Wallis Mahute set herself as a candidate for Santa Rosa County Commissioner District 2 on the November ballot. As a no party affiliate, she said she feels she can represent everyone in the county more effectively. Mahute said what sets her apart is her ability to be a full time commissioner with an ear to hear concerns from all citizens.
“It is important to listen to people’s concerns, especially at the commission meetings. I understand how meetings are conducted. People coming to speak to the commissioners need to be respected. It takes a lot to get up there and talk,” she said.
Mahute said she began attending county commission meetings in 2007 and has since been present at 90 percent of those meetings.
“I decided to run for office because I care about our community. I plan to be in Santa Rosa County for the rest of my life. My family lives here,” she said.
Mahute believes important aspects of community life happen when decisions are made within the commission.
“We have 1,400 homeless children living in Santa Rosa County. We need public transportation for those parents to get to their jobs and to go to school to help them succeed. It needs to be reinstated. Economic development can be supported when aspects like public transportation is available for people who need it,” she said.
Mahute said she wants to see larger companies come to the county and stay.
“Companies can come and bring a financial benefit plus provide educational benefits. It has to be a priority,” she said.
Mahute also said she would like to see land development codes streamlined, looked at from beginning to end.
“In regards to the spring flooding, the county has problems with dealing with construction issues,” she said.
Open and honest government is first and foremost in Mahute’s mind, she said. She would like to see more public input by having county commission meetings in the evening instead of during weekday mornings. “This way more citizens can get there,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Wallis Mahute for District 2 County Commission