Fundraising Crist Neglecting Gubernatorial Duties

Abel Harding

Last November 5, the FBI swooped into sleepy Levy County and stunned everyone by arresting two Levy County Commissioners, Sammy Yearty and Tony Parker.  Both men were charged with accepting bribes.  Yearty's arrest, in particular was shocking.  He had served on the Levy County Commission since 1978---just five years after my family moved from neighboring Alachua County.  His father and grandfather had both served on the Commission.  Everyone in Levy County knows the Yearty family.

Shortly after their arrest, Gov. Charlie Crist removed both men from office.  Several months later, Crist appointed Marsha Drew of Yankeetown to fill Yearty's seat.  Over eight months after the Governor removed him from office; however, Tony Parker's seat remains vacant---and Levy County voters are beginning to voice their frustration with the Governor.  The Governor has, after all, had time to travel the state (and the country) over the past few months raising $4.3 million for his Senate campaign, but has seemingly been unable to find the time to appoint a County Commissioner---one of the responsibilities of the office of Governor---months after interviewing candidates and narrowing the list down to three candidates.  

Levy County Commission Chair Nancy Bell told the Cedar Key News that she calls the Governor's Office almost daily requesting an update and she's not alone.  The Cedar Key News also detailed their own efforts to contact the Governor's Office to determine the status of the appointment---an effort that has been remarkably unsuccessful.  Other small local newspapers are beginning to speak out against a Governor that has seemingly neglected his responsibilities where this small, rural county is concerned.  

Even Republican officials in Levy County are upset with the Governor.  They launched a letter-writing campaign to persuade the Governor to appoint Abraham Blitch to the post.  Blitch lost to Parker by less than 400 votes in the last election and party officials thought he would be a natural choice.  Their efforts, said GOP Official Michelle Finnen, "have fallen on deaf ears."

The Governor's office has been quick to appoint replacements to vacancies in wealthier counties around the state, such as Hillsborough County and Palm Beach, but rural Levy County remains neglected---a fact that does not bode well for any rural voters looking for representation from a Senator Charlie Crist.

Tags: Alachua, Cedar Key News, FBI, Hillsborough, If Charlie Crist Can't Schedule A Fundraiser Don't Expect A Visit, Levy, Levy County, Levy County Commission, Marsha Drew, Michelle Finnen, Nancy Bell, Palm Beach, Republican Party of Levy County, Sammy Yearty, Tony Parker

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 9:36 PM and is filed under 2010 Races, State Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.