She seeks District 3 seat on the Wakulla county commission

By VALERIE RUSSELL
Candidate

After much prayer and careful consideration, I have filed to run for the Wakulla County Commission District 3 Seat.

This decision did not come lightly nor without second thoughts. However, when considering this decision, a question once posed by Ronald Reagan kept racing through my mind: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?”
Quite frankly, the answer is a resounding no for the majority of the residents of Wakulla County. Multiple county commission-imposed taxes and assessments were increased since the 2020 election; our local roadways are choked with traffic; local infrastructure has been pushed towards despair, resulting in untreated sewage being released directly into our local environment and discolored water flowing from our home faucets far too often; and our local youth are being hampered by overcrowded recreational facilities, while their parents are scrounging to pay the fees required for their children to participate.
I sincerely love Wakulla County and I’m truly disheartened by the direction that it is heading. Wakulla County has been a cornerstone in my life. I’m extremely proud of the fact that my husband and I have been married for 28 years and that together we built our home, raised our children, and have spent decades volunteering right here in Wakulla County.
Through these volunteer activities and via my career as a local medical provider, I observe the stress our neighbors are experiencing daily. Many of the families that I serve are struggling to stay afloat financially. Increased local taxes and higher assessments don’t allow a paycheck to stretch out as far as it used to; the lack of available higher wage local jobs has resulted in more residents commuting back and forth to Tallahassee, costing families financially due to transportation costs while also negatively impacting their limited precious family time; and sadly, increased property taxes associated with real estate values that have skyrocketed due to unprecedented growth are making it hard for families to hold on to properties they have had for generations.
While there is no quick and easy fix to the above challenges, the fact of the matter is this: there has been a noticeable lack of concern in these areas by some on the county commission. Change needs to occur this upcoming election. Change that will result in our quality of life being protected, while also ensuring that Wakulla County does not become South Tallahassee!
Should you choose to elect me to be your new District 3 County Commissioner, my service to you will be guided by a moral compass centered on my Christian faith. A faith that embodies my strong conservative values, while simultaneously invoking my true and sincere compassion for others. I do not believe in making empty campaign promises that can’t be delivered upon and by no means will I guarantee that Wakulla County will become a land flowing with milk and honey the day I take office. However, should I become elected, I will make each of you the following promise: I will work as hard as possible and do everything within my power to accomplish the following: reduce your county-imposed taxes; bring in more high wage jobs; protect our fragile and unique environment; and ensure that each and every resident of Wakulla County has a voice that will be heard!
Are you and your family better off now than you were four years ago? If you feel that you aren’t, then I graciously request your support of my candidacy to be your new District 3 County Commissioner.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (850) 879-0759 should you have any questions regarding my candidacy.