Colten Wright (Republican) the current District 5 commissioner, owns and operates the Tool Shack. The company has two locations and has been in business for more than 20 years.
Q: Give us your elevator speech – what are your campaign’s top priorities and why?
A: I will continue to use my experience as a small business owner to create common sense policies regarding responsible growth and farmland protection. I’ve helped lead the charge for the county’s largest investments ever in roads and infrastructure. I’ve also ensured that we’re providing the proper salaries and tools for law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency services.
Q: Santa Rosa County is experiencing enormous growth, now totaling over 200,000 residents. With growth comes opportunities and problems. How do you balance growth to ensure it is measured and that the infrastructure is in place to support it?
A: As a Santa Rosa County resident for more than 34 years, I’ve seen the growth firsthand. When we live in such a great state, with a governor who is pro-personal freedom and is business friendly, it’s no wonder people want to move here. I’ve got a track record of using common sense to balance responsible growth while protecting sensitive lands. I lead the charge to allow citizens to vote on impact fees. I’ve worked with staff to ensure we’re making the largest investment in county infrastructure ever made and we’re exploring locations for new roads to relieve traffic congestion.
Q: The county has nearly a $250 million annual budget. What makes you qualified to handle a budget that large, and how do you ensure transparency so that taxpayers have trust in how the government is spending its money?
A: The county’s budget process is public and very transparent. There are several public workshops held every fiscal year and we welcome public input. I’ve managed retail stores with nearly 300 employees and revenues of more than $60 million annually in a previous career. For the past 20 years, I’ve owned a small business with multiple locations and I know how to make tough decisions, make a payroll, reinvest while managing rapid growth, all while also planning for the future. I’m the only commissioner who has built and operated a brick-and-mortar business from scratch.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the biggest problem currently facing Santa Rosa County? And how do you solve that problem?
A: The biggest challenge for Santa Rosa County is managing population growth while trying to keep housing affordable and provide adequate infrastructure to support residents. There is no silver bullet or easy answer. It will take a board willing to make hard decisions and a collaborative effort between multiple government agencies, utility companies, and developers to actually make an impact.
Q: Voters are looking for a reason to pick you over your opponents. Every candidate will say they are a good person, who works hard, etc. Don’t waste the chance: What separates you from your opponents in this race? Why should someone vote for you?
A: I’m the only candidate in the District 5 race with experience building relationships, making hard decisions, managing large budgets, and planning for the future. I have a reputation as an honest and hard-working commissioner who builds bridges rather than burning them. In stark contrast, my opponents were put in this race by the current District 3 commissioner. Both are proven to be dishonest and unstable. One is a write-in used to close the primary and manipulate the election process. The other has disgraced the badge as a former deputy, is a criminal, and has proven he’s not fiscally responsible.
Mike Priest, a Republican challenger in this race, did not send back his questionnaire. Neither did write-in candidates Ronald Martonick Jr. and Evan Turner. Michael Stevens, another write-in, was a recent withdrawal in this race.