Don! Well deserved!!!

Good news for us in Sumter county. Don has the knowledge and experience to be a great commissioner.

The problem with your response is that the governor created the opening by suspending the two previous commissioners on suspicious circumstances. The only persons who should have anything to do with commissioners appointments should be the citizens who elect them to the office!

Kind of hard to have a quick election.

I think it was wrong to replace the commissioners before their day in court but what the developer wants he gets.

Congratulations Don
 

I attended the recent Republican meeting at Colony where candidates spoke. I do not know Don, however after listening to him, I found him to be the ONLY candidate who said we need to look at long term plans for Sumter county, not just year to year. I walked away after hearing everyone speak and knew Don had my vote! Very intelligent man with a plan to listen, discuss, negotiate and do what is right for Sumter county.

Well, well, well, there are 3 of "them" here

Congratulations, Don.

I think Mr. Wiley will bring to the office a perspective broader than just what's good for "The Villages in Sumter County," but rather what's good for "Sumter County as a whole." This is excellent. I live in Lake County but what's good for Sumter will trickle over to Lake and Marion as well. We need to remember that there are other residents and businesses in each county than just Villages residents and businesses, and we need to ensure that they prosper as well.