Alachua City Commission Seat 3 will be contested by incumbent Commissioner Dayna Williams, Jackson Youmas and Bill Menadier during the April 14 election.   

The following questions about term goals and initiatives were emailed to each candidate, and their answers are printed here with minor edits for style.  

Williams, who has been on the commission since 2018, will run for re-election. She also served on Alachua’s Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) and works as the North Florida director of government affairs for Waste Pro of Florida, Inc.   

Youmas and Menadier are campaigning for the first time. Menadier, an engineer and entrepreneur, currently serves on the city’s PZB, while Youmas is a store manager for CVS, where he’s worked for 20 years.   

• Previous experience in elected office 

Williams: Alachua City Commissioner, February 2018-present 
City of Alachua Planning & Zoning Board Member, August 2014-February 2018 
City of Alachua Citizen Advisory Task Force, February 2013-August 2014 

Youmas: This will be my first elected position, but for many years I’ve served my community by volunteering my time and working side by side with many local, state and national non-profits, government agencies, civic organizations and by ensuring CVS partners with local charities to live up to its Corporate Social Responsibility. As you can see, I’m certainly not a career politician.  

Menadier: I was appointed to serve on the City of Alachua Planning and Zoning board in 2022. 

• Candidate websites  

Williams: Daynaforalachua.com and Dayna Williams for Alachua City Commission Seat 3 on Facebook 

Youmas: Jacksonforalachua.com and Jackson for Alachua on Facebook 

Menadier: Billmenadier.com and Menadier for Alachua City Commission Seat 3 on Facebook 

• What prompted you to run for election or re-election?  

Williams: I decided to run for re-election for Seat 3 after conversations with many of our residents, local businesses and my family. The message I heard was clear: steady leadership and a strong community matter. Over the last several years, we have expanded and upgraded our parks, recreation facilities and community spaces, invested in infrastructure and utilities, revitalized our downtown, and planned strategically for housing and population growth—all while maintaining high-quality municipal services. But there is still more to accomplish. I am committed to continuing that progress and using my experience to help guide our city forward in a positive and responsible way. 

Youmas: A few years ago, CVS offered me a position managing the store in the city of Alachua. Having lived all across the state of Florida, I quickly found Alachua offered the quiet, close-knit life my family and I were looking for. The kind of place where neighbors still look out for each other. 

But the more I listened to the people who came through the doors of my store every day, the more I heard the same frustration: our government isn’t listening to us. I watched experienced city planners resign and walk away rather than be forced to put developer interests ahead of the best interests of the citizens. I watched a commission that rubber-stamped decisions without any real debate or understanding of community impact. 

I am not a career politician. I am a father, a healthcare professional and your neighbor. I’m running because the soul of Alachua is worth fighting for and it deserves someone at City Hall who actually stands up for it. 

Menadier: Through my work on the Planning and Zoning Board since 2022 and the Alachua Chamber, I have heard consistent feedback about growth, transparency and long-term planning. My professional experience has prepared me to step in and help address those concerns for my clients. As a consulting engineer working with multiple cities and counties, I have worked on capital improvement planning, infrastructure assessments and budgeting decisions that shape how communities grow. This combination of local involvement and technical experience led me to run for office. I want to apply what I have learned to help guide responsible growth and support decisions that reflect the priorities of our neighbors. 

• What vote are you proudest of the commission making in the past year? 

Williams: Over the past year, I am especially proud of the commission’s vote to redevelop the Cleather Hathcock, Sr. Community Center. This is a project our community has wanted to see happen for many years and I’m proud that our current commission made it a priority and committed the resources to move it forward. The Hathcock Center holds a special place in our city, particularly for our senior community. The new facility will be beautiful, ADA-compliant, energy-efficient and equipped with modern technology—allowing us to expand programs, services and opportunities for seniors, children and families alike, ensuring this space continues to serve and connect generations in our community for years to come.  

Youmas: The vote that stands out was the 5-0 vote to direct the city attorney to find an independent investigator into why 75% of our planning department walked out the door at once. 

What troubles me is that the commission reversed course—twice—and let that investigation die with no real answers. The residents who came to those meetings, meeting after meeting, demanding accountability, were right, and they deserved better. 

That’s exactly why I’m running. Alachua needs a commissioner who doesn’t just take the right vote when it’s easy, but holds the line when it’s hard.

Menadier: Downtown is the heartbeat of any community and downtown Alachua is full of history. I am proud of the commission’s decision to allow alcohol sales within the CRA district. This change removes a long-standing restriction that limited new business opportunities. More activity downtown means more support for local businesses and, in turn, creates a stronger sense of community. 

• What has changed the most about the city since you first campaigned? 

Williams: Since I first campaigned, our city has grown from a quiet “bedroom community” into a thriving regional hub. Today, we are home to national and international biotech and high-tech businesses, while still supporting a strong network of local start-ups that define our “Good Life Community.” We’ve seen expanded opportunities in education—from pre-K at Irby Elementary to higher education through Santa Fe College—and a broader range of quality job opportunities, from entry-level to career-focused positions in areas like Progress Park and San Felasco Tech City. 

At the same time, our Main Street corridor is thriving, with new restaurants and boutique shops that help us maintain the small-town character our residents value. The city has been intentional in supporting business recruitment and expansion, with economic development efforts focused on key industries such as technology, life sciences, manufacturing and logistics. We have also made significant investments to strengthen and revitalize our historic downtown through initiatives like façade improvement grants, construction of the new downtown parking lot and recent renovations to Theatre Park. Together, these efforts—along with our many community events—have increased engagement and brought new energy and activity to our downtown. 

Youmas: When my family and I arrived, we found exactly what we were looking for: a community with roots, warmth and a pace of life that reminded us what matters. What has changed is the pressure on that way of life. 

Traffic has gotten worse. Our taxes are going up. And through it all, residents have been raising their hands at commission meetings, asking to be heard, only to be ignored and watch motions pass with virtually zero debate. 

What hasn’t changed is the spirit of the people here. Alachua shows up. They demand answers. This community hasn’t given up and my job as your commissioner will be making sure City Hall finally catches up to the people it’s supposed to serve. 

Menadier: This is my first campaign, however, since I’ve started, I’ve been encouraged and excited about honest and open conversations with our neighbors. Clear communication and an understanding of the “why” local government operates is important to our success. 

• What are the two most important issues facing Alachua and how should the City Commission address them? 

Williams: Two of the most important issues facing Alachua are managing growth and protecting our local schools. 

Growth is both a blessing and a challenge—we all feel it. Alachua is becoming an increasingly attractive place to live, work and raise a family, thanks to our strong recreation and cultural programs, low electric rates, proximity to a major university and a thriving business environment. As more people and businesses choose to call Alachua home, we must be thoughtful and intentional in how we manage that growth so it enhances our community while preserving the character and quality of life our residents value. 

Another immediate concern is the potential impact of changes to our local schools. The Alachua County School Board has adopted a countywide rezoning plan and is considering the closure of our two elementary schools. When our local schools were at risk, I made it a priority to step forward, speak up and ensure that the voices of our Alachua families were clearly heard. I worked alongside my fellow commissioners as we took a unified stand, but I also felt a personal responsibility to advocate directly and clearly communicate how critical our schools are to the strength and identity of our community. While that decision has been delayed following the unified request from our City Commission, this remains a critical issue for our community. Our schools are a source of pride and it is essential that our residents continue to have a voice in decisions made by outside entities that directly affect our city.  

To manage growth while preserving our quality of life, the commission should take a thoughtful and proactive approach to updating our comprehensive plan, land development regulations and zoning criteria. This includes evaluating residential lot sizes, development design, tree mitigation standards and protecting our natural resources to ensure that new growth reflects the character of our community while supporting quality housing and strong economic development. Being intentional in these areas will help us continue to attract residents and businesses that provide meaningful employment opportunities while maintaining our “Good Life Community.” 

Regarding our local schools, the commission has already taken important steps by engaging in community input meetings, collaborating with county and city partners and formally requesting a delay in the School Board’s decision. Moving forward, it is critical that we continue working closely with parents, residents, and School Board members to advocate for our community and ensure our voices are heard. I am committed to continuing those conversations and working toward a positive outcome for Alachua’s families. 

Youmas: First: Accountable, community-driven, smart growth. Growth is not the enemy, but rushed, reckless growth is. We watched experienced planners resign rather than rubber-stamp developments that weren’t ready. We watched proposals advance near Mill Creek Sink, a direct pathway to our drinking water, without an adequate study of the environmental impacts. Our community deserves growth that is smart, safe and honest. Growth that passes one simple test: does this protect the Alachua we love? 

Second: Restoring trust through real transparency. Too many residents feel like decisions are made for them, not with them. A city manager resigned with no public explanation. An investigation into the planning crisis was started and killed—twice. A precinct with the city’s highest minority voter turnout was closed weeks before an election. Each of these decisions erodes the trust that democracy runs on. We cannot build a “good life” community on a foundation of secrecy and lies. 

On smart growth: Before any large-scale project moves forward, we need independent environmental and infrastructure impact assessments, especially near sensitive areas like Mill Creek Sink and our aquifer. We need to rebuild our planning department with empowered professionals who can say “not yet” without fear. 

On transparency: Every policy, vote and decision-making process should be fully documented and easy for any resident to access, not buried in legal language or locked behind fees. I will push for an independent ethics framework covering all city officials and clear systems of accountability that restore trust and eliminate any fear of behind-the-scenes deals. The power of information belongs to the citizens. 

Menadier: Our neighbors want to restore transparency at City Hall and manage growth in a way that preserves the Good Life Community charm. 

We should focus on transparency, access and early public input. By making meetings available online, residents who cannot attend in person can still participate. I believe the commission would benefit from holding regular workshops and open forums to gather input before major decisions are made. Managing growth starts with strong planning. The city is now reviewing its comprehensive plan through the Evaluations and Assessment Report, which is a required update process. This gives the commission a clear chance to review current policies and make deliberate changes. After updates to the comprehensive plan are approved, they guide changes to land development regulations, which directly shape how and where growth happens. The commission can encourage residents and community leaders to take part in this process and submit specific recommendations. This approach helps ensure future development reflects the voice of the community. 

• How will you seek to bring transparency and unity to the commission that citizens have asked for? 

Williams: Transparency and unity are both essential to effective leadership and they are values I take seriously in my role as a commissioner. Transparency means ensuring that decisions are made openly, with clear communication, public input and accountability. I will continue to support open meetings, accessible information and opportunities for residents to stay informed and engaged in the decision-making process. 

Unity, to me, means working collaboratively—even when there are differences of opinion—to move our city forward in a productive and respectful way. It does not mean we will always agree, but it does mean we should remain focused on solutions rather than unnecessary division. I am committed to maintaining a professional, respectful approach and working with my fellow commissioners, staff and community members to ensure we are making thoughtful decisions in the best interest of Alachua. 

Youmas: Growing up as the grandson of a sharecropper and the son of ministers, I was taught two things: your word is your bond, and the most important people in any room are the ones who’ve been overlooked. I carry both of those into this race every single day. 

Transparency isn’t a policy position for me, it is a personal value. From day one, I will hold regular community listening sessions where any resident can come and talk to me. I will push for plain-language summaries of every commission decision so that people don’t need a law degree to understand what their government just did. And I will never vote to close off an investigation or let outside pressure rush a decision that affects your family. 

Unity doesn’t mean everyone agrees. It means everyone is heard. I’ve spent 24 years walking into broken situations and building something better. I will bring that same discipline and that same genuine respect for every voice to the commission. The soul of Alachua belongs to all of us. 

Menadier: It is important to focus on clear communication, open access and consistent outreach. Supporting live streams and recorded meetings will give all residents the ability to follow the process in real-time. Meeting minutes and clear summaries of agenda items and decisions are imperative so the community understands what is being discussed and why it matters. By holding regular community meetings and attending neighborhood events to hear concerns directly, we can build unity. I will initiate and encourage input early, before decisions are finalized, and will share how that input influences outcomes. Each action item will be approached by weighing long-term impacts, not short-term pressure from any single group. This means using the comprehensive plan as a guide and making decisions that align with the broader goals of the community.