Note: "Please see this candidate's response to the question -- How do you feel about having mining industries in close proximity
to residential areas?" which was reported in the Friday, August 27 issue of the Hometown News.

Those candidates who responded were:

Richard Paul Futch, Jr.
Joe Smith
Reggie Sessions
Kenny Hogan
Toby Philpart
Troy Ingersoll
Paula Lewis
Jim Anderson
Charles Grande
KenWaters

Candidates for County Commissioners: [Note: names pulled from St. Lucie County Supervisors of Elections]

• District 1
  • Kenny Hogan
  • Troy Ingersoll
  • Richard Paul Futch
  • Toby T. Philpart
  • Reggie Sessions
  • Joseph (Joe) Smith
• District 2
• District 3
  • Gary D. Charles, Sr.
  • James (Jim) Anderson
  • Paula A. Lewis
• District 4
• District 5
  • Christopher L. Craft
  • Charles Grande
  • Ken Waters

DETAILS OF WHAT THEY SAY:

Ken Waters: "Ken Waters without reservation is opposed to Dickerson Florida mine being placed on Carlton Road and if asked today would vote against it!"

Troy Ingersoll:"I am against a mine in that area of the county. My lengthy response is in the Home Town News. I believe it will ruin the environment in the area. I feel the deep digging of the mine will drain the lakes in the Reserve,
leaving marshy areas. It will have an effect on the water table. Secondly, Is it safe to have hundreds of dump trucks zipping up and down the road where new homes are going to be built? (along with residents that have lived there for a while....with children).

I ask you to follow the money..........My opponent and other candidates running for office have taken money from trucking companies.......I ask why??

Charles Grande:"I have visited your website and you guys have done a great job. Let me address your two concerns specifically. I am Charles Grande and I am running against Ken Waters in the Republican primary for the District 5 County Commission seat. I have been consistently against mining in or near residential areas. I Currently sit as the Vice Chair of the Planning & zoning Board and I have a consistent record of voting against mining projects as virtually all of the applications within the past couple of years have been too close to residential areas. More specifically, I have recorded votes against, and I have spoken out against, the mining applications in the Carlton Road area - it's in the record, and any of your neighbors who have attended the
applicable P&Z meetings can attest to my position.

Strangely, my opponent, who lives just west of Range Line Road in the Aero Park, seems to be of a different mind. While he gives lip service to caution in the area of mining, I think the truth can be found by following the money. Waters has taken the maximum allowed contribution, $500, from Palm Beach Aggregates, and his reports also show maximum contributions from
virtually every heavy hauler who would be profiting by increased mining activity in St Lucie county.

As for development in the western part of the county, again, following the money will tell the story.

While I have been a long time supporter of "Smart Growth" concepts that would limit the densities west of the Urban Service Boundary, and I was one of those who initiated the movement for the North County Master Planning project, and am currently lobbying for the same type of master planning for the western areas that would limit growth to a controlled pace and not allow
anything that would be contrary to a master plan that was developed in conjunction with the existing residents, my opponent can only be judged by his contribution list because he has no actual record. Ken Waters has broken all records for fund raising in a St Lucie County Commission race simply because his account is swollen with money from virtually every member of the South Florida Growth Machine.

Sadly, virtually every candidate spouts the same stuff - "I'm for controlled growth" - so I say - follow the money. I don't think anyone who would like to see our way of life preserved should be voting for those who are financed by the very people and companies who would profit by overdeveloping our remaining areas.I have a voting record in six years on P&Z that tells the tale about me. My opponent has a financial contributor report that tells the tale about him. Please be an educated voter."

Reggie Sessions :"How are you today, in response to your question you will find my answer was ABSOLUTELY NOT. This article was published in the hometown news this week. I suggest you get a copy so you can view all the candidates position on this issue. With regards to the growth issue, it should be managed or controlled to the extent that it does not affect the quality of life of the residents presently in the proposed area. This will prevent overcrowding of the region, this can be accomplished by developing a scheme of developmental planning balancing economic development with population growth. There also needs to be consideration of environmental issues, impact on schools and our quality of life; before developing more in the western portion of the county.

I hope I have answered all your questions.

Paula Lewis - "currently the district 3 commissioner of St. Lucie County cannot make a comment on this issue due to the legal issues tied to her current job".

Residents embattled to maintain their quality of life.

Contributed by people concerned! We merely want to protect our rights to live and breathe fresh air in a quiet place.