Jeff Gray is seeking re-election to the Nassau County Commission, representing District 3, facing challenger Lynn Newcomer. As both candidates are Republicans, and no Democrats or other candidates qualified for the race, the Republican primary in August will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
Jeff Gray
Occupation: I am retired.
Age: 58
Family: I have a beautiful wife, Diana, a firecracker of a daughter, Brooke, 23, and a wonderful son, Jeffrey, 35.
Education: After graduating high school, I completed a field internship with the US Department of Labor before beginning my career.
Political experience: I had the pleasure of serving on the Nassau County Code Enforcement Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and the Board of County Commissioners. I had the pleasure of serving on the Nassau County Code Enforcement Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and the Board of County Commissioners.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Nassau County has several areas of opportunity. The first one is affordable housing. This is not an issue just in Nassau, but one we have to deal with by finding a solution that is unique to our community. I want to see our county work with the business community and forge public-private partnerships that will create an affordable housing solution with rents that are affordable for our community.
People remain concerned about the effects of growth. We have been proactive in ensuring we are identifying and preserving our essential natural resources for future generations. It is important that we continue to make growth pay for itself and that we also act as good stewards of our environmental resources. Our natural treasures are what make our home so desirable, and it’s important that we always work to strike the right balance to ensure our community succeeds.
Lastly, it’s important that we continue to control taxes. During my time as commissioner, we cut taxes three out of four years without making sacrifices to critical services. I campaigned on controlling unnecessary spending, and that is what I will continue to do as commissioner.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I believe my long-term volunteer service for the county, along with my decades of experience in business, puts me in a unique position to view the county from a broad perspective and understand the history behind the various challenges our county faces.
If you don’t understand history and the mistakes of yesterday, you’re doomed to repeat them. My time as a volunteer in local government and as commissioner helps me understand the reasons why we have struggled in the past to solve some of our problems.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
My colleagues and I have worked hard to reduce spending while increasing critical public safety and first responder services across the county.
I would like to be remembered as someone who fought for the constituents in my district.
Campaign website: www.votejeffgray.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Lynn Newcomer
Occupation: Antique seller
Age: (No response)
Family: Husband and two children
Education: Bachelor Science Business Management
Political experience: Navy Spouse
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Two years after voting for land conservation County still clearing new acreage, cutting into designated canopy roads and wetlands.
Thousands of acres of Rural acreage converted to residential without first considering impact to infrastructure such as sufficient fire and police safety.
Residents have no voice in right of ways deemed by the county to be necessary for commercialization.
We need to go back to the County comprehensive plan toward a sustainable development direction through 2032. We also need to expedite the County Land Acquisition Management as it’s being outpaced by development.
We need to increase our county’s 7% land mass conservation to align more closely to the rest of Florida’s 29% rate.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Give voters a voice, listen to the community needs as presented to the land commission and zoning/planning by your constituents. Don’t simply veto the land commission without providing valid reasons
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Communicating with taxpayers toward a long term vision that actively supports and promotes our farms, neighborly, lifestyles, great police and fire, safety, quality schools, and the natural geography and wildlife we all cherish.
Campaign website: Vote4newcomer.com
Campaign social media: (None given)