Seth Johnson
High Springs voters will decide two commission seats at the ballot box on Nov. 7, with four candidates in the running.
Voting will last from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at precinct 20, the High Springs Civic Center, and precinct 60, First United Methodist Church (17405 NW US 441).
Incumbents Gloria James, Seat 2, and Ross Ambrose, Seat 1, are looking to keep their spots, while Steve Tapanes and Andrew Miller campaign against them.
We sent each candidate the same questions and word limits. The responses are posted below. More information about the candidates can be found linked below.
At the bottom of the story, we also link to some of the top High Springs stories from the past year.
Andrew Miller: Seat 1, challenger
What elected or public service positions have you held? Currently, I am a board member of the High Springs Chamber of Commerce. I am in charge of advertising and marketing. I have helped increase participation at Pioneer Days, Christmas parade, Tree Lighting, and other events provided by the High Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Follow me on Facebook at “Andrew Miller for High Springs.” Email me at: DrewforNew@yahoo.com.
Stop in at my campaign hub, Poetic Cuts, located at 25113 W US-27 in High Springs.
What prompted you to run for office? I have always believed that if one is dissatisfied with the performance of elected officials, or simply believe that government processes can be improved to encourage citizen engagement in their government, the best way to effect change is to participate. Changing the government from the outside is very difficult. I have been thinking about running for Commissioner for a couple of years. After much consideration and talking with citizens to learn of their concerns and desires for the city, I decided to run. Sometimes commissioners are settled in visions that aren’t as fresh. My roots are here in High Springs, and I want to continue to be able to enjoy its good nature. I wanted to bring a solution to the problem and not add to the problem.
What are the two most important issues facing the city commission? The two most important issues facing the city commission would be infrastructure management and the lack of quality jobs. With a growing city, we cannot keep ignoring roads, water and sewer. We need to assure the citizens that we care about their quality of life. Providing them with clean water, paved roads and functioning sewer systems. Better jobs would help our small business owners tremendously. The more people working locally the more they will spend locally. This community is made up of many family-owned mom and pop shops, and in order for them to continue to survive in this ever-changing economy, the increase in citizens working will secure their existence.
What do you hope to accomplish as part of the city commission? Being a part of the city commission, I hope to accomplish getting a solid strategic plan in place for our city and to balance our budget, so we can provide the proper infrastructure. I also hope to help develop more jobs in town for local citizens and find more programs for the youth, including but not limited to education, sports and the performance arts. I desire to bring a non-biased and innovative viewpoint to the city commission. A positive change to our city. I truly believe this community is unique and has so much to offer.
As High Springs continues growing, what principles should the commission use to guide that increase? The commission should always be guided by the principles of integrity and respect. As commissioners, we work for the people and their opinions, and values should be considered every time a decision is being voted upon. The best decisions are always made based on gathering the largest amount of relevant information available and vetting that information in an open public process. The commission should make sure that every factor is considered, not only the city budget, but also the citizens. By doing this we will create an everlasting sense of community where everyone feels valued and understood.
Open comment: I would like to thank everyone that has supported my campaign this far. Supporting me is supporting someone who has a passion to serve and a desire to do what is best for the City of High Springs. With a nine-year background in business ownership, I am a serial entrepreneur, bringing a young, fresh and new perspective to the commission. I promise to be a listening ear and continue to give a voice to all citizens and create a safe space for you all to share your thoughts and ideas.
High Springs is home to many entrepreneurs and small business owners that provide critical products and services to our communities. The citizens of High Springs are also extraordinarily generous and civic minded with numerous non-profit and civic organizations filling vital roles in delivering social services. High Springs has many of these organizations dependent on volunteers who contribute tens of thousands of hours annually to achieve the mission of making life better for those who live in Alachua County.
Together we make all things better. This Nov. 7 I encourage you to get out and vote Drew for New!
Ross Ambrose: Seat 1, incumbent
What elected or public service positions have you held? I am currently completing my first term as a High Springs City Commissioner. I am the Vice Chair of the Alachua County Tourist Development Council, appointed by the County Commission. Prior to my service as commissioner, I served on the High Springs Parks & Recreation board for 18 years. I was a nominee to the Governor for appointment to the Alachua County Children’s Trust. I served on the board of the High Springs Main Street organization for six years and currently serve on the board of The Heart of High Springs.
Where can voters go to learn more about you?
RossAmbrose.com and https://www.facebook.com/ElectRossAmbrose
What prompted you to run for office? As a citizen I made it a hobby to attend weekly city commission meetings. Over the years I saw how short-term thinking put our city at a disadvantage with staffing and our infrastructure maintenance. During commission discussions, when I had more history on subjects than those elected, I felt I was prepared to be a public servant. I was at the meeting where the city voted to move forward with a sewer system, have listened to citizens talk about how small we are and how we don’t need to regulate what happens. All of these things have created opportunities for developers to exploit our lack of staff and rules. I want to protect what makes us special and recognize that growth is happening. I feel I can make decisions that will help us be a community we can be proud of today and many years from now.
What are the two most important issues facing the city commission? The serious divide in our community and how we can have a productive dialog about issues. Governing for a town of nearly 8,000 means there are many valid points of view. Commissioners must make hard choices that simply can’t please everyone. We are neighbors and should respect each other, even when we disagree. We have issues with infrastructure, growth, taxes, parks and the cost of government but we have done so much better in the last three years. Continuing to develop our strategic plan and systematically addressing areas that have been ignored is critically important to avoid past patterns that frustrated residents.
It is hard to move us forward, keep us current and respect what we value as current citizens, business owners, patrons and visitors. All stakeholders need to be represented. Elected leaders live here and are trying to balance everyone’s voice. It is a privilege to serve.
What do you hope to accomplish as part of the city commission with another term? I will continue the progress we have made in the last three years. Our staff has been empowered and are making plans in every department that improve how the community is served. Police with body cameras, the most advanced rescue equipment in the county, remote meter reading for water, a new water well and plans to address poor storm water control and failing city roads. We have applied for and received more grants that address issues ignored for years—and I expect more.
We have completed paving projects for the first time in five years and finally updated fire equipment that was three years past expected life. We have significantly reduced what we were spending to repair old equipment and focused on making sure staff have tools that allow them to serve efficiently.
Moving forward, I expect citizens to see how government is working for them and making our community a special place. We need a multi-purpose center, improved sidewalks, continued improvements to our water system and programing in our Parks & Recreation department that serves all generations and not just youth teams. I’m committed to our city doing better and being bold while challenged by growth.
As High Springs continues growing, what principles should the commission use to guide that increase? Local government serves all citizens. A citizen with 800 acres that can be developed and the homeowner with 10,000 square feet of land both deserve to have property rights protected. State laws dictate that local officials use the Comprehensive Plan (updated every 10 years) and the Land Development Codes as the playbook for how property owners will have a voice.
We need to stay vigilant and fight when Tallahassee tries to limit local government control. Florida League of Cities has recognized me twice for efforts to push back on legislation that limits what we can decide locally, when Tallahassee attempts to pre-empt local control. Impact fees need to make sure that builders pay their way. Citizens that live here should not pay for the ability for others to come. I’m proud of the three new impact fees we now charge that make this possible.
We need to recognize that our core downtown is critically important to our small-town identity and make sure we keep downtown relevant, vibrant and a place for people to gather and be community. Respect for our past, our visitors, our businesses and those that live here needs to guide our change.
Open comment? I believe in the ideal of “public service.” Local government is about local issues. Neighbors discussing issues and finding common ground. I can tell you that anyone suggesting a simple solution is naive. Getting a family to agree is hard, representing a community of 8,000 is hard to comprehend. You need very thick skin. You will never make everyone happy. Someone will always feel unheard. Others will be confident that you are personally benefiting. However, that is the state of public service.
My goal is to make choices that recognize everyone’s valid perspective and choose for the long-term good of the community. I am committed to making improvements that make the community work and value people living in High Springs. I put in the time to research the issues, actively engage staff and challenge them, I make myself available (I’m very proud to say that I’ve responded to every email and phone call I’ve received since being elected), and I look for innovative ways to preserve what still feels like a small town.
Please visit my website RossAmbrose.com and send me your questions. I’m happy to listen and discuss what is important to you.
Steve Tapanes: Seat 2
What previous elected or public service positions have you held? I currently serve on the High Springs Planning Board.
Where can voters go to learn more about you? I have a Facebook page—Steve Tapanes for High Springs Commission Seat 2. If anyone would like to reach out to me, please feel free to message me on this page.
What prompted you to run for office? Until I started to serve on the planning board, I was never really involved in the city’s business. Being on the planning board brought me in contact with many citizens that felt that their opinions were largely ignored. I believe that a fresh outlook is what this community needs.
What are the two most important issues facing the city commission? I think the largest issue is how to balance exploding growth with needed infrastructure. I believe the city government needs to concentrate on making High Springs great for the existing citizens before it starts to try and make it better for future residents.
What do you hope to accomplish as part of the city commission? I hope to find a way to have a multi-use recreational center for the youth in our community. This could be used to host volleyball/basketball games and practices. I think that we could explore using private investors, grants and the city’s fund to make this project obtainable.
As High Springs continues growing, what principles should the commission use to guide that increase? Before anything is approved, questions should always be asked. One question is how this decision is going to affect the current residents of High Springs. I believe the main job of local government is to maintain the infrastructure and quality of life for the current residents. In High Springs there is room for improvement in this area, and that should be considered before trying to attract more families to come to the area. I also think it’s important to allow people to exercise their freedoms. I don’t think government should be dictating how people run their lives or businesses.
Open comment? I’m a long-time resident of High Springs looking to leave the community better for future generations to come. I am not a practiced politician that has all the right words with no actions to follow. I am an ordinary man that has made past mistakes but has worked with my own two hands to become the man I am today. I do not have all the answers or solutions, but I promise to listen to our citizens and treat each person with the respect they deserve.
Gloria James: Seat 2, incumbent
What previously elected or public service positions have you held? I am currently holding City Commission Seat 2 and serving as Mayor. I am President of AARP Chapter 3373. I work as a Clerk for the Supervisor of Elections during elections. I am Superintendent of Sunday School as well as President of the Missionary Society at my church. I am an active member of the Douglass Historical School Society. I also served several years on the Planning Board in High Springs. Lastly, I have several years of experience working in the Chamber of Commerce office and as a substitute teacher for many years.
Where can voters go to learn more about you? I am currently working on a social media account.
What prompted you to run for office? High Springs is a beautiful place to live, and it has a very inviting rural appeal. It is a city that is currently growing. As a city commissioner, we have worked hard to put a variety of things in place to cause this growth. Since I was involved in the beginning of things, I would also like to be involved in the middle, and most definitely the ending of some of these projects. It will be a process to see things come to completion, and it will take time, but what a wonderful day that will be. I like working for the citizens of High Springs.
What are the two most important issues facing the city commission? The first issue is that of infrastructure. We are working to improve our infrastructure. We have done some improvements and/or replacement of sewer lines, water lines and roads. We have put in a new well. There is still work to be done, and we will continue towards improving our city.
The second issue is economic development. We have several new stores and restaurants that have opened their businesses in High Springs. However, we want to attract businesses that can employ our citizens and pay a wage that can support a family. We must continue to work to attract businesses of this type.
What do you hope to accomplish as part of the city commission with another term? Another term on the city commission would afford me the opportunity to continue to work for the betterment of High Springs. To continue work that would be useful in acquiring businesses and/or stores that, if we could get them to come to High Springs, would make our city more self-sustaining. We want businesses and stores that would be concerned about our environment, both our water as well as our atmosphere.
As High Springs continues to grow, what principles should the city commission use to guide that increase? The principles stated in the Land Development Code (LDC) are what the commission will be using in making decisions. The LDC provides uniform guidelines for zoning and subdivisions, and other regulations that are used to assure adhere to the comprehensive plan. Guidelines are specific and detailed.
Open comments: When I first started to work as a commissioner, it was not only necessary that I learn the physical layout (as I was relatively new to the city), it was also necessary that I learn the workings of a city municipal government. This was my first involvement with city government. As things progressed, I became more and more aware of the variety of ordinances, instructions, regulations, etc. that it takes to run a city.
Also, the more I learned the more I wanted to learn. I am still learning. I truly enjoy working with staff to accomplish the needs of High Springs. We are growing, and I would like to have the opportunity to continue being a city commission and lend my assistance to forward progress.
Top High Springs stories:
is economic development. We have several new stores and restaurants that have opened their businesses in High Springs. However, we want to attract businesses that can employ our citizens and pay a wage that can support a family. We must continue to work to attract businesses of this type. https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/
That is one of the things that Andrew Miller is running on to bring in revenue for people to have decent wages in this town. I think he’s the only one speaking of that as well as other things.
It’s disappointing that Ambrose and James voted to raise taxes on property 27%. If I could vote I would vote for Andrew Miller and Steve Tapanes on Nov. they have great ideas of what can move High Springs forward.
Gloria James: Seat 2, incumbent Already has enough on her plate. She will not be able to give her full attention to this position. Hard pass on her.