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Commissioner Penny Taylor has a superior grasp of issues and potential solutions facing both her district and Collier County as a whole, making her the clear choice for Republican voters in District 4.
Along with her strong focus on growth-related issues and environmental protection, Taylor also has intricate knowledge of the many challenges facing county government during a critical time of recovery from both the Great Recession and Hurricane Irma.
Taylor is a plainspoken, experienced leader who clearly articulates her positions; whether you agree or disagree with her, you will know where she stands. She exemplifies what we believe Collier residents should appreciate with the makeup of this County Commission — all five members dissect each issue rather than vote by allegiance. She might be the lone dissenter on one vote, part of a 3-2 split on the next, then a 4-1 majority or part of a unanimous vote another time.
Just as importantly, she listens to others’ points of view.
Taylor doesn’t just accept the notion that government must move slowly when there is a need to address a concern. For example, as a community housing plan was coming together it was evident that a review of surplus county-owned properties was in order. Taylor, as chairwoman in 2017, persuaded the commission to move expeditiously.
She’s visionary. Our archives from 2015 show Taylor discussing the reinstating of the Conservation Collier land-acquisition program for sensitive and habitat lands. Unfortunately, that won’t make it to the ballot until 2020 because the commission majority advanced other referendums first.
One such referendum is the proposed local-option sales tax for the Nov. 6 ballot. Taylor cited for our editorial board some line items on the list she doesn’t support (housing trust fund) and others she believes will need to be further discussed (workforce training) or pursued by borrowing money should the sales tax fail.
Although from a coastal-based commission district, Taylor is casting a watchful eye toward the significant effects that growth will have countywide from proposed major developments inland and rural lands planning now underway.
Coastal voters likewise would benefit from her re-election because of her institutional knowledge as a Naples City Council member for 10 years, including two as vice mayor. She was first elected to the County Commission in 2014.
Taylor’s Aug. 28 opponent, Stephen Jaron, ably identified the major issues confronting county government to our editorial board. However, what crystalized our decision to strongly endorse Taylor was her ability to suggest ideas to address these concerns in a solutions-oriented manner.
More than just about any other race on the Aug. 28 ballot, this is a contest where a strong turnout is critical because a limited number of voters will determine the outcome.
The decision is open just to registered Republicans in District 4 because Collier commissioners are elected only by voters within their own districts, not countywide. Democrat Gary Petit-Dor is on the Nov. 6 ballot; that’s when all registered voters in the district ultimately will choose their commissioner. District 4 covers the city of Naples and portions of East Naples that are nearest the city limits.
We urge all District 4 registered voters to be sure to cast a ballot, and we endorse Taylor as deserving that vote.
Editor’s note: Our Aug. 28 endorsements to date are Amira Fox for state attorney; Roy Terry and Jen Mitchell for Collier School Board; Crystal Kinzel for Collier clerk; “No” on Marco ambulance referendum. Next: County Commission District 2 race, then North Collier fire referendum and Lee School Board at-large.
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