I’m really surprised that I’ve not seen a discussion yet on “One Sumter.” There has been a couple of articles in the Daily Sun with the usual slanted reporting which will not help new comer’s to TV. The Editorial in today’s paper did seem to have the facts correct as to how bad the Sumter County Commission was prior to One Sumter.

I can’t argue with the fact that TV was footing most of the tax bill and not getting much in return for it. I also can’t argue with the fact that a couple of the Commissioner’s just didn’t seem to know how to handle money and were doing things which were not in the best interest of TV. We did have some representation with Hoffman and Francis on the commission but with only 2 of the 5 Commissioner’s, they were constantly being out voted. We were not in a good situation. But we did have representation and as TV’s finishes the build-out we most likely would have gained another Commissioner (assuming that the districts were properly divided).

Then came One Sumter and we were allowed to vote for all Commissioners, regardless of which district they were in. Soon after, two of the Commissioner’s from down south were up for re-election. Both were voted out of office by a large majority. I believe that their replacements were essentially elected by TV.

In both state and federal government; we vote for representatives from our district/state. It is their job to represent us, the people from their district/state. We don’t get to vote for representatives from Miami nor do we get to vote for senators from other states.

Question: Why then are we voting for Commissioner’s who job it is to represent people living in other parts of Sumter County?

Question: Who is responsible for getting Hoffman, Francis, Gilpin and Breeden elected? Where did their campaign money come from?

OK, it’s open for discussion. Is One Sumter/Reverse One Sumter good or bad for Sumter County?

That's unlike the presidential and congressional elections, where it might take a few years for them to do anything that would really effect any of us. The county government is a different story though.

First, I agree with the editorial in The Daily Sun. With the former county commission comprised of commissioners from all over the county and only one from The Villages, it was easy for the four from the less populated districts to "gang up" on The Villages for the purpose of maintaining the significant revenues from our taxes coming into their districts. That's exactly what happened of course, and that was what lead to the current One Sumter structure. I think there was a tea party one night long, long ago in Boston about something like taxation without representation.

You are also correct when you observe that "we vote for representatives from our district/state". I might opine that doesn't always work too well either, particularly in the U.S. House of Representatives, after the gerrymandering of district borders to better assure the re-election of incumbent congressmen. I think at least one of them went to jail in Texas over this issue, didn't he?

While I am opposed to the referendum proposal to return to the archaic and unfair structure of the county board, I wouldn't be opposed to some sort of re-districting. But I would endorse such an idea only if three requirements were met...

• The redistricting and mapping of districts be done by an independent company or agency, similar to the way such re-districting was done in the State of Iowa.
  
• Secondly, each "new" district should have essentially the same number of residents and/or registered voters.
  
• Lastly, the re-districting should be re-done every three years to accommodate the rapid and dramatic growth in certain areas of the county.

Well VK, I'm glad to see that at least one other person in TV is thinking about local issues. I agree with all your points and having been a previous resident of Texas, I understand how districting can be used to further someone's agenda. Roberts and Chandler actually tried that before One Sumter. But it was so transparent that no would accept it. Those lines just wandered all over the place.

But one of my concerns with our present situation is that at least two of our Commissioners (and possibly two others) received a large part of their campaign funding from outside the Tri-County area, i.e South Florida and Georgia. I have a very strong feeling where that money actually originated. If the other two Commissioner's received a majority of their campaign funding from the same source then it is not a good situation. I don't know if any influence has been applied or any favoritism shown. But the potential is always there. Four people indebted to one person just does not feel good.

It is good that all five of the Commissioners are working together and at this time, I believe that all that they have done is good for Sumter County. I just hope that One Sumter does not lead to abuse.

Is voting “no” saying something like I would like to vote for all the US senators, country wide rather than have each state vote for their own? I’m not sure that wouldn’t be better is a lot of cases, but, it would probably lead to the big cities ruling the country. I lived in Illinois for a while and everyone living outside Chicago hated Chicago because the way Chicago votes is the way the state goes even though the entire state votes differently. If all senators were voted by the entire nation, NY, LA and Chicago would probably get 75% of the senators.

Perhaps voting no is right and the founders of the constitution were wrong. I don’t know.

I have lived in Sumter county for 29 years and TV is my next door neigbor, and I agree that the present commisioners have done a good job. That being said, we now have five commisioners elected by TV, and as someone posted, look and see where the money came from to elect these gentlemen.No one outside of TV has a chance of being elected as the money from TV is to much to overcome. I guess its all about money and power. I for one will be voting YES. I would like to have a say in the county, its mine too.

Originally Posted by drr47

I have lived in Sumter county for 29 years and TV is my next door neigbor, and I agree that the present commisioners have done a good job. That being said, we now have five commisioners elected by TV, and as someone posted, look and see where the money came from to elect these gentlemen.No one outside of TV has a chance of being elected as the money from TV is to much to overcome. I guess its all about money and power. I for one will be voting YES. I would like to have a say in the county, its mine too.

If they have done a good job. Why change?

The assumption here seems to be that the Morse family and/or their business interests control what the Commissioners do rather than say. Is there any hard evidence for this assumption?

It is the voters who vote for the Commissioners and other media than the Villages Daily Sun would be rather quick to point out political corruption and sway the voters to get out bad Commissioners?

I do not see Villagers being sheep led to slaughter if the media is keeping tabs on the honesty of Sumter County Commissioners??

From how many people are on the waiting lists at local libraries for Leisureville, I do not see Villagers as people who are not able to think and vote for themselves? The book Leisureville for anyone unfamiliar with it is about retirement communities in the US and is heavily critical of the political apathy the author--Andrew Blechman-- apparently finds in TV.

Some of the debates here on TOTV on politics are anything but apathetic.

If redistricting was guaranteed to be done fairly (which I'm not sure it would) AND if redistricting were guaranteed to be done in a timely manner to reflect the rapid growth of TV portion of Sumter County (at least six months prior to every election) than I would feel less strongly about retaining One Sumter. But because there is no guarantee for a fair and timely redistricting, there is too good of a chance that TV would not be fairly represented without county-wide voting and representation.

For one sumter to be fair you need equal access to the party that you are a member of. When that is denied, our form of democracy fails. On the other hand, I have spoken to numerous groups and some candidates that represent the Villages don't attend forums outside of their district and even inside. Example, Cattlemans association, League of Woman Voters, Meet the candidates in Sumterville. How can the rest of the county have an opinion of their candidate this way? Folks, there is pluses and minuses to both side of this issue. If I'm a candidate for all citizens and don't have access to a TV contractor in the villages, where would you see my signs? Would you see my ad's in the TV newspaper when the rate that is charged is larger than my single contribution of $2500 to myself. This is not close to an even playing field. How do you make your choices? What do you hear and how?

Educated readers, pls look up your commissioners past and present, review the campaign records. It speaks volumes. I want a commissioner that represents the citizens not big business. When other commissioners donate to each other, things get fuzzy in my eyes. From outside TV your chance to represent your district is slim and none when the TV "Party" knows you are not in pocket. Enough of my whinning, vote your conscience. Nobody said it has to be fair. As a retired military SNCO and a very involved citizen in So. Sumter it saddens me to see such how this process works. Running myself gives me a front seat view and it's not pretty. Just my take!!! Great site and keep up the good work.

Respectfully,
J.Capporelli
Dist 5 candidate for Sumter Co.

Default
K,

Yes, all of us should think carefully and evaluate the merits of 'One Sumter.'

"However, using Comissoner Doug Gilpin as a reliable spokesman for One Sumter should also be carefully 'thought through.' Gilpin arrived here from Michigan with no political experience or significant educational or business experience. He also arrived broke (as he stated) burdened 'in credit card debt.' He received a large home (with a small herd of buffalo in the back yard) and a (six figure) job from one of The Villages largest contractors. He then was supported with a phenomenal six figure political election fund with multiple donations from TV contractors and employees. He then received heavy support in the TV media. He was elected with huge support from the One Sumter structured voting. I had 'concerns' as I saw this 'political process.'

Hope this will contribute to a continued dialogue here. Our site is one of (if not the only) the sites where we can dialogue 'respectfully' with each other as we make decisions which will impact the future of our community (home)."

As a resident of Sumter County who pays property taxes I want to have a say on how our taxes are spent and since the five County Commissioners are the ones who decide where our money goes, I want to vote for all five of them. I do not want 80% of my vote taken away by only being able to vote for one Commissioner which would happen if we Reversed One Sumter. I intend on voting NO and encourage ALL residents of Sumter County to vote NO. Then if you are unhappy with one of the Commissioners, you and your friends can vote to replace him when he runs for re-election. If you can only vote for the one Commissioner who lives in your District, you really don't have much to say about how the other four Commissioners spend your money and one vote out of five doesn't carry a whole lot of weight ... Vote NO and don't let anyone take your right to vote away from you.

From your perspective it makes sense. Pls don't view this as a challenge, it's really part of my project to help mend some fences here. We have a disconnect here and people are wasting tons of resources in our struggle for dialogue. Question, What would be your sources of info that you would make a logical decision in your selection of a commissioner if he or she was from another district? Can I replace my commissioner if I had to come TV and change the hearts and minds of many as a outsider? Kind of tough to do from my angle. As a candidate, this is whole different spin. Your view point is accurate until it was you trying to replace your commissioner. After this election, it's possible I could show you results that state I won in all non village districts but couldn't make headway in TV because of not having Big Business support. Do you believe it would be possible for a candidate to be both responsive to his district and be electable from the other 4 districts at the same time? In the past, damage was done that causes you to be protective of your taxes, but there is a whole new dynamic here now. If someone told me how to vote that would scare me. My sense is that happens today. Hey, I would appreciate your feedback. I lean towards reverse from my perception that I have no voice. Hopefully, we can respect each others view point without yelling. Let's give it a try.

Mr. Capporelli,
Since you are running for County Commissioner maybe you can tell me why I should give up my right to vote for all five Commissioners. It seems to me that since all five Commissioners have a say in where my taxes are spent, why would I not want to vote for all five of them and be able to hold all of them accountable for their decisions. If I can vote for only one, I can only communicate with one; if I vote for all five, I can communicate with all of them as a constiuent. I can always contact my district commissioner, but I can also contact all five if I can vote for all five .... I intend to vote NO on this issue and I think it would be in the best interest of all residents in Sumter County to vote NO in order to keep their voice heard by all the Commissioners.

If the majority of the commissioners live in The Villages, then their decisions would be made based on what is best for The Villages and where they live. It is just human nature. What about the remainder of the County? Having grown up in the South of Sumter County, I for one think they we should reverse one Sumter and have all areas of the county represented. Just my opinion.

Shortly, there will be a new census (2010, I believe), there will be new districts and my thoughts are this issue will eventually be "pee in the wind". (Reverse vs One) The thought is this election will show the power that TV has in voting for who they feel will represent them best. TV controls the process, you should know that by now. The county as you know, has varying needs. Believe me when I tell you, many folks feel that their voice is not heard and that doesn't represent a threat but it shows an opportunity for improvement. Wouldn't it be an easier process if you knew 15 to 18 K of our citizens weren't opposing the One Sumter concept but working together to move our county to the next level. That's very possible with the right leadership. As you know, Progress is inevitable. Ask yourself this?. Where are we 5-10 years down the road? Is there no rural environment. Why can't we have a balance in our county and maintain some of our rural character. Many of us fled from congested environments to enjoy a little scenery.

For what it may matter, I'm watching this election closely and learning a boatload, our media sways us and you really don't know who you have until they are in. Glad you feel comfortable picking your 5 when all you may see is a sign or an AD, I personally know my Commission by attending meetings and by seeing their involvement (or lack thereof) at various events. Most don't get to see that, they vote uninformed. This is exactly why I decide to be a part. This is what makes our nation the greatest on earth. We should be fine either way but don't expect folks to lay down if they are unhappy with the present process. This just keeps the elected officials alerted that they are being graded. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts, nobody wants to take away what many have served to protect for you (your rights). The majority will speak, they will call that a vote. We'll move forward from there.

Thanks again,
J.C.