This article omits School Board candidate Jeanne Morris, who is the incumbent in District 5. It will be updated soon with her information. 

By Michael Clinton
The Voice

The political landscape for Seminole County could change in August, as early voting begins Aug. 9 and the primary is Aug. 24.

With County Commission and School Board seats up for grabs, your vote could be pivotal for the future of Seminole County.

Here is what the candidates say they will do for the district:

Seminole County Commissioner District 2

McLean
Mike McLean, the incumbent who has raised more than $111,000 for his campaign, says he should be re-elected because he brings a unique perspective to the commission, as he is the only business owner, and because he is part of the community.

"If you're going to serve the community, you have to be a part of it," McLean said.

As commissioner, he has voted to cut the county budget to save more than $100 million, reduce the county staff by 23 percent, lower taxes and wants to continue to do the same if re-elected.

For more information, visit www.mcleanforseminole.com

Horan
John Horan has raised more than $80,000 in his efforts to oust the incumbent. Horan said he opposes McLean because of the incumbent's claimed to lower taxes and then voted to increase the millage rate.

Horan said he will focus on a number of issues including economic development, maintaining the budget and transportation to name a few. He said he should be elected because he is highly qualified and highly competent.

"I bring more of a sense of public service," he said. He will be speaking at the Candidate Forum in Geneva on Aug. 16.

For more information, visit www.johnhoranforseminole.com

Seminole County Commissioner District 4

Henley
Carlton Henley, the incumbent who has raised more than $78,000 in campaign contributions, says that he should be re-elected because he has done what he set out to do.

"I have provided the leadership necessary over the years, and done what I set out to do," he said.

Henley will continue to focus on reducing government spending, job creation and improving the quality of life for residents. Henley will be attending a number of the political meet-and-greets in the near future, including the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce Hob Nob on Aug. 5.

For more information, visit www.carltonhenley.com

Epps
Donald Epps, who has raised about $8,000 during his campaign, says he brings a different perspective to the race for District 4 because he is an outsider.

He wants to bring his values that he learned from his 20 years of owning a family lawn care business to serve the citizens. Epps says that he is a listener and that his experiences in large business at Lockheed Martin since 1981 can help the district save money.

"If we can save millions (at work), we can save in the government," he said.

For more information, visit www.votedonepps.com

Adams
Win Adams, who has raised more than $6,000 for his campaign, says he is tired of the government wasting the taxpayers' money.

Adams, a former Seminole County commissioner from 1994 to 1998, says his background and experience in industrial engineering makes him the most qualified candidate. He wants to grow jobs, stop tax/fee increases and prioritize government services.

Adams said he was an efficiency and productivity expert for Fortune 500 companies where he found the most cost effective approach to solve problems. He said the approach to transportation in our area is not good.

"The way the system is designed is not cost effective," he said.

For more information, visit www.votewinadams.com

Seminole County School Board District 1

Bauer
Diane Bauer is unopposed, as her opponent did not qualify, and automatically wins back her seat on the School Board.

"This is one of the greatest jobs out there," she said.

Great enough that she has been volunteering her services to the school system since 1974. Because her opponent did not qualify, Bauer said she has had more time to focus on some of the issues she is working on.

Two things she will be focusing on are the budget and the proposed class size amendment. Bauer says that the budget needs to be reflective of the current economic times and that she is a proponent of a zero-based budget, where every dollar spent must be justified.

Seminole County School Board District 2

Ackerman
Paul Ackerman, who has raised more than $15,000, says he has the experience — he served as a teacher for 25 years — to make the right decisions.

"I have been involved with everything from kindergarten to AP computers in High School," he said.

Ackerman wants to focus on the budget problems that are plaguing the county and could cost 400 people their jobs. He said the biggest budget woe has been the $22 million worth of stimulus money that runs out next year.

"We have to find the money to replace the stimulus," he said.

For more information, visit www.ackerman4board.com

Almond
Karen Almond, who has raised more than $21,000, wants to get back to the basics. Her primary goal is to connect the community, as she says it has become disconnected over the years.

"I want to connect this community," she said. "Technology is wonderful, but it has disconnected this community."

Almond has amassed more than 6,000 volunteer hours over the last 21 years and she says she understands the process to get things done. Almond won the 2003 Dividend of the Year award for her continued volunteer efforts, and she was a member of countless Seminole County Public Schools committees, including the Improvement Review Committee and the School Advisory Council.

For more information, visit www.karenalmond.net

Seminole County School Board District 5

Calderone
Tina Calderone, who has raised more than $32,000 during her campaign, says she is running for the School Board for the children and the community.

"I feel I am the candidate with the most experience," she said.

Calderone has been volunteering with Seminole County schools since 1994, and she has served 15 years as the chairman of the Schools Advisory Council for five different Seminole County public schools.

"Education is my passion," she said. With that passion she wants to utilize funds, keep the district grade at an "A" and use technology more efficiently.

For more information, visit www.votefortina.com

Erwin
Becky Erwin has been a business owner for 15 years and she feels she is the most uniquely qualified candidate because of her business experience, volunteer experience and experience as a substitute teacher.

"I live and breathe the school environment every day," Erwin said.

If elected she wants to implement a zero-based budget program, improve the communication between the School Board and parents and maintain the high standards of the Seminole County Public Schools system. Erwin has raised more than $26,000 for her campaign.

For more information, visit www.BeckyErwin.com