Current District 1 commissioner, Carolyn Spooner, is seeking re-election. Spooner, a Democrat, faces one challenger, Republican Shannon Smith. As there are no primaries in this race, it will not appear on a ballot until the general election in November.
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 by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Carolyn Spooner
Occupation: Retired- Current incumbent Bradford County Commissioner for the past 3.5 years & current Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
Age: N/A
Family: Daughter of the late Willie & Louiza Brown of Starke, Two daughters, Kishanna & Charmil Spooner
Education: She graduated with honors from BHS in 1970. She received a BS degree from Bethune-Cookman College in 1974 and M.Ed. & Ed.S degrees from UF in 1975. She also became a Certified Public Manager through Florida State University Public Manager’s certification program in 2008.
Political experience: She is the current Chair of the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners. During her first term as County Commissioner, she attended the voluntary education program of specialized training for Florida’s County Commissioners and obtained the designation as a “Certified County Commissioner.” During her second year, she completed the advanced leadership program and was conferred the designation of ”Advanced County Commissioner Level-1.“ During her 3rd year of office, she obtained the highest level of training for a County Commissioner, earning the designation of “Advanced County Commissioner Level II, becoming one of only 13 others in the state during the year 2023.
She used her leadership skills to help the Board in developing a Strategic Plan. The planning process ensured the County was on the pathway to developing a 5-year plan and beyond. She helped the county to develop its Mission, Vision and Value statements and ensured this information was made accessible to the public and viewable on the County’s website. She held public Town-hall meetings to gather input from residents and stakeholders on what was most important to them and incorporated their input into the plan. She encouraged the Board to pursue economic development projects to bring more revenue into the County. She helped the County to secure $321,094 in Opioid Abatement Funds for the treatment of Opioid abusers.
Her political history includes receiving two appointments from former Governor Bob Graham. She was first appointed to the Bradford County Historical Board of Trustees, which leased the old Bradford County Courthouse to Santa Fe Community College, which is now known as the Santa Fe Community College Andrews Center. This Board approved the funding for the Historic Camp Blanding Museum and the Eugene Matthew Historic Museum/Rosenburg Building at Starke Santa Fe Community College. Her second appointment was to the Florida Governor’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Commission. She coordinated the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for Bradford County, Jan. 1986.
Commissioner Spooner has had experience in City government, City of Starke, District 2. She served 3 terms as Mayor. She assisted the City of Starke in acquiring District-wide clean-up crews. She helped to guide the city in developing a City webpage, updated recording system for meetings, and on-line billing. She facilitated the City in the development of its first Strategic planning process. In addition, she guided the city through a difficult state audit. She helped to resolve annexation conflicts between the City & County and helped to bridge the gap between City and County government to facilitate the two bodies of government to be able to work together for the good of the community. She helped to guide the city in pursuing grants for better housing, road improvements, recreation, as well as sewer and water improvements. She initiated the City’s employee recognition program and the first City Hall Open House celebration to encourage better communication and open government with the unveiling of a new City of Starke Logo. She served in City government for 13 years before retiring from the City of Starke in 2016.
She served on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council Executive Board for 10 years & served as Chair of the board in 2014. She also served on the International Relations Committee for The Florida League of Cities. She was President of the North Central Florida Areawide Development Co., Inc., and she served as 2nd Vice President of the Florida Regional Councils Association.
She has worked with the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County to obtain funding for the renovation of the RJE GYM and School project. She also serves on the Health Task Force Committee with the Health Department which initiated the Bradford Community Partners Health & Resource HUB’s to bring much needed services into the community.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Impose Fire Assessment: I would hold townhall meetings and small group meetings with constituents to answer any questions and advocate to make the assessment as low as possible and not to occur before 2026. Prior to implementation, I would advocate to reduce the high 10 millage before imposing any fire assessment.
2. Lack of Infrastructure Improvement and Economic Development: I would develop a Capital Improvement Plan and secure state and federal grants to address these concerns.
3. Maintenance of Roadways and Ditches: Secure funding through SCRAP and SCOP to improve conditions of roads, streets and bridges. Hire additional help to keep our roadways and ditches mowed and safe.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I can help the voters through listening and making myself available via townhall meetings, community forums, face to face meetings and returning their telephone calls. I am able to relate to all voters regardless of race or party affiliation. I am a strong advocate for unity for the entire community as we are Bradford County Strong together.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Being the people’s Commissioner who helped Bradford County become a united community and a better place to live for the next generation.
Campaign website: (None given)
Campaign social media: Facebook
Shannon Smith
The Republican candidate has not yet responded to email and phone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If any responses are received, they will be promptly added to this space.
Campaign website: None found
Campaign social media: None found