Larry Travis political column

Larry Travis

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the citizens of High Springs who gave me a chance three years ago to serve as a commissioner and mayor.

I have done what I promised to do when running for the first time, and that was to listen to and be the voice for the people. I have always answered or returned every call and have met with anyone at anytime they requested.

I meet with them face to face, not on a computer, to discuss issues that were of concern to them.

I want to thank the citizens who came to the Commission meetings to express themselves on issues that were important to them. I have listened to them on all issues and have voted to do what the majority of our citizens wanted.

One example is the budget. I have built zero-based budgets for many years during my career, and I have been responsible for their integrity.

I have been steadfast in pursuing a plan for economic development as a way for us to move our city forward and create new revenue streams to support the services that we all have become accustom to and expect. We now have an economic development plan that the Commission has voted to accept and implement.

I have been an avid supporter of a plan to bring housing to our lower income families and the revitalization of our older neighborhoods. There is a plan now being brought forward that is going to accomplish both of these objectives through a public and private partnership.

I have represented you, the citizens, at the county level to make sure citizens in the smaller municipalities in Alachua County are heard and become part of the solution to the many issues that are important to us. One of these concerns is the amount of money the county pays for our fire department serving the unincorporated areas of the county.

We are underpaid for this service. The payment should be more in line with what is paid to the city of Gainesville. I will continue to fight for more income to the city for this valuable service that is provided to our neighbors in the areas near our borders.

This will provide needed dollars to our general fund to help support our public safety department.

I want the opportunity to serve again to use the experience that I have gained by being your city commissioner during the past three years. This experience is invaluable and gives me a direction for accomplishing the vision we all have for our community and for the citizens of High Springs.